Really, really quiet helmets...

[Deviant Esq]

Get better earplugs. My lid's noisy as buggery (HJC CS-12), I only put up with it riding to work which is only about 7 or 8 minutes, anything longer and the plugs are in. I've got some really nice multi coned shooter's earplugs, and they cut the noise practically down to nothing. Yet if you stop and take your lid off, you can quite easily hear someone in a conversation. Best thing I ever... err... got given.

Mmm, more than one cone....

[Smokin]

Cant say i know alot about helmets but my KBC VR1 is alot quieter than my HJC roadfighter. Ummm does that help?

[Toast]

Get better earplugs. My lid's noisy as buggery (HJC CS-12), I only put up with it riding to work which is only about 7 or 8 minutes, anything longer and the plugs are in. I've got some really nice multi coned shooter's earplugs, and they cut the noise practically down to nothing. Yet if you stop and take your lid off, you can quite easily hear someone in a conversation. Best thing I ever... err... got given.

Mmm, more than one cone....

Where can one...erm, procure some of these from?

I've got the Alpine plugs, which are very good, but I must be getting old 'cos I just want it to be even quieter.

[James Deuce]

Too many variables? Change helmet...it gets louder in here...that was one variable.

Maybe I wasn't clear originally. I do wear ear plugs with any helmet, unless it's a really short ride.

The Shoei with plugs was quite bearable, but the HJC (CL-12 I think) is shite even with them in.

Beyond, is it the HJC Carbon you have?

Let me spell it out then:

The variables in relation to how quiet a helmet is:

1. Is your head the same size and shape as mine?
2. Did the auditry sensory centre of your brain develop exactly the same as mine?
3. Is your external shell-like exactly the same shape as mine?

No one can tell anything about helmet noise apart from what works for them. You'd be very lucky (or possibly unlucky) to have exactly the same experience with a piece of equipment built to general specifications as someone else. You'd need to have the same head.

Manufacturers can quote specs like "86dB maximum internal noise", but at what speed did they measure, in what weather conditions and on what bike? Nearly everybody who doesn't wear earplugs when they ride is either significantly deaf so as not to be uncomfortable, or risking long term hearing loss. The major factor in a helmet purchase should be comfort in relation to fit. Everything else will be a compromise.

Arai, KBC, FM, and Nolan's fit me nicely and are quiet for me. I've heard other people whinge about Arai's being too noisy to contemplate, where I find Shoei's, HJC, and FFM either too loose, or too tight, and I find Shoei's incredibly noisy.

[Goblin]

Read in AMCN magazine test, there is a new quiet helmet out called the BMW SportIntegral, the test raves about how light and quiet it is, the reviewer stopped wearing ear plugs. Not cheap though around A$700. I personally think it looks great, and it may be my next helmet when the need arises. Have a squiz at www.motorcycles.bmw.com.au



spd :-)

I have one of these. It is very quiet and nice & light. I thought my shoei was quiet after my ffm but the sport integral is the best I've ever used....only in matt black tho.



easy enough to black out the little logo

[What?]

I read a comparo somewhere not long ago, and think someone posted a table of results on this site, so do a search.
The quietest was one of the Sharks (but not all Shark hats were quiet...)

[Toast]

Let me spell it out then:

The variables in relation to how quiet a helmet is:

1. Is your head the same size and shape as mine?
2. Did the auditry sensory centre of your brain develop exactly the same as mine?
3. Is your external shell-like exactly the same shape as mine?

No one can tell anything about helmet noise apart from what works for them. You'd be very lucky (or possibly unlucky) to have exactly the same experience with a piece of equipment built to general specifications as someone else. You'd need to have the same head.

Manufacturers can quote specs like "86dB maximum internal noise", but at what speed did they measure, in what weather conditions and on what bike? Nearly everybody who doesn't wear earplugs when they ride is either significantly deaf so as not to be uncomfortable, or risking long term hearing loss. The major factor in a helmet purchase should be comfort in relation to fit. Everything else will be a compromise.

