Triumphrat

Gone Cat

I just bought a KBC Medium open face. It feels pretty tight even though It should be my size. Do these helmets get a bit looser with time? Will I get used to this? I'm thinking about returning it.

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It's not what you look like when you're doin' what you're doin', It's what you're doin' when you're doin' what you look like you're doin.

from 1970 song "Express Yourself" by Charles Wright and the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm band.

davidc

Gone Cat - Although I've never had a KBC, every helmet I have had has loosened up in time. Common thought on the matter is that a new helmet ought to be snug - as in shaking the head side to side with no noticable movement of the helmet. If the helmet is not uncomfortably tight, you are probably fitted correctly.

BillTheCat

In the past I sprayed water on the padding and rode until it dried it promoted faster pad break in. If its fitted right there will be some time depending on temperature before the padding conforms. My last Suomy gave me a headache every time I wore it for the first too weeks after that it got better.

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Ken M1

Most helmets take about 300 miles of riding to settle in. They usually loosen up about 1/2 size. If by chance you bought one "fitted" to your head (I'm guilty of this as well), there are tricks you can do. If there are no available helmet liners to adjust the size, and the cheek pads are ok but the "crown" of the head becomes too loose (the most common)...remove the liner, cut a 2 or 3" wide strip of jean denim and glue (try superglue) it to inside of helmet liner crown. Let dry. Pow! A new, tighter fitting helmet with liner that is STILL washable and breathable!

GNTurbo6

The worst part for me was how much it pulled on my sideburns. It really hurt for the first week or so then I stopped noticing it. Either it got looser or I got tougher.

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'00 TT600
'87 GN

MudTub

I posted a similar thread regarding Arai helmet sizes, I purchased a large (59-60cm), but was fitting to tight for comfort even though correct size. Anyhow, can't speak for the KBC's, but I ordered a new set of cheek pads (15mm vs 25mm stock) and have put 1 month and 500 miles on my head (Mr Clean haircut), and it is now pretty comfortable, no pressure points to extreme, just nice and snug all around.

So, I'd say put some time into the helmet, if tight around the temples/jaw/cheeks, go with smaller pads if available. If tight through the middle of the head (above the ears), might want to check if model is a round or long oval model, will make a difference depending on your head shape.

Good luck and good riding.

Regards,
P.J.

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MudTub

My Bad, can't read properly this time of night, open face helmet vs my full face, sorry!

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You only as old as you want to be