Helmets

[dern]

Morning, thinking about getting a new helmet as mine has seen some wear. I've got an HJC RPHA ST at the moment and like it a lot but it's pretty noisy. Is it worth getting a helmet that has a reputation for being quiet such as a Schubert or is the difference marginal at best?

Just to head off the 'buy the one that fits best'... yep, got it.

Thanks,

Mark

[Wildfire]

I've found that the biggest difference is ear plugs and fitting them correctly. I've used an XR1100, X-Spirit 3 and Schuberth SR1 back to back and whilst you can notice the difference a bit, the Schuberth being the quietest, it depends on whether you have the vents open or not and really with the sporty helmets, the difference was not that much to make me choose one or the other purely on noise.

Maybe if you switch to one of the Suchberth touring helmets you may have a bigger difference.

[dibblecorse]

Ear plugs do indeed make a huge difference.

I have ridden in AGV K3's, Shoei XR1000 & 1100's as well as the X-Lite Carbon, being sports lids none are as quiet as my recently acquired Shoei Neotec II which has been a real revelation the last week or so.

But start with ear plugs as you may find the 50 quid spent saves you hundreds on a lid ....

[SidG]

Exactly same as OP. Have the same helmet from my training and tests so don't really have anything else to compare to. Thinking of upgrading as now even with earplugs find the wind noise quite bad especially on longer rides. However I am only using cheap earplugs (Oxford Earsoft 3M), maybe the more expensive ones make a big difference? Whats confusing my choice is that I really want to listen to music and satnav whilst riding, currently have a cheap freecom in helmet setup. Someone suggested Bose QC20s which I'm considering rather than the expensive bluetooth options.
Also been recommended the Shoei Neotec 2 as a good option.

[dern]

dibblecorse said:

Ear plugs do indeed make a huge difference.

I have ridden in AGV K3's, Shoei XR1000 & 1100's as well as the X-Lite Carbon, being sports lids none are as quiet as my recently acquired Shoei Neotec II which has been a real revelation the last week or so.

But start with ear plugs as you may find the 50 quid spent saves you hundreds on a lid ....

I use standard earplugs at the minute and generally they're pretty good but I can see that spending more would get me an improvement. I need a new lid anyway though so the alternatives are either buy another HJC like I have which has been pretty good or spend another 100 on schuberth c3 pro which fit really well. I can the upgrade the earplugs as well later if I need to.

A big advantage for me with a quieter lid is that I can use my shure e2c earphones that I used to use with an old shoei but the hjc is too noisy for them.

Having a flip front for the commute would be good too.

[Dakkon]

I bought a new X-Lite Carbon with a red tinted lacquer at the end of last year, you can get them in WSB colours and various rider rep designs as well. They are the performance side of Nolan.

I like it and I use Flare Audio Isolate Ear plugs which cut a decent amount of noise out of riding

[black-k1]

I use a Schuberth C3 Pro BECAUSE it's quiet. (And yes, it fits me perfectly, which was the primary purchase requirement!)

I totally agree that ear plugs are the biggest improvement you can make and anyone not using earplugs is, I believe, being pretty stupid. That said, even with ear plugs in, I notice the difference in quietness between my Schuberth and other helmets. I'm happy to spend the money to get that difference.

[Speed addicted]

I have an Arai tour X4 and a Shoei GT air, the Shoei is a noticeably quieter helmet but I prefer the venting in the Arai in summer (probably what's causing a lot of the noise). The fit of the Shoei is closer around my face and neck so when it's properly warm the venting just isn't enough.

I think the problem is that a person may find a helmet to be quiet due to the shape of their head blocking certain gaps, or having crap hearing, or having never used an actually quiet helmet.
You need a pretty big survey to see if everyone finds it to be quiet, and the Schuberths are generally regarded to be about as quiet as motorbike helmets get.

