Helmets How to determine head shape?

yelsob

Joined
Mar 27, 2010
Messages
54
Location
MN.
Bike
'06 ST1300
My first helmet has been officially retired. The helmet was suggested to me based on price & modular design. It fit 'ok, but not great. What has me guessing is what helmet shape am I? Is there a template I use, or do I have to try different helmets on to see what fits best??

I'm looking at the Schuberth, Arai & Shoei. $500-700 range. Are helmet shape descriptions standard across all brands? Medium oval is a medium oval?


I've only used a HJC modular helmet. With a full face helmet, Do you have any concerns or issues putting your eye glasses on/off after the helmet is in place? Do most helmets have a cut out for the eye glass bows, etc?

Thanx Chris:06biker:
 
yelsob said:
do I have to try different helmets on to see what fits best??

I'm looking at the Schuberth, Arai & Shoei. $500-700 range. Are helmet shape descriptions standard across all brands? Medium oval is a medium oval?
Click to expand...

The only way to really know is to try them on. A medium oval in an Arai is not necessarily the same as in the Shoeii. In fact even though Shoeii calls the RF1100 and the X12 both medium ovals they fit slightly differently. Also, your glasses will fit differently in different helmets.

If you can't find local options to try on the helmets - and Nobody near me carries Arai or Schuberth helmets - you can order on line and, in most cases, return it just for the cost of shipping it back to the vendor.

Good luck!
 
Check out Arai's site: araiamericas.com

Lots of good info on sizing and shape. Note that Arai does not sell modular helmets, if that's what you are looking for.

As Barto says in the last post, trying a few lids on is the best way to be sure it fits and will be comfortable. Some Arai dealers have sales help that actually knows about the product. But one of my pet peeves is buyers who try on gear at the local shop and then go online to order and save a few bucks. Support your local shops! Keep them in business.

pete
 
OK. soapbox time... I know this isn't the original question.

on the subject of online vs. supporting your local shop.

we complain when the local shops don't have the helmets we want to try, then we buy online. why should they stock them if we won't buy them? on the other hand, why should I pay $200 more for something I could get with free shipping and no tax online?

I have a suggestion. You find "the" helmet at the local shop. It is pricier than online. You ask to see the manager, tell him you can get it cheaper online but that you appreciate being able to try the thing on at his place; you want to keep him in business, you want to return for future business; will he split the difference with you? Worth a try...

when I buy running shoes, yes, they are only $100 or so - I pay about $10 more for the fitting and great advice at the specialty shop I go to. It is WORTH it. But I get it that top line helmets are pricey.

try to work with the local guy - it might work, and might keep the local economy in better shape in the bargain. there are countless reasons to have good rapport with the local shop, and his service area as well.

cheers -
 
Lots of info and reviews here: webBikeWorld

Trying lots of helmets on is always the best way to find what fits you, but it's not practical for some of us. I live too far from any shops with a decent selection, so I end up ordering online and taking a chance. Even if I had to return one that doesn't fit, it's less costly than travelling 250+ miles to try one on and possibly not find the size/color combination I want. I support the local small shops as much as I can with other purchases. I can't expect them to stock all the helmets that every snowmobile, dirt bike, ATV, sport touring, cruiser, sport, or touring rider might be interested in. One advantage that I can think of by going with a company like Arai is that once you find what fits you, replacements will likely be available a few years down the road when you need a fresh helmet and you don't need to start over finding the right fit.
 
Last year Schuberth had a booth at the International Motorcycle Show in Greenville, SC.

Maybe you can try some on at the Minneapolis show 2-5 February. May even be some other vendors there,
 
I'm on my 4th helmet in 6 years. The first was a $50 special. Got me rollin. Then bought a cheap flip up when I picked up my ST. Hinges broke after 9 weeks! Bought a Bell rollover last year. Thought that was ok until after it broke in. The more I rode the less I could ride. By the end of the season I could only wear it for 20 minutes before I got a splitting headache. So I've got a slightly used helmet for sale - cheap. A couple weeks ago I went to the Chicago motorcycle show and spent the afternoon trying on helmets and talking to reps. Shoei, Shuberth, Nolan, and then Arai. No more cheapies. Really wanted another fliper but there was no doubt which one was best. Had good chats with all. Learned what a good fit was and what a hot spot felt like. The Arai rep measured my head, walked me around the other side of the display, picked up a helmet and said I could try them all on but this one was it. He was right. No one else could do that. :bow1: Just got it in the mail. Gonna miss the flipper but fit takes precedence.

Now all I need is for the snow to melt:03biker:
 
I had the Arai guy size me at the Greenville show last year. Its really amazing what he does. Grabs the back of your head, and points to a helmet. Just like that. Ill be damn if he isnt correct too. Ive seen the vids of him doing it online first and thought it was set up. Dudes the real deal. He knows his job, products and customers. I bought an Arai and havnt looked back since. In fact I sold my brand new Shoei a month after. It truely is a different world in a helmet that fits proper.

Every head is different. Arai works for me. Shoei works for others. Some swear by brand x. Point is to try alot of different helmets on and pick the best. Big moto shows are about your best bet. Plus side is you get to go to a moto show. Last year I seen Jason Britten doing stunts. That was worth the drive alone.
 
Ended up getting fitted for a Arai Signet-Q at the MPLS show. Now to add the SENA BT to it.
 
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