New Helmets

[n4mwd]

I have been trying to buy a new helmet with no luck. First I found a guy on ebay selling this one (PGR DV100):



According to the chart, I should have size M, but I ordered a size L instead. When I got it, it was so tight I could barely get it on. It felt like my head was in a vice and it took a whole day for my head to quit hurting. I sent it back. The company said that they put it in their machine and it tested to be the correct size and that they had 10 of their employees that wear the same size and they all said it was fine. I measured the inner circumference before I sent it back and it was three sizes too small.

Then I got this one (Hawk AP-990).



I have two other Hawk helmets that I bought 2 years ago and they are size XL and fit perfectly. So I ordered this one as size XL. It is also ridiculously tight. So tight that I couldn't even put my glasses on after I put on the helmet.

So its going back too. And this time I have to pay the return shipping.

Anyone else have this kind of problem with helmets being three sizes too small?

Today I'm going to cycle gear to actually try one on before I get it.

[TheDementedDrummer]

You have to wait for it to "break in"
when i got my new helmet (SparX S-07, size M), it was uncomfortably tight.
now it's loose, and squishes into my head above 120.
just wear it for a while, and see if it feels any better

[Joshorilla]

Tight is good, like it has been said the foam will compact a little all round and this will make it fit like a glove, the important thing to note is if you have pressure points, where one point has a lot more pressure than the rest.

It took a good two weeks commuting for my helmet to feel right, and now it's snug but has a slight amount of play, bu nothing adjusting the straps won't fix.

[NevadaWolf]

Something seems wrong. If you have worn a brand before and know about what size you should be, receiving the same brand where you can't even get it on would make me worry.

This is why I refuse to buy things over the net without finding the exact model in a store and trying it. I hunted around all over Reno looking for the helmet I'll be buying next because reviews were saying it ran small. Found it, tried it, and they were right it is snug but wearable.

I'd personally stick to brick and mortar stores or reputable online stores like Revzilla. Stay away from eBay.

[n4mwd]

Originally Posted by NevadaWolf

Something seems wrong. If you have worn a brand before and know about what size you should be, receiving the same brand where you can't even get it on would make me worry.

This is why I refuse to buy things over the net without finding the exact model in a store and trying it. I hunted around all over Reno looking for the helmet I'll be buying next because reviews were saying it ran small. Found it, tried it, and they were right it is snug but wearable.

I'd personally stick to brick and mortar stores or reputable online stores like Revzilla. Stay away from eBay.

I had previously had good luck with the Hawk helmets which is why I thought that I couldn't go wrong. So now I have to pay for return shipping after already paying for them to ship it to me in the first place. I bought it at leatherup.com but I'm not happy with them now so I probably wont buy anything from them again.

The helmet is clearly defective. It was not made to proper or consistent specs. At least PGR paid for shipping both ways and refunded the FULL amount.

[ShadowStalk3r]

Originally Posted by n4mwd

I had previously had good luck with the Hawk helmets which is why I thought that I couldn't go wrong. So now I have to pay for return shipping after already paying for them to ship it to me in the first place. I bought it at leatherup.com but I'm not happy with them now so I probably wont buy anything from them again.

The helmet is clearly defective. It was not made to proper or consistent specs. At least PGR paid for shipping both ways and refunded the FULL amount.

Maybe the Hawk helmet has a diffferent head shape from the last one you had, that's why you couldn't fit in it.

[lgk]

did you gain weight?

[himynameisjoe]

Originally Posted by lgk

did you gain weight?

That's what I was thinking lol It's also possible since it's been a few years since you bought a new helmet you just forgot how tight they are before they're broken in!

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by lgk

did you gain weight?

n4mwd just needs a good hair cut.

[n4mwd]

I just came back from cycle gear and bought a new bilt helmet that they had on sale for $80. They let me try it on but its still not a good fit even at XXL. Its really tight at the temples which makes it quite painful to wear. It also makes it impossible for me to put on my glasses. I'm going to modify it so that's why I took it anyway.

Pretty much all helmets under $100 are made in China with next to non-existent quality controls. They had another one that was on sale for $140 and it fits perfect, but I didn't want to pay that much since this is just a helmet that will be used on trips.

Let me explain. I already have a good modular helmet that I will continue to use for daily use. I tried adding a bluetooth communicator to it and there are numerous problems when using a modular for bluetooth. So I decided to get a full face and convert that. I only use bluetooth for when I am riding with another person as an intercom - which is maybe once a month or so.

