Helmet Headaches
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 355
From: San Diego
Helmet Headaches
So I've discovered that My $70 Bilt helmet actually amplifies sound instead of limiting it. Rode today without it and the difference is startling. Problem is there doesn't seem to be a happy medium. I'm not plunking down 600 wampum for a helmet, but without earplugs this helmet is a sound chamber.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,351
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From: Vegas, baby!
I went back to get a second one before the sale ended. That way I would have one for day and another for night without having to change the face shield.
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 21,760
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From: North Carolina
Modular’s are the most quiet. I waited till the end of the Schuberth C3 Pro model run. It was the number one helmet of it’s kind in the world for two years. Awesome quality and comfort. New over $600, I paid $350.00 and love it!
Loud pipes will affect the noise in pretty much all helmets except half style. I always wear ear plugs. The Apline Moto plugs are awesome. I hear my music excellent with them, hear cars and a nice muffled rumble from the exhaust. All harmful and wind noise is gone.
You get what you pay for.
Loud pipes will affect the noise in pretty much all helmets except half style. I always wear ear plugs. The Apline Moto plugs are awesome. I hear my music excellent with them, hear cars and a nice muffled rumble from the exhaust. All harmful and wind noise is gone.
You get what you pay for.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,077
Likes: 1,601
There are literally 1000's of helmets out there for more than $70 and less than $600.
It definitely can be a pain finding "the right one". Doing research is well worth the trouble as a 'guess and check' method can spiral down a very expensive hole real quick.
Also a retailer with a trouble-free return policy is worth their weight in gold.
Barring all that, sometimes small changes can make a big difference in noise. Closing a vent, adding a chin curtain or adjusting your windshield height/angle (if possible/applicable) is sometimes all that's necessary. It really depends on what kind of offensive noises are bothering you.
Of course, you did buy pretty much the cheapest helmet in existence so it may well be a case of 'get what you pay for'
It definitely can be a pain finding "the right one". Doing research is well worth the trouble as a 'guess and check' method can spiral down a very expensive hole real quick.
Also a retailer with a trouble-free return policy is worth their weight in gold.
Barring all that, sometimes small changes can make a big difference in noise. Closing a vent, adding a chin curtain or adjusting your windshield height/angle (if possible/applicable) is sometimes all that's necessary. It really depends on what kind of offensive noises are bothering you.
Of course, you did buy pretty much the cheapest helmet in existence so it may well be a case of 'get what you pay for'
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 1,333
Likes: 355
From: San Diego
"Snell ff"? 239 is reasonable. I may be wearing too large a helmet. I have a large and may be better off with a higher quality medium. 24" head.
Last edited by Huggerbugger; Nov 4, 2020 at 06:07 PM.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
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Likes: 884
From: 'Noke, VA
Go someplace that has a ton of different brand helmets. BMW dealers usually have a good selection.
I have a 3/4 Bilt that was $40 and is amazing. It's a shame it's not made anymore, 'cause it's the best 3/4 I've ever used. I also have a C3 Pro, and while it was spendy, it was worth every penny.
Keep in mind too that every bike is different, just like everyone's ears are different. People rave about the Neotec, I couldn't believe how loud that thing was. The bike I had at the time wasn't ridiculously loud (I don't like loud bikes), but inside that Shoei the volume was unreal.
Edited to add: Size matters. If you haven't been fitted for a helmet, get to a shop that does fitting. I was wearing a helmet that was 2 sizes too big for a long time. Makes a big difference in sound as well.
I have a 3/4 Bilt that was $40 and is amazing. It's a shame it's not made anymore, 'cause it's the best 3/4 I've ever used. I also have a C3 Pro, and while it was spendy, it was worth every penny.
Keep in mind too that every bike is different, just like everyone's ears are different. People rave about the Neotec, I couldn't believe how loud that thing was. The bike I had at the time wasn't ridiculously loud (I don't like loud bikes), but inside that Shoei the volume was unreal.
Edited to add: Size matters. If you haven't been fitted for a helmet, get to a shop that does fitting. I was wearing a helmet that was 2 sizes too big for a long time. Makes a big difference in sound as well.
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Club Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 468
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From: NorCal
Head over to a local Cycle Gear and try some on. Check out the different shapes, too. It's amazing what a difference a good fitting helmet makes. I started wearing earplugs with my half helmet because of the wind noise. It used to never bother me, but it does now, and I am getting tired of listening to the same old one-note song I hear all the time.