Helmet noise

[Big Orange Beast]

Hey all,

I'm using an HJC IS-max modular helmet, and wondering if it would be worth dropping more sheckels on my next helmet purchase to get one with less wind noise. Any recommendations?

BOB

[Gerhard]

Last year I bought the Shoei RF 1100 and I found it was a great improvement over my last helmet and would recommend it. Packages of ear plugs are pretty cheap and useful on long trips and as long as you have whistling type sounds they may be all that you need.

Gerhard

[Black Lightning]

I have a Nolan right now and it is noisy. Modular helmets are noisier than solid full face ones tend to be. Of course the more you spend, up to a point, the better the helmet. I made the mistake of buying mine on line and of course it doesn't fit as well as the one I tried on before hand. What a person needs to do is buy the very one in the store that actually fits. You aren't really going to save all that much buying on line.

I am interested in the new Shoei neotech helmet. It is almost as much money as the Shuberth though. Still, it claims it is quieter than most and only the Shuberth is lighter, according to the charts I saw. Since I have to wear ear protection at work I find ear plugs worn all day for several days, on a trip, make my ears sore. I'm still looking for a solution.

[Uwe W.]

Modular helmets are noisier than solid full face ones tend to be.

Not always. The Schuberth C3 that I use is actually 2.5 db quieter than their new full face S2. Most wind noise comes from the large opening at the base of the helmet that we have to fit our heads through. However, with a modular helmet, the opening is smaller because the helmet clamps shut over our heads.

We ran a full review of the C3 in the Jan. 2012 issue. Schuberth's new C3 "pylon" edition has already become a popular seller.

We're also currently conducting long term tests of the new Nolan N104 and Shoei Neotec. And I've also extensively tested the Scorpion EXO-900 modular.

Big Orange, usually it's best to set a budget before looking for a replacement lid. Do you want to stick with a modular helmet?


Scorpion EXO-900.jpg
Scorpion EXO-900

[Big Orange Beast]

Uwe, yes planning to stick with a modular helmet. Prefer the protection over a beanie, and like to flip the lid up at red lights on hot days. Also convenient for snapping pics. Will pull out my Mojo Jan edition and read the C3 review. Just got my current lid at the start of last season, so unless in gets a major knock, I'll use it till the end of next season. Perhaps will put away a buck or two away a day till then so i can look in the $600 range, instead of the $250.

The noise issue popped up between my earplugs on the 400 series highway part of my commute to work earlier this week. One plug must have been partially dislodged when I put the helmet on, then through swivelling and vibrations came out as I hit 120km/hr. What a noisy ride. Usually use these ribbed plugs that are $4/set as I often have problems getting the orange ones to seat properly, but couldn't find them and had to use the orange. Inquired at Hear For Life about custom fitted plugs and was quoted $300/set! Recall a Mojo write-up a few years back about custom plugs made on site at motorcycle shows. Seem to recall they were 80 - 100/set, but haven't located the company at any shows I've been able to attend.

BOB

[slomoshun]

Inquired at Hear For Life about custom fitted plugs and was quoted $300/set!

$300 a set? as in two? a pair? I`m sorry but I can`t relate to that kind of spending on ear plugs. It`s like buying a Rolex to time eggs.
Buy them cheap, learn the correct way to insert them and change them often is the way to go.
slo.

[Smiley]

$300? really? way too late for this old fart's ears to spend that much and I've heard bitchin about the all-day comfort of customs. I use the conical orange 3M plugs, have used them for years and can hear perfectly..what's that you said?

Reminds me of a joke:

Two old guys meet for coffee>

1st dude "just bought a new state-of-the-art digital hearing aid"
2nd dude "oh yeah? what kind is it?"
1st dude "10 minutes past eleven."

yeah, I know.

[Red Cobra]

I wear a HJC IS-33. Its a 3/4 helmet with internal flip down sun screen and external clear visor. Loving it. Not noisy, excellent fit and great vision. On longer trips, I will pop in some orange plugs but no need for daily riding. It is far from being a beanie and still provides a good measure of protection. I admit it is probably not as safe as a full face (I have one of those which I wear early spring and late fall for warmth), but I love the overall comfort and riding experience. Different strokes for different folks.

[Black Lightning]

Two old guys meet for coffee>

1st dude "just bought a new state-of-the-art digital hearing aid"
2nd dude "oh yeah? what kind is it?"
1st dude "10 minutes past eleven."
yeah, I know.

Actually, I have sat in on a very similar conversation, I think....

[Uwe W.]

I buy the big contractor's pack of ear plugs from Home Depot. I go through a lot of them during the course of a season. I also have a pretty good set of ribbed ones for the rifle range; they work well, but because they're reusable, I have to clean them often. The disposable ones make life easier while on the road.

As far as fit is concerned, I've seen a lot of people not use the disposable plugs correctly. You should roll them between your forefinger and thumb until they're very thin and them insert them in your ear; they'll slowly expand and create a very tight fit.