Big Head and small helmets

[DustJunkie]

I stopped by Parker Pumper in Mira Loma yesterday to buy a suit and helmet. I tried on the HJC pre-wired forced air unit and the microphone hit me in the chin and it squeezed my melon like a grape in a wine press. I wear an xxl motorcycle helmet and have a 7 3/4 fitted hat measurement and it was a no go. So I tried what he called the super 8 or something like that of Simpson and it wouldn't even fit over my ears.

What do I do?

[AZ45]

Bell makes hemets up to 8 1/2, but not with factory fresh air. Simpson does the Voyager up to 8-1/8 with fresh air.

Do you know your head measurement?

Jeff
www.upr.com
www.sparcoracing.com

[Sheaco]

I also have a melon head and find it hard to find a good fitting helmet. My motorcycle helmet is a Arai and fits great. I tried a shoei in the same size and it was a no go. Althought my racecar helmet is an Shoei and if I have it on to long it starts to push on my forehead, ouch. I have a fitted cowboy hat and I was told it's not so much your head size as your head shape. That's just my two cents.

[shrek]

I stopped by Parker Pumper in Mira Loma yesterday to buy a suit and helmet. I tried on the HJC pre-wired forced air unit and the microphone hit me in the chin and it squeezed my melon like a grape in a wine press. I wear an xxl motorcycle helmet and have a 7 3/4 fitted hat measurement and it was a no go. So I tried what he called the super 8 or something like that of Simpson and it wouldn't even fit over my ears.

What do I do?

I have a Shrek head, and only the Simpson fits me well.......

I will look to see what size it is, but I know it is the biggest that they make.

I have a brand new one that might be for sale........if your interested.

Shrek

[DustJunkie]

I tried one on at the expo that fit well, I think that it was a pyrotech or something like that.

[AZ45]

The Simpson Voyagers Sidewinders are nice, if Shrek can hook you up do that, if not give us a call.

The Pyrotech does not come in the big size as far as I know. They also sometimes claim Pyrotech and Bell are the same, but they're not, that's why they are less $$.

Jeff
www.upr.cpm
www.sparcoracing.com

[DustJunkie]

I do not know my head measurement. I have an M2R bike helmet in xxl and it fits well. My fitted hat size is 7 3/4.

[ppumper]

If you are the guy I think you are. You put on a Simpson super 8 That is the biggest they come! I guess I missed the GRAPE thing. I would look at the Bell 81/2 just get plenty of shields with it. Because I don't know many places that carry Bell. Remember just like I told you at my shop. Do not buy a helmet that is really comfy. They only get bigger, and then you have a problem, and it does not matter what brand you get they ALL get bigger.


Harold Nicks
Parker Pumper

[steveG]

Do not buy a helmet that is really comfy. They only get bigger, and then you have a problem

Exactly how snug should a helmet fit? When new that is....

[ppumper]

That's a fine line, headache tight or very snug. I ask almost all the guys I fit, does it feel like a 2 by 4 pressing against your forehead. Sounds funky but it helps me know just where we are as far as fit go's

[ppumper]

I am sure that the other guy's may have a different way, but this has worked for me over the past 19 years

[DustJunkie]

Thanks for your help at the shop. I understand that it needs to be snug, but my chin was hard pressed against the mic with the HJC and the simpson was even tighter.

P.S. I will be in as soon as I can for the suit, I work in Rosemead at SCE from 5:30 am to 5:30 pm today and tomorrow, then I have two weeks off.

[Chris_Wilson]

You are not the only one that finds the mic hits your chin on the HJC. Me too and when I asked around it seemed to be a common problem. Other brands are shaped different. I'm having trouble finding a good fit to replace my old M95 rated Bell.

The Pyrotech feels nothing like my Bell. The Pyrotech feels like a cheap helmet with poor padding to me. The G-Force has too much cheek padding so it pushes up on your cheeks and interferes with eyeglasses but maybe that can be adjusted. The Simpson felt good but I could not find one wired. You might look for a Simpson.

I'd like a helmet that achieved it's SA05 rating with the air vent, not one that was certified without the vent then modified to add the vent.

