If this is your first visit, be sure to check out the FAQ by clicking the link above.
You may have to register before you can post: click the register link above to proceed.
To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
New Rider ForumsJust joining the motorcyclist hobbie? Looking to get some information about a first bike? Or have some newbie questions. Are you new to the website?
I went to the local bike shop today to check out some helmets, try some on and see which one is right for me.
First I tried a Shoei (TZ-R...I really want the orange one), and it was SUPER comfortable and fit really well. But I have a few questions...
-When putting it on, should you angle it downwards and sorta slip it over your head? I just put it straight on. Because of this, my ears folded downwards, and it kinda hurt putting the damn thing on! I havent shaved in a few days, so I got a bit of stubble growing...and man, it hurt! It's like velcro to the inner padding of the helmet!
-Also, I wear glasses. I cannot, CANNOT wear contact lenses (I really cant get them in my eyes). How the hell do you get a helmet on with glasses? I tried it, and my ears got pushed down and my glasses almost fell off. I tried to put em on AFTER putting the helmet on, but that didnt work so well. I think I looked pretty dumb at the store!
I mean, at my riding courses, they give us helmets, but theyre pretty old and crappy. I can usually slip them on with no problem...but theyre kinda loose...not like a REAL helmet.
-Another thing is that I looked in the mirror with a helmet on, and I felt like a real doofus. They look normal on the shelves, but having a big helmet on your head makes you look kinda funny. Maybe it was a big helmet (it was a medium) or maybe I'm a small guy (5'9", about 160lbs)...but I thought I looked kinda dumb. Obviously, safety/comfort first (hell, I want an ORANGE helmet just so I can be more visible to traffic)...but man!
Glasses go on afterwards (some helmets do not permit this because of how the padding is). I would never attempt to put on a helmet while still wearing the glasses.
I have the helmet sort of lined up with my forehead when I put it on. Likewise, I use my thumbs to spread the pads around my cheeks/ears as I put it on.
Hetlmet's don't look big when you're wearing real gear - etc, jacket, etc
Glasses go on afterwards (some helmets do not permit this because of how the padding is). I would never attempt to put on a helmet while still wearing the glasses.
I have the helmet sort of lined up with my forehead when I put it on. Likewise, I use my thumbs to spread the pads around my cheeks/ears as I put it on.
Hetlmet's don't look big when you're wearing real gear - etc, jacket, etc
Sounds about like what I do...helmet is at an angle and I kind of "roll" it onto on my head as I pull it down...my glasses go on after my helmet is on...they fit in there fine for me.
__________________
90' Zephyr 550 - SOLD
Cell phones are the biggest accident contributor since Tequila.~~ Check me on myspace
I just got my first brand new helmet. Also the first helmet that really fit well, not too tight. I kind of roll it onto my head too, but still have to kind of wiggle it a bit to get my ears to feel right. You think your helmet looked goofy? I have an XL (the better to protect my massive brain!). After my first long ride with it, the comfort difference was huge, so I don't really care how it looks. Dayid's right, with all your gear on, it looks just fine anyway. It's more important to be able to focus on the road and traffic, rather than deal with trying to shift your lid around to relieve pressure points like I used to have to do.
Last edited by kevin-ross : 04-13-2007 at 10:51 PM.
Some helmets have "relief" in the padding for the side frames of glasses to slide into. Glasses that have frames that are snug to the side of your head are easier as well. Definitely don't try to pull a helmet on or off with glasses on. Getting it on and off will get easier over time.
And, yes, you look like a dufus, but who cares.
__________________ Moderator - Help me fix it and riders' gear. Send me a PM with questions, suggestions, or issues.
Never out-ride your ability to react (even stop) within the distance you can see (at least on the street).
Not stupid questions at all. When I bought my first bike, the salesman had to show me how to put my first fullface helmet on. just grab it by the straps and pull it on- he was right, I've been doing it more than 20 years that way and never failed to get it on... I usually angle my head down and then pull the helmet on over the crown of my head kind of from the back.
On the glasses, you put them on afterwards. What you do with them while you are putting on the helmet is something else you will have to think about. One thing NOT to do is to put them on the seat of your bike, especially if it is running - they will fall off in a hurry.
I usually hang them from my shirt collar. I fold them up and put one of the ear pieces down the inside of the shirt. Then I whip 'em out and stick 'em on through the front of the helmet.
put on glasses after you put on helmet. flip up or modular helmets wont make it easier either, you still have to take off the glasses to mput the helmet on. I have glasses with fairly straight arms, the way alot of sunglasses are. i think that makes it alot easier for me. I hold my glasses in my hand when i put on my helmet.
The temples ( the pieces that go from the frames and over your ears ) on a pair of glasses make a huge difference as to the ease of putting them on through a eyeport in a full face helmet. Cable temples are about impossible to do, where a pair of Ray Ban Aviators are as simple as it gets. If you need to, take the helmet with you to the optician and try on different frames to see what works well.
The helmet should fit snug and shouldn't move when you shake your head left-right or up-down. If it moves, try a size smaller or a different model or manufacturer.
HTH
.
__________________
When I'm good, I'm very, very good...
When I'm bad, I'm better
Posts: 642
Casino Cash: $13099
Sportbike: 2004 ZRX 1200R-Faster Red
Make sure that the ear holes (in the padding) are in the right spot. It's earritating to buy a helmet with the holes in the wrong spot and have your ears pressed and folded all the time.
Yeah..it was a bit discouraging when I went to try on helmets. The first one I tried was a Shoei TZR...and it did fit perfectly! Nice and comfy, fit my head perfectly etc... Then I tried some of the other models at the store (they seem to only have Shoei and Shark helmets)...I tried the Shark...felt like crap! Too bad the expensive Shoei's were the best fittings :
Really n00bular questions about helmets...
: