helmet fit (not enough chin coverage)

[Paniller]

I just went with a size M for my replacement modular helmet (HJC IS-MAX). Large fits great in full face, but modulars fit a hair looser due to their shell design.

However, the shell sizing is A(xxs, s, m) or B(L,XL, XXL). So, it has the smaller shell.

Everything seems fine, maybe a hair tight on the top of my head after a half hour, which should improve as it breaks in. I'm also enjoying wider vision, as the shield is now closer to my eyes. However, I have noticeably more wind buffeting.

The wind is coming from below. It's reflecting off my chin. My chin is level with the base of the helmet, maybe 2-3mm inside. Is this safe, or should I have the larger shell for coverage?

 

[upthemaiden]

I have a flip up helmet, and I think a poor chin bar is just part of the deal. Mine is an old HJC, and it covers my chin, but feels no where near as stable as my other helmet. The other thing that makes it feel worse is a noticable difference in the amount of padding on that part of the helmet.

 

[Black Knight]

I'm interested to see the responses. My helmet is getting up there in years and I recently tried on a bunch of helmets to include the one you listed. All of the flip up helmets felt weird to me and I was curious how they handle wind. They definitely didn't feel as solid, but I've never ridden with one. I hope you get a lot of responses.

 

[Paniller]

My previous was a Symax II, but in a larger size. It was too loose on me. I don't recall this much wind though. The smaller shell must be contributing to it by putting my face down lower by the turbulent air.

I'm not too worried about the wind, as I'll use ear plugs anyway. I just want to make sure it's safe, and that my chin doesn't have to be a full inch within the helmet.

 

[upthemaiden]

My flip up helmet is super loud, but it's always a bit too big, so I can't really contribute the noise to the type of helmet. I use ear plugs when I'm on the highway, but for stop and go traffic and normal riding where the bike ever goes under 2k rpm they just irritate me and give me a bigger headache.

There's no real reason your chin needs to be too far up in your helmet. When your riding your head is probably leaning forward slightly already, so that drops the front down past your chin a little further. As far as crash protection, if you're landing in a way that your chin scrapes the ground I think you're already going to have more to worry about.