Quietest helmet?

michaelvZX6RR · 03-15-2005

My question is: what is the quietest helmet at high speed? I'm only talking full-face here because I'll use it racing.

Please don't tell me what your favorite is if you don't have much to compare to. That's where I am already!

But if you have used several, I would be interested in hearing your findings.

For example, I currently have an HJC AC-11 and an Icon Mainframe. The Icon looks cooler and fits a little more snuggly, but the HJC is a lot quieter, because it has less "stuff" on the outside to cause air turbulance.

So, what's the verdict?

michaelvZX6RR · 03-15-2005

Anyone?

**Freakinout** · 03-15-2005

I'm curious about this myself, but all I've ever used is a vega, and 2 different HJC's.

brancher · 03-15-2005

Got me, man....

Never really thought about it. My Fulmer 1/2 is pretty quiet with the zip-out ear thingy installed (like in winter time). It even blocks out that infernal valve clatter!

Green Knight · 03-15-2005

I've heard Shoei's are pretty good for that but I can't tell you from personal exp.

gpzrider · 03-15-2005

I had a Shoei given to me when I bought my bike and wore it for awhile before switching to a Nolan that's colors matched my bike better. It was a nice helmet, but than again, compared to the Nolan, those little metal Nazi helmets are quiet.

nathan600r · 03-16-2005

If you tuck down against the bike tight enough you shouldn't hear the noise that much.

michaelvZX6RR · 03-16-2005

Good point. I was reading that helmet buffeting thread and was thinking, "wtf? I've done 130mph and it was the same as 60." But then I realized they weren't talking about sport bikes. It does make a difference.

Still, Icon has shown to me in vivid detail that one helmet can cause quite a lot more wind drag than another. I guess the HJC works great for me, so why fight it.

I love the Icon, but probably just for lower-speed around-town type stuff.

Migz · 04-08-2005

I would think quietest depends on aerodynamics, insulation and your surroundings. The more aerodynamic a shape is it would have less friction on wind put against it so it is just drafting air above the helmet. If more vents are located to intake air they may make noise when the path of air is changed, when you move your head left, right, below or above the resistance. Insulation effects it because if you think about a sound proof room, you can do the same with bikes. Fitting snug on the helmet and the material effect the vibration and frequency of your surroundings. Depending on variable speed, rpm, body position, and wind the pressure will change that is pushed against your helmet.

*ispeed77* · 04-20-2005

the Shoei and HJC helmets that i have worn seemed to be quiet, but i can't really compare them to anything else

michaelvZX6RR · 04-20-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Migz

I would think quietest depends on aerodynamics, insulation and your surroundings. The more aerodynamic a shape is it would have less friction on wind put against it so it is just drafting air above the helmet. If more vents are located to intake air they may make noise when the path of air is changed, when you move your head left, right, below or above the resistance. Insulation effects it because if you think about a sound proof room, you can do the same with bikes. Fitting snug on the helmet and the material effect the vibration and frequency of your surroundings. Depending on variable speed, rpm, body position, and wind the pressure will change that is pushed against your helmet.

Migz, thank you for stating the obvious.

That was my point. I can't wear every helmet ever made, so I was wondering which helmets have all those things done right, aerodynamics, shape, etc., so that it's quieter than its competition.

bykman · 04-20-2005

Recently saw a bike mag (Rider maybe?) that did a review Shoei was the quietest by far. I have a fulmer it's pretty quiet but with earplugs (25db rating) it's real quiet makes riding alot more enjoyable.

wyfsyt · 07-06-2005

I Wore The Shoei X-11 For A While - It Was Quite And Pretty Stable So Long As You Kept Your Chin Down. My Only Complaint Was That It Vented A Little Too Well (if It Was Really Hot I Didn't Mind). If It's Not 90 Outside And You Open The Vents Your Head'll Get Cold Quick - Close The Vents And You Fog Up Really Quick. I Got A Fog Shield And It Really Didn't Do Anything Other Than Itch My Nose. I Bought A Suomy Tech 1r A Few Months Ago And That Thing Is Bad @ss. It's Quite (i Wear Earplugs Most Of The Time, But It's Quite W/o Them), Stable And Temp Control Is A Lot Better.

