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Looking for the perfect motorcycle helmet but don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In this motorcycle helmet size guide, we’ll help you find the ideal fit for your head, face and riding style. Here’s what we’ll cover:
- The importance of choosing the right helmet size
- How to measure your head for the most accurate sizing
- The different types of motorcycle helmets and their features
- Tips for trying on helmets and finding the best fit
- Additional considerations for facial structures, eyewear and riding styles
So let’s dive in and find the perfect motorcycle helmet for you!
Why Helmet Size Matters
Wearing a helmet when riding a motorcycle is essential not only for safety, but also for enjoyment. But it’s not enough to just put on any helmet.
Finding a helmet that fits your unique head size and shape is critical. An XXL shell that fits The Rock probably won’t fit you. And if your brain is squeezing your melon like a vice, that sounds like torture!
An ill-fitting helmet not only compromises your protection, it can lead to dangerous situations. Using a motorcycle helmet size guide is important to find the right fit.
First: A helmet that is too big can shift, wobble, and slide as you ride. This lack of stability affects control and visibility while riding, as the helmet moves randomly. In the event of a crash, an oversized helmet will not provide adequate shock absorption and may even fly off upon impact. This leaves your head and brain completely unprotected, just when you need that life-saving shield around your skull.
Conversely, a helmet that is too tight also poses risks. Excessive pressure on parts of your head can cause painful “hot spots” that restrict blood flow and cause headaches. It can even limit your ability to fully turn your head to check blind spots. If the fit is too tight, the chinstrap often does not fit properly and must be tightened beyond a comfortable point to stay in place. This results in unwanted movement, discomfort and impaired driving ability.
In addition to physical safety, a poorly fitting helmet also affects the riding experience. Constant pressure, gear shifts and wind noise caused by a poor fit make any motorcycle ride uncomfortable. Using the proper motorcycle helmet size guide for your brand and head shape can help avoid these issues.
Possible consequences of ill-fitting helmets are
- Lack of impact protection
- Increased chance of the helmet flying off your head
- Slipping and reduced visibility/control while riding
- Development of painful pressure points on the head
- Headaches and reduced circulation
- Limited ability to turn your head and see around you
- Discomfort that interferes with the riding experience
In short, yes, helmet size really does matter when riding! This motorcycle helmet size guide will help you find the ideal fit and be safer, more comfortable and happier on the road.
How Should a Motorcycle Helmet Fit?
A motorcycle helmet should fit snugly and comfortably on your head and rest against your forehead. It should have no pressure points and fit snugly around your head. But not pinch. We don’t want the helmet to move around on your head in the wind, but we don’t want it to be so tight that it hurts.
The cheek pads should squeeze your cheeks without being uncomfortable, and there should be no gaps between your temples and the brow pads.
When trying on a helmet, try turning it back and forth and up and down. For full-face helmets, your cheeks should follow the movement of the helmet while maintaining contact.
If you’re wondering what a full-face helmet is, this article will give you a good overview. Click here to explor the Diversity: 6 Types of Motorcycle Helmets You Need to Know
If the helmet moves or slips, it’s too big. You should also make sure that you can’t roll the helmet away or just lift it off your head. If you can do this, it will almost certainly come off in an accident.
It is also a good idea to leave 1 or 2 fingers between your chin and the helmet. Having your chin directly against the helmet can be problematic in the event of a crash. Direct contact could result in injuries such as a broken jaw or worse.
Another way to tell if your helmet is the right size is to make sure that the edge of the eye opening is not too close to your eye line. If the top is too close, the helmet is too big. Make sure your eyes are nicely centered in this eye opening, not too high and not too low.
In addition to the fit of the helmet itself, the chinstrap and all other fasteners must be properly secured and adjusted. The chinstrap should be tightened so that no more than two fingers fit between the helmet and the jaw, as recommended in most motorcycle helmet size guides.
It should be tight enough to prevent the helmet from rolling off your head in the event of a fall, but not so tight as to be uncomfortable or constricting. To provide the necessary protection in the event of an accident, it is critical and essential that the chinstrap is properly fastened.
