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Is this helmet too small? (Shoei vs Arai)

7K views 12 replies 6 participants last post by  Prodigy 
#1 ·
went to the stealership...


found a Shoei RF-1000 in a size XL (too big) and a custom graphic one
in size L.
The sales guy says it fits me well.
I feel like the helmet is too "short" for my long head. The bottom of my
jaw is just (2-4mm) below the bottom of the chin bar.

I have a long, narrow head. I was surprised the Shoei fit that well.

The Arai Profile in XL is a dreamy-nice fit, but I can't afford it.
I went to every dealer in town to try on the cheaper Arai Vector, but no luck--they don't have them.
If I do ok in a Profile, will I do ok in a Vector?
Any thoughts on this?

Pic below is me pointing to my chin, my mouth is open wide.
 
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#2 ·
First off, you need to fasten the chin strap. I'm betting you wouldn't be able to get your mouth "wide open" with it fastened. Secondly, I would worry about this if the helmet fit this way when your mouth was closed, but if you have your mouth wide open, then I don't know what to tell you...

Why are you trying helmets on with your mouth open anyway??
 
#4 ·
look into lesser expensive brands, and other dealerships.

i'm all for buying a helmet to help suppoert a dealer's bottom line, but big name helmets are often ridiculously overpriced.

try some HJC, Scorpion, KBC, Fulmer, and AFX helmets if you find them. of course, feature quality won't be on an Arai level, but honestly, what IS on an arai level unless you're forking out Arai kinda money???

a $75 Bell helmet from Walmart might fit you well for that matter. remember, if this is your first helmet, it will likely see pavement sooner or later and you don't want to throw away big bucks on an arai/shoei/nolan/schuberth/shark/xlite/suomy wall hanger or paper weight.
 
#5 · (Edited)
LOL, I was just using my chin as a ref point. :)
I did fasten the chin strap...

it just feels like the bottom of my chin/jaw is "exposed", unlike
with my old CS-12--yes, even with my mouth closed.
Also, I felt perhaps a little too much pressure on the very top of my head.
Like the old adage says, "If it's mildy uncomfortable for 5 min in the
store, it will hurt like heck after an hour on the road."

or something.

but no, I normally don't ride around with my mouth open. ;)

As for the price, it was $300 for the RF-1000, which I am ok with.
(Because it's an old, custom ordered with the nice graphics, it's an ok deal)
My HJC CS-12 was fine, but I would love less weight and more airflow.
I don't mind spending money on a helmet. I mean a helmet is much
cheaper than brain surgery, or a lifetime stay at a home for the mentally destroyed. :p
 
#6 ·
LOL, I was just using my chin as a ref point. :)
I did fasten the chin strap...

it just feels like the bottom of my chin/jaw is "exposed", unlike
with my old CS-12--yes, even with my mouth closed.
Also, I felt perhaps a little too much pressure on the very top of my head.
Like the old adage says, "If it's mildy uncomfortable for 5 min in the
store, it will hurt like heck after an hour on the road."

or something.

but no, I normally don't ride around with my mouth open. ;)
Keep in mind the Shoei's should all come with a chin skirt in the box that probably wasn't on the helmet you tried on. It will help you feel more secure. Out of the box, it likely wont have it on there since people steal them...

And what you said about it being uncomfortable for 5 mins is true...Try walking around for 15 mins and just keep it on. If you feel pressure points, thats not the one for you...
 
#9 ·
Are you calling me an egg-head? :D

The Arai XL felt great on me, but after watching Arai's sizing vid and
checking my headsize I think I may be a Large.

As for shape, I've got a long, narrow head/face.

the biggest issue I am running into is that there is no where to
try these different helmets on. :(
 
#12 ·
well, I decided to skip the Shoei.

The RF-1000 was too short, and it pressed on the top of my head near the front. After just a few minutes it wasn't comfy.
The fit was good, the shape was just not for me.
The Shoei X-11 was MUCH better, the helmet felt longer--as in long enough, and it didn't press on the top of my head as badly.
But I figured once I got up into that price range I might as well go
with a helmet I knew I loved...the Arai.
So I'm Arai shopping the next few days.
I will say that the RF-1000 was $300 plus tax for the custom graphic,
and $400 plus tax for the X-11. Either seemed to be a good deal and a good helmet,
but I just cannot justify spending that much money on a helmet I am not completely in love with.
 
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