Helmet Pain

[Slowboathome]

I need a new helmet, and all the ones I've tried so far have been too tight across the forehead. Apparently I have a 'long oval' head ......

My old helmet is not longer in production.

Sportsbikeshop have suggested trying the Bell, Arai or Ikon range, but I need to narrow down the field - can't see them being happy with me ordering and returning 20 helmets.

Anybody been in a similar boat with forehead pain? Any recommended helmets?

Cheers

[Patrick Star]

Same here,both Bell and Shark fit me.

[bsidethecside]

I have an oval head and by far the best for me is Schuberth. Top quality, but very pricey.

I use Helmet City who have a few branches to visit. They also sell last year's colours at considerable discount, making them affordable for me. On the basis I have no idea what this year's colours are, it makes absolutely B****er all difference to me and I'm happy with the discount!

Visiting and trying on is really the best way. Depending on where you are, you can make a day trip out with it. Just remember to bring a cargo net and/or good quality bungee cords!

[Slowboathome]

Cheers for the tips/advice. I've been to the localish CMC but they have a very limited range nowadays. Sounds like a trip to a bigger shop Leeds is needed. Thanks for the pointers re brands - that does help to narrow it down.

I take the point about wearing it for a while before deciding - that's the beauty of an online purchase: I can wear it for a couple of hours at home.

[Bob_Defly]

I got pain from my recent Arai XD-4. Instead of swapping it, I decided to do a bit of research. Took all the padding out, cut it around a bit, and rearranged it. Now it's fine.

I followed this advice.

https://advrider.com/f/threads/how-to-solve-helmet...

[TT1138]

Patrick Star said:

Same here,both Bell and Shark fit me.

Caberg very similar fit to both Bell and Shark. I’ve got helmets from all 3 brands, all fit my oval head!

[Wingo]

I used an infinity motorcycles shop recently that had a good choice of Arai lids and staff that were very helpful in customising the fit, ordering in the required lining part.
The prices weren't crackers either as there some good offers on.

[bogie]

Unless you are buying a newer version of the same helmet, you really need to go and try them on at a big retailer. Helmets of the same brand are not guaranteed to fit the same as manufacturers cater for different head shapes these days. Its not like 25 years ago were you had a Shoei or Arai shaped head.

Some good review websites track the liner shape so if you do have a helmet that fits great you can try to find similar and narrow down your choices

https://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmet-rev...

[goonerfromlag]

If you are truly 'long oval' shaped like I am, your options are limited I'm afraid. Arai quantum ST Pro fit like a glove, not sure about its replacement. You might be lucky to score a Shark RSI on ebay. The Xlite X-802 R also fits not sure about the 803 replacement though.

[NSR500]

Try HJC, Bell or Scorpion, i have never had any issues with them and they all make some decent helmets, my head shape must be similar to yours as i have had pain issues before, as the others said go somewhere with a good selection and try till you find something comfortable but you need it on for a few mins to get a good feel for it .

[pip t]

Also of the oval head shape here. After much trying on in a shop, the only one I could find that didn't give me a headache, or put pressure where it would eventually, was a Bell Star.

[nobby c]

I also have the same problem/issue, years ago I had an issue with a Kiwi helmet that I could not wear for more than 30 mins, never sorted it, my last lid was an Arai, brilliant fit but I have found the new Shoei helmets fit great as well, so that was what I plumped for as my latest.

[cannedheat]

Slowboathome said:

I need a new helmet, and all the ones I've tried so far have been too tight across the forehead. Apparently I have a 'long oval' head ......

My old helmet is not longer in production.

Sportsbikeshop have suggested trying the Bell, Arai or Ikon range, but I need to narrow down the field - can't see them being happy with me ordering and returning 20 helmets.

Anybody been in a similar boat with forehead pain? Any recommended helmets?

Cheers

I currently have an Arai Quantum ST Pro in a ‘M’ which fits very well. I’m currently looking for a replacement and the ones I’ve tried so far which fit best are:

- Shoei Neotec 2 (M)
- AGV SportModular (M)
- HJC RAPH 90S carbon (L)

I also tried the Arai QV Pro (replacement for Quantum ST Pro) and it seemed to fit tighter, similar to the Shoei GT-Air 2.

I wasn’t specifically looking for a modular but for my head shape (on the long oval side) they seem to fit better versus a ‘full face’ helmet.

[Krikkit]

bogie said:

Some good review websites track the liner shape so if you do have a helmet that fits great you can try to find similar and narrow down your choices

https://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmet-rev...

That's a great list, thanks!

I do sometimes wonder if the ovality of the fit for different lids changes with size - I'm an XL/2XL (borderline) and could imagine that something like an S/XS would be very different.

[Slowboathome]

Bob_Defly said:

I got pain from my recent Arai XD-4. Instead of swapping it, I decided to do a bit of research. Took all the padding out, cut it around a bit, and rearranged it. Now it's fine.

I followed this advice.

https://advrider.com/f/threads/how-to-solve-helmet...

Wow, that's really thorough - ta for the link. It gives me a bit of room for maneouvre if I can't find a perfect fit in the shop.

[Bob_Defly]

Slowboathome said:

Bob_Defly said:

I got pain from my recent Arai XD-4. Instead of swapping it, I decided to do a bit of research. Took all the padding out, cut it around a bit, and rearranged it. Now it's fine.

I followed this advice.

https://advrider.com/f/threads/how-to-solve-helmet...

Wow, that's really thorough - ta for the link. It gives me a bit of room for maneouvre if I can't find a perfect fit in the shop.

Yeah it's super helpful in telling you where/how to adjust. My pain point was pretty much on the hard foam, so I thought I was buggered. Then after reading that I realised I could add foam in other places to reduce the pressure. Simple when you think about it, but it had never occurred to me.