Fun helmet graphics/colorways

[mayorofnow]

I bought an AGV K3 SV helmet in September in medium-large. I've mostly been happy with it, but I fear it's broken in too much. I got caught in some high winds on the freeway around Thanksgiving, and the helmet felt like it was twisting about my head. I went back to Dainese (who sized and sold me the helmet); my guy was busy, but a different salesman thought it was fine. He showed me that the medium-small was too small (the EPS foam was pushing into my temples).

I just tested it again: I cinched the helmet down and pushed up on the back. The EPS foam and sun visor made contact with the bridge of my nose. I think I need a new helmet.

One of the things I like about my helmet is the colorway: it's got personality. It also pops in traffic and probably gets more attention than a generic black/white helmet would.

The styling makes me sad to replace this one, but I know I should. Do you know of any other helmets with playful designs?


youtu.be/eGVOCN0ftBU

 

[Blankpage]

Every time I buy a helmet I feel its more loose than I like after a few months. But when I try the next size smaller I can barely get it on my head and its painful to remove. I think what I buy is the right size but foam and padding compresses after use, not much you can do about that.

Everyone makes graphics helmets. Saw some cool Arai's at the dealer on Saturday.

 

[ejv]

Solid light color (white, yellow, orange, neon whatever) will show better than anything broken up by graphics like that. All helmets break in a bit. You have to find a snug but comfortable fit knowing it will give a little bit over time if you want it to last. Of course the correct shape is important too. More expensive usually gives you better materials all around and better materials will hold up better over the long term.

 

[budman]

Nice lid. :thumbup

Maybe you can change out the cheek pads??

I am assuming he would have offered that though.

RIDERS DISCOUNT just posted this awesome lid.
Colors... Nice!

 

[fubar929]

Every time I buy a helmet I feel its more loose than I like after a few months. But when I try the next size smaller I can barely get it on my head and its painful to remove. I think what I buy is the right size but foam and padding compresses after use, not much you can do about that.

Perhaps you're buying helmets that don't match the shape of your head? I've never owned a helmet where I noticed the foam and padding compressing...

 

[gixxerjeff]

Perhaps you're buying helmets that don't match the shape of your head? I've never owned a helmet where I noticed the foam and padding compressing...

^This^
Brands vary in head shape design.
I've never found an Arai that fit me but Shoei always seems custom made for my head.

 

[mayorofnow]

Maybe you can change out the cheek pads??

I'm a medium-large, which is a XXL shell with the thickest pads inside. I'm guessing that's the problem, and that for my next helmet I should try to find a shell size that has at least one level of smaller padding in case I have this problem again.

Perhaps you're buying helmets that don't match the shape of your head? I've never owned a helmet where I noticed the foam and padding compressing...

Aside from the playful paint job, that's the biggest bummer about this not working out. I tried the popular Shoei and Arai brands when I was in-the-market, and they didn't fit as comfortably as the K3.

The K6 is just hitting the market. I'm curious to try it, although the bad break-in on this helmet makes me a bit wary of another AGV. Also looks like the sizing has changed: K3 ML = 58cm = K6 MS. K3 is marketed as round-oval, and K6 as intermediate-oval.

 

[davidji]

I'm a medium-large, which is a XXL shell with the thickest pads inside.

I agree getting a huge shell with thick pads isn't ideal.

You can still renew the pads even if they are the thickest. And it should fit about like when new. For a while.

When you shop for your next helmet, when you're trying one that's too snug, maybe try with the pads out, and get an idea if thinner pads will fix it.

 

[Blankpage]

Perhaps you're buying helmets that don't match the shape of your head? I've never owned a helmet where I noticed the foam and padding compressing...

I'm not saying they're all sloppy and falling off my head. They're just not as snug as new once they've been used for a few months.
I only buy Arai.

 

[mayorofnow]

I agree getting a huge shell with thick pads isn't ideal.

You can still renew the pads even if they are the thickest. And it should fit about like when new. For a while.

When you shop for your next helmet, when you're trying one that's too snug, maybe try with the pads out, and get an idea if thinner pads will fix it.

Come to think of it, I asked the cashier where this size was in the shell range, and he said there were more shell sizes than I later learned there are. Might have been an honest mistake, but I'm learning that some folks at Dainese are better than others.

