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Gear Helmet Fit question (RPHA 11)

HawkeyeCBR

2014
CBR650F
May 10, 2019
As some of you may know, I had a mishap awhile back and... long story short, someone else’s insurance is covering some new gear for me. After reading through the helmet page and seeing so many RPHA 11 comments I decided I’d look into getting one myself, as a new bucket is on the list of things needed.

I have a fairly big noggin, semi narrow width-wise but fairly long front to back, an intermediate oval to full oval shape.

Anyway, the RPHA 11 doesn’t feel quite as tight as my previous Icon Airflite, however that was my first helmet and I might have gone too small on it and obviously all helmets fit different. With the RPHA I have a little space between my temples and the helmet, which was not present with the icon. Being a beginner I’m not sure if this is okay, or if this means the helmet doesn’t fit quite right. The area is about a finger width and outlined (roughly) in red below. The helmet has almost no room on the forehead to move, it’s very snug here, and when trying to move the helmet side to side or front to back it pulls my skin rather than sliding on my head. My chin is above the curtain/bottom edge of the helmet unless I open pretty wide.

Just want to make sure the fit is right, I have a lot invested in the meat encased up there.
 

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Devilsfan

2018
CB650F
Jun 5, 2019
Tampa, Florida
I have an RPHA70 and I love it! Never spent more than $300 on a helmet but this one, IMO, is totally worth it! I think it has the best airflow for a full face. Light and pretty quiet. It's also a great value for what it's made out of.

That said - a helmet should fit you snug AND comfortably! I don't care what name brand, how much you paid or what graphics are on it...if it's uncomfortable it can make every ride uncomfortable!

My suggestion - go to Cycle Gear or your local dealer and try some others on.

***Edit to add...that "space" may help in air flow and/or putting in a Sena blutooth and headphones.
 

HawkeyeCBR

2014
CBR650F
May 10, 2019
I wouldn’t say the helmet is uncomfortable at all, it actually is more comfy than the icon and I haven’t worn it enough to break it in. I just want to make sure the space/fit is okay. I was thinking the space may be intentional/help with airflow but don’t have a lot of helmet experience.
 

miweber929

2014
CBR650F
650 Alumnus
Staff
Feb 13, 2015
Woodbury, MN
Riding Since
1975
If you’re a long, oval head you should start looking at Arai helmets and see how they fit. The RPHA is more of a “round” head helmet fit, as are most HJC and Shoei helmets which is why I like them so much :)

Bell Star is a very intermediate helmet, it’s fine for me but also works for “Arai” heads.

If it feels off, keep looking.
 

Devilsfan

2018
CB650F
Jun 5, 2019
Tampa, Florida
I wouldn’t say the helmet is uncomfortable at all, it actually is more comfy than the icon and I haven’t worn it enough to break it in. I just want to make sure the space/fit is okay. I was thinking the space may be intentional/help with airflow but don’t have a lot of helmet experience.


Does it have a drop down visor? If not then maybe that space is for sunglasses. Either way, like Mike stated, if it feels off then keep looking!

 

HawkeyeCBR

2014
CBR650F
May 10, 2019
No drop down visor. I’d say for the most part it fits as the model on that video’s cover. It just feels different, not necessarily off. The icon fits snug all the way around, including over my ears (which made keeping in ear plugs/headphones nearly impossible, and the helmet was semi-painful to take off as it folded my ears upwards taking it off). The RPHA has space by the ears, which from some things I’ve read helps with airflow. I might try the bell race star, Arai is a little steep for me!
 

miweber929

2014
CBR650F
650 Alumnus
Staff
Feb 13, 2015
Woodbury, MN
Riding Since
1975
No drop down visor. I’d say for the most part it fits as the model on that video’s cover. It just feels different, not necessarily off. The icon fits snug all the way around, including over my ears (which made keeping in ear plugs/headphones nearly impossible, and the helmet was semi-painful to take off as it folded my ears upwards taking it off). The RPHA has space by the ears, which from some things I’ve read helps with airflow. I might try the bell race star, Arai is a little steep for me!
Just keep trying on helmets at different shops until you find one that works. When new the fit should be snug, bordering on tight, but not painful despite was people love to tell you. My Star has a tight ear area and I have a set of Sena earphones in it so I have to half put my helmet on, fold my ears back flat, then continue putting it on or I’ll get massively sore folded over ears. Once on it fits like a glove so it sounds like your old helmet may have been a size to tight.

The area in question seems to be right were glasses would fit, probably meant to be loose there.

My suggestion to try Arai isn’t necessarily to get you buy one, just that their fit is generally tailored to a long, oval shaped, the Shoeis are generally more of a round head fit, and Bell is right in the middle. So try on all kinds, all price ranges, different models, hell, even different model years fit different. I liked my ‘16 Star so much I thought I’d buy the updated ‘18 MIPS Star that has ear phone cutouts in it and it did not fit well at all. Same size, same model, but different construction apparently affected the fit so I’ll have to start from scratch next helmet again. But try then all so you know what works for you.
 

HawkeyeCBR

2014
CBR650F
May 10, 2019
Just keep trying on helmets at different shops until you find one that works. When new the fit should be snug, bordering on tight, but not painful despite was people love to tell you. My Star has a tight ear area and I have a set of Sena earphones in it so I have to half put my helmet on, fold my ears back flat, then continue putting it on or I’ll get massively sore folded over ears. Once on it fits like a glove so it sounds like your old helmet may have been a size to tight.

The area in question seems to be right were glasses would fit, probably meant to be loose there.

My suggestion to try Arai isn’t necessarily to get you buy one, just that their fit is generally tailored to a long, oval shaped, the Shoeis are generally more of a round head fit, and Bell is right in the middle. So try on all kinds, all price ranges, different models, hell, even different model years fit different. I liked my ‘16 Star so much I thought I’d buy the updated ‘18 MIPS Star that has ear phone cutouts in it and it did not fit well at all. Same size, same model, but different construction apparently affected the fit so I’ll have to start from scratch next helmet again. But try then all so you know what works for you.

What was different about the fit, did it get wider front to back? There, unfortunately, aren’t many stores/shops around me so my options are limited to go try things on. If the star got wider front to back that would likely be perfect for me.
 

miweber929

2014
CBR650F
650 Alumnus
Staff
Feb 13, 2015
Woodbury, MN
Riding Since
1975
What was different about the fit, did it get wider front to back? There, unfortunately, aren’t many stores/shops around me so my options are limited to go try things on. If the star got wider front to back that would likely be perfect for me.
Honestly I don't remember, I think it was tight in the front if memory serves me. They are a nice helmet.

Don't be afraid to look at Harley shops, ATV shops, etc. anywhere that sells motorized vehicles because they all carry different brands. I know online places like Revzilla allow you to order and return, Dennis Kirk does as well.
 

User26

2020
CBR650R ABS
Aug 8, 2019
Riding Since
2010
I bought myself a new helmet a few weeks ago, I sort of had the same problem (head shape being closer to long oval).
I tried on many helmets (including HJC helmets) but all of them pressed too much on my forehead.
The only 2 helmets in that shop that had a good fit for me were the Shoei NXR and the LS2 ff323 arrow.
I bought the LS2 ff323 arrow C (the Shoei was actually the better helmet but too expensive for me) and I really like it.
The FF323 is a really good fit for me and it has a very large field of vision. It's tight all around the face and neck but at the same time very comfortable.
 

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