Motorcycle Helmet Fitness Guide

To ensure a smooth ride with decreased risks, you need a motorcycle helmet. But what
do you need to do to make sure the motorcycle helmet does its job of protecting your
head?

Make sure it is the perfect fit for you! How does a helmet with the right fit feel though?

According to experts, motorcycle helmets should not be too tight or too loose. It should
be “snug and cozy”. How snug should a motorcycle helmet be though? What is
considered to be the right fit?

Getting the right answer is important. Hence, take a moment to learn all your need to
know!

Importance of Motorcycle Helmet Fit

Motorcycle helmets are known to hold the power of making a huge difference in road
accidents. A full face helmet will even decrease the chances of getting head injuries or
traumatic brain injury by 69%. However, a helmet that does not fit properly has the
power to do the opposite.

When a motorcycle helmet is too tight, it creates pressure points on different parts of
your head. Wearing such a helmet puts the rider in utter discomfort which ruins their
focus. A distracted rider is more likely to get into an accident or cause one.
 Besides that, a tight helmet can also leave an agonizing headache when left on for long
rides. Some parts of your skin might also be irritated causing red blotchy marks. Both of
these will cause irritations on the ride that will lead to distractions.

A loose helmet is equally dangerous to one that is too tight. It lets the wind in causing
noisy disturbances that are over 80 decibels. Exposure to these noises can cause
permanent hearing damage. Such helmets are also more likely to wobble around during
the ride and cause annoyance.

Slip-up acts as another huge risk. On extremely windy days, due to an increase in drag
force, helmets can simply ride up from the wearer’s face. This is most common with
modular helmets and riders might end up with a twisted neck in worst-case scenarios.

All of these points sum up to show the importance of a motorcycle helmet fit.

How snug should a motorcycle helmet be:

To ensure the fit of your motorcycle helmet, there are several things you need to check
before purchasing. Here are some fit checks that you can perform for confirming
comfortable usage:

1. Once you have worn the helmet, try moving your head from side to side. Your helmet
should cause no hindrances in movement as you will have to look in several directions
while riding. A helmet that does not allow you to move is too tight.
2. Move your head up and down and sideways once again. When you do this, make sure
the helmet is gloved onto your head and has no motions of its own. A helmet that
wobbles around is too loose and will cause noisy distractions during your journey.
3. When a helmet is removed, it should not come off on its own. Similarly, you should not
have to apply too much force to take it off.
4. After putting on the helmet, check whether the cheek pads or lining create any pressure
points. If it does, you should consider switching out the helmet for a bigger-sized one.
5. Wear the helmet for about half an hour. If the helmet gives you a headache, it is a sign
that the helmet is too tight for you.
6. Full face helmets end at the wearer’s neck. If you are purchasing a full face helmet, make
sure it rests around your neck instead of pressuring it down. A helmet that stresses out
 your neck is not good for long-term usage. It is weighty and big, meaning you should
look for a smaller size.
7. Following the removal of your helmet, if you find any red scars or markings created due
to pressure, you should discard that choice. It is too tight for you and will only bring
disadvantages in the long run.
8. A helmet visor or face shield should not touch any parts of your face. If it touches your
nose or eyes, it is not ideal for wearing on the road. It will create difficulties in vision and
comfort.
9. If your helmet has a chinstrap, identify its fit too. A chinstrap that is too loose will let the
helmet slip off upon application of impact. Similarly, a chinstrap that is too tight can
cause feelings of suffocation.
10. The brow pads should rest against your forehead. However, if it tightly wraps around
your skin like a glove, airflow will be decreased. When this happens, riders often feel
claustrophobic.
11. After leaving your helmet on for a couple of minutes, wait to see how the visor reacts
with your breathing. If it fogs up, the helmet lacks ventilation or is too tight to support
airflow.
12. Put on your helmet and try leaning forward and backward. Doing so should not cause
any strain on your neck. If a motorcycle helmet does not allow you to comfortably do so,
chances are it is not ideal for you. Motorcyclists often lean forward on windy days, so
you need to be able to do so too.

Finding the right size for you

You need to start off shopping for a helmet after you have found the right size for
yourself. Several sizes like S, XS, M, L, XL, XXL, etc. are available. Which will fit you the
best?

