barbagris
Mad Scientist
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- On the verge of insanity
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- 1979 Guzzi V1000G5 - 2018 KTM 790 Duke
Want lightweight - Motorcycle Helmet Weights - webBikeWorld
Helmets
- Thread starter BigNorm
- Start date
Ishrub
That's my name ....built like a truck
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2016
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- 8,940
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- Duffy, Canberra, ACT, AUSTRALIA
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- 2x2010 ABS Roadsters, Sprint ST 1050 ABS, 3x250s
Cheap helmets tend to come in 2 helmet shell sizes and the typical range of four sizes S, M, L and XL is simply adjusting the thickness of the impact absorbing lining with S and M using the smaller shell and L and XL the larger shell. You may even get some helmets that squeeze in 3 sizings per shell size XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL. This MAY affect the quality of the fit across the range as does a person's individual head shape etc which may suit some helmets better than others. Historically Arai had more oval shaped helmets where as Shoei had rounder ones. There are all sorts of variations by brands and helmets and these old rules of thumb may not exist anymore and helmets should be tried for fit before buying.
Better quality and more expensive helmet brands usually have at least three shell sizes with no more than two sizings in each shell size, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL. Therefore the variation in absorption lining thickness is less and a better fit MAY be obtained. These issues are likely to be exacerbated in modular helmets which already tend to be larger externally to cater for the fitting of the modular joint.
Some people dislike big 'Basketball' sized helmets but they possibly have thicker shock absorption layers but they may also use cheaper Styrofoam, expanded polystyrene type instead of the much more modern and technically improved materials. For maximum risk reduction you would be wise to consider multilayered designs that allow slippage between them so the rotational force transmitted to the skull is much reduced and slowed down hence reducing brain inter-cranial movement intensity and associated damage.
e.g. The now old but still available Lazer Superskins in full face and jet style. Now extremely cheap new on eBay from Germany or Austria for under $100 (they used to be $400) I have posted about them before, so do a search in the forums posted by me or go to webbikeworld. @HansO was wearing an open face one and it worked as designed and he had no brain injury at all after a very big crash earlier this year with the thin flexible lubricated outer skin moving and then tearing away leaving the shell underneath unmarked. The real focus of the design is to reduce brain rotation inside the skull which occurs when the outer surface contacts something and grips it momentarily causing the still moving brain to spin and slosh back and forth inside the skull.
6D ATS-1 ATS-1 has Omni Directional Suspension (ODS)
Bell's:
MIPS, or Multi-Directional Impact Protection System found in the budget Qualifier DLX full face range
Qualifier DLX MiPS-Equipped - Helmets - Powersports | Bell Helmets
Comes in a XXXL65-66 cm25" - 25 1/4"8" - 8 1/4"
Rotational Energy Management creates a "slip zone" within the liner to allow for subtle movement between the liner layers to reduce rotational energy transfer.
PRO STAR Bell Pro Star Helmet
In the old days helmets were more focussed on resilience of the shell itself rather than the jello sloshing around inside it.
As @barbagris said a good read of the various Standards websites, SNELL, DOT and UK Sharp as well as the webbikeworld link he provided may assist.
Recently the law was amended here in Australia allowing the use of helmets with US SNELL, DOT; EU ECE 22.05; and UK SHARP standards approval as well as the existing AS/NZS 1698.
I would expect only the better quality and expensive brands would cater for the extreme sizings such as XXS and XXXL and I have never seen XXXXL listed.
So @BigNorm sad to say but true your big head means the shock absorbing layer in your helmet will be less than that of someone with a smaller head in the same size shell. It may still pass the testing standard but a lot of the standards tests may only be conducted on a range of sizes within a brand/model and you may need to check with the manufacturers of the very big oversized helmet you require if they have actually tested it to the standards in your size. To the happy and good however, I also think you may find that only the better quality and more expensive brands are likely to cater for your size in any case. Avoid cut down basketballs with cheap foam linings.
This other green vegan version may cool your head and fit if you get a big one but hardly recommended.
Better quality and more expensive helmet brands usually have at least three shell sizes with no more than two sizings in each shell size, XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL. Therefore the variation in absorption lining thickness is less and a better fit MAY be obtained. These issues are likely to be exacerbated in modular helmets which already tend to be larger externally to cater for the fitting of the modular joint.
Some people dislike big 'Basketball' sized helmets but they possibly have thicker shock absorption layers but they may also use cheaper Styrofoam, expanded polystyrene type instead of the much more modern and technically improved materials. For maximum risk reduction you would be wise to consider multilayered designs that allow slippage between them so the rotational force transmitted to the skull is much reduced and slowed down hence reducing brain inter-cranial movement intensity and associated damage.
e.g. The now old but still available Lazer Superskins in full face and jet style. Now extremely cheap new on eBay from Germany or Austria for under $100 (they used to be $400) I have posted about them before, so do a search in the forums posted by me or go to webbikeworld. @HansO was wearing an open face one and it worked as designed and he had no brain injury at all after a very big crash earlier this year with the thin flexible lubricated outer skin moving and then tearing away leaving the shell underneath unmarked. The real focus of the design is to reduce brain rotation inside the skull which occurs when the outer surface contacts something and grips it momentarily causing the still moving brain to spin and slosh back and forth inside the skull.
