HOW TIGHT SHOULD A MOTORCYCLE HELMET BE?: Back To Basics

A motorbike helmet is as essential as working gears of a motorcycle. Its sole purpose is not only to protect the eyes from debris and wind but also to keep you safe in case of a crash. However, it is good to know that the key to head safety is how your helmet fits. With that in mind, you need to make sure that the helmet fits properly. The reason is that a large helmet may come off during an accident and may fail to protect you.

On the other hand, if the helmet is too small, it may feel uncomfortable and may also be hard to remove. Well, if thinking of how tight should a motorcycle helmet be? Here is the answer!

But prior to that, you may check some of the best fitting helmets for head. Once you read the entire content, to be safer in your rides, you may show interest on any of the three:

BestChoice
Shoei Men's Rf-1200 Full Face Motorcycle Helmet (Medium, Matte Black)
Runner Up
ScorpionEXO Covert Open Face Half Shell 3/4 Mode Motorcycle Helmet Dot Approved Solid Adult Unisex (Matte Black - Large)
Best Budget
Bell Qualifier DLX Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet (Isle Of Man 17 Gloss Black/Red, Large)
Shoei Men's Rf-1200 Full Face Motorcycle Helmet (Medium, Matte Black)
ScorpionEXO Covert Open Face Half Shell 3/4 Mode Motorcycle Helmet Dot Approved Solid Adult Unisex (Matte Black - Large)
Bell Qualifier DLX Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet (Isle Of Man 17 Gloss Black/Red, Large)
BestChoice
Shoei Men's Rf-1200 Full Face Motorcycle Helmet (Medium, Matte Black)
Shoei Men's Rf-1200 Full Face Motorcycle Helmet (Medium, Matte Black)
Runner Up
ScorpionEXO Covert Open Face Half Shell 3/4 Mode Motorcycle Helmet Dot Approved Solid Adult Unisex (Matte Black - Large)
ScorpionEXO Covert Open Face Half Shell 3/4 Mode Motorcycle Helmet Dot Approved Solid Adult Unisex (Matte Black - Large)
Best Budget
Bell Qualifier DLX Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet (Isle Of Man 17 Gloss Black/Red, Large)
Bell Qualifier DLX Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet (Isle Of Man 17 Gloss Black/Red, Large)

A motorcycle helmet should fit snugly

motosport.com

The helmet needs to fit snugly. It should not have movements when twisted from side to side or up and down. Loose helmets can quickly move around and can be dangerous, inconvenient, and uncomfortable during a ride. Alternatively, if you feel your face and most especially the cheeks are tightened up, your pressure points may get you uncomfortable. Always make sure that the helmet is snug enough.

Should not move around easily

The right fitting helmet should not be able to move around with ease. When putting on the helmet, it should remain loose, but not too loose. Always make sure it’s not moving around on its own. You should not experience motorcycle helmet tight cheeks. A loose helmet may cause the following problems:

  • They can move around when you are not expecting
  • Can come off in an accident
  • May feel noisy with the wind passing through the inside of the helmet

While a helmet should not be too tight, it is good to remember that a helmet mostly loosens up after several hours of use. The comfort liner compresses with use. A new helmet should be tight, but make sure that the tightness is not uncomfortable. After wearing it for a while, it should loosen up to the right tightness.

Perform fit checks to know if they are very tight

  • Some of the checks include:
  • Make sure the cheek pad touches your cheeks without making them uncomfortable
  • If you have a full-face helmet, touch the chin piece and make sure the face shield is not touching your chin or nose. If it does, that’s not the right fit.
  • If the helmet comes with a neck roll, it should not push the helmet far from the back of your neck. 

Pressure points should not feel uncomfortable

With the chin strap fastened and your head in an upright posture, try to remove your helmet and make sure you are not able to remove it. If you manage to pull it off, that helmet is too big for you. Also, if you notice that your head feel painful or have red spots on the forehead, then the helmet is too tight. Remember that if pressure points are uncomfortable, you can experience a headache when riding. If the helmet is too tight, choose a larger size or look for another helmet from another brand. Just like the way human heads are not equal, so are the helmets.

Your helmet’s fit is crucial when it comes to safety and comfort as you ride. Yes! You may be an expert rider with many years of experience on the road. However, remember that some drivers are so ignorant of bikers and may end up hitting you. If they ignorantly hit you, your helmet is what will save you. With the above information, you can know how tight should a motorcycle helmet be, and you are now safer on the road.

Leave a Comment