Quietest Helmet?
gyrobob
I am beginning to appreciate, again, the wonderfullness of sportbikes
and naked bikes. On naked bikes the turbulence is not a problem, and
on the sportbike I have now I will be lowering the windshield to get
my helmet above the turbulence and up into the clean air.
It would seem that the helmets with the tightest fitting flip shield,
and the smoothest outside shape would have the least noise.
Right now I have a Bell Helmet that has a poorly fitting shield. It
sounds like a T-37. (USAF jet trainer) The cooling vents up at the
top-front of the helmet make a lot of racket too.
So, I'd like to hear any suggestions about your experiences. Which
helmet has the lowest noise at speed?
Thanks for any info.
Bob
Lowryter
line AC-11 and it's much more noisier.
The difference is the new one vent so much better.
That's the trick, if you want it to vent, it's just noisier.
Mark Olson
I can't give you a specific model of helmet that is going to be the
quietest. What is the quietest helmet for one person will not necessarily
be the quietest for another. What I can tell you, is that no matter
which helmet you pick, including the most expensive helmets on the market,
none of them are adequate to protect your hearing without earplugs.
See this post of mine from September 2002, it is still relevant:
http://www.google.com/groups?selm=3D72493A.265D72B9%40visi.com
quoting part of it:
........................................................................
> The quietest helmet tested by MCN[1] in their November 2000 issue
> (these were the high end, most expensive)[2] was measured at 98dB.
> The noisiest was measured at 105dB. At these noise power levels, you
> will have permanent hearing damage after 3 hours or less. Remember,
> hearing damage is cumulative. This chart comes from the Occupational
> Safety and Health Standard #1910.95, "Occupational noise exposure"
> http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9735
........................................................................
I wear an inexpensive HJC CL-12 helmet and I think it is a pretty decent
helmet for a low-priced item. It is much quieter and more comfortable
than my old Bieffe helmet. I am sure I could find an expensive helmet
that would be more comfortable and a little quieter, but in the end it
all comes down to which helmet fits you, and you may find the quietest,
most comfortable helmet isn't one of the top-of-the line models. You are
just going to have to try on a bunch and see.
If you do decide to take up wearing earplugs, I can heartily recommend
the Howard Leight green Max-Lite style, they are only $25/box of 200
pairs from PK Safety Supply:
http://store.pksafety.net/maxdisearlpa.html
Make sure you read and follow the directions for inserting, it is very
important to follow the directions exactly or the noise damping function
will be greatly reduced.
At the rate I am (re)using them this box will last me about 10 years...
--
Mark '01 SV650S '99 EX250-F13 '81 CM400T
texdays
IMO, its a GOOD Quality one, but the key is finding one that fits your head.
Charles Soto
> Which helmet has the least wind noise?
>
> IMO, its a GOOD Quality one, but the key is finding one that fits your head.
>
>
Shoei's "X-line" is purported to be the quietest. My RF900 is pretty
quiet versus my old RFR. They keep getting better. Gonna buy me a X-11
prolly this summer. Then again, Shoei fits my head. Your head may
vary...
Charles
gyrobob
wearing various versions for 38 years. I started wearing them when I
was working my way through college playing in rock bands. Then, in
the USAF in F-4s, I kept wearing them. When I shoot skeet I wear
earplugs AND ear muffs. Anyway, I am convinced.
Lately, I bought a kit to make my own fitted earplugs. I think the
quietest system I have now is to have a short foam earplug stuffed way
in with the fitted plastic one on the outside.
Be that as it may, I am still looking for the quietest helmet. It
would appear, from my AE background, that the smoothest surface with
the best seal on the flip shield would generate the least turbulence,
and, therefore, the least noise.
It also would seem that one of the models with the little flipvents
all over the place would be noisier that one without.
I would sure like to see a complete test for noise done by real
testers,... test engineers, etc.
