Motorcycle helmets are a crucial piece of safety equipment when travelling, especially in back-to-back traffic.
The first thing you need to buy after getting your first motorcycle is a helmet. It's simple to purchase a motorcycle helmet, but there are a few things to think about, especially when it comes to size and fit.
Helmets provide our heads with the most protection, so it’s important to get one that fits properly. A helmet that’s too small and too tight can lead to serious injuries if you’re ever in the unfortunate event of a serious accident.
Helmets that are too small tend to pull on your hair, face, and neck, which makes them uncomfortable to wear while travelling.
Sometimes it’s difficult to tell if your helmet is too small, especially since most helmets are designed to fit snugly. Thankfully, the following article explains how to tell if your helmet is too small, as well as providea you with tips to get the best-fit helmet.
So, sit back, strap on your helmet, and enjoy the ride.
How Do You Know If Your Helmet Is Too Small
It’s important to know how to fit a motorcycle helmet, especially since it’s your first line of protection in collisions. There are generally a few tell-tale signs that indicate your helmet might be a tad too small for you.
If you experience even one of the following signs, then it’s probably time for a larger-sized helmet that fits perfectly.
It’s Tighter Than Usual
One of the most common signs that your helmet is too small for you is if it’s overly tight with virtually no manoeuvrability. It’s the most common concern among new motorists who always have the question of how to tight should a motorcycle helmet be.
Your helmet should have a snug fit, but at the same time, it should also be loose enough to allow for minimal head movement.
It’s difficult to tell the difference between tight and snug since both terms are pretty similar.
Generally, if you feel restricted and you have significant tightness around your cheek area then the helmet is too small for you.
If you can lift your head up and down and turn it left to right, then it’s likely a good fit.
Additionally, the top inner lining of the helmet should be in contact with the top of your skull. If there’s a gap, the helmet is too small for you.
It Pinches Skin
A helmet that’s too small will pinch the skin around your cheeks, chin, and ears.
If you experience prolonged pinching of your facial area then it’s a sign that your helmet is too small and needs to be upgraded to a bigger size.
You want to be comfortable when you’re on the road for a long time. A helmet pinching your skin can be an uncomfortable distraction and it may even lead to a serious accident if you experience a painful pinch while driving.
Helmet pinches are a result of forcing your head into a helmet. If you have to forcefully put your helmet on, then it’s likely that your helmet is too small.
A Red Or Bruised Forehead
Another common sign associated with wearing a motorcycle helmet that’s too small is if your forehead is red after removing it.
Motorcycle newbies often link their forehead redness to a relatively unworn helmet. However, a red forehead is a result of wearing a tiny helmet or a helmet that’s not suited for the shape of your head.
A quick fix is to adjust the inner lining of your helmet, but this reduces its integrity and protection, putting you at risk.
The best thing to do is to purchase a helmet that’s properly shaped for your head. Try different helmet types, such as modular or open-face helmets if you notice red marks on your forehead.
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We can assist you with all your motorcycle needs in addition to helping you find a perfect helmet that’s tailor-made for your head shape.
Tight Chin Strap
As a biker, you should know how to strap a motorcycle helmet, but what happens when the strap is unable to attach securely?
Almost all motorcycle helmets come with a chin strap that ensures that your helmet is secularly attached to your head.
This strap can be adjusted to be tighter or looser depending on the fit of your helmet. It prevents your helmet from sliding when you tilt your head.
However, if you experience a choking sensation when the chin strap is extended to its max setting, then your helmet is way too small.
If you notice that there’s resistance when trying to attach the chin strap, this also indicates that your helmet size is too small.
A tight chin strap associated with small helmets can result in strangulation if you’re in a serious accident. This is why it’s important to ensure that you have a properly fitted helmet.
An Overly Sweaty Head
A less common sign associated with a helmet that is too small for you is a sweaty head.
Of course, if you’re riding in the sun for a prolonged time, you’re likely to sweat, especially when you come to a stop at a red light and air stops flowing into your helmet.
However, if you’re sweating while riding then this means that there’s a lack of ventilation in your helmet.
Poor ventilation can be caused by a small helmet that leaves no space between the helmet's inner surface and your head.
Make sure that when you purchase a new helmet that there’s a little gap between the two surfaces. This ensures that there’s sufficient airflow in the helmet when you’re on the road.
Painful Pressure Points
If you want to know if your helmet is too small, a good thing to keep out for is painful pressure points around your head.
A small helmet pushes on pressure points at the back of the head and neck. Prolonged pressure around these points can lead to severe pain and discomfort.
Painful pressure points are also indicative of a motorcycle helmet not being suitable for the shape of your head.
Make sure to try the helmet indoors before making the purchase. Leave it on for about 20 minutes to get a realistic feel of what the helmet should feel like.
How to Choose The Best Helmet Size
There are a few tips that you can use to select the best-sized helmet suited for the shape of your head.
The most important thing to do before stepping foot into any motorcycle gear shop is to measure the size of your head. If you don’t know how to measure your head for motorcycle helmet sizes, then you’re in the place to find out.
Find a tape measure or even string and wrap it around your head just above your eyebrow line. This gives you the helmet size that’s best suited for the size of your head.
Additionally, once you find a helmet that you like, you should always fit it in on in the shop. Even if you’re purchasing a helmet online, it’s important to fit on a helmet that’s similar to make sure that everything works and that you are comfortable.
Once you have the measurements and shape of a helmet you like, go to a physical store and try on whatever they have in the same size to make sure that it’s going to work for you.
If you experience any of the signs listed previously then it is likely that the helmet is too small for you, or the style of the helmet is not suitable for the shape of your head.
Conclusion
When riding a motorcycle, you want to make sure you’re fully protected on the road. The most important piece of safety wear is your helmet, and you need to make sure that your head has the highest level of protection.
Not only is a small helmet uncomfortable, but it can also lead to serious consequences if you do find yourself in a severe accident. Ultimately, having a correctly sized helmet can save your life.
Now that you know how to put on a motorcycle helmet and determine if it is too small, it’s time to get out there and purchase yourself some new headgear.
If you enjoyed this piece, consider checking out other blogs:
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- How to Choose a Motorcycle Helmet?
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