I do the same thing. A size 4 soccer ball works perfect. I don't even deflate it. I shove the ball in it fully inflated, pull the ball from the front to where the ball is pushing against the pads that squeeze the cheekbones and leave it there for a few days.
Try using a sturdy plastic bag, double for extra security. put it in the helmet and fill it with water. Leave it in the helmet for a couple of days. I have used that method for several helmets and with good result.
I used the soccer ball method it works well. The vlogger i saw used a size 3 youth soccer ball on a large helmet but I opted for a size 4 and it worked wonders on my large helmet.
@@eagle.s1k had to leave mine on several times overnight but I would say less time is better at first so you can gauge the results and go longer as needed.
Thanks buddy your idea of stretching the Helmet padding with a ball was a life saver. I had a new MT helmet which I could not wear only bcoz of the size issue. I kept it with a inflated football for two days and miracle happened. Now it has become very comfortable. Thanks again.
I just got mine today and dude it almost ripped my hair out😂 I used 2 towels and stuff a bleach container in the center to press the cushions down more.
I'm in a kind of similar situation, except the helmet fits mostly nicely once it's on save for some chipmunk cheek feeling, but is a nightmare to get on and off, requiring some serious wrenching where my ears bend over in the process, and trying to get it on or off with my bone conduction earbuds is even worse, it drags horribly and feels like the speaker bit is going to break off the band. Thanks for the idea, now I'm going to have the cheekpads sitting between a silicone mat on the floor, and a car amp with a chair sitting on it all to provide the weight. Hopefully that's going to get rid of the chipmunk cheek and make it actually feasible to put on painlessly and with audio accessories when I pull them back out in maybe a week.
great advice. I bought a medium size helmet because i'm just on the border between medium and large. Wore helmet around house for an hour and my left jaw hurt afterwards. I'm gonna try the pumping up the football method.
I wish I fit that narrow icon. It just looks so bad@$$. Was my dream helm in high school. Now that I ride i found out the hard way about narrow oval helms. 😭😭😂 now im breaking in the next best thing: scorpion at950.
Qi and Diego: Ya the Airflite is more elongated than round. Flattening the liners helps. A couple of times I've ridden without the liners, but I don't recommend that. Would be great if ICON would make 4XL liners or 4XL/5XL Airflite shell to begin with.
Question for other new folks …do you feel sleepy when wearing the helmet? Got mine a few weeks ago, just getting used to it so wearing whilst watching Tv but after 20or so mins I start feeling sleepy. Not like the helmet is restricting blood flow or anything…it just feels really comfortable and snug hahahaha Just wondering if that’s something I over come the more I get used it wearing it. On a side note, I’ve never worn anything outside caps so wondering if it’s just my body sending me to sleep as I’m too comfortable wearing it?
Just purchased the Biltwell gringo s. I’m an XXL and I was going to go a size up but after reading the instructions I think it passes all the “ what a helmet should feel like” nice and snug moving cheeks and forehead etc, so I took a ride and it seems to have loosened up some. Except my ears hurt. Hopefully this will pass, but I will try some of your points to see what happens. Nice vid! Thanks.
I also have a biltwell. My GF’s step dad owns a bike shop and hooked me up with an insane price on the lane splitter helmet. I love the look but yeah they’re tight man…
I have a new Arai Signet-X in a 2XL. I can can feel my heart beat pulse around the crown of my head. I'm hoping that given time it will loosen up before my 30 day return window closes. I don't want an $800 paperweight!
Thank you! My old Shoei was getting old so I bought a new one, same size.. my brain hurt! I had to use the emergency pulls to get my helmet off because it was pulling on my earrings! Ouch! I now have those fat cheek pads under weights.. I'll try them in a few days.
I literally bought a helmet in small whcih is what I measured mt Head to be. It’s extremely tight. So frustrating cuz I don’t think it’s the right size
Great video, helpful! As an aside, if you own certain Arai helmets (like the XD-4 for example,) Arai designed it so you can remove the outermost foam layer of the cheekpads if yours are just too tight after break-in. Keep in mind this is a permament adjustment. Cheers~
@@TheTurtleCalledPablo Dunno whats with ICON lately but all their helmets pads are tight enough that you feel like a cartoon character, thats head is about to explode. I got a ICON Airflite helmet and sadly didn't read into the deep reviews as they all said it was way to tight and everyone had to get size up cheek pads due to them crushing the jaw and sending pain up the roof of your head.
@@My_Cats_Meow I got the sam issue rn... Didn't know their helmets were usually a long oval and what I also didn't know is that my head shape isn't a long oval.. I'll try to do something with a basketball but we'll see... Did you break in yours?
@@marioperic8005 Broke in enough that I can ride maybe 2 hours before it hurts to much. I needed XL but got a L, thats sizing up from their size chart also. I cut some of the foam out of my cheek pads to allow space for my glasses. But otherwise I'm waiting for ICON to deliver their cheekpads which is said to be 6-8 months for some customers. I tried to weigh down the pads using weights, but it didn't improve much. Haven't tried the basketball one. But its a darn shame because you can't return these things.
@@My_Cats_Meow yeah I agree its a shame... By using their chart I was supposed to get XL and be comfortable in it but when I got to the dealer I couldn't even put on XL so I tried XXL and when its on my head its okay but putting it on and taking it off is the real struggle. I'll try to widen the bottom part as much as I can I guess. I also tried to find 3XL cheek pads anywhere on the internet but was unlucky and I read somewhere that the new pads don't have the plastic liner on the backside which could mean that they will be roomier that the ones that I have.. We'll see 🤷🏻♂️
I wish I had watched this before returning a helmet to Revzilla. The cheek pads were so thick it made the helmet unwearable. If you were to compress them for a couple days with a ten pond weight how much do you think they would compress? 50%?, 25%? loved the helmet otherwise.
I saw a trick on YT, take a #3 youth soccer ball and inflate it inside the helmet and leave it for a day or a few. Depending on when you'll be riding again.
it shouldnt be bobbling around on your head, it does need to be a bit snug but not to the point where your getting headaches with it on. Most places dont refund helmets if you buy one, so your only other options would be to either buy a smaller one or get thicker cheek pads to fill up that space
Try wearing a quality mask under the helmet, that can absorb wet as well to same extent. In summer it sucks a bit, but makes taking the helmet on and off much easier.
Some how I don’t think they are good ideas Your better off going to a dealer in motorcycle helmets and finding one that fits your head properly rather than damaging the padding . It’s the padding and liner that’s supposed to protect your head . Don’t damage it with filling it with objects other than your head .
Alright mate. I'll give it a shot. I hope this works... My massive head has so far defeated all but one (now broken) 5X helmet T_T I just wanna ride safe
I have a 5X helmet as well, wondering what brand model you got. Mine is still tight in the jaw/cheek area. It's an HJC i90. Wondering if your's is a different brand.
So basically what his saying is that the helmets that you try on the store has already taken in so many heads that it's already loose and baggy while the new ones that just came out of storage are still bonified Virgins, that's why they are still tight and eager to be molded by your own head, and just in case you don't have the time to properly break them in then all you really need to do was to train them by using some of your Toys and just jam it in there nice and tight so your head should be able to snuggly fit in there later on 😂
Did you know that your Arai cheek pads AND head liner have 5mm removable layers?…to help you customize fit. And you can also order thinner/thicker pads/liners (each also with additional removable material). And the head liner has an additional strap that will tighten and loosen the crown pad piece! What you describe here (at least with an Arai helmet) is completely unnecessary.
Arai does not recommend these methods. Sorry but this is terrible advice. The only thing being used to break in your helmet should be your head. Nothing is like your head shape but your head! Wearing it is the best safest way to break in your helmet. Do NOT put heavy objects on your pads to crush break them in. They are not designed for that. If the helmet is that tight then you need to tune the pads or pick a different helmet.
Exactly and you give good advice. My first Shoei was a small (despite thinking I needed a medium), it was tight at first but within a few weeks the cheek pads relaxed and it became so comfortable that nothing else was even comparable. I've retired that one now due to age but it still fits me great even after almost ten years (its no longer used for riding).
To maintain the safety of your helmet the foam should only be change or stretched by the shape of your head. If it is changed by anything else it can reduce the quality of the helmet. Don’t follow this video. This is the same reason why you should not wear someone else’s helmet.
Congratulations, you've just _compressed_ the expanded polystyrene that's there to protect your head as it compresses _one time_ in a crash. Your helmet is too bloody small for your giant balloon head.
I’m sorry but this is terrible advice. If your helmet is giving you a headache you’ve chosen the wrong size or shape of helmet. Secondly, if you weight your pads to break them in you are artificially “loosening” your lining; when you do finally start wearing it it won’t have molded to your head’s shape. Time to rethink your approach to proper helmet choice and fitment.
Watching Netflix with my new helmet on right now 😂
You're a brave soul
Jajaja, that's a good idea mate 👍☺️
Same xD same.. also doing stuff around the house in it. Husband loves it. This is the way!
Does it have Bluetooth?
