Wind noise

Hi all,

I'm getting a new lid in a few weeks and just wanted some opinions. I've tried a few different ones but the amount of wind noise always seems to be the main issue

1. It needs to be comfortable enough to wear on long journeys and every day on my commute.
2. Limited wind noise (tried a Caberg last week. Argggggh the wind noise was unbearable, gave me a headache!)
3. Preferably with choice of tinted/coloured visors with quick release
4. Budget upto £400.

My current lid is one of the older Shoei's (brought in 2001!) but thought I'd ask around rather than just going for another Shoei (don't think they still make the same model anyway)

Thanks!

Do you wear earplugs? Best thing IMO.

I'm a bit out fo touch with the latest lids, but Roof are supposed to be quiet.

Don't wear ear plugs, usually got my MP3 player in one ear so I can still hear whats going on with the traffic on the otherside.

[Stu]

No, Schuberth as supposed to be quiet,

But to be clear, are you complaining (like me) that helmets are still too noisey with earplugs?
'Cos if you're not wearing earplugs away and raffle yourself.

That said, instead of getting a helmet you don't like because it's quiet, you could try the whisper kit on the Shoei's if that's what you like?

[G]

I havn't much road knowledge of helmets as I got what was comfortable.

I got a shoei XR1000 as it fitted nice and felt comfortable........its is however EXTREMELY noisey, I HATE IT.

I have spoke with a few people who also have them complaining of the same.

I think the problem is because of a switch on the left side of the visor which locks the visor down so wind doesnt open it when going rather quick. Its a brilliant feature, but I think the wind resistance on this switch at speed is the cause of the noise problem, as it only really occurs in the left ear.

I have got off my bike before and its felt like my ear was bleeding, followed by headaches for hours.

I dont use ear plugs as I feel it restricts my hearing to much and makes me less aware of my sorroundings.

[fizzwheel]

Dont buy a race rep or high end lid, they all have loads of vents and thats what makes them noisy.

My Arai RX7 is noisy, but I wear ear plugs so I dont notice it to much.

Just don't like earplugs, like to listen to my music but even with it turned up to maximum the wind is really bad with caberg and my shoei (although the shoei is really old!)

I dont use ear plugs as I feel it restricts my hearing to much and makes me less aware of my sorroundings.

+1

[fizzwheel]

Well personally I wont ride without mine now. Wind Noise will destroy your hearing over time as its a "white" noise and you wont notice your hearing decline unitil you realise you've got the TV turned up to max or you loose threads of conversations in busy places like a busy pub for example. I had for ages a while ago tinitus in my right ear and its either gone or I've got used to it and dont notice the ringing anymore.

I rode without earplug for two years and I have noticed my hearing isnt what it was. With plugs in I can hear whats going on around me just fine and you shouldnt be relying on just your ears, you should be doing plenty of obs around town anyway. On motorway rides you wont hear anyhting other than wind noise anyway and IMHO like I said thats what f*cks your hearing up.

As for hearing the bike you dont need to IMHO, you can feel what its doing through the seat and the bars.

[tigersaw]

Originally Posted by G

I dont use ear plugs as I feel it restricts my hearing to much and makes me less aware of my sorroundings.

After riding for 30 years and thinking the same thing, I started using them last year on longer journeys. I dont feel they restrict at all, they drown all the noise but I can still hear everything perfectly - well as best as my poor hearing can manage these days.