| Author | Message | ||
     Jumpinjewels |
Actually, wondering what you guys feel is the quietest helmet out there. Right now I have an HJC AC-11 and it is quite noisy. Our local bike shop recommended the Shoi RF100, Shark RSI, RSX, RSR2 and the scorpion EXO 700 (EXO1000 which is suppose to come out in the next couple of months). HELP!!! Also, does anyone out there use Bluetooth for communication bike to bike? | ||
| Kootenay |
Gee...I thought this thread would be about helmets with some weird artificial voice, like the ones some new cars have--that'd drive me insane! As for noise levels, well I just got a Shark RS2R, but I haven't had the chance to wear it yet... | ||
| Rotzaruck |
Ding Ding "good morning Kootenay" Ding Ding "please tighten your chin strap" Ding Ding "kick stand is ajar" Ding Ding "HAZARD!! JUNE BUG 12:00 HAZARD!! Glad you asked about bluetooth, I'm curious too, maybe somebody can eggicate us My HJC doesn't talk, but it tries to whistle Dixie, it's irritating | ||
| Xbullet |
my scorpion 700 is pretty quiet. much less noise than my old hjc. vents are fairly effective on the exo700, too. for the money, a great helmet. what about the icon mainframe? it looks killer with those grab rails on it. anybody wear one? | ||
| Tunes |
I'll second the Scorpion EXO700 for being a quality helmet... and quiet too. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
I'll third the Scorpions. The EXO400 is cheaper, with the same fit, quietness, etc.. for a few bucks cheaper. | ||
| 12r |
Look for something with a smooth exterior. Vents, intakes and spoilers may look good but they create a lot of noise. | ||
| Paw |
How long have you owned you HJC? If you have had it more than three years then the insides will have really started to break down causing more noise than when it was new. | ||
| Dongalonga |
EXO 700 nice helmet and not too expensive either. I am thinking of getting a new helmet this season now. I like this one with a silver shield. http://www.helmetcity.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Session_ID=17f2700e45e59f4ad955e31b8eac80d0&Session_ID=17f2700e45e59f4ad955e31b8eac80d0&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=exo700cheadsil (Message edited by dongalonga on March 16, 2007) | ||
| Kdan |
I have a Shoei TZR with about 30k miles on it. Not a quiet helmet at all, comfortable, but not quiet. I just got a Scorpion Exo-400 and I have to say it's one of the quietest, most comfortable helmets I've owned. And try both the 400 & 700 on, I wanted the 700, but the head shape was different. I preferred the feeling of the exo-400 way better, so I bought the cheaper helmet. It has features out the wazzoo that the Shoei for 3 times more money can't touch. I recommend the Scorpion. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
I have a EXO700 & a EXO400, I like them both but the 700 IMHO is the way to go. My eyes water a little when I wear the 400. The no fog feature is great but you do get some droplet build up that requires you to open the shield at times. Scorpion also has a photochromatic shield that darkens when the sunlight hits it. If I was going to get a Scorpion helmet, I would get the 700. | ||
| Swordsman |
Good lord, the Exo 700 is the quietest?! I thought mine was loud! I can't hear my stock pipes above 40mph from wind noise. If that's as good as it gets, I can't imagine how bad the other brands are!  ~SM | ||
| Jumpinjewels |
I've only had the HJC for two full riding seasons, this will be the third. However, it was fairly noisey from the start. | ||
| Staindus |
I hear the HJC CL-SP is a very quiet helmet http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/h jc/cl-sp/ I will be getting one in the spring. For the price you cant go wrong IMHO | ||
| Roadrailer |
jj, are you wearing earplugs? They go a long way to make any helmet quieter. Look for something with a smooth exterior. Vents, intakes and spoilers may look good but they create a lot of noise. A smooth helmet may be quieter, but it will be hot as hell in the summer. They put those vents there for a reason. | ||
| Jumpinjewels |
Don't really like the idea of wearing ear plugs (that's for the HD guys). Plus won't that get in the way of communication from bike to bike? About communication, anyone using a good system????? Anyone have the Shark helmet? The bike shop felt it was the best as far as noise. (Message edited by jumpinjewels on March 16, 2007) | ||
| Kdan |
Communication? The finger has always worked for me. I've never tried a communication option. Always felt that it was something else to distract me from riding defensively. Don't like music either. Something peaceful about riding with the sound of the wind and motor and nothing else. | ||
| Edmbueller |
I have a Sharks RSF2 and it is the most comfortable helmet I have ever had. Seems fairly quiet, but let's be honest---we ride Buells...nothing is gonna make it "quiet" I second the ear plug comment | ||
| Hughlysses |