Since the pads only fit for a month or two, it's probably not worth playing the replacement game. I can just make this a guest helmet and get another one.

Interesting thought about trying with the pads out, though I remember feeling the EPS on my temples when I tried the next size down, so I don't think it would have helped in this case.

Regardless, thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts.

 

[Maddevill]

My old Shoei RF1000 has gotten to the point where is slides down and rides on my glasses on the bridge of my nose. Super painful. And, of course, it turns out that the main liner is not replaceable on this one. I'm thinking of buying a liner out of a RF1200 and ripping the old one out and then, using Velcro, putting the new one in. It's the original Diabolic.

Mad

 

[Blankpage]

My old Shoei RF1000 has gotten to the point where is slides down and rides on my glasses on the bridge of my nose. Super painful. And, of course, it turns out that the main liner is not replaceable on this one. I'm thinking of buying a liner out of a RF1200 and ripping the old one out and then, using Velcro, putting the new one in. It's the original Diabolic.

Mad

Im not going to tell you thats a bad idea but it sounds like a bad idea

 

[Whammy]

Best advice is to try on everything in each manufacturers product line.
Arai has 6
Shoei has 9
AGV 8
and so on.
Find what fits then find what you want to wear as in decoration.
Be choosey its your head.
Sometimes there isnt that one that you love(decoration) and the one that absolutely feels great.
Do not limit yourself to local stores.. Get out and adventure.

 

[Shaggy]

Like others have suggested, I'd look into a different helmet manufacturer or at least a different model from the same manufacturer. Different helmets have different shapes for different heads. The AGV K3 is a "round oval" helmet and that might be your problem. I'd try an "intermediate oval" and see if that works better for you.

Here is a decent guide for shapes and sizing I just found on the internet: Helmet Shape/Size Fitment Guide

Revzilla.com has the helmet shapes listed in the product pages and that might be helpful for you.

AGV K3 (round oval)

Bell Race Star (intermediate oval)

Suomy SR Sport (long oval)


My head is somewhere in between an intermediate oval and a long oval and I like the Bell Race Star and Suomy SR Sport helmets.

 

[mayorofnow]

I need to properly measure my head. I bought in-store, so I just let the salesman guide me for fit.

The K3 felt a lot better than the Shoeis I tried when I was shopping, which made me think I might be round (and adds to my frustration that I have to replace this helmet already). I have almost 100% European heritage though, so when Revzilla constantly says "intermediate oval fits most of the American market," it makes me wonder. I know Bells don't fit my head at all. (I wanted a MIPS helmet at first, and immediately went "NOPE!" when I tried one.)

I found a cartoon guide to helmet fitment on BARF last night. It was mostly about pressure points (which I thankfully don't have in my helmet), but I'll look more closely at it and see if there's anything I can learn/try. I'll take a look at your link too. Thanks!

 

[Shaggy]

Buying in-store is the best option since you can try them on for fit. Find a store that has a large helmet section and try as many as you can on. Once you find a helmet that works for you, you can order online if you like.

Just about every helmet manufacturer has graphic helmets, so find the right fit first and then work on a design you like.

 

[gixxerjeff]

Find a store that has a large helmet section

Fuck. Now you did it. Here comes another "who has a good helmet selection?" thread.

 

[Shaggy]

Fuck. Now you did it. Here comes another "who has a good helmet selection?" thread.

We just had a thread last week. Should be too hard for OP to find using the search function, or even just going back a couple pages.

 

[fubar929]

When you shop for your next helmet, when you're trying one that's too snug, maybe try with the pads out, and get an idea if thinner pads will fix it.

I'm convinced that skull-crushing cheek pads are one of the reasons so many people struggle to find a helmet that fits. Removing the cheek pads and focusing on whether the helmet fits correctly around the crown of your head (even pressure, no "hot spots" or "pain points") is a great idea!

BTW, if you know what fits, or doesn't fit, this shape-comparison chart from WebBikeWorld might be helpful:

https://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmet-reviews-by-internal-shape/

 

[Blankpage]

Buying in-store is the best option since you can try them on for fit. Find a store that has a large helmet section and try as many as you can on. Once you find a helmet that works for you, you can order online if you like.

Just about every helmet manufacturer has graphic helmets, so find the right fit first and then work on a design you like.

Its only fair if you find one that fits buy it from the store that stocked them and let you try them on.