Bob
a lead guitar player in the sixties Mark Olson <ols...@tiny.invalid> wrote in message news:<4054951d$0$41295$a186...@newsreader.visi.com>...
Mark Olson
>
> Mark, I enthusiastically agree about the earplugs. I have been
> wearing various versions for 38 years. I started wearing them when I
> was working my way through college playing in rock bands. Then, in
> the USAF in F-4s, I kept wearing them. When I shoot skeet I wear
> earplugs AND ear muffs. Anyway, I am convinced.
>
> Lately, I bought a kit to make my own fitted earplugs. I think the
> quietest system I have now is to have a short foam earplug stuffed way
> in with the fitted plastic one on the outside.
Sounds interesting, I am looking into having custom plugs made with
earphone inserts by my good friend who is an audiologist with a hearing
aid manufacturer.
Stuffing the earplugs all the way in is the 'secret' to making them work.
I was wearing them for years without knowing how to insert them correctly.
Once I actually read the directions carefully, the difference was
enormous, basically, I might as well have not bothered to wear them
for all the good they were doing. Yes, they were cutting down the sound
a fair amount, but nothing like the amount that inserting them properly
would do. Live and learn. I despair of getting my wife to understand
how to put them in the right way, she complains because they stick out
too far and bug her because they are rubbing on her helmet liner. I
roll my eyes and explain to her one more time, that if they are sticking
out at all, she hasn't put them in the right way, and they aren't doing
the job they were designed to do. It's still better than not wearing
them, but knowing that she is exposed to harmful levels of sound even
though she thinks she is not, bugs me a fair amount.
> Be that as it may, I am still looking for the quietest helmet. It
> would appear, from my AE background, that the smoothest surface with
> the best seal on the flip shield would generate the least turbulence,
> and, therefore, the least noise.
>
> It also would seem that one of the models with the little flipvents
> all over the place would be noisier that one without.
In my experience the biggest contributor to noise is a poor seal
on the visor, and vents aren't a significant factor.
> I would sure like to see a complete test for noise done by real
> testers,... test engineers[1], etc.
The MCN test that I referenced was as professional a test as you are
going to find, IMHO.
[1] Me.
--
'01 SV650S '81 CM400T '99 EX250-F13
moto
My Shoei is pretty quiet. If you use plugs, that'll kill most of the
noise, but earbud phones attached to a radio does an even better job. :)
moto
It doesn't matter who you vote for. The government always gets in.
'02 750 Ace The Twin
'01 Magna.... Black Magic
'95 750 Nighthawk.. Big Red
'95 Helix........ Little Red
Reassembler
gyrobob <rwrom...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:481a5b17.04031...@posting.google.com...
> Which helmet has the least wind noise?
>
I just dumped a Bell, for a KBC. It is a good deal quieter, but for
anything but short hops I'll still be wearing earplugs. Don't like that
ringing in my ears.
Reassembler
Demetrius XXIV and the Gladiatores
<Reass...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>gyrobob <rwrom...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>news:481a5b17.04031...@posting.google.com...
>> Which helmet has the least wind noise?
>>
>
> I just dumped a Bell, for a KBC. It is a good deal quieter, but for
>anything but short hops I'll still be wearing earplugs.
Quieter means better sealed. Better sealed means less ventilation on a
muggy day.
Arais are the loudest helmets out there. Once moving though you get an
awesome breeze. Sucks in winter though!
Margaret M.
> Quieter means better sealed. Better sealed means less ventilation
> on a muggy day.
>
> Arais are the loudest helmets out there. Once moving though you
> get an awesome breeze. Sucks in winter though!
Hint: Close the vents! ;-)
Mag
keith s.
SNARF! rotflmao..oh shit. You'd thinks those damn yankees would have the sense
to close the vents and warm up a mite. Sheesh...that state is cold year round.
-=-=-=-=
Nefarious Necrologist 42nd class
Some people ride, some just like to show off their butt
jewelry once in a while.
