Fitting A Motorcycle Helmet – How Tight Should It Be?

One indispensable factor every prospective buyer of a helmet should have in mind is firmness. Do you want it to sit perfectly on your head? Of course, no rider wants discomfort on a journey. That is controllable by understanding the helmet's tightness and fit. The first point of losing concentration is trying to adjust the headgear because it is loose or too tight. They both have consequences that you don't want to imagine happening to you.

The helmet's tightness has been debated on the internet, with people giving different opinions. This blog is not an addition to hearsay. We design it to provide insight into how to make a motorcycle helmet fit better.

How Tight Should A Motorcycle Helmet Be?

A helmet should sit firmly in its position at the first attempt. If it starts rotating around your head, it means you pick a bigger gear. Likewise, it should not squeeze your cheeks to make you uncomfortable. That makes it understandable that a few set people prefer to ride their motorcycles without a helmet. But that is not a suitable option for safety purposes. So, it is impossible to overemphasize the importance of a fitted helmet.

In the view of experts, a motorcycle helmet should sit comfortably around the owner's head as though it is an in-built accessory. There should be no pressure at any time. It must not move from its position regardless of the terrain type. Also, the rider must not feel pain in any part of the head. There is a misconception that people say the tighter it is, the more protection it offers.

That is not true. What you need to ride comfortably is snug and cozy, which should always be at the back of your mind. So, do not hesitate to try on as many as possible to find the ideal gear for you. Testing before buying will help you gain value for your money. The goal is to get the proper protection, which a loose-fitting and excessively tight helmet cannot offer.

Helmet Tightness Test

These are a few things you can do when you want to get yourself a new motorcycle helmet. 

Firstly, ensure that the cheek pads do not make you feel discomfort. That will be the case if it rests nicely on the cheeks.  

Secondly, confirm that the face shield is not in close contact with your nose if you are wearing a full-face helmet. You will discover that by pushing on the chin piece.

Thirdly, ensure you are not feeling discomfort in your pressure points after wearing the helmet. You can only know when you wear the gear.

Fourthly, the space between the chin and the strap must allow for at least two fingers after fastening the chin strap. Tightness does not mean there should not be a gap to accommodate the fingers.

Also, after fastening the chin straps, the helmet must not move from its position even when you roll it. 

Try to shake your head to see if the helmet will move. The shaking must be sideways, which is the ideal way to detect movement. 

If you can remove the helmet after fastening the chin strap, then the helmet is not your size. Similarly, if it puts a mark on your forehead, it is smaller and might be a pain in the neck.

How to Fit a Motorcycle Helmet

Nothing can stop you from getting the value for your money. You only need to take some significant steps, which begin with knowing your head circumference. Surprisingly, not many people consider it necessary. But it is the first step to getting a befitting helmet for your motorcycle.

Get a tape for measurement, placing it a bit above the eyebrows. Wrap it around your head, ensuring that it remains flat while measuring. If you can do it yourself, get help a friend to help you with it. Alternatively, standing in front of a mirror will let you know if you are doing it correctly.

Get a marker or a pen and place it between your scalp and the measuring tape. You can determine the precise fit for a helmet to sit appropriately on your head. It is necessary because manufacturers produce helmets in different sizes. The head circumference you measured is the key to distinguishing between several available options. 

If you are not buying from an offline store, do your due diligence to ensure that you pick the correct size. You are the freedom to test in a store, but that opportunity does not come with shopping online. 

You will understand how to make a motorcycle helmet fits better when you can distinguish between appropriateness, excessively tight, and loose helmet.

Do Motorcycle Helmets Become Loose with Time?

The primary function of a motorcycle helmet is to protect the head where necessary. No one can predict an accident, so riders always use their gears on the road. Because of this, many motorcyclists get used to the helmet and start feeling like it's slacking. 

If you ever come up with this thought, then you are right. It is not unusual for that to happen due to consistent usage. The tightness drops as the pressure of the head on the helmet increases. However, that is not the case for everyone. Your gear may maintain its firmness till whenever. It mostly depends on usage and the activities you do. 

Choosing the Appropriate Motorcycle Helmet Shape

Everyone is unique, which speaks a lot about human head shapes. Except for identical twins, people's skull structure differs in many areas. Again, manufacturers factor it in when building their products. So irrespective of your head shape, there is always a helmet that will fit in perfectly.

Production is usually based on the famous head shapes among humans: round oval, intermediate oval, and long oval. Manufacturers consider regions because deciding their target market needs. However, there are exceptions. If you find yourself in that category, you can reach out for customized headgear.

 Conclusion

With the information shared above, you should understand that measuring your head circumference is vital. It saves you after-purchase lamentation associated with a loose or overly tight helmet. Finally, test the motorcycle helmet thoroughly and ensure that anyone selected passes the helmet tightness test.

If you are experiencing challenges getting the right motorcycle helmet that fits perfectly, click here for inspiration.