Youth Motorcycle Helmets for Young Riders

Frequently Asked Questions About Youth Motorcycle Helmets

How do I measure my child's head for a helmet?

Run a soft tape measure around the head about an inch above the eyebrows and around the widest point at the back, keeping the tape level. Take the measurement twice and use the larger number. Match that to the sizing chart for the specific model, since youth sizing is not standardized across brands the way clothing sizes are. Age ranges printed on packaging are a rough guide only and children of the same age vary widely. If you do not have a tape measure, a strip of string marked and held against a ruler works. We measure and fit youth helmets in our Lakewood store before purchase.

Should I buy a helmet my child can grow into?

No. A helmet only works if it is in contact with the head, and one bought a size large moves on impact, shifts out of position, or comes off entirely. The instinct to buy ahead is understandable, since children outgrow gear quickly and helmets are not cheap, but this is the one item where it does not work. Buy the size that fits now and replace it when it no longer does. If the budget is the concern, a correctly fitted helmet at a lower price protects better than an expensive one that is too big.

What size helmet fits a teenager?

Many teenagers have outgrown youth sizing and fit an adult extra small or small, so measure rather than assume the youth range is still right. Head circumference stops growing much earlier than the rest of the body, which is why a teenager who still wears youth clothing may need an adult helmet. Measure about an inch above the eyebrows and compare against both the youth and adult charts for the models you are considering. Head shape matters at this point too, since adult helmets come in different shell shapes while youth helmets generally do not. Bring them into our Lakewood store and we will fit them properly.

How do I know when my child has outgrown their helmet?

Check the fit a few times a season rather than waiting for a complaint, since children adapt to a helmet getting tight and often will not mention it. The signs it is time: the helmet rocks or shifts when you push on it with the strap fastened, red marks on the forehead or temples after a short ride, the cheek pads no longer press against the cheeks, or your child says it pinches. Growth is not the only reason to replace one. A helmet that has taken any impact, including being dropped, should be replaced regardless of fit. Bring the helmet and your child into our Lakewood store and we will check it.

Do youth helmets meet the same safety standards as adult helmets?

A youth motorcycle helmet certified to the federal DOT standard is tested to the same requirements as an adult helmet, scaled to the smaller shell. Washington's helmet law makes no distinction by age, so a child on a motorcycle needs a DOT-certified helmet exactly as an adult does. Watch out for bicycle helmets and novelty helmets, which are sometimes sold alongside youth motorcycle gear and are not the same thing. A bicycle helmet is built for a different kind of impact and does not satisfy the motorcycle requirement. We do not stock novelty helmets, and certifications are listed on each product page.

Can a child ride as a passenger in Washington?

Washington law prohibits carrying a passenger under five years old on a motorcycle or motor-driven cycle. Above that age there is no minimum, but every passenger must wear a DOT-certified helmet with the strap fastened, the same as the rider, and there is no age exception to the helmet requirement. Practically, a child also needs to reach the passenger footpegs and hold on unassisted for the whole ride, which is a higher bar than the legal minimum. Helmet and passenger rules vary by state, so check where you ride if you are traveling.

Eagle Leather 12V Heated Jacket Liner

Men's Hotshot Vest

ShoeiShoei Neotec 3 Solid

CardoCardo Packtalk Edge Duo

Youth Motorcycle Helmets

HJC CY-Y Youth Helmet Gloss

AFX Youth AFX FX-15 Helmet

LS2 LS2 Gate Youth Helmet Solid

GMAX GMAX Youth Helmet GM-49Y Drax

Z1R Youth Dirt Maxx Helmet

HJC HJC Y10 Youth Helmet

HJC Y10 Deal With It Helmet

Frequently Asked Questions About Youth Motorcycle Helmets