😂😂😂
Thats what im gonna do today
I purchased a small Soccer ball deflated it slid it into the helmet and then re-inflated it. Worked great
I did the same but used a small backetball. Had a Bell Star Race that i loved but tore my ears up. I can now wear it all day with no issues.
I do the same thing. A size 4 soccer ball works perfect. I don't even deflate it. I shove the ball in it fully inflated, pull the ball from the front to where the ball is pushing against the pads that squeeze the cheekbones and leave it there for a few days.
You know he is Australian by the sound of his pet velociraptors in the background 👍🏼
Try using a sturdy plastic bag, double for extra security. put it in the helmet and fill it with water. Leave it in the helmet for a couple of days.
I have used that method for several helmets and with good result.
Did you put the helmet upside down?
I used the soccer ball method it works well. The vlogger i saw used a size 3 youth soccer ball on a large helmet but I opted for a size 4 and it worked wonders on my large helmet.
thanks for verifying that, glad it worked for you
I’ll test it out and see if I can get the same results
How long did you leave the soccer ball on?
@@eagle.s1k had to leave mine on several times overnight but I would say less time is better at first so you can gauge the results and go longer as needed.
Thanks buddy your idea of stretching the Helmet padding with a ball was a life saver. I had a new MT helmet which I could not wear only bcoz of the size issue. I kept it with a inflated football for two days and miracle happened. Now it has become very comfortable. Thanks again.
Thank you, brought a new helmet fits perfectly but it's a nightmare getting it on 😂 didn't fancy wearing it around
I just got mine today and dude it almost ripped my hair out😂 I used 2 towels and stuff a bleach container in the center to press the cushions down more.
Thanks a TON! My cheek pads are super tight. I'm going to use your method of unbuttoning them and place weights on them.
Use a football and inflate it for overnight. It really works. Just did the same with my MT revenge 2
Thank you I had this idea with my new helmet wasn't sure if it would work almost bought new cheek pads
I'm in a kind of similar situation, except the helmet fits mostly nicely once it's on save for some chipmunk cheek feeling, but is a nightmare to get on and off, requiring some serious wrenching where my ears bend over in the process, and trying to get it on or off with my bone conduction earbuds is even worse, it drags horribly and feels like the speaker bit is going to break off the band. Thanks for the idea, now I'm going to have the cheekpads sitting between a silicone mat on the floor, and a car amp with a chair sitting on it all to provide the weight. Hopefully that's going to get rid of the chipmunk cheek and make it actually feasible to put on painlessly and with audio accessories when I pull them back out in maybe a week.
When you got the soccer ball method I felt so dumb.
Why didn't I think of this!
if it works it works haha
great advice. I bought a medium size helmet because i'm just on the border between medium and large. Wore helmet around house for an hour and my left jaw hurt afterwards. I'm gonna try the pumping up the football method.
I just ordered the shoei rf1400 and good grief i needed this video. Im new to riding as well. I tell you its like a torture test.
I have a 3XL helmet, it's so snug... I can feel my ethnicity changing. Going to put some books on my liners for a few days.
I was wondering how possible, then I saw your profile image of ICON airflite, nuff said
I wish I fit that narrow icon. It just looks so bad@$$. Was my dream helm in high school. Now that I ride i found out the hard way about narrow oval helms. 😭😭😂 now im breaking in the next best thing: scorpion at950.
Qi and Diego: Ya the Airflite is more elongated than round. Flattening the liners helps. A couple of times I've ridden without the liners, but I don't recommend that. Would be great if ICON would make 4XL liners or 4XL/5XL Airflite shell to begin with.
Same problem I have the bell mx-9 in a 3xl and it’s tight af
well at least your pro-nouns havent shifted in the process🤣🤣🤣
Question for other new folks …do you feel sleepy when wearing the helmet? Got mine a few weeks ago, just getting used to it so wearing whilst watching Tv but after 20or so mins I start feeling sleepy. Not like the helmet is restricting blood flow or anything…it just feels really comfortable and snug hahahaha Just wondering if that’s something I over come the more I get used it wearing it. On a side note, I’ve never worn anything outside caps so wondering if it’s just my body sending me to sleep as I’m too comfortable wearing it?
😴Yes
I like the soccer ball idea for sure!
Just purchased the Biltwell gringo s. I’m an XXL and I was going to go a size up but after reading the instructions I think it passes all the “ what a helmet should feel like” nice and snug moving cheeks and forehead etc, so I took a ride and it seems to have loosened up some. Except my ears hurt. Hopefully this will pass, but I will try some of your points to see what happens. Nice vid! Thanks.
I also have a biltwell. My GF’s step dad owns a bike shop and hooked me up with an insane price on the lane splitter helmet. I love the look but yeah they’re tight man…
@@Luckyy_RSit was at first but now it has loosened up and feels perfect. Great helmets!
