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Quiet helmet

kuksul08 said:
That said I always wear earplugs because wind noise is just deafening no matter what.
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Yep. Saying you've found a quiet helmet is like turning the volume down from 12 to 11. It's still going to make your ears bleed.
 
Shoei Qwest has pretty quiet dB levels. I enjoy using mine and if I'm not doing any highway riding, I tend to not wear ear plugs while wearing that helmet.
 
Unfortunately I don't have any suggestions for quiet helmets beyond what has already been mentioned.

I wear plugs on my 15 minute commute on side streets to work, imagine riding without plugs is like someone yelling in your ear while you're trying to concentrate.
 
The lid I use the most is my Shoei GT-Air. I think it's quieter than my Arai's and I always wear ear plugs w/ all of them.
 
After wearing earplugs "always" for 25 years, i got out of the habit with my shoei GTAir, because it was so quiet. After a year++ of daily commuting and monthly long blasts, I noticed ringing in my right ear. I started using earplugs and instantly realized my GT Air is no longer quiet. I've also ordered new innards for the helmet.
 
Depends on the bike you ride as well. If you have wind protection etc...but i have a rf1200. I wouldnt say its LOUD or QUIET. Somewhere right in the middle where a sports helmet should be

I also wear plugs because the sena speakers actually sound better with them in
 
Something to keep in mind is that airflow into the helmet is quite often a factor in noise. If you want to maximum air in, you are not likely to get the quietest helmet. Back before Shark was available in the US I got them here no matter what the cost as nothing else flowed air as well. Hot days in full non-perforated leather with a high heart rate were a breeze. However the sound at times was like having no helmet at all and that showed me how high air flow into the helmet also adds to the sound in most cases.
 
I have been through three over the last 3 years
Shoei
Bell Star, 3 years old. I just replaced the 40mm cheek pads with 45mm and it's a bit better fit and touch quieter
Arai Vector 2. Not even close to the Bell in air flow and the crappy shield system that I have never liked. I guess the joke is on me because I've had about 10 Arai helmets.
The Bell definitely is quieter and has better ventalation and more comfort.
But it is still a bit too noisy so I'm still wearing ear plugs
The Arai is noisy even at 45mph, I only use it at the track
 
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i own a shoei and its pretty quiet. i wouldn't recommend a bell because i received one new out of the box and the vent was already broken.
 
You need earplugs regardless
 
I use Bell RS-1 and Star, both pretty are pretty quiet. RS-1 for street and Star for Track days :)
 
I use the RS-1 as well, outstanding street helmet
 
OK, thanks for the advice everyone!

I think I'm probably going to go for either the Schuberth C3 Pro or the Shoei RF1200. However, at least one person on this thread said the Shoei was loud...

This might be a stupid follow-up question, but does anyone know of any stores which might be willing to lend a helmet to a prospective customer - just to take it out on the freeway for a 5-minute ride? In San Francisco, I think the only place that sells Schuberth is Scuderia...

For any of you who have issues with loud helmets, I can definitely recommend the Windjammer (see my original post) - you gotta order it from England, I think, but Amazon is your friend. It made a huge difference from the 'base' helmet.
 
Gawernator said:
You need earplugs regardless
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I agree. I only experienced almost total quietness when I got a set of custom made earplugs at a motorcycle show. That plus a new Shoei RF1100 that fit perfectly.

For me, helmet choices boil down to comfortable fit to the head. Up unitil the RF1100, my helmets would get to be tortuous after a few hours on the road (pressure point at top of my forehead). The comfort from the Shoei is indefinite, no problems at all.

Windshield choices also contribut to noise/quietness. I have a Yamaha Touring screen on my FJR and I can adjust it up to where I'm just looking over the top edge and it results in a dead quiet ride.

Dan
 
jh2586 said:
Shoei Qwest has pretty quiet dB levels. I enjoy using mine and if I'm not doing any highway riding, I tend to not wear ear plugs while wearing that helmet.
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Both the Shoe Qwest and Shoe R1100 are noticeably louder than my Shoei GT Air. The GT Air is still pretty damned loud at freeway speeds. My buddy bought a Schuberth S2. He says it's quiet, but not amazingly so. Both he and I wear NRR33 earplugs whenever we ride. Even with earplugs, I notice some slight ringing in my ears after a long day on the bike. I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Sena noise-canceling helmet...
 
senpai71 said:
Does anyone have any recommendations about quiet helmets?

My daily-use Shoei is about 5 years old, and whilst not 'damaged', I think it's time for a replacement.

I've been using a Windjammer (http://www.amazon.com/WINDJAMMER-REDUCES-Helmets-original-copied/dp/B003FHLNVK) for a couple of years, and I really like it (this isn't spam, honest - it's a product I use and like) combined with a scarf, but the helmet is still pretty loud. And when I try to plug the neck hole with the scarf in an attempt to reduce noise further, it mists up too quickly.

I used to use earplugs (I've used both cheap 'n' cheerful and also expensive fitted ones), but as I'm aging, some issues related to messing with my balance when blocking my ears mean that what I really need is just a quiet helmet.

I've heard good things about modular helmets (presumably because they can have tighter neck-holes than regular helmets), particularly the Schuberth C3 Pro, but before I pull the trigger on a $600 helmet, I'd like a second opinion.

I've also read this RideApart article (https://rideapart.com/articles/5-quietest-motorcycle-helmets), for what that's worth. Anyone got experience with the Shoei RF1200 or the HJC RPHA Max?

Finally, something with LOTS of ventilation would be great, since I overheat easily and everything tends to get misty, especially in cold weather. Obviously ventilation can be the enemy of noise reduction, but any opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks!
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Schuberth helmets are pretty roundish shaped. Make sure of the shape of your head before getting one that may lead to pressure points when broken in. Schuberth may be more intermediate oval now, but they were roundish previously so I would look into that aspect as well.
 
5150ninja said:
Schuberth helmets are pretty roundish shaped. Make sure of the shape of your head before getting one that may lead to pressure points when broken in. Schuberth may be more intermediate oval now, but they were roundish previously so I would look into that aspect as well.
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That's been my experience as well. My head is more Arai shaped and I don't get along with the Schuberth too well.

Also, no helmet is as quiet as a pair of foam earplugs.
 
RightCoastBias said:
As others have said, Schuberth. Their modular is actually quieter than their full face, due to the chin skirt being tighter on the modular.

No one else is willing to put DB numbers up, that speaks volumes to me.

I love the idea of ear plugs, but I've tried em all and they all end up hurting my ears after a few hours on the road.
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:applause I see what you did there



That Sena helmet might be a game changer. And I hate the term game changer.
 
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