Need a bit of help here. Maybe I am a dwarf or something, but I have an issue with the back bottom of my helmet rubbing/hittng the back of my jacket. It is exaggerated if I wear my leathers with a back protector. When I try to turn my head it rubs the whole way and then hits the my shoulder armor and it stops the helmet/my head from turning. When I am riding in a straight line the back of the helmet hits my shoulders and it forces the brow portion of the helmet into my eyes. Are there helmets out there that are cut at a steeper angle in the back? I currently have an Arai helmet. It is tight and not too large. Maybe I need to buy a longer neck. Any help would be appreciated.
I have an idea. Can this post be like many others where 2000 people view it and 2 people reply! Ok, just kidding, but there must be someone out there that has encountered this. Just not the first 6 people that viewed it.
What brand back protector and does it fit properly? Sounds like you are weaing it up too high on your back.
I had that problem with my old KBC, but getting my Arai fixed it. What kind of leathers are you wearing? Does the collar flare up when you're crouched over?
Define tight fitting? Does it push your cheeks in a bit, or does it just fit kinda snug? If you shake your head, does the helmet slide a bit on your head? I agree with Monte, the back protector could be part of the problem, but you also mention that it hits without the back protector. Sounds to me like the helmet is a bit to big yet.
There is a difference in the way helmets are cut at the back. I had a similar problem with an HJC Helmet. The Vemar I purchased was cut "higher" and eliminated the problem. Not all of us have Colin Edwards necks..... You should also pay attention to your shoulder and arm position when you are riding. If you're shoulders and upper body are not relaxed you could have your shoulders higher than they would normally be and cause intereference with the helmet.
I had roughly the same issue last year. I figured out my helmet was contacting the aerodynamic hump of my suit when in a tucked position. I ended up getting a newer suit. Not sure if this would be the issue in your case, but I figure the info would not hurt.
I think this a a common problem some more severe than others. I too had the rub issue with arai helmets and my Motogp suit only happened on certain corners and nothing that stopped movement. The funny part was that the helmet would rub and cause a sound that would freak me out. I have a teknic suit now that doesn't rub and honestly the suit fits better. I think a lot of people have suits that are too big for them and this MIGHT be the problem. I know how hard it is to find a suit that fits off the rack :roll:
I have the same problem with my Shoei RF1000 and AGV Sport leathers. It's a real distraction. My Arai doesn't give me the same grief, but to have a dry helmet every session I'll put up with the Shoei.
Thank god others have this problem. I feel like I just sat through a support group meeting... I won't bring that up though! I have a XL Arai Quantam F helmet, probably 4 years old. I have a joe rocket back protector and Tecknic leathers, forget their exact model offhand, but Kangaroo with the aero bump on the back. I think the helmet hits the bump on those and on my street jactet it is hitting my collar. With the street jacket I also get a loud squeak or something every once in a while that scares the crap out of me. It sucks because your trying to concentrate on riding and keeping you head up because it is constantly getting pushed forward and down. I know when I got the helmet it was slightly loose and the dealer said to get the wider cheek pads. I really want to take a hacksaw and take about an inch off the back of it.... Wonder if that would void the warranty?