Helmet Fitting - Is swapping padding safe?

Nixel

Nixel

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My girlfriend is very tiny (5'0" and very slim) and it has become a problem finding a helmet that will fit her. The RF1100 was the closest we've got to a helmet I'd feel comfortable with her wearing, but I still think it moves too much to be safe. After some searching based on the RF1100's size I've come to the conclusion that she's just not going to fit any companies current sizing, but I did find that Shoei has replacement padding for the RF1100 that is slightly thicker than the standard XXS padding that comes with the helmet. I'm not sure if that's safe and I've tried searching for an answer to this question without any luck.

Anyone have any experience with this or know enough about helmets that could give me insight into this? She really wants to ride with me, but I don't want to compromise her safety especially at her size.
 
Did you try visiting Parker Bros or Riders Choice to see what their opinions were?
 
Jayv said:
Did you try visiting Parker Bros or Riders Choice to see what their opinions were?
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No, we've only ever been to GP or Royal and neither wouldn't really give a straight answer, which I'm sure is to avoid any liability.

Wouldn't hurt to stop in at Riders Choice to see if they can help.
 
I sort of went through this myself -- Bought a medium RF-1100 and ended up taking it back and getting a small once I read more about fitment.

I don't see why you couldn't replace the pads in the RF-1100 so long as you stay with the pads that were made for the shell size. Meaning, you could get either thicker or thinner cheek pads, however fitment really is for the head, and there is only 1 centre pad per shell size on that helmet.

In terms of a smaller one I don't really know -- I think there is a XXS, and find it hard to believe that is too small (I think it is made for children), but then I know some tiny girls as well (for whom maybe it would be too big..dunno). Shoei is pretty good though about putting the size range (in cm) on each helmet box (and their website), so best would be to use a fabric tape measure and measure your gf's head to be sure it is within it.
 
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Nixel said:
No, we've only ever been to GP or Royal and neither wouldn't really give a straight answer, which I'm sure is to avoid any liability.

Wouldn't hurt to stop in at Riders Choice to see if they can help.
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You know, I'm thinking that no matter what shop you stop in at, they're all going to give you a vague answer due to liability issues (i.e. the ever present fear of getting sued god-forbid something should happen, so everyone is in CYA mode).

Why not call up the manufacturer direct and ask the question there (better peace of mind, imho)?


P.S. Not to insult the size of your SO (moreso trying to help with your challenge), but does she fit into kids helmets? e.g. http://www.motorcycle-superstore.co...ENT/Street-Bike-Helmets-Kids-Riding-Gear.aspx
 
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Bear in mind that a helmet's fitment will also loosen up with time. Adding thicker cheek pads may be only a temp fix plus if too tight your gf will start looking like a goldfish. Did you try a bandana/doo rag to see if that helped?
 
I don't think there would be any issue with swapping out the padding. Many helmet manufactures sell replacement padding so they obviously know about the liability issues. As far as I know, the impact protection from the helmet is solely from the styrofoam shell so the padding is purely for comfort.
 
matthew said:
I don't think there would be any issue with swapping out the padding. Many helmet manufactures sell replacement padding so they obviously know about the liability issues. As far as I know, the impact protection from the helmet is solely from the styrofoam shell so the padding is purely for comfort.
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...something in the back of my head wants to dispute your notion, and that I'm thinking that adding padding may change the characteristics of how a potential impact my be distributed to the cranium and surrounding areas, but I have no proof of this being the case in any circumstance.

After a bit of investigation (non-exhaustive), I'm guessing you're likely right, since doing a few searches on the 'Net turns up articles like this one: http://www.ehow.com/how_7409559_add-pads-top-motorcycle-helmet.html
 
If the replacement padding is OEM. I wouldn't worry too much about it.
 
DaFrEnCh-TiCkLeR said:
What she said ^^^
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Don't think I haven't considered this option, but due to helmet sizing and how it varies between models, not to mention manufacturers, I'm hesitant to buy a Childrens size helmet off of the internet. I've tried to find them in store, but no one seems to carry them.

matthew said:
I don't think there would be any issue with swapping out the padding. Many helmet manufactures sell replacement padding so they obviously know about the liability issues. As far as I know, the impact protection from the helmet is solely from the styrofoam shell so the padding is purely for comfort.
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Yeah, Shoei does sell 41mm padding that could replace the 39mm that comes with their XXS helmets. I contacted them yesterday to see what they had to say about switching it for fit, but have yet to hear back from them. Figured I would ask here in case someone has had any experience with this issue.
 
Check other manufacturers as well. I know people tend to get caught up in the "Shoei/Arai are the best" thing, but as long as you get a lid that's Snell rated, I don't think that a $700 helmet is going to protect that much better than say a $2-300 one. I think what you're paying for primarily at that point is construction materials and wind tunnel testing.
 
kamikaze said:
Check other manufacturers as well. I know people tend to get caught up in the "Shoei/Arai are the best" thing, but as long as you get a lid that's Snell rated, I don't think that a $700 helmet is going to protect that much better than say a $2-300 one. I think what you're paying for primarily at that point is construction materials and wind tunnel testing.
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We're not. It's just that the RF1100 line has the smallest helmet size of all the ones she's tried on. I've checked HJC, Scorpion, Bell..etc and its just come down to sizing and availability.
 
Nixel said:
We're not. It's just that the RF1100 line has the smallest helmet size of all the ones she's tried on. I've checked HJC, Scorpion, Bell..etc and its just come down to sizing and availability.
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Even AGV? Icon? Those things tend to fit snug.
 
Arai has liners with removable bits that make fitting more precise.They call it "micro fit".
 
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dr_sarcasm said:
Even AGV? Icon? Those things tend to fit snug.
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Icon never came close to fitting and we were never able to find an AGV in her size.

Turns out Arai makes the Astro Light, made for smaller riders, but I can only seem to find it in the UK.
 
matthew said:
As far as I know, the impact protection from the helmet is solely from the styrofoam shell so the padding is purely for comfort.
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Although true, if the helmet doesn't fit right (snug), then on impact the helmet will hit, then the head will hit the inside of the helmet (foam), which can cause a secondary impact (and/or a concussion). So long as the padding is snug enough the head and helmet 'move as one', then this shouldn't be an issue.

To The OP: It might help if you could get your GF to measure her head (largest circumference possible at eyebrow level and above) and post here/use that info to look at different manufacturer's websites. I used to have a link to a video of Jay Leno talking to Arai regarding helmets and sizing, but I no longer have it saved...Their stance largely was unless you go in with an actual measurement, you are shooting blind to some degree, as helmets do break-in and what fits now might not fit properly in a few weeks.
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