Purchasing the right helmet for you
Buying the right helmet is extremely important, and no we’re not just talking about the colour and design, it’s all about how safe the helmet is in an accident. It’s not something we like to think about but helmets for UK motorcyclists are compulsory for a reason.
So before you start eyeing up that replica race helmet you love, or plan on getting your own one designed, there’s a few things to think about first.
Start by thinking about the style of helmet you want; bucket, full lid, flip lid or something different? It all depends on what you use your motorcycle for. Once you’ve picked then it’s time to head down to your local dealer to get trying on!
Credit: Unsplash
How to measure head for motorcycle helmet size
We’ve got some handy tips to make sure your helmet fits correctly. First things first, get out there and try on as many different helmets as possible – it’s just like finding the right bike for you. As we already know, there are hundreds of different helmet manufacturers out there so it’s good to try on a variety as they all have different fits; what might fit you, may not be suitable for your friend.
Size matters
Knowing the size and shape of your head is important for the task ahead so grab yourself a tape measure and wrap it around your head approximately 1 inch above your eyebrows. You may want to measure your head several times to make sure it’s an accurate result.
Now you can get picking a helmet with the measurements you’ve got you can select the closest size to yours by your preferred manufacturer. If you measure between two sizes then opt for the smaller size. There shouldn’t be any room for movement, and no space to fit your fingers between the lining and your brow.
SHARP tell us everything we need to know about fitting your motorcycle helmet properly…
When trying on helmets, here are a few questions to ask yourself:
- Does the helmets inner lining fit around your head?
- Does the helmets top pad press closely on top of your head?
- Are the cheek pads touching your cheeks?
- Does the brow lining fit snuggly against yours?
If you can answer YES to all these questions then you’ve got the perfect fit. Now try these steps to make sure you feel comfortable and confident in your helmet:
- Pull your helmet from side to side and up and down
- Tighten the chinstrap and try pulling off the helmet
- Put your hand under the chin guard and try to push off the helmet from the rear
How helmet sizing works
Each country is different on how they work sizing for crash helmets, but in the UK it’s pretty simple. Check out the chart below to find out what size motorcycle helmet you should be wearing…
| Helmet size | Head circumference (inches) | Head circumference (cms) |
| XS | 19 1/8″ – 20″ | 46.8 – 50.8 cm |
| S | 20 1/8″ – 21″ | 51.1 – 53.3 cm |
| M | 21 1/8″ – 22″ | 53.7 – 55.9 cm |
| L | 22 1/8″ – 23″ | 56.2 – 58.4 cm |
| XL | 23 1/8″ – 24″ | 58.7 – 60 cm |
| XXL | 24 1/8″ – 25″ | 61.3 – 63.5 cm |
| XXXL | 25 1/8″ – 26″ | 63.8 – 66 cm |
| XXXXL | 26 1/8″ – 27″ | 66.4 – 68.6 cm |
Please not the sizing is for adults.
Other important things to remember when buying a helmet
Now you’ve decided on style, size and colour there are some other factors to take into consideration. We know that we don’t always have the best summers in the UK but ventilation is an important factor. When the sun does decide to pop his hat on then you’ll want a helmet that keeps you well ventilated when out riding, however when the cold weather returns (like it always does) you’ll want to shut these off to keep yourself nice and toasty.
Also, you’ll need to think about noise. It’s already going to be a loud ride when you’re roaring around on your Sunday ride or your weekly commute, so finding a helmet with that helps reduce any excess noise is a must. It can be quite difficult to test this when you’re limited to a shop so always read reviews and ask questions to help make the best decision.
Removable liners can also be handy, especially if you’re wearing your helmet quite a lot. With day-to-day use these can become dirty, and even smelly, so taking them out to wash can make everything that little bit easier.