If you ordered your helmet online, it is advisable to try it on for about half an hour (30 min.). Make yourself comfortable on the couch and enjoy an episode of your favorite show. Take your time.
Do Motorcycle Helmets loosen up?
Yes, motorcycle helmets can become loose over time when worn for long periods of time. The interior padding of a helmet can lose shape due to heat/cold, friction and wear and tear and cause the helmet to become loose. In fact, a helmet can loosen by up to 20% after just 15-20 hours of wear.
Therefore, it is important that a new motorcycle helmet fits snugly. The padding wears down over time as the helmet is worn and the degrading foam adapts to the shape of the rider’s head.
Ears fold when putting on motorcycle helmet
Don’t worry, that’s quite common. As long as you can gently adjust your ears back to their natural position without any discomfort, your helmet fits well once it’s properly positioned.
How to measure your Head for a Motorcycle Helmet
Accurately measuring your head is crucial to choosing the right size motorcycle helmet. The wrong size helmet compromises safety and comfort, which is why it’s important to find the perfect fit.
Follow these motorcycle helmet size guide steps to ensure accurate measurement:
Use a tape measure:
Use a soft, flexible tape measure to measure your head circumference, preferably with the help of a friend or family member.
Measure above the eyebrows and ears:
Place the tape around the widest part of your head, usually above your eyebrows and ears. This position usually marks the largest circumference and corresponds to your helmet size.
Take the measurement:
Ensure the tape measure is snug but not too tight, and take the measurement in both centimeters and inches. If the measurement is between two sizes, round up to the nearest whole number.
Repeat the measurement:
To ensure accuracy, take the measurement two more times from slightly different angles and average the results.
Additional Tips:
- Measure your head if you do not have any hair ties, headbands or other accessories that could interfere with the measurement.
- If you prefer to measure yourself, use a mirror to ensure the tape measure is positioned correctly.
How do I know my helmet size without tape?
To measure your head for a motorcycle helmet without a tape measure, you can use a piece of string or a cell phone charger to measure the circumference of your head.
Here are the steps:
- Wrap the string or phone charger around the widest part of your head, which is usually one to two centimeters or a half-inch above your eyebrows and ears.
- After wrapping the string or phone charger around your head, indicate or make a mark where it meets the starting point or overlaps.
- After marking or cutting the cord, measure the length of the cord with a ruler or tape measure. This measurement will give you the circumference of your head.
How Different Head Shapes Impact Fit
The fit of a motorcycle helmet is affected by the shape of the rider’s head. While all heads are generally shaped between round and oval, there are variations that can affect the fit of a helmet.
Most riders fall into three main categories: long oval, medium oval and round oval. Understanding these shapes can help when interpreting a motorcycle helmet size guide.
Long Oval:
This head shape is longer and thinner, resembling a wide football from the top. Riders with this head shape should choose a long oval helmet that fits their head shape.
Medium Oval:
This is the most common head shape with a slightly elongated oval shape. Most riders will find that helmets designed for medium oval shapes provide a comfortable fit based on a standard motorcycle helmet size guide.
Round Oval:
This head shape is almost as wide as it is long and resembles a football in shape. Riders with this head shape may experience pressure on the sides of the head when trying on a standard medium helmet. Choosing a round oval option can help alleviate this problem not reflected in a generic motorcycle helmet size guide.
The shape of the rider’s head plays a crucial role in selecting a properly fitting motorcycle helmet. It’s important to determine your head shape and try on different helmets to find the best fit for your specific head shape.
Are Motorcycle Helmet Sizes Universal?
Unfortunately, motorcycle helmet sizes are not universal and finding the right fit for comfort and safety is critical. Understanding and properly interpreting motorcycle helmet size guides is an important first step.
Helmets come in a variety of sizes, typically from XXS to 3XL or 4XL, depending on the manufacturer and model.