Even during intimate moments.... the helmet stays on...
-Shaxx
Eyes up, Guardian.
I have a new Arai Signet-X in a 2XL. I can can feel my heart beat pulse around the crown of my head. I'm hoping that given time it will loosen up before my 30 day return window closes. I don't want an $800 paperweight!
My cheek pads are also tight and when I bite down I can feel the helmet widen and spread a bit. Great helmet though. 😂
it should definitely stretch over time, the one in the vid was the same for me, now its all goods, i was worried to haha
I am gonna put a steel jar in it for few days. Thanks for the help mate 🙂.
Thank you! My old Shoei was getting old so I bought a new one, same size.. my brain hurt! I had to use the emergency pulls to get my helmet off because it was pulling on my earrings! Ouch! I now have those fat cheek pads under weights.. I'll try them in a few days.
I use a kettle-bell weight.
Long oval head here with a round oval helmet here. It will break in if it don't break you first
I literally bought a helmet in small whcih is what I measured mt
Head to be. It’s extremely tight. So frustrating cuz I don’t think it’s the right size
Great video, helpful! As an aside, if you own certain Arai helmets (like the XD-4 for example,) Arai designed it so you can remove the outermost foam layer of the cheekpads if yours are just too tight after break-in. Keep in mind this is a permament adjustment. Cheers~
Yup I’ve tried and it gives me the biggest headache around the crown are. Hopefully this works thanks
Did it work? My icon airform gives me a hotspot on my forehead after about an hour of wearing it. I was wondering if it just needed to be worn in.
@@TheTurtleCalledPablo Dunno whats with ICON lately but all their helmets pads are tight enough that you feel like a cartoon character, thats head is about to explode.
I got a ICON Airflite helmet and sadly didn't read into the deep reviews as they all said it was way to tight and everyone had to get size up cheek pads due to them crushing the jaw and sending pain up the roof of your head.
@@My_Cats_Meow I got the sam issue rn... Didn't know their helmets were usually a long oval and what I also didn't know is that my head shape isn't a long oval.. I'll try to do something with a basketball but we'll see... Did you break in yours?
@@marioperic8005 Broke in enough that I can ride maybe 2 hours before it hurts to much. I needed XL but got a L, thats sizing up from their size chart also. I cut some of the foam out of my cheek pads to allow space for my glasses. But otherwise I'm waiting for ICON to deliver their cheekpads which is said to be 6-8 months for some customers.
I tried to weigh down the pads using weights, but it didn't improve much. Haven't tried the basketball one. But its a darn shame because you can't return these things.
@@My_Cats_Meow yeah I agree its a shame... By using their chart I was supposed to get XL and be comfortable in it but when I got to the dealer I couldn't even put on XL so I tried XXL and when its on my head its okay but putting it on and taking it off is the real struggle. I'll try to widen the bottom part as much as I can I guess. I also tried to find 3XL cheek pads anywhere on the internet but was unlucky and I read somewhere that the new pads don't have the plastic liner on the backside which could mean that they will be roomier that the ones that I have.. We'll see 🤷🏻♂️
I wish I had watched this before returning a helmet to Revzilla. The cheek pads were so thick it made the helmet unwearable. If you were to compress them for a couple days with a ten pond weight how much do you think they would compress? 50%?, 25%? loved the helmet otherwise.
i'd say 25% or so, but that would obviously just be the start, the longer you wear it from then on, it would loosen more
I saw a trick on YT, take a #3 youth soccer ball and inflate it inside the helmet and leave it for a day or a few. Depending on when you'll be riding again.
Hi Dean, does this mold the removable padding or the actual crash foam beneath?
not sure tbh, all i know is it feels alot better compared to wearing the stiff, tight straight from factory feel
Great video! Saw many negative feedbacks on Amazon complaning about a recent purchased hellmet being too narrow. That explains all.
Did you by any chance bought Icon Airflite? 😂
@@marioperic8005I just grabbed an airflite yesterday and that thing is squeezing my temples so bad
Is there such thing as too loose or no? I just got a new helmet and if there is such thing as too loose then I’m nervous to do any of these
it shouldnt be bobbling around on your head, it does need to be a bit snug but not to the point where your getting headaches with it on. Most places dont refund helmets if you buy one, so your only other options would be to either buy a smaller one or get thicker cheek pads to fill up that space
isnt a helmet supposed to take the shape off your haed? idk im new
i have a new helmet that fits perfect, but is cause tipis pain to my ears from putting it on and off.
got a remedy for that ?