BTW, if are looking for a great deal on a suit, http://www.k1speed.com/ in Carlsbad has a no-name double layer Nomex suit fully box stitched for $299 in many sizes and three different colors, Sfi 3-2A/5 rated.

[DustJunkie]

Thanks, but Harold had a suit sent to him for me to try on. If it fits, it's mine. I can't buy stuff like that online due to the overalll size of my persona. I go 6'4" and 275lbs and I'm built like a offensive lineman. The off the shelf XXL fit, but the camel toe effect and small chest/shoulder area was a deal breaker. Next step is a custom suit, if it doesn't work.

I have used sandpaper and glue in the past to fine tune helmets, but it has to start out fitting snug with just one or two problem areas.

[Patricio]

I had the same problem, I have a huge head as well. I have tried on HJC, SHOEI, PYROTEC, SIMPSON, BELL. The special Simpson "streched eight" did not fit well but the regualr eight fit great on my head but not my cheeks. The guys over at Parker Pumper were very helpful and modifying the cheek pads to make it comfortable and I could not find a helmet that fit better. After all the helmets I tried the Simpson was the best fit for my head but the Bell wasn't bad either. I wish luck in your search and you just have to be patient and try them all on. I know the guys from Mobile Radio carry bells and had the biggest one at Primm, maybe you could talk to thm and ask them to take a large Bell for you to try on at the next race. Good Luck.

[AZ45]

BTW, if are looking for a great deal on a suit, http://www.k1speed.com/ in Carlsbad has a no-name double layer Nomex suit fully box stitched for $299 in many sizes and three different colors, Sfi 3-2A/5 rated.

Not to turn this into a suit thread, but-
That K1 deal doesn't look like bad deal but I don't see an SFI tag on it and they list it for 349.00 on the site.

You can buy three layer SFI 5 suits for a little as 239.00 in sizes up to XXXL from us and I'm sure Parker has something larger than XXL as well.
If you can spend a few extra bucks you'll probably get a suit that's safer, more comfortable, cooler and will last longer.
To get approval, the suit only has to meet the minimum requirement, so all are not equal.
We just put some close out Sparco suits on our www.sparcoracing.com site, we have stuff op to about half off starting at 399.00. You should fit in a 66, which is a XXXL.

[Chris_Wilson]

That suit has the SFI tag stitched on it. Comes with a nice bag that has a sticker that says Made in Pakistan. You get what you pay for! For me this suit is a nice upgrade from the single layer Indura suit I've used and washed since Dirt was young.

Back to Helmets. Anyone tried the Bell Vortex forced air and compared it to the more commonly stocked Bell M2 forced air?

[AZ45]

I use a Vortec FA, it's killer. Super light, great air circulation, seals well. We have them in stock.

[Patricio]

What do you guys think of the 2 layer quilted crow suits? They go for around 240.

[ppumper]

There not bad for the $$$ Proban!

[5racer]

blows me away on how much helmets went up as soon as the sa number was changed guess there in with the oil peeps .next year they will be giveing them away .what is funny is that you spend 500.00 on a helmet to save your life then spend anouther 500.00 on a hans device to keep the helmet from killing you .lol guess ya cant live with one or with out the other.

[AZ45]

The helmets prices were not effected by the certification certification cagnge from SA2000 to SA2005. They make changes to the testing processes based on the changing usage of helmets and crash data.

[ppumper]

SA rated helmets have always been 400 bucks and up. HJC has came out with a really good helmet for 349.00 converted, 299 with out, and a bitchen carbon fiber helmet for only 899 :) (shameless plug)

[mattb]

I've got a 7 3/4 head and used to wear a XXL Shoei. It worked for me and if any of you guys haven't tried one, go for it. Of course, I had to deal with them calling me a "Bucket Head."

[AZ45]

I just got information from Bell that there will be a new Bell M4 Fresh Air helmet available in sizes XS to XXXL for $419.00. The only issue is that it is a top inlet, not side like what the off road industry is used to. Top inlet is a good deal if there is room.