[A993LAD]

SidG said:

Exactly same as OP. Have the same helmet from my training and tests so don't really have anything else to compare to. Thinking of upgrading as now even with earplugs find the wind noise quite bad especially on longer rides. However I am only using cheap earplugs (Oxford Earsoft 3M), maybe the more expensive ones make a big difference? Whats confusing my choice is that I really want to listen to music and satnav whilst riding, currently have a cheap freecom in helmet setup. Someone suggested Bose QC20s which I'm considering rather than the expensive bluetooth options.
Also been recommended the Shoei Neotec 2 as a good option.

I have a set of these plugphones (earplugs with headphones inbuilt) which work well as a fairly low cost solution.

They do a pretty good job of keeping out wind noise and the 3.5 mm jack plug goes straight into my SENA comms unit or my phone.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ORIGINAL-PLUGFONES-YELL...

[RizzoTheRat]

I have a C3 and while it's a lot quieter than my previous Shoei Raid 2, I still wear earplugs so potentially the reduction in noise isn't worth that much.

I have an old Autocom intercom with speakers in the helmet which I can hear through the earplugs. I've tried wearing noise isolating, but not noise cancelling, earbuds (Shure E2C and Sennheisser CX) and not found they work that well as they pick up noise and vibration via the cables

I wouldn't go back to a standard helmet now I've had a flip front though. Mine needs replacing soon and it'll probably be another C3 or a Neotech

[dern]

That's interesting as my HJC is noisier than the shoei raid 2 I had before it.

[RizzoTheRat]

I don't know if HJC do something similar, but I know Shoei do a "Whisper kit" for their helmets, which is basically neck curtain. A large proportion of the noise comes from turbulence underneath the helmet and blocking off that gap supposedly keeps the noise down. Not tried one myself but by Schuberth does have a wider ring of fabric around there than my old Shoei did.

[anonymous-user]

SidG said:

Exactly same as OP. Have the same helmet from my training and tests so don't really have anything else to compare to. Thinking of upgrading as now even with earplugs find the wind noise quite bad especially on longer rides. However I am only using cheap earplugs (Oxford Earsoft 3M), maybe the more expensive ones make a big difference? Whats confusing my choice is that I really want to listen to music and satnav whilst riding, currently have a cheap freecom in helmet setup. Someone suggested Bose QC20s which I'm considering rather than the expensive bluetooth options.
Also been recommended the Shoei Neotec 2 as a good option.

Always used earplugs and have a bluetooth intercom in my helmet.

Plugs stop the road and wind noise but can still hear music and phone etc thru them.

[bogie]

Always wear ear plugs makes the most difference, most quality helmets are pretty quiet these days. I find a neck curtain really makes a good difference too. Both my Shark helmets came with them fitted and if I wear another helmet without one its very noticeable, even with earplugs

I have the carbon Race-R pro for track and if on a bike where im crouched down (where you notice helmet weight more) but majority of the time for road use wear a Shark Evo-One which has to be the most versatile and practical helmet Ive ever had. Its much better than standard flip up style as its homologated and designed to be worn open when you need it. Useful around town in hot weather or when abroad in 30deg heat.

[Wildfire]

SidG said:

Exactly same as OP. Have the same helmet from my training and tests so don't really have anything else to compare to. Thinking of upgrading as now even with earplugs find the wind noise quite bad especially on longer rides. However I am only using cheap earplugs (Oxford Earsoft 3M), maybe the more expensive ones make a big difference? Whats confusing my choice is that I really want to listen to music and satnav whilst riding, currently have a cheap freecom in helmet setup. Someone suggested Bose QC20s which I'm considering rather than the expensive bluetooth options.
Also been recommended the Shoei Neotec 2 as a good option.

It may be a stupid point, but have you tried fitting the foam ones properly? Until I was shown how to do it they were never great.

https://youtu.be/kMMHudYoQ40

[Wildfire]

dern said:

A big advantage for me with a quieter lid is that I can use my shure e2c earphones that I used to use with an old shoei but the hjc is too noisy for them.

Having a flip front for the commute would be good too.

Have you tried the comply tips for the E2C’s?

[dern]

Wildfire said:

Have you tried the comply tips for the E2C’s?

No, I'll take a look, thanks.

[ash reynolds]

Wildfire said:

Have you tried the comply tips for the E2C’s?

Comply tips transform earphones. Well worth it.