Try wearing a quality mask under the helmet, that can absorb wet as well to same extent.
In summer it sucks a bit, but makes taking the helmet on and off much easier.
Some how I don’t think they are good ideas
Your better off going to a dealer in motorcycle helmets and finding one that fits your head properly rather than damaging the padding .
It’s the padding and liner that’s supposed to protect your head .
Don’t damage it with filling it with objects other than your head .
My first time ever wearing a MC helmet, my neck hurt the next day. Like I was carry 30# on my head for 7hrs. lol
Alright mate. I'll give it a shot. I hope this works... My massive head has so far defeated all but one (now broken) 5X helmet T_T I just wanna ride safe
I have a 5X helmet as well, wondering what brand model you got. Mine is still tight in the jaw/cheek area. It's an HJC i90. Wondering if your's is a different brand.
I paid $1400 for my new helmet and I lost it at the mall in the first day, oops
my first helmet i got the first think i did was to take it apart
Currently watching this video whilst wearing my new helmet lol😂
mee too LOL
@@wild_at_heartsame here haha, it's a bit tight but not unwearable, just a bit too snug so i'm hoping it will loosen to a perfect fit
I think putting a soccer ball in it and pumping it up is probably the best way.
Thx for the advice bro, i try to put the cheek pad under my chair 🤣
So basically what his saying is that the helmets that you try on the store has already taken in so many heads that it's already loose and baggy while the new ones that just came out of storage are still bonified Virgins, that's why they are still tight and eager to be molded by your own head, and just in case you don't have the time to properly break them in then all you really need to do was to train them by using some of your Toys and just jam it in there nice and tight so your head should be able to snuggly fit in there later on 😂
sounds about right 😂😂
gracias!
Did you know that your Arai cheek pads AND head liner have 5mm removable layers?…to help you customize fit. And you can also order thinner/thicker pads/liners (each also with additional removable material). And the head liner has an additional strap that will tighten and loosen the crown pad piece!
What you describe here (at least with an Arai helmet) is completely unnecessary.
some people dont want to spend anymore money so this is cheaper options
A 12l pail of vegemite is perfect
Or Just buy a scorpion helmet. They can be adjusted to your head by the inflating mechanism
I have scorpion and its tight 😂😂😂😂 so inflate system kinda useless for me
Wham you watch motorbike videos wive my moto helmet 😂
Arai does not recommend these methods. Sorry but this is terrible advice. The only thing being used to break in your helmet should be your head. Nothing is like your head shape but your head! Wearing it is the best safest way to break in your helmet. Do NOT put heavy objects on your pads to crush break them in. They are not designed for that. If the helmet is that tight then you need to tune the pads or pick a different helmet.
Exactly and you give good advice. My first Shoei was a small (despite thinking I needed a medium), it was tight at first but within a few weeks the cheek pads relaxed and it became so comfortable that nothing else was even comparable. I've retired that one now due to age but it still fits me great even after almost ten years (its no longer used for riding).
How do you tune a pad?
I m ging to try this, because I am literally biting on my cheeks every time I try to speak
one of these should work for you, otherwise you could just get buy different pads that are compatible with your helmet
Same here! Just got an Arai and I bite into my cheeks 😂😂
Wathcing this video in my tight ass new helmet lol
Il need a basket ball then cos my head is extra extra large😂
Leave it for a couple days what the hell I'm riding everyday what are you talking about sir 😄
just do it at night while you sleep.
Video starts at 1:50
To maintain the safety of your helmet the foam should only be change or stretched by the shape of your head. If it is changed by anything else it can reduce the quality of the helmet. Don’t follow this video. This is the same reason why you should not wear someone else’s helmet.
Use a wood working clamp and reverse the direction of the clamp to stretch it open
ARAI x DOLMIO 😂
Congratulations, you've just _compressed_ the expanded polystyrene that's there to protect your head as it compresses _one time_ in a crash.
Your helmet is too bloody small for your giant balloon head.
Yea because a bag of rice is so heavy
it was heavy enough for mine to compress the pads enough
Get on with it too much waffle
if you have to stretch its too tight, return it
Jesus Christ
I’m sorry but this is terrible advice. If your helmet is giving you a headache you’ve chosen the wrong size or shape of helmet. Secondly, if you weight your pads to break them in you are artificially “loosening” your lining; when you do finally start wearing it it won’t have molded to your head’s shape. Time to rethink your approach to proper helmet choice and fitment.
Store helmets are floozies
you should get a microphone
I do have a microphone, this mic used is a Rode Video Mic
his audio was perfectly fine - not sure what you're on about mate.
or just use it.. -_-
that is an option