How tight is too tight?

jstone · July 2nd, 2009, 03:41 PM

I just bought an Icon Airframe helmet, and it is very snug on my head. I've never owned a street helmet before, only off-road. Do these helmets break-in very much? Or should I go ahead and return it for a larger size? I kind of put the cart before the horse and got a helmet before the bike, but it shouldn't be long and I know I won't ride without one. I would wear it a little and see, but I think people might look at me funny in my car. Its tight under my ears, around my jaw bone.

Alex · July 2nd, 2009, 03:45 PM

It's supposed to be quite snug. Shaking your head side to side and front to back shouldn't allow the helmet to move even the slightest bit on your head. They also do break-in a bit over time. That said, if it is so tight that it cause actual pain, you have a headache after wearing it for an hour, or if you get some awful hot spots on parts of your head, then it may be too tight.

Generally, people buy helmets that are a little too big for them thinking they feel more comfortable when trying them on in the store. But a snug helmet can both better protect your noggin, and also ends up to be more comfortable over the long haul because it doesn't move around at all on your head while you're riding the bike.

kkim · July 2nd, 2009, 03:47 PM

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...helmet-faq.htm

CC Cowboy · July 2nd, 2009, 03:55 PM

As in women, tight is good. You don't want it to slip around on your head while you're riding.

noche_caliente · July 2nd, 2009, 04:23 PM

welcome Jared. You've already gotten some good advice, so I'll leave it at that and say hello! this thread from a day or so ago might help too: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=23445

jstone · July 2nd, 2009, 08:33 PM

Thanks for the advice. I think I'm going to keep it for a little while. The more I had it on around the house this afternoon, the better it felt. If I do decide that its still too tight, I think I will just order smaller cheek pads for it, because it def fits everywhere else.

AnarchoMoltov · July 2nd, 2009, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

As in women, tight is good. You don't want it to slip around on your head while you're riding.

nmd003 · July 2nd, 2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

As in women, tight is good. You don't want it to slip around on your head while you're riding.

miks · July 2nd, 2009, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

As in women, tight is good. You don't want it to slip around on your head while you're riding.

Legend.

Neema12 · July 3rd, 2009, 09:57 AM

I had the same issue with my helmet. I am bringing the helmet with my to a local shop and comparing it side-to-side with other sizes and models.

If I keep the helmet, ill buy a tinted screen

If the helmet is too tight, ill be upset because I gotta get a new one

coffeecandy · July 9th, 2009, 04:44 PM

Jay leno fit into a Medium....so what does that tell you about fitting into helmets? My HJC needs to be replaced or I need to step down to a large.

jola · July 9th, 2009, 04:59 PM

They do break in some. If it is snug and doesn't give you a headache while riding then I think you are in good shape.

tjkamper · July 9th, 2009, 05:47 PM

They do break in. But it should be really snug. Just make sure it is not pinching your ears-thats a no no.

BlueRaven · July 9th, 2009, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CC Cowboy

As in women, tight is good. You don't want it to slip around on your head while you're riding.

i guess that would ruin the "ride"...by the way where are you hidding out lately cc?

backinthesaddleagain · July 10th, 2009, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueRaven

i guess that would ruin the "ride"...by the way where are you hidding out lately cc?

saw him in Rhode Island - great guy

Snake · July 10th, 2009, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backinthesaddleagain

saw him in Rhode Island - great guy

He seems like a great guy that would be fun to hang out with. His sense of humor is hilarious.

backinthesaddleagain · July 10th, 2009, 06:43 PM

great rider too. he was nailing some tight backroads that had some sandy and pot holed spots from all the rain we've had here.