03-15-2005	#1 (permalink)
michaelvZX6RR Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kirkland, WA (Seattle) Posts: 193	Quietest helmet? My question is: what is the quietest helmet at high speed? I'm only talking full-face here because I'll use it racing. Please don't tell me what your favorite is if you don't have much to compare to. That's where I am already! But if you have used several, I would be interested in hearing your findings. For example, I currently have an HJC AC-11 and an Icon Mainframe. The Icon looks cooler and fits a little more snuggly, but the HJC is a lot quieter, because it has less "stuff" on the outside to cause air turbulance. So, what's the verdict? __________________ '04 Ninja ZX6RR (track bike) '04 ZZR 1200 (touring bike)

03-15-2005	#2 (permalink)
michaelvZX6RR Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kirkland, WA (Seattle) Posts: 193	Anyone? __________________ '04 Ninja ZX6RR (track bike) '04 ZZR 1200 (touring bike)

03-15-2005	#3 (permalink)
Freakinout The Absentee Forum Supporter Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Texas Posts: 7,149	I'm curious about this myself, but all I've ever used is a vega, and 2 different HJC's. __________________ Support Self Defense Freakinout

03-15-2005	#4 (permalink)
brancher has a lot of guts BTK Expert Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Eastern NC Posts: 548	Got me, man.... Never really thought about it. My Fulmer 1/2 is pretty quiet with the zip-out ear thingy installed (like in winter time). It even blocks out that infernal valve clatter! __________________ Brancher VROC #14918 '02 Nomad FI Corbin Solo Seat NC Lightbar Cobra Dual Slashers - Modified! Thunder Tornado Kit Techlusion TFI Kuryakyn Flush-mount license Kuri Iso-Grips Motherwell Solo Fender Rack Cobra Drive Shaft Cover ;-)

03-16-2005	#8 (permalink)
michaelvZX6RR Turtle Wax Taster BTK Intermediate Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kirkland, WA (Seattle) Posts: 193	Good point. I was reading that helmet buffeting thread and was thinking, "wtf? I've done 130mph and it was the same as 60." But then I realized they weren't talking about sport bikes. It does make a difference. Still, Icon has shown to me in vivid detail that one helmet can cause quite a lot more wind drag than another. I guess the HJC works great for me, so why fight it. I love the Icon, but probably just for lower-speed around-town type stuff. __________________ '04 Ninja ZX6RR (track bike) '04 ZZR 1200 (touring bike)

03-15-2005	#5 (permalink)
Green Knight Banned BTK Expert Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Mason City, IA Posts: 1,803	I've heard Shoei's are pretty good for that but I can't tell you from personal exp.

03-15-2005	#6 (permalink)
gpzrider Forum Supporter Forum Supporter Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 2,250	I had a Shoei given to me when I bought my bike and wore it for awhile before switching to a Nolan that's colors matched my bike better. It was a nice helmet, but than again, compared to the Nolan, those little metal Nazi helmets are quiet.

03-16-2005	#7 (permalink)
nathan600r Banned BTK Expert Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Why do you care? Posts: 302	If you tuck down against the bike tight enough you shouldn't hear the noise that much.

04-08-2005	#9 (permalink)
Migz Made It To Second Gear BTK Beginner Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: California Posts: 88	I would think quietest depends on aerodynamics, insulation and your surroundings. The more aerodynamic a shape is it would have less friction on wind put against it so it is just drafting air above the helmet. If more vents are located to intake air they may make noise when the path of air is changed, when you move your head left, right, below or above the resistance. Insulation effects it because if you think about a sound proof room, you can do the same with bikes. Fitting snug on the helmet and the material effect the vibration and frequency of your surroundings. Depending on variable speed, rpm, body position, and wind the pressure will change that is pushed against your helmet.

04-20-2005	#10 (permalink)
ispeed77 RIP Deron Harden :-( Extreme Forum Supporter Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Gardner, MA Posts: 32,533	the Shoei and HJC helmets that i have worn seemed to be quiet, but i can't really compare them to anything else __________________ David - Moderator 2002 Suzuki DRZ400 2003 1500 Meanie, scraping pipes and frame :-) In loving memory of Deron Harden, forever in our thoughts :-(

04-20-2005	#12 (permalink)
bykman Forum Supporter Forum Supporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Decatur Posts: 67	Recently saw a bike mag (Rider maybe?) that did a review Shoei was the quietest by far. I have a fulmer it's pretty quiet but with earplugs (25db rating) it's real quiet makes riding alot more enjoyable.

07-06-2005	#13 (permalink)
wyfsyt Banned Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: VA BEACH Posts: 26	I Wore The Shoei X-11 For A While - It Was Quite And Pretty Stable So Long As You Kept Your Chin Down. My Only Complaint Was That It Vented A Little Too Well (if It Was Really Hot I Didn't Mind). If It's Not 90 Outside And You Open The Vents Your Head'll Get Cold Quick - Close The Vents And You Fog Up Really Quick. I Got A Fog Shield And It Really Didn't Do Anything Other Than Itch My Nose. I Bought A Suomy Tech 1r A Few Months Ago And That Thing Is Bad @ss. It's Quite (i Wear Earplugs Most Of The Time, But It's Quite W/o Them), Stable And Temp Control Is A Lot Better.

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