HOW TO PROPERLY FIT A MOTORCYCLE HELMET
A helmet is to a motorcycle rider as a seat belt is to a vehicle driver. Motorcycle helmets are an important piece of safety equipment that could help protect and/or possibly save a motorcycle rider's life. Finding a helmet is more than just a matter of buying one that fits your head size??finding the right fit is most important. Follow these instructions to learn how to get the best fit for your motorcycle helmet. Please note that motorcycle helmets are intended for motorcycle and ATV use only.
Cycle Gear believes that a properly fit helmet is so important to the safety of every rider that we have a 7 Day No Hassle Helmt Exchange Policy.
INSTRUCTIONS
Measurement
1.
Measuring the head can be the starting point to begin the helmet sizing process. Due to varying shapes, heads that are apparently the same size when measured by a tape may not necessarily fit the same size motorcycle helmet. So remember, this is a rough guide, a starting point, and depending upon your head shape, this step alone may not provide a perfect fit.
NOTE: Measuring your head for fit is only a starting point and by itself will not provide a proper fit. The actual fit of the helmet is critically important and is described in great detail in the steps below.
Another starting point is to use your hat size to determine motorcycle helmet size.
Try-On
Try your helmet on. Hold the helmet in front of you. The helmet bottom should face you with the front pointing down. Hold the inside of the straps with your thumbs and balance the helmet on your fingertips. Slightly spread the sides of the helmet apart as you slip it over your head.
2. Make sure the helmet sits squarely on your head. There should be no movement.
3. Give your head a shake to ensure that the helmet does not shift around or slide off your head.
4. If you wear glasses while riding, make sure the helmet fits properly over and around them.
5. If there is a gap between the inside ceiling of the helmet and the top of your head or if there are “pressure points”, the helmet is too small.
6. Fasten the straps securely. Your helmet should fit snugly on your head. The helmet may even feel too tight until it is in place correctly on your head.
7. Check to make sure the cheek pads touch your cheeks but are not pressing uncomfortably.
8. Check to make sure that there are no gaps between your temples and brow pads.
9. If your helmet has a neck roll, make sure that it does not push the helmet away from the back of your neck. Make sure the neck roll is not pushing the helmet away at the rear, causing it to roll down over your eyes in front. The helmet should make contact with your neck.
10. For a full?coverage helmet, press on the chin piece. The helmet or face shield should not touch your nose or chin, as the wind pressure from the ride will do the same. This may cause discomfort and can compromise your safety.
Check Horizontal and Vertical Movement
1. Once you've ensured the proper fit, move the helmet from side to side and up and down using your hands. Hold your head steady while you do this. You should feel a gentle, uniform pressure all over your head from the helmet. Note any movement of the skin while doing this, as well as the amount of resistance to movement.
NOTE: A properly fitted motorcycle helmet will cause the skin to move as the helmet moves. And, it will feel to the wearer as if evenly distributed pressure is being continuously exerted around the head.
2. Note that this test may be a little uncomfortable, but it is a very important one. Keep your head straight and steady with the chin strap tightly fastened. Reach over the top of the helmet, grabbing the bottom edge with your fingers. Then try to roll the helmet off your head. If it comes off, it is undoubtedly too large. Try the same thing from the front by putting your hands on the chin bar and try to roll the helmet over your head. If the helmet starts to come off in either direction, try a smaller size.
NOTE:Do not use a helmet that can be rolled off the head with the strap fastened! Try not to cause severe pain, but do give a good, strong pull on the helmet. THIS TEST IS VERY IMPORTANT!!
Confirming Proper Fit
1.Take off your helmet. Check to see if there are any sore or red spots on your head. These are indicative of “pressure points” caused by the helmet's fit, which can be uncomfortable and cause headaches while riding. If you find any, this is not the right helmet for you. If there are “pressure points”, try the next helmet size up or a different brand.
NOTE: Helmets are like shoes, in that they do break in a little. For this reason, the best attitude to have when fitting is that the helmet should be as tight fitting as possible – taking into consideration the length of time it will be worn.
