Quiet Ride Motorcycle Helmet

Discussion in 'Gear & Accessories' started by 34468 Randy, Sep 12, 2019.

  1. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Now I am wondering, are these simply noise reducing ear plugs that basically block out noise are they earphones that are plugged into your Sena?
     
  2. Economist

    Economist New Member

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    Just noise reducing plugs. They are latex or rubber with sone sort of insert in the middle. Earpeace is the brand name. I got them on Amazon
     
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  3. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    I just got a set of Hero Rockstar earl plugs recommended to me and am waiting to get the bike back to give them a try. But I am sure I am going to have to cut off the end sticks which I am sure are going to stick out too much to fit beneath my lid.
     
  4. Doug7200

    Doug7200 New Member

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    I thought you were looking for speakers?

    If noise reduction only, I have been using these for a few years, and have been very satisfied with the lower wind noise levels.

    Pinlock Ear Plugs - https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=Pinlock+Ear+Plugs

    They come in case with 2 sizes of plugs with a tail to make removal easy, have a center core, which makes conversation acceptable and allows altitude pressure changes without notice. They fit flush to the ear, and as I said earlier, work well.

    One more option.
     
  5. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    Hi Randy

    When it comes to choosing the right helmet, whilst feedback from others can help - what matters most is the helmet must fit securely and feel right. So what is good for one person may be hopeless for another rider.

    Sadly helmet sizing is not an exact science. So always try on a helmet before handing over cash. Some retailers are still happy to let you go for a short test ride - to see if you are happy with the peripheral vising and know how quiet its is when riding. But some retailers are not happy to allow test rides. If test rides are out - buy elsewhere.


    Personally I have gone through loads of makes and types of helmets, before eventually settling on the Schuberth C3Pro Helmet with the Cardo SRC coms system installed. Whilst they are not cheap, they feel right for my shape of head, and it is the only helmet I have not hesitated to go out and buy a second one.

    The C3Pro is really quiet compared with all the other helmets I have tried, and provides the safety of a full face helmet with the convenience of an easy to use flip front opening which is a real plus if like me you need to wear glasses. One thing to be aware of is the sizing is super tight! So if you usually choose a medium - you will probably be better off choosing a large. Or you can take Long's solution and just rip the hell out of the insulation to create more space to make it comfortable for longer runs - probably not the recommended solution!

    Once I found the right size it was magic - so buy in store not on-line. Whilst the Helmet padding around the ear is designed to ensure it is also comfortable for riders who wear glasses, it also has a flexible throat skirt which appears to be the main reason why the helmet is so quiet - you only need to forget to refit it after cleaning to quickly realise something is wrong. The padding inserts are detachable and washable and replacements can be ordered from Schuberth.

    Unlike most flip fronts, the seal around flip remains excellent after many years use there is no noise or water ingress even when riding quickly in heavy rain. The ventilation proved good enough during a visit to Furnace Creek in Death Valley. If heat is a major concern always choose silver or light colours - black is a great way to ensure your helmet gets very hot in full sunshine. The Visor is equipped for pin lock inserts - which definitely help prevent misting up on cold mornings.

    Helmet/SRC is very quiet, so I rarely use ear plugs and it has integral blue-tooth speakers which you can pair to GPS and/or mobile phone, it also has an integral FM radio system and is part of the Cardo Pack Talk set-up so you can pair and then talk to up to 9 other riders. I have received phone calls at highway speeds and the microphone works so well that the person at the other end had no idea I was out riding until my GPS broke in telling me to turn right in 400 metres :) .

    SkiMad
     
  6. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    In the original post on this thread, I was looking for anyone who has had experience with a specific helmet. Reason being as I had spoken to someone who had used this specific helmet and spoke highly of it. The issue he praised was that this helmet had an airtight cushion that surrounded built in speakers that could be inflated to "seal out" wind and road noise so not only does it protect the ear from the damaging wind noise, but also allows you to hear what is coming though your built in speakers.

    Seems no one here, or at least who has responded has had experience with this helmet. I was hoping to get some experiences before possibly taking the next step to find somewhere to try on one of these lids for fit. The Shoei fits me very well. Best I have experienced thus far. But it is so noisy.

    Thanks everyone for their opinions otherwise. Some good options here. I have experimented on other options and am going to try one of those mentioned here, and also another option suggested to me in person. I may revert back to one of my previous options that worked well, except for loosing the ability to use the phone....I think.
     
  7. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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  8. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    No apologies needed. Good points of view came along regardless. A couple of which caused me to try a couple things.

