EUREKA! Bobblehead Helmet Issue Solved.

[Guzzi Gal]

A while back I purchased a Dart Classic flyscreen to make my dear Anni more comfortable to ride at distance eating speeds.  While the Classic helped considerably by taking the wind off my torso, my noggin was still bobbled at speeds above 75 mph.  Several people suggested it was a problem with the helmet's design, and I should consider replacing it.  I wasn't ready to replace my comfy HJC Flutura as I'd only had it a few months so I put up with it.     

Last night I opted to wear a hoodie for warmth under my jacket and helmet for our weekly ride to the movies (Red Sparrow) because I get cold easily.  At one point during the ride, I got stuck behind a slow-moving behemoth and when I got the chance I cranked on the throttle to catch up with Hubbs.  I was immediately struck by the fact my head wasn't trying to do it's best impression of Raggedy Ann in a hurricane.

How could the wearing of a hoodie create such a profound change?  Instead of wearing a thin Buff under my helmet, I wore the hood which is several times thicker.  A theory was beginning to take shape and I put it to the test tonight on a much longer ride and the result was the same.  However, rather than the hoodie, I wore an open weave crocheted skullcap as it was much warmer today.  Turns out my XS helmet is too big for my noggin, despite taking it to several moto stores for a fit evaluation!  So much for asking "experts" for help.
 
I'm not sure how the crocheted beanie will work in the Phoenix heat, but I have a few months to come up with an alternative.  Until then, my rides will be much more comfortable.              

[jdgretz]

Does HJC have different thickness pads?  My wife needed to try a couple of thicknesses on her Shoei before she found the right combination.

jdg

[Tom H]

Interesting....

I just read the papers that came with a helmet I recently bought. It said something to the effect of that it should fit snugly, when moved about it should move your scalp.

With that said, if you can fit a hoodies hood between your head and helmet it may be too loose a fit??

Glad you found a solution!
Tom

[Sheepdog]

All of my favorite helmets start out a little tight and adapt to my head�s shape after a month or so. Also, head shape has a great deal to do with fit. Check out the Lidpicker site to see a chart that categorizes helmets by shape. There are some outfits that are better than others for returns. Check out Motorcycle Gear for a broad selection of helmets and easy returns in case they don�t fit. Look in the �Youth� section for smaller sized helmets (HJC makes an okay youth full-face). If you would prefer an open faced design, Z1R�s Ace is a 3/4 design with a pivoting polycarbonate shield (my wife and I love these helmets in the summer) and it is available in 2XS and lots of colors. I used mine to ride from New Orleans to Olympia, WA and back. Both of the mentioned helmets are very affordable and are DOT certified.

http://www.lidpicker.com/free-data/

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/youth/helmets/hjc/cly_solid_youth_helmet.html

https://www.revzilla.com/product/z1r-ace-helmet?gclid=CjwKCAiArOnUBRBJEiwAX0rG_RqMbryS5ZTs6lubH-rNtnq94sC2lwz9udu8NGssA6IxrNrOa-mY7xoCcIEQAvD_BwE

[rss29]

A while back I purchased a Dart Classic flyscreen to make my dear Anni more comfortable to ride at distance eating speeds.  While the Classic helped considerably by taking the wind off my torso, my noggin was still bobbled at speeds above 75 mph.  Several people suggested it was a problem with the helmet's design, and I should consider replacing it.  I wasn't ready to replace my comfy HJC Flutura as I'd only had it a few months so I put up with it.     

Last night I opted to wear a hoodie for warmth under my jacket and helmet for our weekly ride to the movies (Red Sparrow) because I get cold easily.  At one point during the ride, I got stuck behind a slow-moving behemoth and when I got the chance I cranked on the throttle to catch up with Hubbs.  I was immediately struck by the fact my head wasn't trying to do it's best impression of Raggedy Ann in a hurricane.

How could the wearing of a hoodie create such a profound change?  Instead of wearing a thin Buff under my helmet, I wore the hood which is several times thicker.  A theory was beginning to take shape and I put it to the test tonight on a much longer ride and the result was the same.  However, rather than the hoodie, I wore an open weave crocheted skullcap as it was much warmer today.  Turns out my XS helmet is too big for my noggin, despite taking it to several moto stores for a fit evaluation!  So much for asking "experts" for help.
 
I'm not sure how the crocheted beanie will work in the Phoenix heat, but I have a few months to come up with an alternative.  Until then, my rides will be much more comfortable.              

