Cheers! Trying on ill fitting helmets can be surprisingly painful - trust me! However, today I went back to J&S to return the helmet. Although one of the sales staff there looked a bit miffed initially, when I fully explained he, and the others were most apologetic and helpful. I then had a quick look at other helmets and was advised to have a proper look at HJC lids, as the lad said he was a Shoei wearer until he tried HJC. Long story short, I found a perfect fit in the RPHA ST model at a decent price. AND it was made in May 2015, so not too old!! (They were surprised that they actually had such an old helmet as the Shoei in stock and agreed that it should have been marked up as such for selling, and no, they probably wouldn't have bought it either.) Apparently helmets are being designed with tighter apertures for a closer fit and more security, which is a GOOD thing. But it does make them a total bugger to put which is a BAD (and painful) thing. I guess that was the cause of some of my problems. At least now I feel happier and more confident with the new helmet, though I guess I'll look a right pillock, occasionally wandering round the house with it on to bed it in a bit - the display helmets were slightly more comfy having been tried on a few times. Mine is 'box fresh'. I have to say that the all the staff I came across at J&S Doncaster were both polite and helpful, and yes, I would go back there again despite my initial disappointment. Still don't know if I would have got a full refund though, had it come to that!
Have to agree with the comment regarding staff, at the J and S I use in Cowplain they are very good and always happy to offer advice and tips
Nah ... didn't go down the flip front route. Probably swayed by folk saying that they are heavy and noisy ... just like me!!! But I suppose that was when they were in their infancy. Time may have changed them for the better. Had I stayed there long enough though, then I would probably have had a look at them. Buying a helmet used to be a relatively easy process when I were a lad! Pretty much a Stadium or nowt, give or take an odd Cromwell or two - and they weren't even compulsory back then, except when your dad threatens to put a bloody great sledgehammer through your bike if he catches you riding it without a helmet! And yes, he meant it!