Arai, KBC, FM, and Nolan's fit me nicely and are quiet for me. I've heard other people whinge about Arai's being too noisy to contemplate, where I find Shoei's, HJC, and FFM either too loose, or too tight, and I find Shoei's incredibly noisy.

Ai'i, point taken.

I always thought that aerodynamics of the was the main factor. I guess fit would also contribute though, because it would determine the angle that the helmet sits at, how that cuts through the air, and how much wind can get under your chin.

I guess everything will be subjective to every person because all of our senses are different too...but I'm guessing that this is normally the least variable factor.

I suppose I've just got to take a few test rides then.

Goblin, how much was your SportIntegral, and from where? I'm quite keen to try that one.

[Goblin]

Goblin, how much was your SportIntegral, and from where? I'm quite keen to try that one.

I actually won some gear so went up to bmw HQ in Dorkland. Last year they retailed for around $800. Expensive I know and if I wasn't so lucky to win the gear I'd have bought a cheaper noisier one. First 1000 km's or so it was so friggin tight it was almost painful to pull on & off but it's good now. I still sometimes use my shoei for short rides and cant believe the difference in weight and noise.

[beyond]

Too many variables? Change helmet...it gets louder in here...that was one variable.

Maybe I wasn't clear originally. I do wear ear plugs with any helmet, unless it's a really short ride.

The Shoei with plugs was quite bearable, but the HJC (CL-12 I think) is shite even with them in.

Beyond, is it the HJC Carbon you have?

It's a HJC AC11. Nice helmet, tight, quieter than any other I have had and cuts the air nicely. Still wear pluggies though. Didn't wear pluggies for a whole year and I was starting to get a ringing.

[Highlander]

Toast, I have some shooter ear plugs that sound like the same as mentioned here, had them about 5 years, cost was in the order of $30-$40 if I recall correctly. They have a diaphragm in them that blocks noise over the rated decibels (80 I think).

Got them from the "Hunting and Fishing" shop in Dunedin but they are a national franchise and I'm sure most Hunting type shops will see you right. Never tried them on the bike though, I have other ear plugs I use for anything further than to work.

[Squeak the Rat]

Ai'i, point taken.

I always thought that aerodynamics of the was the main factor. I guess fit would also contribute though, because it would determine the angle that the helmet sits at, how that cuts through the air, and how much wind can get under your chin.

I guess everything will be subjective to every person because all of our senses are different too...but I'm guessing that this is normally the least variable factor.

Some other variables I've found which renders opinions of others questionable are:

• bike setup - eg air flow off a screen
• Rider height - position of head in said air flow
• Head position - I get different/louder noise if I drop my head slightly while riding

Get a goldwing - should sort you out

[T.W.R]

Where can one...erm, procure some of these from?

I've got the Alpine plugs, which are very good, but I must be getting old 'cos I just want it to be even quieter.

Deviant Esq's earplugs are Hoppe's shooters earplugs cost $19.95 from my local Gun store. they were my backup plugs, their good for muting noise upto around 140-160kmh then you start to get a bit of cyclonic whistle.

MY main pair are a set of E.A.R industrial earplugs, slightly better sound damping & they're connected by a handy cord and they were slightly cheaper as well at $12.95

[Scouse]

Deviant Esq's earplugs are Hoppe's shooters earplugs cost $19.95 from my local Gun store. they were my backup plugs, their good for muting noise upto around 140-160kmh then you start to get a bit of cyclonic whistle.

MY main pair are a set of E.A.R industrial earplugs, slightly better sound damping & they're connected by a handy cord and they were slightly cheaper as well at $12.95

So T.W.R do you swap ear cheese with Deviant Esq

[beyond]

So T.W.R do you swap ear cheese with Deviant Esq

EEEwwww, that's gross mate

[Hitcher]

Another choice of helmet thread. Sigh.

Something else that contributes to helmet noise is screens and the wind chop and buffet they create. And vibration, sometimes enough to blur one's vision.

Buy the lightest best fitting helmet you can afford. I am amazed at how heavy HJCs are.

And on the subject of helmets, has anybody been through Mangamaire recently and admired the fence? I must remember to take the camera, take a photo and post it next time. Classic.