For whatever reason, it’s time to purchase a new motorcycle helmet. Maybe you’ve had your helmet for many years, and you need to upgrade it, or are a new rider purchasing a helmet for the first time.
So, should a motorcycle helmet fit tight?
A motorcycle helmet should fit tight when you first try it on. A good fitting helmet should not rotate at all but compress your cheeks when trying to twist the helmet from side to side. Pressure points may occour if a helmet fits too tight and be difficult to put on or remove. A motorcycle helmet will loosen over time, and this fact will have to be accounted for.
I have also included a helmet size conversion chart.
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How To Fit A Motorcycle Helmet Correctly
To make sure that you purchase the correct size helmet, you will need to measure your head at its largest circumference with a measuring tape. Place the tape just above your eyebrows feeding it around your head at the largest part, making sure the measuring tape is kept flat against your scalp. It’s best to do this process in front of a mirror.
Now take a pen and put it in between the tape and your scalp. Having the pen in place will give you the correct tightness for a helmet to fit correctly.
Motorcycle helmets usually come in different sizes: XS, S, M, L, and XL but can vary depending on the manufacturer type of helmet you purchase. For example, a road-only helmet or a motocross helmet.
You should check with the helmet manufacturer if buying directly or online how they size their helmets. If purchasing your helmet in a store, ask to try a couple of sizes to get the best fit.
When I purchased my new helmet, I tried on three sizes of the helmet I was interested in purchasing. The large size seemed to fit me perfectly well, feeling tight but not overly so. I then tried to see if the size small of the same helmet would fit, but that was much too tight. The next size up (Extra Large) was too big for me.
Trying these other sizes of the helmet confirmed that the large size was the correct one for me.
How I put the helmet on was to hold the helmet by the chin straps and pull the helmet apart to fit it over your head. Once the helmet was on, I released the chin straps and allowed the padding to press against the side of my face.
Looking in a mirror, make sure that the helmet is seated correctly and carry out some simple checks before fastening the straps, which will allow you to know if it is the correct size for you.
The checks that I made were:
- The pad above your eyebrows should be touching your skin with no gaps.
- The cheek pads should be pressing on your cheeks firmly but not uncomfortably so.
- Hold the chin part of the helmet and pull it down. The helmet should not slide up or down.
After carrying out these checks, I fastened the helmet’s straps, keeping my head straight and carrying out these further checks:
- I tried moving the helmet forwards as if to take it off my head. The helmet is too big if you can pull it off, or it moves excessively.
- I removed the helmet and checked if I had a sore head. I found that this helmet was okay for me, but try the next size up or another helmet brand if your head feels sore. The helmet you are trying may be affecting pressure points within your head, which can give you headaches.
Once I found the correct one, I wore the helmet for a while in the store to make sure I was happy with it, as buying a helmet can be a major investment, and I wanted to be sure that the one I purchase is the correct fit for me.
Any person purchasing a motorcycle helmet should do the same and should not feel rushed when buying such an essential part of your riding gear, as head injuries account for most motorcycle deaths.
I was happy with my choice and purchased the helmet.
Wearing a motorcycle helmet is not just good practice but a vital part of any rider’s protective gear. Most manufacturers recommend that you replace your helmet every 2 to 4 years. If there are signs of damage, then it should be replaced sooner.
The X-lite X-803 Ultra Carbon Motorcycle Helmet
I decided to purchase the X-lite X-803 Ultra Carbon motorcycle helmet (check out more info within my recommended gear page) and these are some of the reasons why:
- Ultra-Light only 5.9 pounds
- Full Carbon Fibre
- Well constructed
- Very comfortable to wear
What Are The 3 Different Motorcycle Helmet Types?
When purchasing a helmet, you have to consider the 3 different helmet types available and how they will fit.
So, what are the 3 different types helmet ?
- The full-face motorcycle helmet
- The three-quarter open-face motorcycle helmet
- The half-helmet or shorty helmet
The Full Face Helmet:
The full-faced motorcycle helmet will give the most protection as its design covers far more of your head and face. They are normally designed with a face-shield, which can be moved up and down to protect your eyes and nose. The face shield can also be removed and replaced with a darker visor if the owner wishes.
A full-face helmet will also reduce wind noise and protect your head from derbies, which may shoot up from the road surface. It will also help protect you from the rain and help keep your head warm in cold weather.
The Open-Face Helmet:
The open-face motorcycle helmet is quite a popular helmet among riders. These helmets are constructed in the same way as the full-faced helmets but do not give the same protection level to the face and chin area.
These helmets are usually less expensive but should really be worn with some eye protection. Goggles are the normal choice for this.
