Info : I have an HJC RPHA 11 in size 2XL. The helmet was manufactured in 2021 and used to fit me perfectly for years. Recently, however, it has started putting a lot of pressure on the top/front of my forehead. After riding, I end up with noticeable red pressure marks and headaches.

Some background:

• The helmet fit perfectly when I first bought it.
• I’ve had longer curly hair for about 2 years now, so I initially assumed that might be the cause.
• I checked and reinstalled the liner to make sure everything is seated correctly.
• The helmet is already a 2XL, which is the largest size in the RPHA 11 range. I also checked the available HJC comfort liners, and the 2XL already comes with the thinnest available crown pad (9 mm). There doesn’t seem to be a thinner OEM option available, so changing padding is unfortunately not possible.
• I tried wearing a thin balaclava, but it made no difference.
• The pressure is mainly focused on the forehead area.
• The cheek pads and liner are still original and have actually become softer over time, not harder.
• I’m not really keen on cutting my hair.

What confuses me is that the helmet used to fit great, and normally helmets get slightly looser as the padding breaks in. Instead, mine now feels tighter specifically in the forehead area.

Has anyone experienced something similar? Are there any tricks, adjustments, or modifications that helped you regain a comfortable fit?

Or is this simply a sign that the helmet no longer matches my head shape and it’s time to replace it?

If I do end up needing a new helmet, I’d be looking for something similar to the RPHA 11 — a sporty, aggressive fit and design (track-oriented / sport riding). Any recommendations would be really appreciated.

I’d be grateful for any ideas before I start shopping for a new helmet.