What's the quietest helmet for under $500?

[Ruralman]

When I bought my bike back in March I bought an HJC flipfront helmet (it was the more expensive of the 2 models they had, I think around$450 but it was part of a package where I bought everything from boots up)
While I like the convenience of the flipper I am very disappointed with the amount of wind noise. I do wear earplugs (and I have looked at a recent post on these which had some good ideas) but these tend to come out and aren't that successful at eliminating the problem. I've also tried stuffing some more padding in to places in the helmet without success.
I suspect the only solution may be to buy another helmet without the flipper front. The trouble is when I go in to bike shops there doesn't seem to be a noise rating or anything to guide you. I also need an xxl size which they don't often have in the model you want to look at, but to get one in you really want to know if its any good noise wise.
So please all experience from here would help - what helmets have you found are good for wind noise, preferably without needing plugs, and preferably under $500.
I ride under 120km most of the time. I do have a high screen on the T/A but the noise was better after I put this on.

[Toast]

Noise ratings would be a mission, since much depends not just on the volume of wind, but on where the wind hits.

Anyway, simple answer: For near $500 you can pick up a Shoei Raid 2 with a whisper kit, which is apparently one of the quietest solutions around.

[Squeak the Rat]

But make sure it fits! It's better to wear earplugs than to wear a helmet that gives you a headache.

I tried on some Shoei's the other day - they felt very nice but were too tight for me in the forehead.

[James Deuce]

Even the quietest hemets are in the late 80dB range which is loud enough to need plugs.

3M make plugs that are 3 domes on a shaft and you can get two pair for $5. They reduce dB and spl so you don't lose upper frequency noise like you do with the foam ones. They are washable and reusable.

If you don't wear plugs, one side benefit is that you won't be able to hear your grandchildren at 70, OR your wife.

[Squeak the Rat]

Even the quietest hemets are in the late 80dB range which is loud enough to need plugs.

3M make plugs that are 3 domes on a shaft and you can get two pair for $5. They reduce dB and spl so you don't lose upper frequency noise like you do with the foam ones. They are washable and reusable.

If you don't wear plugs, one side benefit is that you won't be able to hear your grandchildren at 70, OR your wife.

Agreed. The downside is you can't enjoy a beer at a noisy pub with your mates anymore.

Wh-ear do you get these 3M plugs? I was at the safety shop the other day and couldn't see any such beasts.....

[XP@]

Ha, I was looking at lids today...

The Nolan N102 there was also another guy in the shop looking at the same lid (and he bought it).

He had the HJC flip-up and really did not like it, too small I think squashed cheeks and could not fit ear plugs.

I Have a warn out BMW Syste, I need ear plugs to do the 25km's to work :-(

The Nolan N102 is reputed to be quieter than the N101. I don't know if this is with the sun-visor up or down. I would be really interested to hear about the N102 with sun visor up?

The N102 does look cool, and although I did not buy today, it is not because The price was not right ($550!!!) it was because I did not want to run the risk of it not being 100% for the 1000miler this weekend, I will stick with what I know for now.

[sAsLEX]

Went and did some investigation at NZ Safety

From left to right at the back
Rockets Earplug - reusable cord 4.27
Bilsom reuseable cord large 5.10
E.A.R push ins with grip rings 0.84

and in the front is the old 3M foam ones I used to use but found these gave me a headache after not long.

Initial fitting showed the Rockets most comfortable, with the bilsoms being a bit big(could try the small size) and the EAR ones being rather to large.

Advantages of the first two is they come with the little storage box for off the bike storage and are billed as reusable and can be cleaned between uses.

[James Deuce]

Agreed. The downside is you can't enjoy a beer at a noisy pub with your mates anymore.

Wh-ear do you get these 3M plugs? I was at the safety shop the other day and couldn't see any such beasts.....

Pharmacies - They come in little (2.5cm x 1.5cm) white trapezoidal rubbery plastic cases.

[Matt]

The Shoei whisper kit is supposed to bring the decibels down to ~78 at 100kph - don't feel the need to wear plugs with it...

Matt

[XP@]

After loosing about $30 of "good" earplugs.
A couple of years ago I splashed out and bought a box of 500 from NZ safety. Now i can loose as many as I like, and they still work!
All I do is grab an handful every couple of weeks and keep them as long as I can.

[BNZ]

Ha, I was looking at lids today...

The Nolan N102 there was also another guy in the shop looking at the same lid (and he bought it).

He had the HJC flip-up and really did not like it, too small I think squashed cheeks and could not fit ear plugs.

I Have a warn out BMW Syste, I need ear plugs to do the 25km's to work :-(

The Nolan N102 is reputed to be quieter than the N101. I don't know if this is with the sun-visor up or down. I would be really interested to hear about the N102 with sun visor up?

The N102 does look cool, and although I did not buy today, it is not because The price was not right ($550!!!) it was because I did not want to run the risk of it not being 100% for the 1000miler this weekend, I will stick with what I know for now.

I bought a Nolan N102 last week. Pretty damm quiet, can hear my ipod at 100+ easy with the NCOM speakers. The sunvisor is pretty bloody noisy above 120-130ish if it is up, although it doesnt have any "pull" effect. If its down its quiet. To remove the Visor is a 30second job also.

[Nutter34]

We used to have the 3M foam ones at work and just about everyone I know complains about them.
We now have the 'Spark Plugs' from Moldex. HEAPS better. They are class 5 rated... I've used them on the bike ever since...

[Forest]

Ear-plugs should have an attenuation factor rating on the packet (measured in dB).

I generally go for foam ones rated around 27dB.

I learned a really good trick a few years ago. After you roll the earplug, pull the top of your ear upwards and hold it there while you insert the earplug into the ear canal. It makes a huge difference to the attenuation, and makes it almost impossible for the earplug to come out accidentally.

[Lou Girardin]

The Scuberth C2 is the quietest - 86.5 db. But it's a bit more than $500.
Get some Alpine earplugs. I use them with my Nolan N101 and noise is not a problem.

BTW I can't tell the difference between the VPS visor up or down.

[Jantar]

The quietest helmet is the one that fits the closest around the jaw and under the ears, ans also has the fewsest gaps in its own fittings. I find the Nolan brand suits me and gives the quietest ride.

However before concetrating on the helmet, check the aiflow around you faring and windscreen. Turbulent air hitting your helmet will be noisy despite having the quietest helmet in the world, and sometimes all that is need is to raise or lower the windscreen a few cm, or to change the angle by inserting a washer at an appropriate joint.

On the Vstrom I have greatly reduced (but not eliminated) wind noise by fitting a madstad bracket. http://www.stromtrooper.com/forum/vi...hlight=madstad