    Your link is actually the helmet I am asking about. I read some of the reviews on their web site but as they are on their web site, you have to expect a little if not a large slant towards inflating the positive. I did not read any complaint about them and nothing is that great that there is no negative issues with something. What I did see though that pleased me was that some of the reviewers previously had Shoei and they find the fit comparable with that fit. I like the fit of the Shoei.

    I like to read Google reviews on items. They tend to be a little more honest in their assessments. Scrap the high rating and the lowest ratings. The lowest rating are from someone who would rate his own sister as a cheap ho. The remainder should give you an honest assessment. Thing is, I can't seem to find Google reviews on this product...yet...
     
    Last edited: Oct 11, 2019
  9. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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  10. zombie

    zombie New Member

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    I like the idea of the air pump to seal against the ears, I just wonder how it would work with glasses. I was thinking about removing my Senna speakers and replacing them with a set from some headphones I have and using the foam surrounds as well to see if that would work and not needing earplugs while riding.
     
  11. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    I wonder if you had foam installed sufficient enough to reduce the noise enough to make a difference, that the foam would wear or tear when you put the helmet on and off. I think the beauty of the air seal is that you can put the lid on and off with no inflation or resistance from the seal around the ear, then pump air into it only as much as you need to secure a decent reduction in road and air noise. I also suspect that it should work fine with glasses being worn every bit as much as they can be in a helmet otherwise. But I don't know that for sure.

    I could not wear glasses while wearing a lid. Glasses continuously fogged up on me regardless of the weather. Also I found them uncomfortable. I wore contacts when riding. Fortunately now I need neither for driving. Had cataracts removed and prescription implant lenses put in. Really fine print, I need readers.
     
  12. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    I think it seems like the logical next step is to try out one of those helmets and see if you are happy with the result.

    I suspect the central feature of the helmet design would be more popular if it was upgraded to use some sort of battery powered pump, allowing you to swiftly inflate and deflate the ear muff whenever taking the helmet on/off.
     
  13. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    Kind of a cool idea for noise reduction, and the price is cheap enough, but it makes you wonder about the company
    when Small, Medium, and Large sizes are all "Out of Stock". For less than $200 I'd be willing to buy a fiberglass one
    just to try it out, but only having XL and XXL to choose from limits things a bit. Maybe that's why you can't find any
    reviews on Google.
     
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  14. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    FWIW, the Nolan N100-5 is about the quietest helmet I've worn. It has the chin curtain, which I agree
    really helps to cut down on wind noise. But I also feel that getting one's helmet above, or below, the
    turbulence from the windshield does wonders on cutting down the wind's roar.
     
  15. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    I have thought about jerry rigging a complete surround neck curtain that goes all the way around the helmet and possibly tucks under the jacket to see how much a difference that will make. Probably use just a piece of plastic tarp and duck tape to try this out, then if it works, work with the wife to come up with a permanent detachable thing made of polyester. I think I have seen somewhere of a neck curtain but it was claimed that they were very warm in the summer months.

    Guess to get some advantage, you might need to sacrifice some other comfort.
     
  16. FJ12rydertoo

    FJ12rydertoo Member

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    Yes, they can be warm in the summer, but not intolerable if the helmet has good ventilation.
     
  17. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Yes. And to a degree, therein is the problem. I ran into this with my last Shoei as well, but in that case it was rain working its way in. In order to get good ventilation, you run a risk of road/wind noise, and or water seepage when riding at higher speeds for prolonged periods of time. With ventilation to reduce heat build up, you need not only the exhaust vents, but also intake to get air movement and allow heat to remove from the helmet. I do hope though, that if a neck curtain does work, it will be tolerable, which I do believe it will be, while travelling at higher speeds. And that is likely considering, that is when I experience the issue at hand. Lower speeds, I can hear things fine, so would not need to use a full neck curtain, or possibly design one that is easily openable.

    Thanks though. Lots of good possibilities being learned here. Too bad though, that as mentioned, most sizes are presently unavailable at the moment. I would think that this will be rectified eventually. I hope.

    What is not clear though is their return policy. They say you can return an ill fitting helmet for a credit to purchase the right size. It is not clear if you can get a refund if you simply are not satisfied with the performance of the features, or if the fit (other than simple size) is not what you are looking for. Such an Arai vs Shoei/vs KBC or whatever,
     
  18. zombie

    zombie New Member

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    I really don't like wearing glasses while riding either, anytime actually. I am planning on looking into contacts (bifocal) for riding next spring when I get new glasses.
    I like your idea on a chin curtain, maybe worth a new thread, maybe someone has already figured out how to do it.
     
  19. zombie

    zombie New Member

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    Here is a link to the youtube video on how to do it.... maybe...
     
  20. zombie

    zombie New Member

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