When purchasing an open-faced helmet, the same rule applies as if purchasing a full-faced helmet. The helmet should fit snugly to the head, and you should not be able to twist your head inside the helmet.
The chin strap should also fit securely under the chin stopping the helmet from moving forwards and backward.
The Half Helmet:
The half-helmet offers even less protection to the rider and doesn’t offer any real protection.
What are the other things to consider when trying on a new motorcycle helmet?
When trying on a helmet for fit you are considering purchasing, there are a few other considerations to take into account on top of just how well the helmet fits.
Make sure that the helmet is meeting the minimum safety standards that are required by law.
There should be a DOT sticker ( Required By Law) or /and SNELL sticker (Voluntary by manufacturers) inside or outside the helmet. Having this sticker confirms that the helmet meets the safety test standards of the US Department Of Transportation or the Snell Memorial Foundation.
Having these stickers confirms that the helmet has been through the stringent testing regime of the organization, which includes:
- Impact: measuring the shock absorbent capacity of the helmet
- Penetration: This measures the helmets ability to withstand a blow from a sharp object
- Retention: This measures how much force the chin strap of the helmet withstands before stretching or breaking.
- Peripheral Vision: The minimum amount of vision to both sides of a helmet is 105 degrees, approximately 15 degrees more than a human’s natural side vision.
Below is a video showing how a motorcycle helmet should fit. It is created by SNELL.
Below is a short video showing how SNELL tests helmets.
Is Wearing A Motorcycle Helmet Safer?
The motorcycle helmet is the most important part of the motorcycle protection you wear. Wearing a helmet has in no doubt in my mind saved many lives.
So, is wearing a motorcycle helmet safer?
A motorcycle helmet can protect your head from serious injury, including protecting your brain. This is why having a correctly fitting helmet is so important and makes wearing a helmet a safer option whilst riding a motorcycle.
I carried out some research and found out some disturbing facts I was unaware of and would like to pass this information onto my readers:
- If your brain gets injured from a motorcycle accident or any other accident come to that, the brain can swell inside your head, and inflammation can occur as well. Your skull is made of bone and is ridged. The brain’s swelling tries to push down and squeeze through the opening in the base of your head because it can’t go anywhere else.
- Pressure from the swelling is then forced onto the brain stem, which can damage the parts of your body that control breathing and other body functions.
- Another reason to wear a motorcycle helmet, especially a full-faced helmet, is that taking a heavy blow directly face on could fracture or even sever your spinal cord. If your head is twisted at a breakneck speed, your brain can lag behind, causing a severe brain injury as tendons can be pulled and broken.
In my opinion, if that’s not a good enough reason for wearing a motorcycle helmet I don’t know what is!
Wearing a correctly fitted helmet can help protect against these horrendous injuries. There have been scientific studies showing that wearing a helmet defiantly protects the head from getting injured or reduces the damage caused by an accident.
How To Care For Your Motorcycle Helmet.
I use a mild soap when cleaning my helmet as I found out that strong cleaning chemicals may cause the helmet to lose its protectiveness when I carried out some research on this matter. For polycarbonate helmets, the owner should avoid using any cleaning chemicals which may contain petroleum, as I found out that decomposition could also occur.
If the face shield becomes scratched or pitted, it should be replaced as it can become difficult to see through correctly at night or distort the vision, especially with other approaching vehicle’s lights.
Many of us, including myself, don’t always read the instructions when purchasing a new product. Still, when buying a new motorcycle helmet, all of us need to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when caring for our motorcycle helmet.
So, how should you care for your motorcycle helmet?
- Clean your helmet and visor every day
- If your helmet has vents, these should be cleaned at least once a week
- Every 4 – 6 weeks, any removable pads and lining should be cleaned
- Every 12 weeks, clean the none removable parts of the interior of the helmet
- Keep the helmet out of direct sunlight or when being stored
- Keep the helmet out of extreme heat when being stored as the structure of the helmet can be impacted
- Store the helmet in a safe place where damage cannot occur
- Do not put regular stickers onto the helmet as this can cause weakening
- Do not paint the helmet with regular paint as weakening can occur
- Do not drop the helmet onto hard surfaces as damage can happen the helmet will have to be replaced
A motorcycle helmet is manufactured to protect your head against impacts and should be replaced after an accident where an impact to the helmet has happened.
Taking excellent care of your helmet should also be a top priority, including not dropping it onto hard surfaces. If this happens, the helmet should also be replaced as the helmet’s protective elements may have been compromised.
Finally, following the manufacturer’s care instructions will give a new helmet a long life, which will result in getting value for money on your motorcycle helmet investment.
