Making helmets quieter?

**Mushu** · 27th July 2013, 11:43

Originally Posted by Maha

They are disgusting to have on, I bought one in haste one rainy day and wondered why moments later (for the reasons you state) never worn it since.

It takes some time to get used to, I hated it at first and even now I won't wear it unless I'm really cold and can't see but when you pull over, put it on and get back on the bike it's the greatest thing ever.

**Maha** · 27th July 2013, 13:27

Originally Posted by Mushu

It takes some time to get used to, I hated it at first and even now I won't wear it unless I'm really cold and can't see but when you pull over, put it on and get back on the bike it's the greatest thing ever.

Apart from the feeling on enclosure, it also impeded on my lower eye area...not for me I'm afraid, I have actually thrown it out.
If I were really concerned about it I would go the balaclava way.. each to their own I guess when it comes to the finer creature comforts on what goes on inside ones helmet (apart from the little voices that is)

**Juniper** · 27th July 2013, 16:55

Originally Posted by Maha

Apart from the feeling on enclosure, it also impeded on my lower eye area...not for me I'm afraid, I have actually thrown it out.
If I were really concerned about it I would go the balaclava way.. each to their own I guess when it comes to the finer creature comforts on what goes on inside ones helmet (apart from the little voices that is)

I know the voices in my head aren't real, but man do they come up with some great ideas!!!

Ok so after going for a 6hr ride I am getting a new helmet asap. Ear plugs, music and scarf up the helmet and padding my throat and my ears are still ringing. Was going to save up for it but stuff it I can't do another long ride like that. Credit card it is.

**Maha** · 27th July 2013, 17:09

Originally Posted by Juniper

I know the voices in my head aren't real, but man do they come up with some great ideas!!!

Ok so after going for a 6hr ride I am getting a new helmet asap. Ear plugs, music and scarf up the helmet and padding my throat and my ears are still ringing. Was going to save up for it but stuff it I can't do another long ride like that. Credit card it is.

No getting away from a really noisy helmet, you can try a lot of things but, it's the same as painting over rust, ok for a while but then that annoying shit reappears.
Make sure the padding is tight'ish when trying on a new helmet, the padding will give, over time. But that firm feeling around your cheeks is paramount in my book.
I wore on particular brand over a number of year (KBC) but changed with my latest helmet because of the features in had...

**Erelyes** · 27th July 2013, 17:36

Originally Posted by swbarnett

I've been using my Pinlock insert for the last couple of weeks (brand new helmet) and I've found it next to useless. This moirning, although the left eye had a fairly clear view the right was looking through a 1.5cm strip. Turns out there was no fogging inside the double glazing but there was a lot of water build up on the outside of the pinlock (inside the helmet). I might try the InVision one. It seems to be better thought out.

Odd, I have a new helmet with one and have even ridden in a snowshower when it was maybe 1 degree outside, and still been able to see fine (although I had to wipe the OUTSIDE of my visor fairly often...)

Is yours a 'genuine' pinlock or a stick-in one? I'd take the helmet back to the place of purchase.

Edit: fuck, that'll teach me for not reading the whole thread, I see you've binned it. Ah well perhaps glad I got my current lid rather than a Shoei then!

**Padmei** · 27th July 2013, 17:37

Originally Posted by BMWST?

back to the noise thing.I am gonna try a short ride withthe visor completely taped over the edges.I have a whipser kit icl the chin curtain and its still bloody noisy.I have to wear earplugs.I am almost certain its actually the screen causing the noise

I found my GS had the screen pushing air up into my helmet. I took it off.
Noise is a bugger alright.
I ride now with an open face & find the wind noise almost less than in my LS.

**bosslady** · 27th July 2013, 17:42

Originally Posted by Juniper

I know the voices in my head aren't real, but man do they come up with some great ideas!!!

