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Helmets
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jdinaz Offline
1st Service Completed

Arizona
Posts: 116
Joined: Oct 2017
Post: #1
Helmets
May be a silly question, but have you guys noticed a difference between different brands of helmets when it comes to wind noise and overall quietness? I have a modular helmet and I think the extra seems are cause some pretty loud wind noise. And I wear ear plugs !!

John
2014 CB1100 Deluxe #00038
12-03-2017 04:47 PM
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chync Offline
Running Like a Top

Charlotte North Carolina
Posts: 303
Joined: Jun 2015
Post: #2
Helmets
Yes. I have a Shoei Qwest and it’s relatively quiet. But a poorly fitting third party shield that doesn’t seal well creates more noise.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
12-03-2017 04:56 PM
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SportsterDoc Offline
High Mileage

New Mexico
Posts: 1,447
Joined: Nov 2017
Post: #3
RE: Helmets
You may find this of interest:

http://www.quietestmotorcyclehelmet.com/

However, sometimes the bike will affect the helmet and the resultant noise level.

On a personal note, I do not like full face, partly due to loss of peripheral vision and partly not being able to speak or mouth words. However, full face helmets certainly are more comfortable in rain or hail!

My Bell Zephyr full face did not keep my face any warmer than my HJC CS-5N (like the visor when riding into a rising or setting sun), nor did it seem any quieter. It was gifted to a member of the WildGuzzi forum.

I only started using ear plugs recently, especially for long rides and it is much more pleasant.

Circa 1976, my wife and I each had Shoei S-20 full face helmets ($45 each???). Probably not as protective, but seemed much less face mashing and better vision than what I have tried on recently.

Guess I am just being retro all the way!

23 Guzzi V7 SE 23 Yam XT250
18 Yam Bolt 22 Triumph St Twin 20 CanAm Ryker
14 Honda CB1100 18 Yam XT250 16 Guzzi V7II
17 Yam TW200 12 Triumph Bonnie 02 Sportster 1200S
03 Sportster 883 76 Honda CB750F 75 Honda CB360
70 Yam CT1 72 Yam CT2 72 Yam AT2
70 Honda SL350 70 Honda CL350 67 Honda CL160
67 Honda CB16062 Honda CA110
12-03-2017 05:19 PM
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LongRanger Offline
Been There

Evergreen, CO
Posts: 4,220
Joined: Aug 2015
Post: #4
RE: Helmets
In my experience, some brands have proven to be noisier than others, all else considered equal. I've been disappointed with Arai and Shoei, pleased with HJC and Schuberth. YMMV.

Ride more. Worry less. Tongue
‘12 BMW R1200R Classic
'15 BMW R1200RT
12-03-2017 06:06 PM
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Nortoon Offline
High Mileage

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,409
Joined: Jan 2015
Post: #5
RE: Helmets
I like a Bell open face helmet because I am claustrophobic, and in my first 23 years of riding that is what I wore. So when I returned to motorcycling 5 years ago I bought a Bell MAG-9. It had some nice features, but it was so noisy I could not ride on the highway with it. The visor ends at my chin and there is a large space behind it for the wind noise to enter. Sad

I bought a Shoei RF1200 full face helmet. It tore my ears off putting it on and squashed my cheeks while riding. I hated it, but it was quiet enough to allow highway speeds. Undecided

After trying several types of ear plugs that summer, I finally found 3M E-A-Rsoft Yellow Neons. They allowed me to wear my Bell MAG-9 again, so the face crusher was put back in its box. Shy

Fast forward 2 years. I saw thinner cheek pads were available for the Shoei for US$49 (CDN$65). $65 DOLLARS! I have bought helmets for less than that. But rather than letting a $570 dollar helmet sit in the basement, I bought them as a Christmas present.

Problem solved. Now I could don the Shoei without losing my ears, and it did not crush my face. With ear plugs it was also pleasantly quiet. So now I wear it except on hot summer days. Big Grin

In the fall I found that cold air was coming in under the chin bar of the Shoei. It comes with an accessory mesh chin guard, so I decided to try it. Not only did stop the cold air, the helmet became even quieter. Clap

2017 CB1100 EX
12-04-2017 11:52 AM
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Guth Offline
Forum Founder

Portland, OR
Posts: 3,918
Joined: Apr 2013
Post: #6
RE: Helmets
I have no doubts that some brands tend to be noisier or quieter than others. However, you must find a helmet that matches the shape of your head or all bets are off. Finding a helmet with the correct shape and that is correctly sized to fit your head is the key to helmet happiness.

For more on this subject I've found the best source to be the Web Bike World site. Check it out if you haven't already done so — there is plenty of information including a plethora of helmet reviews to dig through. (Disclaimer: it appears that they have changed the layout of their site since the last time I visited, hopefully they have kept their wealth of information intact.)

The Honda CB1100: STILL air-COOLed
Deposit placed 11/12/2012.
Received delivery 04/05/2013.
12-04-2017 12:13 PM
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LongRanger Offline
Been There

Evergreen, CO
Posts: 4,220
Joined: Aug 2015
Post: #7
RE: Helmets
Guth, +1

Ride more. Worry less. Tongue
‘12 BMW R1200R Classic
'15 BMW R1200RT
12-04-2017 01:30 PM
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4 Paws Offline
High Mileage

MM 199 on BRP (Fancy Gap VA)
Posts: 1,154
Joined: Jun 2015
Post: #8
RE: Helmets
Yep, shape of head matters a LOT.
I promised my mother that I would always wear a full face helmet.
I also wear ear plugs when I ride and they help too; only started forty years too late.
For me, Shoei is quieter than Arai in full face, I switched to modular and discovered HJC SyMax is noisy even with excellent ear plugs.
WebBikeWorld is a good place to start researching.

Best thing I learned from my dog: “Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride". Dan D.
12-04-2017 09:13 PM
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Guth Offline
Forum Founder

Portland, OR
Posts: 3,918
Joined: Apr 2013
Post: #9
RE: Helmets
So then jdinaz, which modular helmet do you currently own?

The Honda CB1100: STILL air-COOLed
Deposit placed 11/12/2012.
Received delivery 04/05/2013.
12-05-2017 12:04 AM
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SCCBrider Offline
Running Like a Top

South Carolina
Posts: 316
Joined: Jan 2014
Post: #10
RE: Helmets
It helps to have flown on the C-130, for 21 years. You see, I can't hear all that well anyways, so it doesn't affect me as much. Plus, I usually have my ear buds in listening to music.
12-05-2017 04:21 PM
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