How to tell if a Motorcycle Helmet is too Small?
The significant signs on how to tell if a motorcycle helmet is too small include painful pressure points, uncomfortable fit, and a red forehead. It is important to buy a helmet that is properly fit and comfortable. It is necessary for full protection on the road in case you get into a sudden road accident. Maybe a bit tougher to put on a helmet that fits properly, but without making such points uncomfortable, it will fit comfortably. You have to feel your facial skin moving with the headgear when you move the helmet from side to side. In this situation, you feel some pressure on your cheeks but not too much.
Steps to tell if a motorcycle helmet is too small.
There are some methods to tell if a new motorcycle helmet is too small, including
Does not fit snugly
A helmet should not be too tight. Make sure it is slightly loose to permit some movement when wearing a helmet for the first time. It means you should not feel tight cheeks. A small model will not allow you to move slightly.
People should avoid loose-fitting headgear because it will move around when the strapping is tightened. If you do not wear a helmet when riding against the wind, it may feel too noisy, and also, it could come off in a crash.
Pressure Points
Sometimes you experience painful or discomforting pressure points. If you buy a small helmet compared to your head, you will experience this issue. If the helmet has an oval shape, it is too small. Such points in the back of your head indicate that the headgear is not perfect according to the head. Before taking a helmet for a long ride, try on the helmet indoors to observe if it feels comfortable.
Red Forehead
Some people think that when wearing a new helmet, a red forehead is a typical mark. Others believe that they have a skin condition. But that is not the condition. A red forehead is mostly the outcome of wearing the wrong headgear according to your head shape.
The new riders mostly encounter it due to a lack of experience. If you wear an around-the-oval helmet, you get a red forehead in case of an accident. So, how to make a motorcycle helmet fit better? For a better fit, you could reshape the foam material.
Measure Your Head for the Right Size
By taking correct measurements of your head, you can avoid buying helmets that are too small. A string or a soft tape and a measuring tape are used for this activity.
Step 1: The Widest Part of Your Head measure
Choose the soft tape and put it around the widest part of your head. Then put it to be about a quarter to a half-inch above your eyebrow line. If you do not have a handy measuring tape, you can also use a string. If it is loose or has any flex in it, you will not get the right measurement.
Step 2: Relate the Measurement to the Sizing Chart
You can relate the measurement to the sizing chart once you have it properly. Each product which you can normally find on the product page mostly comes with a size chart. A simple chart will give you the helmet size and head measurement range in centimeters or inches.
Step 3: Choose the Ideal Shape
The shape of the headgear is very important as related to the size. People should choose a helmet that will fit properly without reasoning about any uncomfortable or painful pressure points on their heads.
Step 4: Try Out the Helmet
Try to buy a helmet from a local store. In this way, you can check all the signs that a prominent helmet is too small. You will have enough time to test the helmet. And you can feel whether or not it is too small. For an online buying system, you should have a return policy if the helmet size turns out to be incorrect.
When wearing the helmet on your head, be sure the forehead and the cheeks fit properly. There shouldn’t be any space between your brow pads and forehead. If you are wearing a helmet for the first time, you need to observe the gap around the crown of your head. It would help if you kept having any extra room. There is too much room if you can put two fingers in there. If you feel uncomfortable, the fit is too tight to the extent. You feel pressure all the time around your cheeks. A very small helmet puts extra strain on your cheeks.
Other Things to Consider Apart From the Size and Fit
Apart from checking if the helmet is the right size or not, you also need to check the safety standards. The best helmet guarantees better protection in an accident and also meets the minimum safety standards. All the helmets that are worn on the road have to be DOT-compliant. DOT stickers can be present outside or inside the helmet. Look at the DOT sticker when buying any helmet.
A DOT-compliant headgear has been tested for retention, impact, peripheral vision, and penetration. It is necessary to have excellent shock-absorbing capacity. It also has a chin strap that can withstand breaking or stretching. The helmet will give superior peripheral vision, mostly 105 degrees, and can withstand a strong blow.
Also Read: A Guide on Bike Helmet Brim Attachment
Motorcycle Helmet Headphones: Everything You Need To Know
How Do Helmets Prevent Concussions
A Guide on What to do with Old Bike Helmets
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