How Tight Should a Motorcycle Helmet Fit?

A poorly-fitted helmet won’t protect your skull in a crash and must be snug so that it cannot fall off when fastened .”, a bold statement from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This quote clearly emphasizes the importance of a perfectly fit helmet for motorcyclists who love endurance riding and flexing their biking muscles on the road.

But here crops up an intriguing question: “ How tight should a motorcycle helmet be?”. Bike riders often dismiss this question as trivial, wondering: “Who cares when you are a good biker? But the right answer to this question can lead to saving your life or at least prevent you from being severely injured.

Let us walk you through this blog that explores the importance of a snugly-fit helmet and teaches you how to find the right one for your head.

Importance of a Perfectly Fit Helmet for Motorcyclists

Wearing a perfectly fitting helmet comes with a number of benefits that go this:

1- Ensures Safety:

With biker road accidents surging every year, it is crucial to prioritize your safety. Life can turn on a dime, and time can turn pitiless without letting you know beforehand. In the US, 37% of motorcyclists who are killed in road accidents get injured on their heads. Wearing a helmet can save you— but only if it does not leave your head when it receives a jerk or a sudden jolt. This is when the importance of a snugly fitting helmet comes in. A helmet that firmly rests on your head effectively absorbs the sudden shocks or sharp pressures that your skull encounters during a fall.

2- Brings Comfort:

A loosely fit helmet can cause constant discomfort in strong wind conditions— quite common in open roads and countryside areas. In such weather, the helmet can waft around a lot, reducing visibility and often exerting undue pressure on the neck, which ruins the excitement and fun of the journey. A snugly-fitted helmet rests firmly on your head, without dancing on the clues of wind, and does not obstruct your visibility on the road. Additionally, it keeps neck pains away, making your ride comfortable and safe.

How Is a Motorcycle Helmet Supposed To Fit?

Wore the helmet but still unsure whether it perfectly fits the head? Lots of drivers are confused about the right criterion of a snug-fit helmet; they either end up wearing it too tight or too loose, which is bad. Although the perfect fit can vary with helmet brand, helmet type and the person’s head contour, there are a few boxes you need to tick while seeking a proper fit.

1- The helmet rests perfectly on the face without squishing your cheeks or rubbing against the skin. The driver shouldn’t feel any discomfort or irritation after wearing the helmet.

2- The helmet should sit level on your head, and the top end of the helmet must sit at a spacing of one or finger width above your eyebrows. This ensures your visibility on the road is not affected, even if the bike undergoes a jerk or sudden shock.

Remember:

A loosely fit helmet is as dangerous as an expired helmet is, as both fail to shield your head from wounds and injuries during a crash. Want to know about expired helmets? Go through this blog post and save yourself before an expired helmet leads to getting you bedridden.

Do Motorcycle Helmets Expire? Helmet Lifespan and Safety Tips For Drivers

Steps To Get The Right Helmet Size

1- Measure Your Head Size:

The perfect Helmet size adjustment precedes the accurate measurement of the biker’s head size— which is the circumference. To get an ideal head size, place a measuring tape and wrap it around the widest part of the head. Record the measurement, match it with the manufacturer’s size chart and take the closest size from the chart.

2- Determine Your Head Shape:

The snugly-fit helmet criterion changes with the head shape. A helmet that sits perfectly on one head wouldn’t smoothly settle on the other. So, before measuring the helmet size, know your head shape and then select the helmet type that suits your head— it is a significant step of the motorcycle helmet fitment process. Common head shapes include intermediate oval, round oval and long oval.

3- Purchase The Helmet:

Once the head type and helmet measurements are finalized, it is time to zero in on the helmet type. You can get in touch with the Renegade Classics Team or visit our website. Browse through a wide range of motorcycle helmets and choose one that meshes with your style, personality and head shape. Place your order, and we will deliver it to your doorstep within 24—48 hours.

How To Tighten A Motorcycle Helmet?

A perfectly fit helmet can mean the difference between a safe, risk-free ride and a perilous ride. If your helmet gets loose over time, tighten it as soon as possible to shield your body from injuries if an accident occurs. Here are a few tips you can follow when tightening your helmet:

1-Adjust The Chin Strap:

Use the chin straps to tighten the helmet in such a way that only one or two fingers can sufficiently fit in between the helmet and your head.

2- Replace Padding Over Time:

The internal padding of the helmet gets worn out with time, leading to a shaggy or loose fit of the helmet. To cope with this issue, you can add fresh cheek pads with greater thickness for a tighter fit around the face.

3- Try a Balaclava:

To increase the stability of the helmet resting on your head, add a Balaclava under the helmet. Doing so will add a slight bulk, which improves the fit and the safety quotient. I personally have been riding a bike since 2017, and whenever I feel my helmet becoming loose, I hunt for any soft object— that is gentle on the skin—and place it between my face and helmet. And it really works wonders. No matter how fast I ride, the helmet doesn’t leave its place. So, I recommend you and all other riders out there to go for a makeshift fix and enjoy safe rides.

“Correct fastening is a crucial factor to avoid helmet roll-off during a crash. Most studies agreed that full-face helmets provide higher protection in comparison with other standard helmets, especially for facial injuries.”

— Says The National Library Of Medicine

The bottom line:

Kicking off a ride with a loosely-fit helmet can be tempting at first glance, but it comes with a fair share of challenges: Inducing discomfort during the ride and increasing the risk of injuries during a crash. So, act wisely! Wear a properly fit helmet before you hit the road, whether it is cruising to your favorite destinations or flexing your biking skills downtown. You have got the answer to the question, “ How tight should the helmet be?”. Just follow these tips to ensure a snug fit, and you will experience better rides. Safety always precedes enthusiasm, and this is where the well-being of the motorcyclist community lies.

FAQ about Motorcycle Helmet Fitting Tips

Q1:- How to Know if a helmet properly is worn and is not tight?

Ans: A helmet too tight shows several signs, such as headaches and face bone pains, after a few minutes of wear. Remember, a snug-fitted helmet doesn’t cause discomfort and irritation.