Hi everyone,

Does anyone know where I can change or customize my helmet foam?

I have a GIVI X16 and it is fine for short trips. For longer ones, the compression pain comes in after an hour.
And it really hurts until I have to stop, remove the helmet and let it settle down.

I really should get another helmet but kinda got use to this one and trying to save a bit of $

Thanks,

my suggestion
remove the liner, wear the helmet, see where the tight spot

you have 2 options, either use finger to press down the tight spots, or, shave the liner to thin that area.

Thanks good idea

Change of plans... time for a new helmet. Thought I can change the inner lining to XXXL but no chance.

Any distributor/resellers can measure your head and do recommendations?
Any advice on ADV style model which suit Asian Heads?
Budget wise below 3k MYR will be nice...

shoei helmet malaysia (before you purchase they will do measurement on your heat to fit helmet).

Thanks.

It looks like Shoei is the only one that advert for head measurements unless i am not mistaken

Narrowing down to
1. Shoei Hornet
2. Arai TX3
3. Bell MX-9 so far

if the AGV AX9 fits ur head well..should look into that... even their carbon version is within ur budget.

Thanks. Missed that out.

Updated list.
1. Shoei Hornet
2. Arai TX3
3. Bell MX-9 so far
4. AGV AX9

Bell helmets tend to be a bit louder though. Sometime to consider if you are doing longer distances at higher speeds. Btw, isn't it now the TX4 now?

Have you tried NEXX xWed2 carbon? Relatively new brand here...premium level. Felt really comfortable and fairly lightweight (I remembered it was 1400g or so) with the carbon shell.

If you are buying a helmet now, just go for the ECE22.06 rated helmets that are just starting to trickle into market.

Arai and AGV shells are not as wide as Shoei.
Haven't tried enough Bell to comment.

I had similar compression problem with my HJC full face, XL size.
you will know it only after 1 to 2 hours of ride... damn painful.

End up getting a Shoei L size and fits just nice, no more compression problem.

around the temple area?
or the top of the skull?

HJC felt "just right" from temple to skull yetgave me compression headache. One size bigger will be too loose.

Arai and AGV tight from temple up. Immediately put back on shelf.

Just to add, if you are wearing a balaclava, you gotta make sure the stiches is not around the forehead area. Otherwise, it will create pressure point.

sometimes the compression pain is downwards, not pinching, this type very difficult to tell when testing helmets, and happens after long duration riding. Only then you can tell, by lifting the helmet, or shifting it backwards will relieve the pain

Confirming my balaclava not doing that.

Pain I suffered is like needle in middle of my head..

Anyway, good excuse to change to GT Air 2... wifey not sending me to sleep on sofa...

Bro @alexei made a very good suggestion. I took a spoon and a rather rounded blunt metal handle and compress "pressed" down the foam area where the pain occurs.

Viola, compression pain no more. Bliss. Now can ride for hours without any discomfort with balaclava.

Narrowing down to Shoei or Arai now. Most likely Arai, need the airflow unless i go with goggles...

Thanks. yes it worked for me when I started riding years ago with a Shoei that time.

I took that Shoei to PFS and their Japanese tech just chased me out, really, chased me out. Not complaining here, just describing what happened. It was during Sepang booth, and it was crowded, and they were worked hard. They won't even look at it, not gonna touch it. I told them just add a few of those sticker pads or freshen up the cheekpad, just 'no, no, no, not fitting for this helmet'...

Bell closing their HQ in US for "further consolidation" so bear in mind about the brand support in the near future, (in case you want to change visor and such)

maybe bought over by another brand...

get a new helmet
or bigger size
change ur foam wont help
i buy HJC size L fit nicely but after sometime get the pain front side
sell i and buy XL
arai i use L
shoei L
AGV XL

shoei tak kasi freebie ke?

I cheap fag, didn't buy anything from them at the time. I mean, I just went to watch GP, no top box or anything, and no budget for a brand new whatever X-spirit at the time. Though right now, I have accepted the fact I don't have a Shoei head, nor HJC, nor AGV, for that matter.

A well fitting helmet is very very important.

Indeed

The problem is some borderline case. Fits decent at the shop but not after 1 hour of using it. It's incredible difficult for me to get a helmet to fit as well, as I'm borderline S and M size. New M might fit well but loosens fast after 6 months of wear like my MT Atom.

HJC and AGVs tend to be more on the slim size, so in my case the Rpha 70 in M fits perfect. The same HJC F70 in M don't fit at all despite supposedly having the same head shape.....got real uncomfortable in less than 10 mins.

My Zeus in M size on the other hand is a bit loose on the crown but insists on shearing off my ears every time I need to take it off.

By right , you should put on the helmet and go sit on your bike...so you'd be able to also check if the viewing angles all work with your riding position. Nothing is worst than a helmet that restricts shoulder checks or a brow that is too low/thick that you can't see overhead traffic lights.