6D ATS-1 ATS-1 has Omni Directional Suspension (ODS)
Bell's:
MIPS, or Multi-Directional Impact Protection System found in the budget Qualifier DLX full face range
Qualifier DLX MiPS-Equipped - Helmets - Powersports | Bell Helmets
Comes in a XXXL65-66 cm25" - 25 1/4"8" - 8 1/4"
Rotational Energy Management creates a "slip zone" within the liner to allow for subtle movement between the liner layers to reduce rotational energy transfer.
PRO STAR Bell Pro Star Helmet
In the old days helmets were more focussed on resilience of the shell itself rather than the jello sloshing around inside it.
As @barbagris said a good read of the various Standards websites, SNELL, DOT and UK Sharp as well as the webbikeworld link he provided may assist.
Recently the law was amended here in Australia allowing the use of helmets with US SNELL, DOT; EU ECE 22.05; and UK SHARP standards approval as well as the existing AS/NZS 1698.
I would expect only the better quality and expensive brands would cater for the extreme sizings such as XXS and XXXL and I have never seen XXXXL listed.
So @BigNorm sad to say but true your big head means the shock absorbing layer in your helmet will be less than that of someone with a smaller head in the same size shell. It may still pass the testing standard but a lot of the standards tests may only be conducted on a range of sizes within a brand/model and you may need to check with the manufacturers of the very big oversized helmet you require if they have actually tested it to the standards in your size. To the happy and good however, I also think you may find that only the better quality and more expensive brands are likely to cater for your size in any case. Avoid cut down basketballs with cheap foam linings.
This other green vegan version may cool your head and fit if you get a big one but hardly recommended.
Last edited:
barbagris
Mad Scientist
- Joined
- Aug 1, 2010
- Messages
- 12,988
- Location
- On the verge of insanity
- Ride
- 1979 Guzzi V1000G5 - 2018 KTM 790 Duke
As you say - sadly Laser dropped the "Superskins" - though I am not entirely surprised. I did see a STARTUP trying to get money to develop further with the Ken Philips SKIN idea inside the outer rigid shell.
Another option COULD be the NEXX leather skinned lids (has a third intermediate layer twixt leather and Carbon Fibre). They list XXXL
Sonofcorax
The Unkindness
- Joined
- Mar 26, 2017
- Messages
- 221
- Location
- Sturgeon County Alberta Canada
- Ride
- 2016 Rocket 3 roadster
Find the best fitting motorcycle helmet for your head shape this site has an actual tool that lets you measure your head, and then sends you a report of the helmets that should fit your head, the kit and report is 19.99 and if you buy the helmet from motorcyclegear.com you get a 15 dollar store credit.
The only down side is it just gives you a report on helmets that they sell, but they sell quite a few helmets and worse case at least you will have exact numbers when you go on other manufactures web sites.
The only down side is it just gives you a report on helmets that they sell, but they sell quite a few helmets and worse case at least you will have exact numbers when you go on other manufactures web sites.
Jag
Living Legend
Go to a international Motorcycle show they have all the brands and they measure your head and then tell you which types are made for your size and shape.
Dalan
Supercharged
HJC, I think, makes a 4XL size.
I have a 3 XL. They build some of their helmets in 3 shell sizes. Sm-md - md-xl and xl and larger.
I buy closeout models from previous year. This often buys the helmet for half price or less.
HJC would be the mid priced to someonewhat higher range. I have never put on high end helmets, in part due to sizing not favoring big heads.
I have a 3 XL. They build some of their helmets in 3 shell sizes. Sm-md - md-xl and xl and larger.
I buy closeout models from previous year. This often buys the helmet for half price or less.
HJC would be the mid priced to someonewhat higher range. I have never put on high end helmets, in part due to sizing not favoring big heads.
BillyIndiana
Road rash heals-Freckles grow back-Ride
I went to the IMS show in Chicago last year. They had tons of helmets. I was turned off by all the people going thru them. On the heads-off the heads. Did not care to try on a helmet so many others had put on. There were a couple booths there from manufacturers doing fitting, but oh man the lines.
Great show though.
We ended up getting HJC IS MAX II at Windy City Triumph
Bernard Vinet
Frenchbernie
I change mine every 8yrs or so. The expiration date on the helmet is like food, its at its best at that date then starts to go down hill. Anyway helmets start to look ragged from at the bugs and road grime and just plain use.
Bigj1955
.040 Over
I also have a large coconut and have been very happy with the CL-Max, they come in really large sizess and are under $200
Grumpy Ole Codger
Miserable as FECK
I tend to change my helmet every time I buy another bike, mainly to match the colour scheme. Over the past 3 years I have accumulated of 6 different helmets in various colours and brands