2. Helmets are like shoes, in that they do break in a little. For this reason, the best attitude to have when fitting is that the helmet should be as tight fitting as possible – taking into consideration the length of time it will be worn.
3. Wear the helmet around the store or your home a while and see how comfortable it is over time. A properly fitting helmet is critical to your safety!
Cycle Gear believes that a properly fit helmet is so important to the safety of every rider that we have a 7 Day No Hassle Helmt Exchange Policy.
INSTRUCTIONS
Measurement
1.
Measuring the head can be the starting point to begin the helmet sizing process. Due to varying shapes, heads that are apparently the same size when measured by a tape may not necessarily fit the same size motorcycle helmet. So remember, this is a rough guide, a starting point, and depending upon your head shape, this step alone may not provide a perfect fit.
NOTE: Measuring your head for fit is only a starting point and by itself will not provide a proper fit. The actual fit of the helmet is critically important and is described in great detail in the steps below.
Another starting point is to use your hat size to determine motorcycle helmet size.
Try-On
Try your helmet on. Hold the helmet in front of you. The helmet bottom should face you with the front pointing down. Hold the inside of the straps with your thumbs and balance the helmet on your fingertips. Slightly spread the sides of the helmet apart as you slip it over your head.
2. Make sure the helmet sits squarely on your head. There should be no movement.
3. Give your head a shake to ensure that the helmet does not shift around or slide off your head.
4. If you wear glasses while riding, make sure the helmet fits properly over and around them.
5. If there is a gap between the inside ceiling of the helmet and the top of your head or if there are “pressure points”, the helmet is too small.
6. Fasten the straps securely. Your helmet should fit snugly on your head. The helmet may even feel too tight until it is in place correctly on your head.
7. Check to make sure the cheek pads touch your cheeks but are not pressing uncomfortably.
8. Check to make sure that there are no gaps between your temples and brow pads.
9. If your helmet has a neck roll, make sure that it does not push the helmet away from the back of your neck. Make sure the neck roll is not pushing the helmet away at the rear, causing it to roll down over your eyes in front. The helmet should make contact with your neck.
10. For a full?coverage helmet, press on the chin piece. The helmet or face shield should not touch your nose or chin, as the wind pressure from the ride will do the same. This may cause discomfort and can compromise your safety.
Check Horizontal and Vertical Movement
1. Once you've ensured the proper fit, move the helmet from side to side and up and down using your hands. Hold your head steady while you do this. You should feel a gentle, uniform pressure all over your head from the helmet. Note any movement of the skin while doing this, as well as the amount of resistance to movement.
NOTE: A properly fitted motorcycle helmet will cause the skin to move as the helmet moves. And, it will feel to the wearer as if evenly distributed pressure is being continuously exerted around the head.
2. Note that this test may be a little uncomfortable, but it is a very important one. Keep your head straight and steady with the chin strap tightly fastened. Reach over the top of the helmet, grabbing the bottom edge with your fingers. Then try to roll the helmet off your head. If it comes off, it is undoubtedly too large. Try the same thing from the front by putting your hands on the chin bar and try to roll the helmet over your head. If the helmet starts to come off in either direction, try a smaller size.
NOTE:Do not use a helmet that can be rolled off the head with the strap fastened! Try not to cause severe pain, but do give a good, strong pull on the helmet. THIS TEST IS VERY IMPORTANT!!
Confirming Proper Fit
1.Take off your helmet. Check to see if there are any sore or red spots on your head. These are indicative of “pressure points” caused by the helmet's fit, which can be uncomfortable and cause headaches while riding. If you find any, this is not the right helmet for you. If there are “pressure points”, try the next helmet size up or a different brand.
NOTE: Helmets are like shoes, in that they do break in a little. For this reason, the best attitude to have when fitting is that the helmet should be as tight fitting as possible – taking into consideration the length of time it will be worn.
2. Helmets are like shoes, in that they do break in a little. For this reason, the best attitude to have when fitting is that the helmet should be as tight fitting as possible – taking into consideration the length of time it will be worn.
3. Wear the helmet around the store or your home a while and see how comfortable it is over time. A properly fitting helmet is critical to your safety!