Motorcycle Helmet Fitting Conversion Table
| INCHES | CM | HAT SIZE |
| 21 1/4 | 54 | 6 3/4 |
| 21 5/8 | 54.9 | 6 7/8 |
| 22 | 55.9 | 7 |
| 22 3/8 | 56.8 | 7 1/8 |
| 22 3/4 | 57.8 | 7 1/4 |
| 23 1/8 | 58.7 | 7 3/8 |
| 23 7/8 | 60.6 | 7 5/8 |
| 24 1/4 | 61.6 | 7 3/4 |
| 23 3/4 | 62.9 | 7 |
What Are The Helmet Laws In Your State?
You will need to check the law with regard to the amount of reflective material required within your state. The location and number of reflective material required per inch can vary.
You should check with your local motor vehicle department to determine the exact specification required for your state.
You will also be able to find out from the same department what the laws are for wearing a helmet whilst riding a motorcycle.
Wearing a helmet correctly strapped to your head whilst riding a motorcycle is mandatory in many states, but it is best to check this information as it can change. If you are considering riding through multiple states, be aware that the laws in that state apply to travelers and residence.
Prior planning and preparation should be carried out before traveling to ensure that all laws are adhered to.
I have added a link here to direct you to the National Highways Safety Administration website, where you will obtain further information.
Motocross Helmets. A Helpful Guide
Motocross is a risky but exciting sport, and having the correct motocross helmet that fits correctly will help protect your head from any major injuries which may occur. You certainly don’t want the helmet to fit tight or too loose.
The better you are protected, the more adventurous you can be whilst out on the track.
A motocross helmet that fits correctly will feel more comfortable and stop you from being distracted if the helmet is too loose, which allows it to move up and down or from side to site. You want to have both hands on the handlebars and concentrating on your moves rather than what your helmet is doing.
A correctly fitting motocross helmet will protect your face and head as well as keeping you dry. Your goggles will also fit correctly, protecting your eyes when you have purchased a correctly fitted helmet.
When purchasing a motocross helmet, the same rules apply to purchasing a regular helmet for road use. You don’t want the helmet to fit too tight or too loose.
Don’t forget to take your protective eyewear to the shop with you to try the new helmets on with your protective eye gear.
What’s The Difference Between A Motocross Helmet And Other Helmets?
Motocross helmets are constructed differently from road helmets as they have a different purpose to achieve.
- Motocross helmets have extra space
- Have a distinct forward-facing chin
- Extra venting of the helmet
- Once only use liner
When trying a motocross helmet on for fit, you will notice that they have extra space. This is so that all of the protective face gear you may be wearing will fit within the helmet.
The chin of motocross helmets is also rather distinct as they protrude forwards from the face, which allows the helmet to protect it from any loose rocks, gravel, or other debris that may fly up as you make your way around the course.
The extra venting that can be found on these helmets helps the head stay at a constant temperature and stops the inside of the helmet from becoming too wet with sweat.
They also come with a once-only use liner, which will compress on impact. This liner will allow the energy from an impact to disperse around the helmet, which will reduce the power of any impact to the head.
As mentioned, this liner will only be good for one impact, so the helmet will have to be changed for a new one if it is involved in an accident or dropped accidentally onto a hard surface. Great care should be taken with any helmet when not in use to limit any accidental damage.
What To Look Out For When Purchasing A Motocross Helmet
If you already own some motocross protective gear, such as a jacket, it may be best to buy a helmet from the same manufacturer as some may be compatible with their other products. A good example of this is some manufacturers offer neck braces to give this part of the body extra protection, and their helmets can be compatible with these.
The weight of the helmet should also be a consideration. So look for lighter helmets. Helmets with Polycarbonate are excellent as they are hard-wearing and can withstand damage or pressure applied to them. Also, helmets with carbon fiber shells are a plus when purchasing a helmet.
Helmets are also designed to help protect the brain from lagging behind the skull if your head experiences a quick sharp twist, so look for a helmet that offers a rotational force protector. The helmet should not fit too tight or too loose.
Helmets also can come with a built-in system that reduces the impact that is transferred to the head by way of an Omni-Directional Suspension system designed by 6D, and now there are other systems out there such as the MIPS system or M.E.D.S
Obviously, when purchasing a motocross helmet, there can be a substantial price difference between the different designs and manufacturers. The newer specifications and advanced technology the helmet has incorporated into it, the more expensive it will be.
Hence, you have to purchase the best you can afford, but as this is one of the most important parts of your protective kit, try to purchase one with the most protection.
Happy riding
