One of the essential gear of the motorcycle is the motorcycle helmet. The main aim of buying a helmet is to protect you from wind and debris and keeps you safe from accidents.

The key to head safety is buying a certified helmet that fits perfectly. An oversized helmet may fall off during any mishap, while a tight helmet may feel uncomfortable and create an awkward situation for you.

While buying your helmet, how do you know that the helmet is the right fit for you or not? How to tell if a motorcycle helmet is too small or too large?

Here’s a comprehensive guide that will help you know all the details about the sizing of the helmet. Let’s begin it!

How Tight Should a Helmet Be Ideally?

A fitting helmet does not move up and down or side to side during the ride; instead, it remains completely stable. It should provide a comfortable snug to the wearer without causing any pressure.

All that you need is a helmet that is cozy and has the perfect fit. You should neither buy a tight helmet nor a loose one. 

The helmet that keeps on moving during the ride is dangerous. Along with this, the helmet with loose-fitting will move the helmet with the wind making your ride worse. 

Determination Of Your Head Shape

The first thing you must do before investing is to determine your head size and shape. Generally, people fit into three shapes: round oval, long oval, and intermediate oval.

Now, you might be thinking that how to know the right shape for your head? Ok, Take note:

Flatten your hair correctly, and then ask your friend to capture the picture of the head from above.

Now, look carefully at the picture that how it seems.

Notice whether it looks round, oval, or in between. This is the easiest way to know about your head’s shape. 

Determination Of Your Head Size

The next step is to find the right size of your helmet. Although finding the head size is not very common, but it’s not something challenging.

You can measure your head size by asking someone to measure the head’s circumference by using tape. Make sure that the tape runs just above your eyebrows to the back of your head.

If you don’t have a measuring tape, you can simply do this using string and then figuring out the length. 

Motorcycle Helmet Fit Test

The helmet fit test is compulsory before buying it for yourself. Here are some tests that you should do:

1. Make sure that the cheek pads of the helmets rest perfectly on your cheeks without any discomfort.
2. The full-face helmet should be properly fitted, and the face shield should not touch the nose or chin.
3. The helmet with the neck roll should not push against your neck; rather, it should sit comfortably at the back of the neck. 
4. While wearing a helmet, you should not feel any stress on your pressure points.
5. The chin strap should be fitted perfectly. Between the strap and chin, there should be a gap of one or two fingers.
6. If you move your head, make sure that the helmet doesn’t leave its place. But make sure that, along with the helmet, your skin should move. 
7. There shouldn’t be a gap between the brow pads and the forehead.
8. The helmet should not cause red spots on your forehead, indicating that it is too tight and too small for you.  

How To Tell If a Helmet Is Not Small?

Choosing the proper fit of the helmet is a challenging task. Following are some essential considerations that will help you in deciding the right size of the helmet.

Are you having a comfortable experience?

You must look for the correct fitting helmet; otherwise, it will feel uncomfortable.

If you feel any discomfort, or extra tightness, or looseness, then you should revise your helmet’s size and shape.

After measuring your head size correctly, you will be more likely to have a perfect fit.

Helmet pads should be on your cheeks

Another fantastic trick to know whether your helmet is the right fit for you or not; you should check the level of helmet pads. The pads should come in direct contact with your cheeks.

When you move your face, those pads should also move along with you. While, if you move the chin bar, the helmet should remain stable. If you feel like your helmet is moving, then you should opt for a smaller size. 

Break-In Period

The break-in period is the time that is required for the helmet to fit on your head. You don’t have to worry about the helmet that is too tight for you. Usually, it takes 15 to 20 hours for you to fit perfectly in your head shape.

New helmets take time to adjust according to your head shape.

This means that if you brought a helmet exactly of your size, and it feels a bit uncomfortable to you, then you shouldn’t worry about it; it will adjust after some good hours. 

Try The helmet for some time

We recommend you wear a helmet for a minimum of half an hour before buying.

Don’t hesitate to tell your helmet dealer that you want 30 minutes to check whether this helmet suit you or not. This time interval is a rough time that will help you in deciding whether this helmet is good, too tight, or too loose. 

Went to your nearby motorcycle helmet dealer, ask him this favor, wear the helmet, and start reading some book or do some other activity.

If you keep on feeling stress on your pressure points, this means that your helmet is too tight for you, and you must choose a bigger size. You must look for the helmet that offers you a snug fit. 

How To Choose a Right Size of Motorcycle Helmet

Following are some factors that will help you in telling which motorcycle helmet is a perfect fit for you:

Should fit snugly

The ideal size of the helmet is the one that fits snugly. When twisted up and down or side by side, it should not have any movement. Loose helmets are not only inconvenient but also very dangerous and uncomfortable during the ride.

On the other hand, if you feel like your cheeks are tightened up and stress on your pressure points, this indicates that this helmet is too small for you, and you need to upgrade your size. 

Stability of the helmet

If the helmet has a suitable fitting, then it will not be able to move around quickly. A helmet that is too loose may more around unexpectedly, can drop off in an accident, and most importantly, it increases the amount of wind noise reaching your ears. 

Always keep in mind that the new helmet is a bit tight, and it gets normal after some time. Make sure not to choose a helmet that is extra tight or loose.  

Helmet Retention

Another essential factor to consider is to check the helmet’s retention.

Fasten the chin strap properly; after fastening the strap, keep our head steady in one direction. Now, reach over the top of the helmet through the bottom edge by using your fingers.

If your helmet roll from your head, this means that it is too large, and you need to choose a smaller size. 

Why Choosing a Right Fitting Motorcycle Helmet Is Important?

Helmet fit is crucial as it has a massive impact on your ride. Safety and protection come first, and it can only be achieved by wearing a helmet with the correct fitting. A properly fitting helmet has many advantages that include:

• Reduces the chances of falling off during accidents
• Less helmet lift at high speeds
• Improved venting and ventilation 
• Makes your riding experience more comfortable 
• Greatly reduces the helmet from moving during the ride
• Eliminate the condensation and fog on the helmet

Conclusion

After reading this article, you must have got the idea that how to tell if a motorcycle helmet is too small or too large? Keep in mind that only a well-fitted helmet offers you a safe and comfortable ride.

If you have a helmet that is not of your size, it will not perform its function; instead, it can create worse conditions. Therefore, it is pretty essential to find a motorcycle helmet of the correct size. Ride carefully and enjoy the road as much as you want!