Helmet Help Please!

Why are you buying helmets for her that don't fit right? When trying on a helmet in the store, when you find a possible, walk around with it for 15 - 20 minutes while you look at other stuff to see how it feels. Once you buy one, break it in slowly, don't get a new helmet and go for a 8 hour ride the first day.
There is a huge range of head shapes out there, and helmet shapes, It is a matter of getting the right one for her. Some of the high end ones are about to switch out pads, or liners to adjust slight variences. Go to the shop in your area that has the biggest selection, or even several, try on every one you can find, don't worry about color or anything they can always get you one in another color or pattern. If you can find a really good shop, the employees should be able to offer sugestions based one her coments of helmets you have tried. Also when the annual cycle show rolls around, you can go and have her measured by an Arai employee, they will be able to suggest a well fitting one right off the bat. Also a helmet store out of PA, called The Service Pavilion usually goes to all the shows and they are very good about helmet fittings. They also have the different size pads and such there, and can switch them out on the spot, so it isn't a matter of "well, I think this should work..."

 

Stosh may have the answer. I have stuck my thumbs in tight areas of a helmet usually in the forehead. Kind of a last ditch thing while on the road.

My most recent helmets have been a bit larger, comfort from the getgo. Wearing the smallest shell is important from a racing perspective of aero drag but not as critical while on the road.

 

I have the same problem. For me so far the HJC was the best fit. Snug but not uncomfortable. Went to buy the Soei 1100 last week but it was either too small or too large so had to pass. I'm going to try the Bell RS1 tomorrow.

First go to youtube and watch videos on the proper way to fit a helmet.
second go to a larger store that does the fitting or atleast has a variety of helmets and just keep trying until she finds what appears to be right.

Third. Wear it for atleast 20 minutes to see if a hotspot occurs

Fourth break it in

 

I have a bunp on each side of my forehead, my Mother always said they were a place for my horns. In the past I had to take a bell pen hammer and dent the inside of the helmet to amke them confortable. To large will let the helmet rock a little with the wind hitting it and cause this, also to tight will simnply rub the tender area. I changed to Shoei helmets years ago and the problem went away. You may have to send some serious money to get the proper fit for her. Find an Arai helmet dealer that has the required assortment of cheek pieces that can make a custom fitted helmet. I know Shoei and Arai are expensive but you need to keep her happy ridding or you could loose your ridding partner, girls are sensative to small pains even though they can deliver a baby. Spend the extra cash and you will meke both of you happy.

 

C'mon now Spike, you're not seriously asking me why I'm buying her ill fitting helmets, are you? I didn't put it in the initial post but in response to Stoshmonster's post I described that she wore the helmet in the store while we picked out all her other gear - a good 20 to 30 minutes. She even wore it while we hung out on the back patio before our first ride (which was just over an hour, not eight hours). The whole time it felt comfortable for her. It wasn't until after about an hour on the bike that the hot spot developed. Otherwise, I appreciate you taking the time to offer your suggestions. The next big cycle show is the Long Beach show in December. We might ride up for it but hope to have a well fitting helmet well before then.

 

Now THAT is funny! Thanks for your post. I had an Arai Quantum years ago and it fit perfectly. So comfortable. I learned then that they made different shapes for different shaped heads (I guess, even those heads with spots for horns). I'm afraid you're right, I might just have to spend $$$ for the right helmet and I agree, she needs to be comfortable or we both will suffer. She's definitely worth it.