Ok so after going for a 6hr ride I am getting a new helmet asap. Ear plugs, music and scarf up the helmet and padding my throat and my ears are still ringing. Was going to save up for it but stuff it I can't do another long ride like that. Credit card it is.

Not related, but as a learner I'd probably not recommend listening to music whilst riding, it's a distraction and probably not the greatest idea for a really green rider, just saying. Hope your new helmet does you wonders!

**swbarnett** · 27th July 2013, 20:25

Originally Posted by Erelyes

Odd, I have a new helmet with one and have even ridden in a snowshower when it was maybe 1 degree outside, and still been able to see fine (although I had to wipe the OUTSIDE of my visor fairly often...)

Is yours a 'genuine' pinlock or a stick-in one? I'd take the helmet back to the place of purchase.

Edit: fuck, that'll teach me for not reading the whole thread, I see you've binned it. Ah well perhaps glad I got my current lid rather than a Shoei then!

I know it's something I did wrong but just couldn't get my head around it (which is very unusual for me, I can work most things out). My previous helmet was exactly the same, including pinlock (yes, genuine). It worked for a couple of months of daily use before it died and I gave up on it as it was getting into summer anyway.

I've found what, for me, is a better solution anyway. I like to have my visor open (I didn't know how much I'd missed that over the last couple of weeks until I binned the pinlock) so I've bought myself an Icebreaker balaclava - thin and warm and fits fine in the helmet. Should be toasty and fog free with the visor open a finger.

**Juniper** · 28th July 2013, 15:00

Ok so have bought a whisper kit thing because that helmet I want is only due end of August. So will install and let you all know if it works.

**BMWST?** · 28th July 2013, 19:46

Originally Posted by Juniper

Ok so have bought a whisper kit thing because that helmet I want is only due end of August. So will install and let you all know if it works.

Mine definetly decreased the noise with the chin curtain it fogs up easier than before

sent from the tag

**Morcs** · 29th July 2013, 14:32

Originally Posted by swbarnett

I know it's something I did wrong but just couldn't get my head around it (which is very unusual for me, I can work most things out). My previous helmet was exactly the same, including pinlock (yes, genuine). It worked for a couple of months of daily use before it died and I gave up on it as it was getting into summer anyway.

I've found what, for me, is a better solution anyway. I like to have my visor open (I didn't know how much I'd missed that over the last couple of weeks until I binned the pinlock) so I've bought myself an Icebreaker balaclava - thin and warm and fits fine in the helmet. Should be toasty and fog free with the visor open a finger.

On the Qwest, the visor lock system on the left hand side has a setting to 'crack' the visor open a touch - push the lever to its most downward position. I would maybe suggest trying that whenever you get some condensation on the inside.

If you were local i would offer to install a pinlock for you as ive done what feels like hundreds

**swbarnett** · 29th July 2013, 22:31

Originally Posted by Morcs

On the Qwest, the visor lock system on the left hand side has a setting to 'crack' the visor open a touch - push the lever to its most downward position. I would maybe suggest trying that whenever you get some condensation on the inside.

Even opening the visor fully didn't get rid of the condensation.

I've used the visor lock before, in other helmet as well as the Qwest. It helps but doesn't quite do the job.

Originally Posted by Morcs

If you were local i would offer to install a pinlock for you as ive done what feels like hundreds

I might take you up on that next time I end up with a pinlock. I still work in the Auckland CBD and I'm not against a little jaunt to get the job done right.

**Juniper** · 30th July 2013, 01:23

Whisper kit + extra extra padding works well. Just have to play with the padding position and were a go! But still getting the new one.

I found adding a scarf to the mix worked wonderfully well but wow did my visor fog up. Inside and out so bad that is was dangerous even with it cracked it didn't work. And riding with only glasses on hurts like mad in that cold.

The music helps my riding a lot. Because then I don't hear the ringing inky ears as much so I can stop worrying about it and focus on riding. It also helps me to focus my focus on things rather than that monologue in the back of my head wondering what's for dinner.