Your helmet is definitely too loose. There’s no way you should be able to wear a hoodie under a correctly fitted helmet. That lidpicker site that was linked to is a good resource. For $20 or so they will send you a set of calipers to measure your noggin and give you a list of helmets that fit. You may end up having to purchase a new helmet, but it’s a good investment.

Also-I ended up taking the Dart Classic off my V7 because it made the buffeting so bad. I found it more comfortable to go with the clean air with no screen.

[kingoffleece]

Agreed.  If you can get a hood under the helmet it's too big.  ARAI has different head shape helmets and lots of options for different pads.
You may have sticker shock, though.

Also, try sitting on a pad (anything will work) to raise you up a bit.  See if that helps by changing the angle of attack.  You're not the first to go thru the screen game to find what works.

[Guzzi Gal]

The helmet will move the skin of my face and scalp when manipulated because the cheek pads are "cheek bitingly" snug and semi-snug at the forehead, giving the impression of a proper fit.  I tried on several youth helmets without any luck and finally settled on this one because it ran small for an XS.  I need to snug up the crown but HJC doesn't seem to provide different thicknesses (other than XS is thicker than S) so I was thinking bicycle helmet padding strips might do the trick if placed under the liner.  It's a short-term fix but with proper placement, they won't interfere with airflow (might even improve it) or the ability to remove the liner for cleaning and shouldn't compromise my brain-bucket's ability to provide protection.   

I will check out the Lidpicker site as that seems to be a good way to take the guesswork out of the hunt, which is rarely a bad thing with safety concerns.  When we're in Santa Barbara next weekend maybe we can troll a few moto stores in the area for possible replacements.         

At 5'6" and 128 lbs. the Dart Classic made a huge difference in my riding comfort by taking the wind pressure off my chest so I didn't have to hang tight to stay on the bike.  It also increased the speed before the bobble would kick in by about 15/20 mph, which helped immensely.  I wouldn't think of riding without it now!     

[twowings]

Any extra space between your head and the helmet lessens the effectiveness of the liner material spreading the impact over a large area...which is what you want... 

[Lannis]

The helmet will move the skin of my face and scalp when manipulated because the cheek pads are "cheek bitingly" snug and semi-snug at the forehead, giving the impression of a proper fit. 

That certainly sounds like it could be part of a "Head Shape" mismatch between the helmet and your head.

I will check out the Lidpicker site as that seems to be a good way to take the guesswork out of the hunt, which is rarely a bad thing with safety concerns.  When we're in Santa Barbara next weekend maybe we can troll a few moto stores in the area for possible replacements.         

The hunt is half the fun!

At 5'6" and 128 lbs. ....

NOW yer just braggin' ....   

Lannis

[Tom]

 :1:  Sounds like it's too small.  Easy way to check after strapping the helmet on.  Have the straps at tightest setting.  If you can put your index in between the strap and your chin.  Helmet is large.  The helmet should be on with the front portion mid forehead and not move.  Good luck on the hunt for the proper fit.  Maybe a large kid's size might work better.

[Guzzi Gal]

That certainly sounds like it could be part of a "Head Shape" mismatch between the helmet and your head.

The hunt is half the fun!

NOW yer just braggin' ....   

Lannis

I've got to find a store with a lot of little (including youth M) helmets I can plow through until I find a fit that works.  The hunt would be kind of fun if XS/XXS helmets were more common. 

Me braggin'?   Maybe a little as I used to weigh much more.  

:1: Have the straps at tightest setting.  If you can put your index in between the strap and your chin the helmet is large. 

Yup, it's too big.

[TimmyTheHog]

Sounds like you have a similar issue as me but thank god my head doesn't bobble like your does.

I am currently rocking a XL Shoei Qwest as my head size sits right at the border measurement of L & XL...and oh trust me, Large does NOT fit me.

but when I fit my XL, MOST of my head are squished in the helmet EXCEPT a portion of my forehead.

Same deal as when I tried other makes...Simpsons, Bell, HJC, Arai.....etc...most of them pinches my upper portion of temple or back of my head which causes headache over time...sometimes even the short 5 mins I have them on in a store.

Anyway, thanks to your post here, I remember someone here (Thanks to Bad Brad ) posted something about helmet measure device.

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=92238.new;topicseen#new

I am planning to purchase this (was supposed to but forgot... ), so I will find what actually fits me...

[Tom]

So GG, did you solve the problem noggin' ???