The problem with the bilt that I got is the cheek pads. They are about twice as thick as they should be. I can only guess that they want it that tight so you don't have to use the straps. It takes a good bit of muscle to pry this helmet off so there is no way it could come off with or without the straps in an accident. But since I always use the straps, I don't need the cheek pads - so I can ditch them.

This leaves more room for the bluetooth set. However, another major problem with the bluetooth is that the wind noise makes it next to impossible to use it over 40 mph. Therefore, I have full sized foam ear cushions that have to be installed into the helmet before I can use it.

Bottom line, its going to be major surgery to get this thing the way I want it.

[lgk]

Originally Posted by Motofool

n4mwd just needs a good hair cut.

high and tight would probably reduce two sizes.

[Mocha Man]

Wow, nice looking helmets!

[n4mwd]

This is the one they had for $140 that fit really good.

SEVEN ZERO SEVEN Vendetta 3 Destroyer Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet


Naturally, its the expensive ones that fit well. They have cheaper ones, but none with the internal drop down visor that fit as good as this one.

This is the one I actually got for $80.

BILT Chicane Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet


Again, the fit isn't that great, but I wanted a part time helmet for trips that I could install a Bluetooth system in.

[lgk]

those 707 helmets are pretty good, i like the chin guard and breath deflector on them.

[Jono]

I have had great experiences with Cycle Gears 707 helmets. I had the Vendetta 2 and crashed in it. It did it's job. I then got the Backlash. Which is my current helmet. It is much nicer than my first 707 helmet but both are great helmets for the price.

[Joshorilla]

Helmets are one of those areas of gear that seem to divide people, the two schools of thought seem to be "It has to be certified and pass tests, if it's certified for use on the road it's good enough" and the other "my opinion" is that "sure they are all certified to a high level and are safe, but some are more safe than others and I pay extra for that"

I buy caberg helmets as they are highly certified, made in italy and reputable. I don't think they are certified for the USA?

[lgk]

Originally Posted by Joshorilla

I buy caberg helmets as they are highly certified, made in italy and reputable. I don't think they are certified for the USA?

the helmet looks well made at first glance.
shame that it looked like they had distributor issues...

shoei rf helmets seem to fit my head best, so far they are my favorite, but i would like to try the nexx xr1r and airoh gp500 since they claim to be light weight.

[n4mwd]

Next time I buy a helmet for my daily drive, I will take a serious look at the 707 helmets. The one I tried on fit very well. My main requirements are that it be modular and have the internal visor. (For my every now and then bluetooth helmet I needed a full face.)

Based on what I have read in previous threads, the DOT certification is next to worthless. Its basically an honor system and manufacturers don't have to prove anything. To be legal, all you need is to go to the dollar store, buy a salad bowl and buy a DOT sticker here.

The accident reports that I have read tell me that there are more than a few Chinese manufactured cheapo DOT helmets (like the one I just bought ) that probably wouldn't pass DOT tests if they were tested by an independent lab.

[rocka81]

I've been trying helmets on for the past couple of weeks now, i was specifcally looking for one with a drop down sun visor. This was what i bought. Shark S900c Fost Lumi. Cost me $260



Perfect fit, also has small removable pads inside for people who wear glasses.
4/5 stars on sharp rating also.

[n4mwd]

Originally Posted by rocka81

I've been trying helmets on for the past couple of weeks now, i was specifcally looking for one with a drop down sun visor. This was what i bought. Shark S900c Fost Lumi. Cost me $260



Perfect fit, also has small removable pads inside for people who wear glasses.
4/5 stars on sharp rating also.

The helmet people almost always forget about people that wear glasses. Glad to hear shark takes that into consideration. The internal visor means you don't have to wear sunglasses, but some people still have to have to wear regular glasses.

How is it in terms of quietness? Its kind of hard to tell until you install a bluetooth kit and try hearing the other guy at 70mph. I have been using a hair blow dryer to find noisy spots on the helmet and try to deal with them. Works pretty well actually.

[Mocha Man]

Originally Posted by n4mwd

This is the one they had for $140 that fit really good.

SEVEN ZERO SEVEN Vendetta 3 Destroyer Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet

I WANT this helmet!!!

[lgk]

Originally Posted by Mocha Man

I WANT this helmet!!!

get it, its nice