Triumphrat

decobike · 05-09-2007

My apologies to lindsayt, his question and a good one but it wasn't getting an audience on the other helmit post. I blew off work this afternoon and took a ride to Duluth, I like my new HJC CL15 but it is noisy at speeds, its quieter with withg the face shield open.

The question: what are quiet (minimal wind noise) at highway speeds full face helmits? Appreciate any feedback on this.

oldmanjob · 05-09-2007

Ear plugs work wonders at all speeds :-D I never leave home without them

[ This message was edited by: oldmanjob on 2007-05-09 20:26 ]

vertwrks · 05-09-2007

I have been thinking of a quieter lid myself, now using a HJC AC-11. The Shoei's seem to get higher marks for quietness but are of course spendy. I have also read in some reviews that better vented lids will tend to be noisier so perhaps it is a tradeoff. I was willing to spend soem cash on a higher end lid but trying on the RF-1000 I found out that the Shoei doesn't fit my head. The KBC's don't either. The Aria's are nto too bad but still not as good as the HJC so regardless of what I want I am gonna have to go with what fits.

Seems that most of the noise in my AC-11 comes up through the hole between my chin and the chin protection part of the lid. When I place my hand over the gap my pipe noise is cut at least by half. Thinking of maybe attaching a cover vie velcro or such so it is easy to remove/attach. Earplugs, yeah thats easier.

I will watch this thread to hopefully learn something new to help me out as well!

decobike · 05-09-2007

Ear plugs, why didn't I think of that... :knkknk: One thread was talking about Ipod ear pieces and ear plugs came up, I just didn't make a connection. Spending $$$ on a new lid when I just bought one seems pretty unlikely since I need (okay want) other stuff.

dazco · 05-10-2007

Earplugs definatly. No helmet i've ever tried is quiet. For one thing it's not just the air that gets inside, it's the air on the outside that pounds your helmet too. So while spending huge sums of money on a good helmet may get you more quiet, you don't know till you own it ! Thats the problem. Anyways, theres a online store i think called the earplug store or something like that. Google it. They have all types and cheap. I bought a box of 200 (200 pairs) good ones there for $20 when i got the bike 2 years ago and i've barely put a dent in the box. But as i said, it's not just air that gets into your ears. It's wind hitting the helmet and everything else it hits inside. And all that noise resonates in your skull and does NOT have to go into your ear canal to be noisy to you. Plugs will help probably 80%, but you'll still hear plenty of wind noise believe it or not. It just won't be anywhere nearly as disturbing. mainly only at high speeds.

BonnyGuy · 05-10-2007

I gotta go with earplugs too. I tried lots of things and settled on the plugs. I already have some hearing damage from loud shop noises and can't afford any more loss. Something to think about.

rstover · 05-10-2007

Here's a link to a review of helmets and noise levels with a bunch of mp3 files captured during testing.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcyc...lmet-noise.htm

I own an Arai Quantum and a new Suomy Vandal. The Suomy is much louder... but it looks cooler and fits better so I put up with it.

Be well

FastFreddieCAN · 05-10-2007

I read even in the quietest helmets the niose level is about 103 to 106db at 80mph.

The Article advises:"And unless you're on a full-dress tourer with a big windshield (where it's optional), always, always, always wear ear plugs on any trip over 15 minutes."

I would modify this by adding riding at highway speeds for over 15 minutes.

I am trying to save what hearing I have left from riding for so many years without proper hearing protection.
Fred

badrufus · 05-10-2007

I've been riding with ear plugs for years. Once in awhile I forget to put them in and take off on the bike. Within a few minutes, I notice my body has tensed up from the noise. When I first started using plugs, I was amazed at how much calmer I felt on the bike. No more tinnitus after a long day either. You may have to try a few different styles and brands to find the one that is most comfortable, but they're relatively cheap. I've had HJC, Shoei middle and high end lids, and now an Arai Quantum II. They all need plugs.

Flat_Black_Rat · 05-10-2007

Earplugs do make a differenace, personally I use these ear plugs, alot more comfortable than foam ones. That and its nice that plugs tend to just cut down the wind noise but the engine can still be heard.