Don't really like the idea of wearing ear plugs (that's for the HD guys). JJ, in that case, I hope you don't mind going deaf. From what I've read, the noise level in most helmets from the wind noise alone is enough to cause permanent hearing loss. If your ears "ring" after a ride, you're losing hearing. Do it often enough, and they'll ring ALL the time. If you find a helmet that is truly quiet, please let us know about it. My current ~$350 Shoei seems just as loud as my old $150 HJC. (BTW, I think Rocket posted on the XB board a week or so ago about a UK helmet that is supposed to be the quietest available.) I had significant hearing damage before I ever rode a motorcycle so I'm pretty careful about protecting what hearing I've got left. Earplugs seem like a PITA, but they're not bad at all once you get used to them (kind of like wearing a helmet, you know?). Here's a good article on earplugs: http://www.webbikeworld.com/Earplugs/earplugs.htm (Message edited by hughlysses on March 16, 2007) | ||
| Roadrailer |
Don't really like the idea of wearing ear plugs (that's for the HD guys). Plus won't that get in the way of communication from bike to bike? So does hearing loss, and it comes with the added benefit of affecting communication off the bike as well. Really, look into some sort of ear protection. The wind noise from motorcycling can do some serious, irreversible damage to your hearing. Bike-to-bike communication should be a secondary concern. I've worn plugs for five years now, and have never had any trouble hearing the bike or traffic around me. | ||
| Djkaplan |
"Right now I have an HJC AC-11 and it is quite noisy." Really? I have the cheaper HJC CL-14 and it's the quietest helmet I've ever owned. My previous helmet was a Shoei RF700 as a point of reference. Does your AC-11 have pads in the ear area? The CL-14 has room for earphones in the padding so no padding makes contact with your ears. This seems to be the reason why it's so quiet. A lot of noise from a helmet comes from the helmet's padding contacting directly with your ears. Eliminate the contact and a substantial amount of noise is reduced. As a side benefit, my balance seems to have improved without my ears being compressed against the side of my head. Trials riding helmets don't have padding in the ear area either, I've noticed. It's also much easier to wear earplugs (when I can remember to put them in). | ||
| Tx05xb12s |
I've got a two year old HD FXRG Carbon Fiber helmet, which is manufactured by HJC. I don't know what model, but it's got HJ-7 stamped on the face shield. It has quite a bit of wind noise, but the trade-off is it's got good air vents and is very comfortable not to mention good looking being carbon fiber (covered up all the HD logos with Buell Stickers). I can still hear my race can over the wind noise at any speed, but the wind is pretty loud. I too subscribe to the purist camp and don't listen to anything other than my exhaust and the wind when I ride, but I do wear ear plugs most of the time. It's quite pleasant with the plugs because then all I hear is a faint exhaust sound. By the way, anybody know where I can get HJ-7 face shields? I've looked at all the usual online helmet vendors and noone's selling them. I'd be happy with a new clear one, but I'd really like a tinted one too so I can stop jamming my sunglasses in between the helmet and my head when I ride. Has a tendency to create sore spots because my Oakley ear pieces are so thick. | ||
| Jumpinjewels |
Ok, I'm willing to try ear plugs, but it still would be nice to have a helmet that doesn't whistle. I'll check the pads around the ears too. | ||
| Aesquire |
I HAVE THE Suomy Spec 1-R. IT'S A LOUD LID.... Sorry, was I shouting? Good ventilation & real light, but loud. Colorful loud too, it's a Bostrom replica. Many HJC's come with extra ear area padding in the box, it does help a lot. | ||
| Hughlysses |
JJ, Here's the helmet thread I referred to in my previous post: http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/406 2/264451.html The helmet Rocket referred to as supposedly being the quietest ever is the Airoh (not Aeroh) Warrior. Not sure if you can find them in the U.S. however. | ||
| Dfbutler |
I use the Cardo Scala Rider with ear plugs in my Shoei Syncrotec. The new Shoei Multitec appears to be much quieter. I absolutely love the Cardo, you can talk, even in my noisy helmet, up to 70 with no problem. | ||
| Rocketman |
Helmet noise sound bites and reviews. Rocket | ||
| Bdabuell |
personally, I'm not big on the whole on-bike communication thing. If I need to take a call or talk to someone I'm happier pulling over to the side of the road so I can concentrate on that instead of trying to do it whilst riding ear plugs are great...I have a Rossi replica AGV Ti-Tech and an Arai Quantum F. I love em both but wouldn't ride without plugs...they make ALL the difference | ||
| Jumpinjewels |
I also have a Shoei RF 800 that I've had for a while. Think I'll try it this weekend and do a comparison to the HJC. I'll even try some earplugs, think I have already have some. | ||
| Gearhead |
I'd recommend the Shark. I have the earlier version RSR, Alex Barros replica, it's a great helmet and worth the money. I also have a Scorpion EXO 700 which is nowhere near the quality of the Shark! I bought it to replace my Shark last winter and I haven't been overly impressed but it's a third the cost, too! The Scorpion has become my race only helmet as it's not very good in cool weather, it's well ventilated and doesn't allow you to completely close off the vents like the Shark. Any shop who gets parts from Tucker-Rocky (I think that's the proper spelling)can get you any of the new Shark helmets |