To find the answer you will need to start by measuring the circumference of your head.
This is as simple as taking a measuring tape and wrapping it around your head. The tape
needs to be leveled around your forehead to provide the correct reading.

Once you have noted down the circumference, look into a helmet size chart. These assist
in identifying which size is suitable for which range of circumference reading. As the
helmet size chart varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, make sure you are looking
at the right one before choosing.
Here’s a helmet size chart that you can consider using.

Size Head Circumference Hat Size

X – Small 53 – 54 cm (20.87 – 21.26 inches) 6 – 5/8 – 6 – 3/4

Small 55 – 56 cm (21.65 – 22.05 inches) 6 – 7/8 – 7

Medium 57 – 58 cm (22.4 – 22.83 inches) 7 – 1/8 – 7 – 1/4

Large 59 – 60 cm (23.23 – 23.62 inches) 7 – 3/8 – 7- 1/2

X – Large 61 – 62 cm (24.02 – 24.41 inches) 7 – 5/8 – 7 – 3/4

2X – Large 63 – 64 cm (24.8 – 25.2 inches) 7 – 7/8 – 8

3X – Large 65 – 66 cm (25.6 – 26 inches) 8 – 1/8 – 8 – 1/4

4X – Large 67 – 68 cm (26.4 – 26.8 inches) 8 – 3/8 – 8 – 1/2

5X – Large 69 – 70 cm (27 – 27.5 inches) 8 – 5/8 – 8 – 3/4

Some people struggle to find the right fit despite following the procedure. The size they
pick according to the helmet size chart seems to be too small or too big.

If you are facing similar problems, then do not worry. All helmets require some time to
break in. You can hasten the process by reading this how to stretch a motorcycle
helmet .

Wearers can also try changing the linings to ones that suit them better.
How do I know if my motorcycle helmet fits?

After reading about the importance of fit, you are likely to be paranoid and confused.
Did I correctly identify my helmet’s fit? Or will it cause problems for me in the future?

Here are some handy tricks that will assist you in identifying a snug fit.

Helmet’s Back

This portion of your helmet should be touching the back of your head. No room should
be left between both the surfaces as otherwise, upon impact, the helmet might end up
applying force on your skull. This could then lead to severe head injuries or traumatic
brain injuries.

Cheek Pads

These should be cushioning your cheek properly, leaving no room for wind to come in.
Cheek pads improve the comfort of the helmet, and with time, allow the helmet to
shape around your head.

Eyes

Upon wearing the helmet, the wearer’s eyes should be positioned in the middle of the
visor. This will grant the users a clear vision that helps them focus on the road. If your
eyebrows are close to the center of your visor, then consider choosing a smaller helmet.
In case your eyes are present towards the upper region of the visor, then the helmet is
simply too small for you.

Brow Pads
The brow pads should rest on your forehead with no room for anything else to fit in.
Remember that if this fitting leaves red marks on your temple, then the helmet is too
tight.

Twisting the Helmet

Try moving your helmet sideways and see if it moves. There should be minimal or no
movement if it is the right fit for you.

FAQs

Do motorcycle helmets loosen up?

Once a helmet has been worn for 15 to 20 hours, it starts to loosen up. The brow and
cheek pads start becoming more compressed due to friction and body warmth.

How do I make my motorcycle helmet looser?

A motorcycle helmet can be made loose by changing the inner linings and cheek pads.
If they are removable, you can swap them out for new ones that offer a better fit.

How do I know if my helmet is too small?

Pressure points and red marks on the skin are the biggest indications of the fact that a
motorcycle helmet is too small.

Should a motorcycle helmet squeeze your cheeks?

A motorcycle helmet will not squeeze your cheeks as that will cause discomfort. Instead,
they will cushion them by laying over your skin. Users should be able to move their jaws
and chew gum.

Conclusion
How snug should a motorcycle helmet be?

If you have read our article so far, you must know the answer. Before purchasing a
helmet, make sure to perform all the necessary fit checks to access convenience and
protection. Safety is important on the road. Read more about the safest motorcycle
helmet. Because safety is the most important in our life

Also, make sure you are properly educated on all the types of helmets before making a
choice. We always love suggesting full face helmets due to their impeccable safety
features. Here are a few you can check out.

With that being said, we bid you goodbye by wishing you a safe ride