Dum vivimus, vivamus
<:(3 )3~~ <:(3 )3~~
Margaret M.
> Mag wrote:
>> Demetrius XXIV and the Gladiatores wrote:
>>> Arais are the loudest helmets out there. Once moving though you
>>> get an awesome breeze. Sucks in winter though!
>>
>> Hint: Close the vents! ;-)
>> Mag
>
> SNARF! rotflmao..oh shit. You'd thinks those damn yankees would
> have the sense to close the vents and warm up a mite.
> Sheesh...that state is cold year round.
Only bad thing is then they fog up. :-(
Mag
keith s.
>Only bad thing is then they fog up. :-(
>Mag
>
Not if you don't stop they don't. ;^) Now those fools who just ride around
town...well they have to leave the vents open year round if they don't use a
Fog City shield on their visors.
moto
I'm sure they're used all over, but in Vegas the traffic enforcement
folks use these trikes (name escapes me) that'r made in (as I recall)
New Jersey. These things could be made to look quite nice with just a
little tweekin'.
I asked a cop there about 'em, and he said they'd keep up nicely with
e-way traffic, and they were made to run forever (almost) He thought
they were well under
10k new.
Trouble is the kits, like Lehman and such are now so fancy they're way
up in price.
There is a company or two that make kits for older bikes. If you're
handy, and with an older bike and a kit, you're cruisin'.
Good luck. :)
moto
Buckle up. It'll make it tougher for aliens to suck you outta your car.
moto
Fog up? Gotta hold the breathing down to a minimum. :)
Maybe tie a knot in your neck. That's a good way to keep a head cold
from goin' to yer chest, ya know!! <bg>
now watch. some idiot is gonna waste a bunch o' bandwidth sayin' i'm
givin' folks (newbies) bad ideas, and i'm gonna get somebody killed. :(
Margaret M.
> Mag ...
> Fog up? Gotta hold the breathing down to a minimum. :)
Heh heh. That's really only a problem for the mouth breathers. LOL
Actually, the only time I have problems with mine fogging up, is when
I'm wearing a thick neck warmer and blocking the flow. I usually just
pull the chin spoiler down if I'm getting nippy.
Mag
Charles Soto
For a second, there, I thought you were referring to a different
activity. Then I saw the subject...
Charles
--
Charles Soto - Austin, TX *** 1999 GSF1200S, DoD No. "uno"
("Meepmeep" is "rr," as in "roadrunner.")
emore
Thanks. I didn't want to be the one.
Demetrius XXIV and the Gladiatores
I wish. With the vents closed it still leaks like a Harley. I suppose
I could tape them up, but that's for candyassed NeoCons.
Roswell
It is not loud at all, and it looks pretty cool which is really all
that matters.
Bownse
Keeping your mellon from spilling out on the pavement is all that REALLY
matters.
Margaret M.
> "Margaret M." <magg...@REMOVE.houston.rr.com> wrote:
>> up, is when I'm wearing a thick neck warmer and blocking the
>> flow. I usually just pull the chin spoiler down if I'm getting
>> nippy.
>
> For a second, there, I thought you were referring to a different
> activity. Then I saw the subject...
Hey, Chuckles, what the hell happened to yesterday morning. I didn't
get to see the dude. But I *did* run into one of my cub scout's moms
in Austin. Small world, eh?
Mag
Charles Soto
Like I said, the Foreman decided he wanted to sleep in. So the Boss and
I figured we would not miss an opportunity and did likewise.
Charles
Margaret M.
> "Margaret M." <magg...@REMOVE.houston.rr.com> wrote:
>> Hey, Chuckles, what the hell happened to yesterday morning. I
>> didn't get to see the dude. But I *did* run into one of my cub
>> scout's moms in Austin. Small world, eh?
> Like I said, the Foreman decided he wanted to sleep in. So the
> Boss and I figured we would not miss an opportunity and did
> likewise.
Smart man. Learned fast, didn't you? :-)
Mag