I think most people are riding around with the wrong size motorcycle helmet...

[JulesMaximus]

Just judging by the number of XL size helmets I see for sale on craigslist anyway. I have a fairly average size head and I wear a medium. I can't imagine the bucket you'd have to have to wear an XL yet it seems that many of the ads I see are for XL size helmets.

PSA-If you put your motorcycle helmet on and your cheeks aren't pressed up by the pads and you can twist it around and off your head, the helmet is too large.

Here is an excellent video on how to tell if your helmet fits properly.

 

[roguerower]

My first helmet was an XL but that's because I didn't know how it was supposed to feel. A couple of months later I bought a L and it was MUCH better.

 

[Drako]

How do you fit a medium over that 'fro?

I have to wear an XXXXXL.

 

[Kelvrick]

Agreed. Its rare to find small helmets for sale. My noggin goes into a small scorpion exo 700. I'm of mind where you shouldn't be able to twist the helmet left/right much when its on though.

 

[WilliamM2]

Depends on the helmet model and brand. My Shoei RF-800 was a large, but my RF-900 I had to go with an XL. The size of my head didn't change that I am aware of.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Depends on the helmet model and brand. My Shoei RF-800 was a large, but my RF-900 I had to go with an XL. The size of my head didn't change that I am aware of.

Check out this and see if you still think the XL is the right size helmet for you.

I was a medium in the Shoei RF1000, I am a medium in the RF1100 and I'm a medium in the Shoei X12.

 

[z1ggy]

Why can't people just buy the larger size padding that you can place in the helmet like some of the nicer brands offer? That way you don't need to take a loss by selling your helmet later.

 

[Jimzz]

Depends on the helmet model and brand. My Shoei RF-800 was a large, but my RF-900 I had to go with an XL. The size of my head didn't change that I am aware of.

Nice try Barry Bonds; no HOF for you.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

People need to buy a helmet that fits. This means that it will break in over time. Every new helmet I've bought (maybe 7 or 8..) felt way too tight when new.

Don't mess with padding changes. Just buy the correct shell. A $500 helmet is a LOT cheaper than brain surgery.

 

[halik]

Just judging by the number of XL size helmets I see for sale on craigslist anyway. I have a fairly average size head and I wear a medium. I can't imagine the bucket you'd have to have to wear an XL yet it seems that many of the ads I see are for XL size helmets.

PSA-If you put your motorcycle helmet on and your cheeks aren't pressed up by the pads and you can twist it around and off your head, the helmet is too large.

Here is an excellent video on how to tell if your helmet fits properly.

I've got a huge head and wear a medium ARAI with medium cheek pads and I have to be carefull not to bite my cheeks.

 

[marvdmartian]

So then, this would be a bit too large??

 

[JulesMaximus]

Why can't people just buy the larger size padding that you can place in the helmet like some of the nicer brands offer? That way you don't need to take a loss by selling your helmet later.

Why not buy the right size helmet to begin with?

 

[boom314]

I tried helmets on before I bought mine. Could not fit my head into a L, had to go with XL. I had several friends whom were riders with me and we went to a reputable shop in town.

 

[pauldun170]

I think an issue is that folks do not try the right brand of helmet for their head.
Some brands simply don't fit right over certain heads.

I other case, folks do not realize that some helmets need to be broken in first.
My exo-1000 was very tight for the first couple of rides.

 

[Ben90]

Shoei XS when I've had a haircut within 2 months. S when my hair grows out a decent amount.

 

[olds]

People need to buy a helmet that fits. This means that it will break in over time. Every new helmet I've bought (maybe 7 or 8..) felt way too tight when new.

Don't mess with padding changes. Just buy the correct shell. A $500 helmet is a LOT cheaper than brain surgery.

What if I only have a $20 co-pay?

I've always used this rule. Buy a new helmet that is a little too snug. It will break in and conform to your head.

 

[WilliamM2]

Check out this and see if you still think the XL is the right size helmet for you.

I was a medium in the Shoei RF1000, I am a medium in the RF1100 and I'm a medium in the Shoei X12.

Yes, my hemets have always been very snug, I learned how to properly fit a helmet over 30 years ago, it's not new information.

 

[Zenmervolt]

While I agree that a lot of people probably are wearing helmets that are too large, the head size required for an XL helmet is not as visibly huge as you'd think.

I wear an XL helmet (and have a hat size that varies from 7 5/8 to 7 3/4 depending on the manufacturer). Can't even get a medium onto my head and to get a large on is a struggle. Even with the XL I have to be careful not to bite my cheeks. The response I get from people is always "your head can't be that big" but when I hand them a hat that's tight on me, it ends up falling down over their eyes.

ZV