Understanding Different Motorcycle Helmet Sizing Charts
Motorcycle helmet size charts provide a standardized way to determine your helmet size based on your head circumference. However, different brands and styles use slightly different sizing conventions.
Interpretation of a helmet size chart:
Typically, helmet size charts show head circumference measurements in centimeters or inches, corresponding to specific helmet sizes. To use the chart, simply determine your head circumference within the chart area and adjust it to the appropriate helmet size.
Example of interpreting a size chart:
Consider a size chart that lists head circumference measurements in centimeters and corresponding helmet sizes as follows:
| Head Circumference (cm) | Helmet Size |
| 53-54 | XS |
| 55-56 | S |
| 57-58 | M |
| 59-60 | L |
| 61-62 | XL |
If your head circumference is 56 centimeters, you would use this table to identify your helmet size as “S”.
Variations in Sizing Conventions:
It is important to note that there may be variations between the size charts of different brands or styles. For example, one brand’s size M might correspond to a head circumference range of 57 to 58 centimeters, while another brand’s size M might cover a head circumference range of 58 to 59 centimeters.
Importance of Trying On Helmets:
Despite the size charts, trying on different brands of helmets is crucial to ensure a comfortable and secure fit. As you already know, head shapes vary from person to person and helmet manufacturers design helmets to accommodate these variations.
Trying on helmets allows you to assess the fit and feel of each model and ensure that the helmet fits your head shape and provides a good, comfortable fit.
Here you can find the different motorcycle helmet size charts of all popular brands.
Additional Considerations
When sizing a motorcycle helmet, there are several considerations to keep in mind for a holistic perspective. Here are a few more things to take into account.
Type of riding:
Different types of riding may require helmets with specific features or protection levels. For example, off-road riding may require a helmet with better ventilation, while road racing may require a helmet with a streamlined design for aerodynamics.
Want to know what types of motorcycle helmets are available or what fits you?
For more Details >>click here<<
Safety certifications:
Check for safety certifications on the helmet, such as DOT, Snell, or EU regulations, to ensure it meets the necessary safety standards.
Want to know what safety certifications are available and if your helmet is safe enough? For more Details >>click here<<
Facial structure:
Can play a significant role in selecting a motorcycle helmet that provides a comfortable and secure fit. Different individuals have varying facial features, such as jawline shape, cheekbones, and the presence of glasses or a beard.
- Jawline Shape:
The shape of your jawline can influence the fit around your chin and lower face. For instance, individuals with a pronounced jawline may require a helmet with a slightly wider chin bar to avoid discomfort or pressure points. - Cheekbones:
High cheekbones may require a helmet with more room around the cheek area to prevent pressure and discomfort. Trying on helmets with different cheek padding thicknesses can help you find the right fit for your facial structure. - Beard:
If you have a beard, consider helmets with a slightly larger chin bar to accommodate facial hair without sacrificing a snug fit. Some helmets even feature dedicated beard pockets or vents to enhance comfort and ventilation.
Can you wear a motorcycle helmet with glasses?
Absolutely! If you wear glasses, it is important to choose a helmet that fits your glasses comfortably. Helmets with special features such as B. Temple grooves or recesses for eyeglasses can prevent damage to your glasses and ensure a comfortable fit.
If everything fits except your glasses, don’t try a larger size. Instead, try a different model of helmet. If you wear glasses primarily for sun protection, a helmet with a fold-down sun shield may be a good alternative.
Conclusion
Choosing a well-fitting motorcycle helmet is clearly essential for both safety and comfort on the road. While the array of size options and measurement methods may seem daunting at first, this motorcycle helmet size guide breaks the process down into clear, manageable steps.
First, accurately measure your head circumference to determine the correct helmet size range. Then, explore different helmet styles, shapes and liner options to find the ideal fit for your personal head shape and facial features. Ultimately, the right helmet allows for full visibility and mobility without painful pressure points or instability issues.
With the wide variety of helmets on the market offering specialized shapes and design components, there is a perfect fit for every rider. So take the time to measure carefully, familiarize yourself with sizing charts, and try on helmets.