I can imagine the pain (pun intended)
downwards compression pain is hard to detect when helmet testing
even same helmet, different unit can have variation despite best effort of coming out the same mold, fact is, plastic can deform due to internal stress

for the Zeus, are you with balaclava? when I wear glasses, the balaclava works to reduce glasses vibration, and saving the ear when removing the helmet.

I find AGV more narrow, but only tested the K1 IIRC

eyeports are designed for different riding styles, I look for helmets with good upward viewing angle.

I normally wear a skull cap. Yes a Balaklava would help with the ear shearing off issue. But I solved that by not using the chin guard. It's a convertible P/J helmet...so I just use it as a open face for short trips. That said, those "convertible" helmets like my Zeus (and nolans)..have amazing viewing angles...almost like you are not wearing a helmet at all...can't see the chinbar.

Yes AGV is on the narrow fit. Sometimes a bit difficult for us rounded Asian heads. The K6 fitted me ok though. I might consider the sport modular in the near future once they upgrade it to 22.06 specs. Using a modular is just so much more convenient for commuting and touring...pls it's one of the few AGVs with a built in sun visor.

As for upward viewing angles, sun visors also affect this. Helmets with secondary sun visors are thicker at the brow so might not work with a sporty riding position. The convenience of a sun visor is paramount for me....and "sport" helmets usually don't have that feature.

Been through that pressure point pain before. The best way to avoid pressure points is to try on the helmet at least 30 minutes at the shop. Yes, that is what I literally do whenever I'm planning to buy a helmet. If you are a serious buyer and ready to buy, I don't think the shop will mind you wearing it for 30 minutes inside the shop. Of course, bring along your balaclava or hair/head net to keep the helmet clean while you try it on.

I say 30 minutes because usually by that time, if there is any pressure points, you will start to feel them. If you want to have it on longer, by all means. Any shop that is too impatient to wait 30 minutes for you probably good idea to shop elsewhere.

Going upsize is generally a common solution, however sometimes going one size up makes the helmet feel loose and not a good fit/feeling anymore, do take that into consideration as well.

Changing liner or trying to "thin" out parts of the liner that has the pressure point is possible, but usually it's the foam/internal head shape that causes the issue so there's no guarantee that will fix the issue, but if you already bought the helmet then no harm trying. Don't modify the foam though, that's designed for the impact protection.

Happy shopping!

jamehelo sighbored

Shoei PFS has a downside.
Additional foam added actually blocks airflow.
My head was more sweaty after PFS.

Bought a standard headliner and put it back in, took the PFS'ed headliner out.

Now much less sweat and can feel air flow through my skull.

I find it odd that they would place the add-on over air venting spots.

Hello signboard
Long time no see bro

They didn't cover the venting spot, but somehow air no longer vent.

Just quietly lurking around

Oh I see

Why did they rejected your helmet though? Was it they were simply too busy or your helmet is too old or condition too bad?

My 3 year old PFS'd headliner foam disintegrated when I washed it in the washing machine so had to buy a new headliner and yet to go back to get it fitted.

Wow the legend lurks here.

When I asked them about how to clean those inners, they say just soak it in a pail, lightly hand squeeze and hang dry. Don't use a washing machine.

Now I know why


I have also heard HJC salesman told me their customers that has both HJC and Shoei, Shoei's inner will self destruct even if helmet is left there on the shelf long enough. Ahbutthen, when I hear such comment from a competitor brand, I always take it with plenty of salt.

Having owned both brand before, I do observed HJC's inner foam is of slightly higher density type than Shoei.

This post has been edited by WH4CockcooBird: Apr 25 2023, 08:43 AM

Funny HJC salesman no tell you HJC helmet trim also disintegrate after sitting on the shelf too long. My Rapha 70 was a pre-covid helmet and they ddnt bring in any new helmet immediately after since they were sitting on a lot of stock so its not like i had many choices at that time. Its been in the box for 4 years. Got a big discount to offset. HJC did however replace the cheek pads and strap covers for free under warranty.

But thats usually the case with PU/PVC trim.... the EPS and liner sponge is fine though....so it is just cosmetic.

Old model helmet they downright reject.

The official instruction from Shoei on how to wash the lining is to actually put it in a laundry net and throw it in the washing machine. I done it before in my helmet's first year and no issues, but guess 3 year old foam is just too brittle for that.

wahh didn't know they so age-ist

How effective is the cleaning equipment the have at the bike accessories shop at PJ SS2?

It looks effective to clean my wallet

Ironically the cheap helmets have foam that lasts almost forever, while the premium/expensive ones tend to turn to dust after a short time. The replacement liners costs a bomb.

If Malaysia has the incentive/tax rebate for helmets like they do in some countries, riders would be more happy to change their lid every couple of years. It's for safety anyway.

Supposedly it's because of safer (less toxicity) materials.

Could be, but inhaling that disintegrating dust doesn't seem that healthy too..