Hi guys, Could any members help with a brand of helmet . I have a shark full face, the wind noise is like wow, really bad. I've thought about ear plugs. Anyone know of a helmet that is fairly quiet, I know you can't get rid of noise completely, but a quietish one would do. Any thoughts. Thanks Billy123
The more expensive brands like Arai, shoei tend to be quieter. My NEXX is pretty quiet. I’m afraid it’s a get what you pay for deal with helmets. I do always wear ear plugs.
Hi Glen 2926, thanks for the reply. I've been thinking I might have to put my hand in my pocket and she'll out on a good helmet.
I reckon you are going to have to spend a good few Quid Billy. I’ve even spent a lot of money on my chainsaw helmet. Again the good ones are expensive.
There is something of a truism in the "you get what you pay for" expression but it's not universally true. However, the one thing that IS true is that you'll never get anything like silence in a motorcycle helmet of ANY kind ....... so, anything you can do to ameliorate the noise situation has to be good. The police and many other professional riders wear Schuberth helmets and have for quite some time and for a good reason - they usually score very well in 'quietness' and comfort tests/comparisons. Any modular (flip front) helmet will be noisier than it's fully moulded counterpart so that's a consideration for your personal choice. And there's the rub - personal choice is very important - different head shapes suit different helmet shapes so it's worth spending time in a bike gear dealers and trying on whichever makes feel most comfortable on YOU and, importantly, which provide the snuggest fit around the ears. All that said and regardless of what your final choice is, I would strongly recommend that you ALWAYS ride with ear plugs in - the cheapest foam plugs if nothing else, but preferably professionally made moulded, custom fit plugs from a specialist. Amortise the cost over your riding 'career' and it will be the very best investment you can make in 'safety' gear. BTW, if you're not used to riding with ear plugs in, be VERY careful and keep a very close watch on your speedometer on your first few rides - you'll almost certainly find yourself going 10-15 mph faster than you think you're going!!
Thanks Aide p, food for thought . Think I will get some decent ear plugs first and go from there. Thanks for the reply
There are sound ratings available for most helmets but they are only rated to a certain speed, above which earplugs are recommended. I had a Schuberth a few years back which was supposed to be one of the quietest modular helmets available but I was disappointed with it. I've since bought a Shoei which is a tad quieter but when you get north of 70-80mph , wind noise increases exponentially and can be damaging on long runs.
As has been said earlier in the post, with helmets you tend to get what you pay for, but wind noise is not down solely to the helmet. Wind noise is generated by turbulence created from screens, mirrors and anything else which disturbs the airflow in front of the rider. The best advise is get a good fitting comfortable helmet and wear decent ear plugs!
Agreed, my Shark is far noisier on my Multistrada than on my Tuono. Check out https://billyscrashhelmets.co.uk/ for a guide but has been said the real solution is to get decent earplugs (they don't have to cost a fortune). I have these and as far as I'm concerned they work really well https://www.alpinehearingprotection.co.uk/products/motosafe-tour
I used a nolan N100, the face can be opened, very noisy Bought a Xlite 903, full face, a world of difference in noise and while it is sligthly lighter with time it does make a difference Noise is reduce significantly if i used a buff in my neck Also if i use a top less bluky than the jacket, wind directed from my shoulders to my neck is a lot less and noise is therefore much more acceptable I also use the alpine ear plugs, these are by far the most effective and comfortable, washable, IMO get the ones for race track
I have AGV Sportmodular. I had Schuberth C4 first (the original version of that ... speakers-ready) but it felt too heavy for me (my neck). So I ended to change it to the lightest modular helmet I could find on the market; 2 years ago. I have been happy with my choice / AGV. It suits me better. But same time I admit, just in hands ... Schuberth felt someway bit more quality/better-done product. One of my friends have HJC RPA 90 (modular helmet as well). He had old full face Shoie earlier. Saying that HJC is louder. Another person I know have Shoie NXR and quite happy with it. Arai, Shoie and new Schuberth C5?
It's important to get a helmet that fits you properly too. The only way to do this is to go to a shop with a decent selection that has staff that know how to fit them correctly and try some on as different makes suit different head shapes so yiu need to find which ones are suitable for you. I've got a Scuberth S2 helmet and use these Earplugs. I've tried a few and so far these have been the best. I clean them after each use and lubricate them with a bit of spit which helps them seal properly. https://bollsen-hearingprotection.c...jKSWLoKGCyL23qVK7Xm_y6qfIEhKBgw0g81SjBzRoCouw You could also go down the custom earplug route, custom fit guards are one supplier. They fill your ear canal with silicone to make a mould then make a set of earplugs for you similar to those you see F1 drivers and musicians wearing but they're not cheap.
I also wear the Alpine ear plugs; they're good because they are filtered meaning that you can still hear traffic / your bike / emergency vehicles etc but the wind noise is cut. Better in my mind than the type that just reduce all noise.
I guess (!) that the quality of the helmet's fitment to your neck and head also has an influence on the noise. The more open the louder. Actually for me the choice of a helmet turned out to much harder than I thought: I got into the shops with the idea of choosing a helmet by style. Now I am happy if I find at least one which actually fits perfectly. Maybe my head form and size is just funny but basically all helmets either press somewhere on my skull or have too much movement. The only one which seemed to be good (but I need to order thicker chin cushions to eliminate a bit much movement in the front) is the Shoei Neotec 3. It is quite expensive but seems to be a great helmet. Actually, at least on some youtube-tests, it also scored very good noise-wise. Or am I too picky regarding the fitment? How much movement do you guys accept? So maybe the Neotec 3 is worth a look for you.
