Everything You Need to Know about Motorcycle Helmet Sizing & Buying the Right Helmet For You

For many years, motorcycles have been one of the most popular modes of transportation all over the globe. Compared to other forms of transportation, they are reliable, easy to maintain, affordable, and can travel to places that larger vehicles cannot reach. As motorcycles have been developed over time and grown in popularity not only for transportation but for recreational use, motorcycle gear has also become increasingly important. While most motorcycle gear can be viewed as optional, there is one piece of equipment that is universally accepted as a must-have piece of gear, a motorcycle helmet.

It is commonplace in today's world to use a helmet while riding a motorcycle, and in many places, it is required by law. Over time, motorcycle helmets have been improved in order to protect riders. Features have been added so modern-day helmets are capable of preventing brain injuries and may even save your life in the event of an accident. In order to find the perfect helmet for you, you must find a helmet that fits your head shape, your riding style, and is comfortable to wear for long periods of time. So, how do motorcycle helmets differ? and how do you determine the proper helmet size for you?

Different Helmet Models, Helmet Shapes, and Helmet Types

Motorcycle helmets come in many shapes and sizes including full-faced helmets, modular helmets, open-faced helmets, half-helmets, and dual-sport and off-road helmets. These helmets all look different and offer different levels of protection, but they are all designed to help prevent head injuries. It is important not to confuse a motorcycle helmet with a bicycle helmet, while they both offer protection, a motorcycle helmet is far stronger and safer at high speeds than any bike helmet on the market.

Full-faced helmets are always required for use on a race track because they are the most aerodynamic and offer maximum protection, but many riders prefer open-faced and even half-helmets for everyday use on the street because they are usually lighter weight, offer more breathability, and can feel more comfortable. These different styles of helmets will fit a rider's head differently due to the different features they offer. All helmets are designed to protect the top of a rider's head and prevent brain injury and will feature a hard outer shell, a foam liner, and a chin strap, but some feature additional components. Full-faced helmets will usually feature additional protections such as cheek padding to restrict helmet movement and keep a rider as comfortable as possible, and some even include built-in Bluetooth headsets to aid in communication with other riders. Depending on how you ride and the level of protection you require, you may opt for a full-faced helmet over a modular or open-face.

Naturally, everyone has slightly differently shaped heads. The shape of your head will have an effect on which helmet feels the most comfortable and provides the most protection and therefore is the proper fit. The head shape will need to be taken into account when purchasing a new helmet. The first step in deciding what size helmet will work best for you is finding out the circumference of your head. With these simple steps, you can find the right helmet for you:

Step #1: Obtain a flexible measuring tape.

Step #2: Find the largest point of your head. This is usually right above your ears and your eyebrows on your forehead, similar to the fit of a baseball cap.

Step #3: Wrap the tape measure around the widest part of your head, getting as close to an exact measurement as possible. Sometimes, this is easier with some help so recruit a friend or family member to help you measure.

Step #4: Use our Generic Helmet Sizing Guide to translate the size of your head in centimeters to the best size helmet for you. Be sure to double check the size chart listed on the helmet you're interested in, as that helmet or brand may run differently than our size chart below.

Step #5: Find a helmet you like from our collection and select your size.

Helmet Sizing Guide

Because a motorcycle helmet is a specialized piece of equipment, and no two people have the same exact headshape, a one size fits all option for a motorcycle helmet is not possible, and you will need to be sure you are purchasing one that is a good fit. Modern-day motorcycle helmets come in many sizes and can usually be found for adults in sizes ranging from 2XS to up to size 5XL, so don’t worry, there is a perfect fitting helmet for you. Helmet size charts vary by manufacturer, but a generic head size chart in centimeters to motorcycle helmet size conversion is listed below.

Tips and Tricks for Helmet Sizing

If you are trying on a helmet for the first time, you will want to be sure that it's a snug fit, but not too tight, and there should not be any spots that feel like they have way more pressure than other areas. You are looking for a snug fit with even pressure around the crown of your head. If the helmet is too loose or too tight on your cheeks and jaw, the fit can often be customized with thinner or thicker cheek pads. If you believe you are between sizes, start with the smaller size and then move up a size if it’s too tight. A helmet should feel safe, but also comfortable and should not shake or wobble when you move your head.

It is important to note that helmet sizes will vary depending on the helmet shape and style and will also vary between helmet brands. Each manufacturer will have their own helmet size charts to help guide your selection. Additionally, removable inserts such as cheek pads or inner liner may affect the size and fit of your helmet. Take all of this into consideration when measuring, trying on, and purchasing a new helmet.

A Quick History of Motorcycle Helmets

The very first head protection worn by motorcycle riders was nothing like a modern helmet because they were usually made from leather and didn't feature many hard materials. These leather riding caps were similar to headwear worn by automobile drivers and airplane pilots of the early 1900s. While their primary function was to keep a rider protected from the elements, they did offer some minor protection from scrapes and scratches in the event of a fender bender.

As road surfaces got better and speeds got higher, safety started to become less of an afterthought and more of a concern for riders, and it should come as no surprise that the biggest advancements in helmet technology for motorcycles and automobiles were developed for use on the racetrack. While casual riders might not have been reaching extreme speeds around town in the early days, riders on the race track were starting to achieve speeds that would have been unimaginable just a few decades before, and safety started to become a major issue. Around 1920 helmets resembled equestrian riding helmets and offered some padding and more protection than just a few layers of leather. Leather-based helmets remained popular until after the Second World War when composite materials and plastics started to be used in helmet production.

Finally in 1953, the first helmet specifically for motorcycles was patented and featured a hard outer shell with soft internal padding, and this is the helmet design that modern helmets are based on today. Helmet technology continues to advance, and modern helmets produced to today's safety standards have proven time and time again to help prevent brain injury and have saved countless lives.

In today's world, riders can choose between open-faced and full-faced helmets that are made out of materials such as extremely durable plastics, fiberglass and even lightweight carbon fiber, but it is extremely important to be sure your helmet is sized correctly to achieve the maximum level of comfort and safety.

Get Your New Helmet From Motorcycle Closeouts

Now that you know the importance of a good motorcycle helmet and you’ve measured your approximate head size, where is the best place to start looking for a new high-quality helmet? Look no further than Motorcycle Closeouts.

Motorcycle Closeouts carries the best motorcycle gear and motorcycle helmets on the market at the best prices. We can also offer additional information on helmet sizing, brands, and different helmets for different types of riding.

So contact us today or head on over to Motorcycle Closeouts, order your new motorcycle helmet, and hit the road while enjoying many miles of safe riding in comfort and style!