What helmet do you have? How's the noise?

[TurkeyChicken]

I really need to invest in a new helmet.  The one I bought when I got my bike simply lets in way too much wind.  It hurts my left ear if I ride for more than an hour or two at speeds of 60mph+

The one I currently have is the HJC CL-Max helmet where teh full front face can lift up.  I think that's what's causing so much wind to get through... the cracks left where the helmet lifts up.

here's a link to what I currently have:
http://www.hjchelmets.com/prds_clmax.htm

If anyone could recommend a nice full face helmet (doesn't need to lift up like mine does) that has good sound protection, that would be great!

Also, the reason I didn't wear ear plugs is I was using an in helmet walkie-talkie system so i could talk with a buddy of mine.

[The Buddha]

I used to be a bieffe head. Till ~03-04 when I found the RF900 shoei to actually fit nice ... maybe they changed their insert shape, maybe my head changed, maybe ...
Then on I have been a shoei head, and Love the RF9 as well as the Rf1K I scored last year off scott_pa_gs.
Bieffe still fits me a shade better, though it is heavier and is less prone to moving my head around in wind. The shoei is quieter when you shut the vents and more air tight, as well as better ventilated when you open em ... The Bieffe I have looks far better but is not as good in terms of noise, vents and tightness when not vented and is heavier. I'd go with slightly shoei for myself.
Cool.
Buddha.

[devinc]

I wear an older Simpson racing helmet from back when I used to do track events in cars   So I kinda look like a black Stig on my bike.  The wind noise actually isn't too bad but when it gets cold I can definitely tell a big difference in how cold my head gets compared to a normal motorcycle helmet.  So...don't get a Simpson helmet haha

[nofearblackstar]

I just bought a sparx helmet the other day.It ran 130 and seems to be a great buy for the money.Noise is greatly reduced from the extream wistle i had in my last helmet

[VSG]

I highly recommend musician's earplugs:  http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20.aspx

You can get them at any music store.  They reduce noise, but don't cancel out any frequencies.  You can still clearly hear everything and have a normal conversation with them on, but it'll prevent noise from reaching damaging levels.

I almost always wear them when riding.  And always do when I'm on the highway.  It makes a huge difference.  Riding is much more relaxing with them in, and you don't end up with a headache after a long ride.

[TurkeyChicken]

I highly recommend musician's earplugs:  http://www.etymotic.com/ephp/er20.aspx

You can get them at any music store.  They reduce noise, but don't cancel out any frequencies.  You can still clearly hear everything and have a normal conversation with them on, but it'll prevent noise from reaching damaging levels.

I almost always wear them when riding.  And always do when I'm on the highway.  It makes a huge difference.  Riding is much more relaxing with them in, and you don't end up with a headache after a long ride.

It looks like they have something that sticks out... does it stick out far enough to interfere with the helmet?  I know if I put on my current helmet while wearing ear plugs, it can pull them out.

[VSG]

They stick out a little bit.

I guess it depends on the helmet.  I have an HJC CL-15 (i think) and there's no issue with fit for me though.

[drincruz]

i've got an HJC CL-15 too! no noise issues really. though, for longer rides i do put in ear plugs. they sell "Hearos" at most CVS, Walmart, riteaid, etc. stores. so, you don't have to go to a music store to pick them up.

my other helmet is an old Hawk. not sure what model. but that had a real annoying wind noise on the highway. i don't recommend it.

cheers,
~drin

[Weston]

I have a kbc tarmac. It's fairly quiet I think.

[intergalactic]

Shoei RF-200 (yeah, it is old)  It is pretty quiet.

[tripleb]

Suomy Vandal and it's pretty quiet once the vents are shut.

[LimeyYankee]

I have a Scorpion ex 400, I picked it up for $150 and it fits my head good.  I have some wind noise, but nothing objectionable.

[simon79]

Nolan N-102, modular (or lift-up face, as you prefer).
A bit noisy maybe, but once you close the vents and apply the chin flap, (almost) no air comes in.
The only thing I regret over its more recent models is the sun visor, which is external (newer ones' are internal, helicopter-style, so independent from main visor's position).
Overall I'm satisfied.

[Toogoofy317]

+2 on Shoei Rf-1000 once vents are closed no wind issues. The wind skirt at the bottom also helps tremendously! Was worth the money IMO!

Mary

[bassmechanicsz]

I have a scorpion exo-700 and if you close all the vents it becomes nearly silent.  I also got the chin flap for colder morning cause the cold air would rush in but with that piece in it blocks all of the wind.  that little piece of leather was worth the $7.  Very comfortable helmet imo.

[TurkeyChicken]

Looks like I might end up going with the Shoei Rf-1000.  It looks like there's about a $100 difference between ordering online and buying locally.  I'll probably ask to try it on locally to find the size, then order it on amazon

[ATLRIDER]

Here's a review you may enjoy on a low price helmet.  Scroll down to the "noise" heading.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/gmax/gm68s/

Personally I wear a Scorpion EXO-1000.  Fits great, not too noisy but I always wear earplugs.

[Toogoofy317]

I really can't say enough about the RF-1000 only downside is the price but I just threw it in with the price of the bike. Unless I "use" it should be good for quite awile! I got the black one myself and did my own designs with decals like this:



It is also great for people with odd shaped heads and like me small heads.

Mary

[TurkeyChicken]

Here's a review you may enjoy on a low price helmet.  Scroll down to the "noise" heading.
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/motorcycle-helmet/gmax/gm68s/

Personally I wear a Scorpion EXO-1000.  Fits great, not too noisy but I always wear earplugs.

Strange, i would have thought the noise would have been outrageous too because of all those vents.

I really can't say enough about the RF-1000 only downside is the price but I just threw it in with the price of the bike. Unless I "use" it should be good for quite awile! I got the black one myself and did my own designs with decals like this:

[IM G]http://i490.photobucket.com/albums/rr264/Toogoofy317/P1000271.jpg[/img]

It is also great for people with odd shaped heads and like me small heads.

Mary

That's cool.  All the reviews I've read about this helmet have been top notch.

[LOUiE]

I have a Zox Tavani.

http://www.zoxhelmets.com/86-62120_en.html

it was 130ish Canadian.  Comfort is great, noise is good, but ventilation isn't the best.  Seems like opening and closing the vents don't really make a difference.  But then again, I don't remember my last helmet HAVING vents... so I guess its an upgrade!