EngrNewf · July 13th, 2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkim

http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...helmet-faq.htm

Biking==meditation;

July 2nd, 2009, 03:41 PM	#1
jstone ninjette.org newbie Name: Jared Location: Kentucky Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): None yet Posts: 9	How tight is too tight? I just bought an Icon Airframe helmet, and it is very snug on my head. I've never owned a street helmet before, only off-road. Do these helmets break-in very much? Or should I go ahead and return it for a larger size? I kind of put the cart before the horse and got a helmet before the bike, but it shouldn't be long and I know I won't ride without one. I would wear it a little and see, but I think people might look at me funny in my car. Its tight under my ears, around my jaw bone.

July 2nd, 2009, 03:45 PM	#2
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	It's supposed to be quite snug. Shaking your head side to side and front to back shouldn't allow the helmet to move even the slightest bit on your head. They also do break-in a bit over time. That said, if it is so tight that it cause actual pain, you have a headache after wearing it for an hour, or if you get some awful hot spots on parts of your head, then it may be too tight. Generally, people buy helmets that are a little too big for them thinking they feel more comfortable when trying them on in the store. But a snug helmet can both better protect your noggin, and also ends up to be more comfortable over the long haul because it doesn't move around at all on your head while you're riding the bike. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

July 2nd, 2009, 03:55 PM	#4
CC Cowboy ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Whodat Location: Ware Is.,MA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): I pass the wind! Posts: A lot. MOTM - Mar '13, Jun '14	As in women, tight is good. You don't want it to slip around on your head while you're riding. __________________________________________________ If everything seems under control; you're just not going fast enough!

July 2nd, 2009, 04:23 PM	#5
noche_caliente ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Kim Location: mundo de ensueño Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 250 Posts: A lot.	welcome Jared. You've already gotten some good advice, so I'll leave it at that and say hello! this thread from a day or so ago might help too: http://www.ninjette.org/forums/showthread.php?t=23445 __________________________________________________ Progrip tank pad, blue rim stripes, blue Pazzos, Roaring Toyz lowering kit, Puig DB in dark smoke, Cortech sport tail, super mini tank, and saddlebags, OES swingarm spools and Intuitive frame sliders

July 3rd, 2009, 09:57 AM	#10
Neema12 ninjette.org member Name: Neema Location: San Jose, CA Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2002 Ninja 250 Posts: 66	I had the same issue with my helmet. I am bringing the helmet with my to a local shop and comparing it side-to-side with other sizes and models. If I keep the helmet, ill buy a tinted screen If the helmet is too tight, ill be upset because I gotta get a new one __________________________________________________ "the saddest thing in life is wasted talent" -a bronx tale "all good decisions come from experience. all experience comes from bad decisions"

July 2nd, 2009, 03:47 PM	#3
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...helmet-faq.htm

July 2nd, 2009, 08:33 PM	#6
jstone ninjette.org newbie Name: Jared Location: Kentucky Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): None yet Posts: 9	Thanks for the advice. I think I'm going to keep it for a little while. The more I had it on around the house this afternoon, the better it felt. If I do decide that its still too tight, I think I will just order smaller cheek pads for it, because it def fits everywhere else.

July 9th, 2009, 04:44 PM	#11
coffeecandy ninjette.org member Name: Eli Location: San Jose, CA Join Date: Jul 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2002 Ninja 250 Posts: 159	Jay leno fit into a Medium....so what does that tell you about fitting into helmets? My HJC needs to be replaced or I need to step down to a large.

July 9th, 2009, 04:59 PM	#12
jola ninjette.org member Name: Joe Location: North Dakota Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2000 Ninja 250R Posts: 68	They do break in some. If it is snug and doesn't give you a headache while riding then I think you are in good shape.

July 9th, 2009, 05:47 PM	#13
tjkamper ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Travis Location: Warwick, RI Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	They do break in. But it should be really snug. Just make sure it is not pinching your ears-thats a no no. __________________________________________________ Addicted to anything that has an engine and rolls.

July 10th, 2009, 06:43 PM	#17
backinthesaddleagain ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Greg Location: Rhode Island Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2013 ZX6R 636 Posts: A lot.	great rider too. he was nailing some tight backroads that had some sandy and pot holed spots from all the rain we've had here.

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