Quiet Helmet

[NTBooth]

Hi Chaps!
Just looking for a little bit of advice on helmets! Circumstances look to be changing, I have been offered a new job, just going through the HR processes now. It will require considerably more than my current 4 minute commute! (approximately 10 times that at 40 minutes!!) city driving but with a large chunk of motorway thrown in, MY current helmet is an AGV-K3SV, cracking bit of kit but noisy as hell on the motorway, I would wear earplugs but I use my Sat Nav and listen to music whilst driving so don't fancy that.

My only must have criteria criteria for a new helmet are:
QUIET! It must be quiet, this is the biggest reason for wanting a change.
Internal sun visor 
Pin lock
Windjammer on the chin

Other than that I'm not too bothered.

I have heard good things about the Schuberth's and Shoei GT helmets so I think ill start with looking at those.
Any advice is appreciated

[SimonW]

The Schuberth is dead quiet. I don't use one but did try it on at Helmet City and it was like sensory deprivation!

This is an interesting read, as it covers all 3 things you mentioned (ear plugs, Shcuberth, Windjammer): http://www.therideadvice.com/keep-hearing-riding-motorcycle/2/

[NTBooth]

Good read. Looks like I'll be trying a schuberth out.
Don't like the idea of ear plugs to be honest. And when I said wind jammer I should have been more specific. I meant a little chin guard like I have on my helmet now (See picture below).

[Rich:-)]

I have just last week purchased an AGV-K3SV and was surprised at the wind noise (I ride with ear plugs in). I found that completely closing the top air vent made a massive difference to the noise so from now on that one will only be open when riding slowly.

The other issue is mine appear to be noisier on the LHS and looking closely at the visor seal I'm not sure it was sealing fully, I have since massaged the rubber seal downwards/outwards and can now see a positive seal against the visor when fully closed.

[SuzukiSte]

The Schuberth is dead quiet they do a pro one now, don't know what the pro bit is, but they say it is the quietest on the market for wind noise.
http://www.schuberth.com/en/products/motorbikes/helmets/c3-pro.html

[NTBooth]

Looks like ill have to go try on a schuberth then!
Yes Rich, Great helmet...Light, comfortable, pinlock and sun visor! just a noisy bugger on the motorway! even with vents closed and visor down I still find it noisy.

[String]

My GT Air certainly looks the part but quiet (on my bonce anyway), it ain't.

[wilkstrom]

All the 3 things you want are on the Givi helmet. Looks good, fits well, BUT if its quietness
 you want don't be seduced.

[Apocalypse Ali]

Before you change you helmet why not try a proline windjammer 2.   They are only £12 and reduce the wind noise to an acceptable level.

[Brockett]

I use "Ultimate" ear plugs with built in speakers. I can still hear my Sat Nav speakers which are inside the lining of the helmet as long as the music is not too loud.
I CANNOT ride without ear plugs in any helmet. That said I have never tried the schuberth as I consider it far too expensive.
Shoei was the most expensive helmet I have used and it was the noisiest. Followed by Shark. My AGV skyline is the quietest.
Some helmets match circular heads and some oval heads (me).
 

[UK_Vstrom650]

I use foam ear plugs in my Neotech,  no problems with Bluetooth conversations, listening to music or surrounding cars (though difficult to hear people talking to me with the helmet on). The Neotec comes with extra padding for the ears to reduce noise, but I don't get on with them in due to wearing glasses.

[tallpaul]

What size do you take lid do you take. I have a spare Schuberth C3 that I stopped using because it is too large for me. I replaced it with another C3 because I really like them.

[NTBooth]

Thanks chaps!

Paul, I wear a Large/Extra large (depending on brand)!

With the windjammer I don't think will make much difference as I have the chin guard as above and there isn't really any wind flow underneath the helmet because of the style of jacket I have and how it fits in with the helmet, when look at the AGV I have, There is nothing in the "ear space" padding wise, I do have my Bluetooth head phones there now but other than that its just some thin polystyrene and then the outer shell.
I think part of it is the shape of the helmet causes quite a bit of wind noise because its a more sporty oriented helmet, almost designed for the chin to be down like it would be on a sports bike in the tuck. I'm thinking that maybe just a rounder helmet would be better suited to my riding position/style of bike.
I probably should have thought of that when buying it, but it was shiny, light and so comfortable! it still is very comfortable and light to be honest and other than the noise a fantastic helmet.

Regarding earplugs I think I will get a cheap pair of foam plugs and see how I go, I don't get paid till the end of the month so it will give me a few weeks to adjust and see if I can get along with them before I find a new helmet.

[SimonW]

EarPlugsbyPost does a selection pack of 20 different foam plugs for a tenner, delivered, so you can work out which ones are best for you: https://sites.google.com/site/earplugsbypost/price-list-1

[Rich:-)]

I've found these are the best.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/390204486358?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I use to be against earplugs, I thought they destroyed my sense of balance etc. Then I damaged my hearing whilst riding on a motorway... Since then I now have to wear earplugs but to be honest I find it makes riding less fatiguing, especially on my DRZ as that is a loud bike.
With those plugs in I can still hear what the bike is doing, and the traffic, and also hear what other people are saying to me.. I just shout when talking back.

[In me shed]

I have a Nolan N104 with built in Bluetooth system. To be honest it was a bit noisy on my Fazer8 but on the Glee I can quite happily chat on the phone or listen to radio, even with the flip front up at 70mph. The only down side is that I can hear the missus  yes dear, yes dear, OK dear

[NTBooth]

That is my worry, I have really bad hearing as it is! Too many concerts, loud music, power tools and loud bikes! So I don't want it to get any worse as I'm only young.

 My worry was that it would block out what's going on around.me and I wouldn't be able to hear the engine or the traffic around me etc but from what you blokes are saying that doesn't seem to be an issue.

Rich that looks absolutely great! Would give me plenty opportunity to faff around and see what suits me!

I have my Bluetooth on the AGV, don't have any issues hearing it when speaking on the phone but I find music I have to turn up quite loud to hear it clearly (Speaker quality definitely has a part to play as it's only a cheap set) the sound is quite "Tinny" and with the wind on motorways it get quite uncomfortable having it so loud because it's so tinny..haha

Just going back to helmets, I wonder if anyone has an opinion on the HJC flip up helmets  like the symax 3.
I have an old basic hjc as my backup helmet but it's quite low spec and is a little too big so can't get a good read on the situation with it. I tried on a few hjc flip helmets last time I was in Preston and the fit was absolutely marvelous. (But so is the AGV and that's a noisy bugger!!)

[Ccmp]

Why don't you try hitting the problem at source and fit a new screen. Presuming wind noise is the main culprit. Givi airflow springs to mind.

[UK_Vstrom650]

You might as well try earplugs given how cheap they are. If you don't get on with them after a few rides then look to find an alternative solution. Personally I wouldn't ride without earplugs anymore.

[Cam]

Yeah, try solutions in order of cost ascending. Riding position --> Foam earplugs --> Replace mirrors --> Better screen --> New helmet.