Suomy Helmet Sizing

blue tiger · June 20, 2008, 05:17:07 PM

I recently ordered a Suomy Spec 1R over the internet. I didn't have time to try one on at a shop before I ordered. I carefully measured my head and ordered according to their size chart. A few days later I made an unexpected stop at the dealership. They had some Spec1R extremes on hand. I tried one on in the same size and it felt very small. I'm wondering if they need to break in a little or if I'm going to be sending it back. Do Suomy's tend to run small or do I have a weird shaped head. I also wonder if the standard spec 1r runs a little larger because of the interior lining + padding. I may be used to wearing a slightly larger than needed helmet. The oldest one in my stable doesn't move and fits pretty tight but I don't know what size it is. The newer KBC is a medium and feels kind of big (doesn't move while riding but I can make it shift with my hands). This will be my first really nice helmet and am a little curious. I guess I'll find out for sure when it gets here otherwise I'm a little curious. Any ideas from the hive mind.

brix821 · June 20, 2008, 08:34:54 PM

if you need to fine tune the fit, you can always order different pads. Be patient with the visor change system... it takes a bit to master it. Enjoy a great helmet...I love mine

Ivan · June 21, 2008, 02:56:44 PM

Quote from: blue tiger on June 20, 2008, 05:17:07 PM
Do Suomy's tend to run small or do I have a weird shaped head.

I think that the Spec-1R runs small, don't know about other Suomy models. A large Shoei is actually a little loose on me after its broken-in, I had to go up to an XL for the Suomy.

DoubleEagle · June 21, 2008, 03:18:25 PM

I have the Vandal Troy Bayliss and I wear a large in my Arai RX7s ,Quantum 2s, Shoei X-11s and RF-1000s. I ordered my Suomy online in a large and it fits fine. That's about all I can say other than it vents alot of air and it looks great to me. Oh , and I like the way the chin strap end snaps so no flapping and the tab that you pull to loosen the strap with. Nice touch.

blue tiger · June 21, 2008, 05:08:45 PM

OK I remeasured my head with a good tape measure at work (actually used for measuring head circumferences. I suddenly went from a small to a large. When I tried on the small at the shop it felt like a giant was squeezing my head. I imagine a madium would be to small also. This allowed me to upgrade to the Spec 1r extreme Bostrom replica. It should be cool. To bad motorcycle superstore has the slowest shipping department in the world. Good customer service though. Cancelled my order before it shipped and I reordered the same day.

COWBOY · June 21, 2008, 05:14:18 PM

The Suomy helmets generally run 1 size off the Shoei / Arai size, ie. Arai, Shoei size L = Suomy size XL. This has been pretty consistent from most reports on the TOB and has been for me as well (size Medium in Arai, Shoei, Shark, Vemar and size L in Suomy).

For what it's worth I loved the Spec 1R I had. You're getting a damn fine helmet just make sure it fits.

Cheers

blue tiger · June 21, 2008, 07:03:14 PM

I wore cheap ass helmets for years and was planning on continuing the trend. Bought one for about 150 bucks. I dropped it from the saddle onto some gravel and it broke the visor retaining system. The company is sending parts but that coupled with the fact the chinbar (it's a modular) says it doesn't protect the chin in an impact is worrisome at best. It actually has that printed on the chinbar. I will keep it as a backup and am licking my chops till my new lid gets here !!

brix821 · June 22, 2008, 05:05:41 AM

did you get a solid color, or go for the gusto?

blue tiger · June 22, 2008, 05:08:29 PM

Quote from: brix821 on June 22, 2008, 05:05:41 AM
did you get a solid color, or go for the gusto?

I got a 05 Bostrom replica. I can't wait to get it. I'm getting my front rim straightened after a mishap and hpefully about the time the shop is finished my helmet will show up. I'm out of town with the family for a week anyways.

jesse370 · June 22, 2008, 10:03:05 PM

yeah I think that suomy helmets also tend to run small for each size. I'm a XL in every helmet BUT suomy, there its xxl for me.

Its a noisy helmet, but that visor is amazing. it cuts out some of the sun and its like a clear visor at night, and the liner......man its heaven.

But I also think you have to have a suomy shaped head, I don't fit into arai or shoei all that great but suomy fits my enormous head perfectly.

blue tiger · June 23, 2008, 12:44:51 AM

I'm not sure what kind of head shape I have but I think it's kind of a weird shape. The KBC I have fit's OK but the chinbar is damn near against my mouth. The super cheap JC Whitney Chi-Com model is a great fit but is old and heavy. I'm hoping the slightly oval shape of the Suomyis just what I need.

muscle_cars_only · July 01, 2008, 05:25:39 AM

Suomy runs small compared to Arai AND Shoei. If the size in an Arai or Shoei fits ( Large ) go with an XL in Suomy.
Med in arai = Large in suomy etc.

How do I know this? Trust me I wear a med. in arai and ordered a med. suomy( it was too small).Vandal aces helmet.

On the bright side I called Suomy and if the helmet has not been worn they will exchange the padding for free. go to the suomy usa web site to see what size padding is in the correct size.

TiNi · July 01, 2008, 05:28:27 PM

Quote from: blue tiger on June 21, 2008, 05:08:45 PM
OK I remeasured my head with a good tape measure at work (actually used for measuring head circumferences. I suddenly went from a small to a large. When I tried on the small at the shop it felt like a giant was squeezing my head. I imagine a madium would be to small also. This allowed me to upgrade to the Spec 1r extreme Bostrom replica. It should be cool. To bad motorcycle superstore has the slowest shipping department in the world. Good customer service though. Cancelled my order before it shipped and I reordered the same day.

they are ridiculously slow...

let us know how the lid works out

i have a Suomy too...

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Suomy Helmet Sizing