I want a new lid (must be quiet)

[c-m]

Hi guys,

I'm in the market for a new helmet but not really looking at spending over £200.

I wear earplugs, but even then my current helmet is far too loud for any journeys over 60mins really.

I am looking for the quietest helmet I can find and not too fussed about design. Bright yellow or green would be nice though.

Since I cant test noise levels in store and you can't return helmets once bought, I thought I'd ask for your opinions. what lids do you have and how noisy are they? or are there any in particular you'd recommend?
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Motorcycle headlight bulbs and HIDs
Blogging about my bike and trips
https://ridershandbook.com/

[Reppyboyo]

HJC HQ-1
Just outside your budget (you might find it at about £200 on ebay).

Quiet with earplugs in.

[Kris]

I've always rated Shoeis, after my trusty XR800 lasted me five years, with multiple long distance journeys. With earplugs in it was always eerily quiet, I'm presuming this is what you're after?

Anyway, the XR800 was replaced with the XR1000, although this helmet is supposed to be a bit noisier. However, the newish Shoei Raid2 is supposed to be very good.

Whatever helmet you decide upon, I'd invest in a chin-skirt for it...

https://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=HSKIRT


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www.prisonplanet.com

[Wave2k]

Look at touring style helmets over racing style helmets is the advice id give.
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[J.K.R]

Schuberth are claimed to be the quietest available but you'll definetly have to shell out!
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www.oldskoolsuzuki.info

[dodger]

How about custom made earplugs?

I got a set of Ultimate Ears from the NEC Bike show and they far surpass any other earplugs I have used previously.

They're significantly cheaper than a new lid aswell...
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My Bikes: Piaggio NRG| Aprilia RS 125| Suzuki GSX-R 600|Yamaha Fazer Ducati 848
Europe 2008

[The Tot]

Arai Condor (superseded by the chaser) is about 200 quid, and reputedly a LOT quieter than the Corsair I currently wear. You could have a shoei XR1000 for the same price which I have - very light, but you'd need to buy your own chin curtain as an extra. Earplugs will definitely eliminate noise - even from a LOUD corsair (race), it's pretty queit.

So, rule of thumb, for a light shell and good ventilation - Race lids
For comfort and distance riding - touring lids.

Stay away from flip ups in my opinion.
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
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[J.K.R]

[feef]

[Pete.]

Another vote for HJC. Quietest helmet I ever owned and cheap too. Also get excellent scores in safety tests.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[c-m]

Thanks for the replies.

This all stems from when I picked up my first big (to me) bike - GPZ500
I had to ride it 133miles home and forgot to buy ear plugs. Luckily they had some at Stanstead half way into my journey.

But recently especially today with it being windy, I really notice noise.

I am planning on touring in June and my current lid is just not up to it.
____________________
Motorcycle headlight bulbs and HIDs
Blogging about my bike and trips
https://ridershandbook.com/

[pa_broon74]

I have a caberg trip and its super noisy so don't buy one of those. I think by looking at helmets avoid any with bells and whistles attached, the majority of noise on my helmet comes from the flip front hinges just by my ears...

Buts it's also go other protrusions that will generate wind noise... Its only my second helmet so I can't make any suggestions on alternatives.

My first lid was a £30 Flag one and it was much quieter than my Caberg.

(I never use the flip front thing, I thought I would but it turns out I just don't. Thought it would be handy if I stopped for a smoke, saves rearranging all the draught exclusion measures...)
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Didn't catch anything.

[c-m]

Anyone got a Schuberth? Are they really that quiet or is it marketing?

what sort of weight are they?

Here are two studies:
https://www.isvr.co.uk/reprints/mcyclesioa.pdf
https://www.isvr.co.uk/reprints/inter96mc.pdf
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Motorcycle headlight bulbs and HIDs
Blogging about my bike and trips
https://ridershandbook.com/

[the grim reaper]

If you want quiet, buy a lid with as few external vents and sidepods as possible, or one with subtle venting. Arais are notoriously noisy, I had Arais for years and recently switched to a Shoei X-Spirit and the noise difference is incredible.

THe main differences are a smooth fitting visor (no sidepods) and more subtle vents.

Cheers

Grim
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[LeeR]

[tristan]

[Paivi]

I've got a Schuberth S1 and a J1; both are very very quiet.

The downside is that I can't hear a word anybody says to me, so my mates have had to improve their sign language abilities.
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My other bike's a Monster...

[c-m]

Ignoring noise for a second

what is one of the lightest affordable full face helmets around?
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Motorcycle headlight bulbs and HIDs
Blogging about my bike and trips
https://ridershandbook.com/

[the grim reaper]

[DavyB16]

I seem to remember Roof helmets got a good write up for being quiet when they 1st came out (the normal full face 1s not the flip ups) I dont think they are that expensive but iv never had 1 so dunno how good they are.
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CBR600RR3, KR-1S, Pre97 #16

[Finglonga]

[c-m]

Probably should have mentioned this before.

My current lid is a cheap £30 job from Lild - was a godsend when I first started a year ago. It's served me well but now over time it has lost its tight snug fit.

It is now so loud that it makes no difference to noise levels if its on or off. Ear plugs do make a difference, but I need a decent lid to start with.

today I tried on a
medium Schubert S1 - too big, small out of stock
Arai cobra - seemed nice enough
HJC - not surewhat model was around £150 in Heine & Gericke
____________________
Motorcycle headlight bulbs and HIDs
Blogging about my bike and trips
https://ridershandbook.com/

[V15HAL]

Although people's feedback is great, some simple but wise words: It's all relative!

A quiet helmet to me may be a loud one to someone else...

It's a case of trial and error...

[V15HAL]

Oh... and then you have factors like different peoples level of hearing, ear wax, what speed they travel at, etc.

Just plug your ears with a good quality set of ear plugs and get a half decent helmet and you will be fine.

[LeeR]

If you do decide on a Schuberth you might want to order it from Infinity as they have the S1 knocked down to £290, I suspect it'll be the 2007 model as it is a clearance, but they're still worth it.
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