Helmet Sizing
A helmet that doesn't fit right doesn't protect right — and it's the one piece of gear the law requires. Here's how to get your size.
Step 1 — Measure your head
- Take a soft measuring tape (or a piece of string you can measure afterward).
- Wrap it around the widest part of your head — about 2 cm above your eyebrows, just above your ears, around the widest point at the back.
- Measure a couple of times and take the largest number, in centimetres.
| Head circumference | Typical size |
|---|---|
| 53–54 cm | XS |
| 55–56 cm | S |
| 57–58 cm | M |
| 59–60 cm | L |
| 61–62 cm | XL |
| 63–64 cm | 2XL |
This is a generic chart — sizing varies between manufacturers, and head shape (round vs. oval) matters as much as circumference. Always check the specific brand's chart and try the helmet on before buying.
Step 2 — Check the fit
- Snug everywhere, painful nowhere. Even pressure all around, no hot spots — especially at the forehead and temples.
- Cheek pads should touch your cheeks without forcing your jaw open. A new helmet's padding breaks in and loosens slightly over time, so err snug.
- Grab the chin bar and try to rotate the helmet. Your skin should move with it; the helmet shouldn't slide freely on your head.
- With the strap done up, try to roll the helmet forward off your head — it shouldn't come off.
- Wear it for 15–20 minutes in the store. Pressure points that are tolerable at 30 seconds are headaches at 30 minutes.
Look for a DOT, ECE 22.05/22.06, or Snell certification label. And replace any helmet that's been in an impact, even if it looks fine — the protective foam crushes once.
Pre-Ride Inspection: T-CLOCS
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation's standard pre-ride checklist. Two minutes before you roll beats a roadside breakdown — or worse.
T — Tires & Wheels
- Pressure (check cold, match the bike's placard — not the number on the tire)
- Tread depth, cracks, punctures, embedded objects
C — Controls
- Levers and pedal move freely, cables not frayed or binding
- Throttle snaps closed on its own
L — Lights & Electrics
- Headlight (high/low), brake light, signals, horn
- Brake light triggers from both the lever and the pedal
O — Oil & Fluids
- Oil and coolant levels, no leaks under the bike
- Brake fluid level in both reservoirs
C — Chassis
- Chain/belt tension and lube (or shaft — check for leaks)
- Suspension moves smoothly, no clunks; fasteners tight
S — Stands
- Side stand springs up fully and stays up
- Centre stand (if fitted) retracts completely
Owner's & Repair Manuals
We can't host these — manuals are the manufacturers' copyrighted material — but here's where to actually get them, mostly free.
Owner's manuals — free from the manufacturer
Every major brand offers owner's manuals as free downloads on their official site — look for an "Owners," "Manuals," or "Support" section and search your model and year:
Repair & service manuals — the legit routes
- Factory service manual: the real deal mechanics use — order through any dealer for your exact model, or from the manufacturer's site (typically $60–150, worth it if you wrench)
- Haynes or Clymer manuals: aftermarket, cheaper (~$40–60), written for home mechanics with photos of every step — sold at bookstores, gear shops, and their own sites
- Your public library: many Ontario libraries offer free access to online auto & motorcycle repair databases with a library card — ask at the desk, it's one of the best-kept free secrets
Before you wrench
- Torque specs are not suggestions — critical fasteners (axles, brake calipers, triple clamps) need a torque wrench and the exact spec from your model's manual
- Watch out for "free PDF manual" sites — many are ad traps or carry the wrong year's manual; the manufacturer's own download is the trustworthy copy
- When a job involves brakes, bearings, or anything structural and you're not sure — that's what licensed mechanics are for
Gear We'd Actually Buy
Handpicked, not auto-generated — specific products we'd point a friend to. As an Amazon Associate, Riders Voice Canada earns from qualifying purchases — it costs you nothing extra, and it's not why something's on this list.
Official Links Worth Bookmarking
The Ontario sources riders actually need — no middlemen.
Sources & Notes
The T-CLOCS checklist is a condensed version of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's pre-ride inspection standard. The helmet size chart is a generic industry reference — always confirm against the manufacturer's own chart for the specific helmet you're buying.