Noisey brain bucket...

I know there's a great thread about Touring helmets, but I wanted to pose a direct line of questioning before I go out and buy another lid.

When I bought my bike, I made what I considered a smart move (rare form for me) and bought a brand new, proper fitting helmet. I spent a decent amount (or so I thought) on an HJC Rpha 10, and being a fan of Superbike and MotoGP, I opted for the Ben Spies red(orange)/white/blue color-way. This helmet has been great for riding around town. I really like the way it moves air and keeps my head cool and dry. I like the pinlock system with the antifog shield. I really like that it doesn't impede my peripheral vision.




As I venture further and further from home on my rides, I find that I have some gripes about this lid, and I suppose I need to know if these gripes are justifiable or if I just have unreasonable expectations.

Gripe: This helmet is NOISEY! I suppose I'll have to sacrifice some sound suppression if I want good airflow; I get that. When I'm at cruising speed (around 55-65 on the back roads and 70+ highway) the wind inside my helmet is LOUD. I can't hear my bike, I can't hear myself think, it's distracting and tiring.

Gripe: It feels loose! When I bought this helmet it was nice and snug, and gave me the smooshy cheeks and felt secure on my head. 6 months later, it feels as if a heavy gust of wind could blow the helmet right off my head if it weren't strapped to my chin! It shifts around on my head and once again it's distracting.

Gripe: While it was (in the eye of this beholder) a beautiful helmet to start with, after just short of 1000 miles, it looks like it's been through a war! I have never dropped it and always put it back on the shelf when I get home. There are gouges, dimples and divits everywhere. I don't hear it getting hit by rocks or anything (other than a few times). I'm thankful it's protecting my head, but jeez! I've seen helmets that guys have been wearing for years that aren't nearly as nicked up!

While I know this helmet is a more Sport and track oriented design, I can't help but wonder if I could gain some comfort in a helmet meant for touring. Are there things I can do to my own helmet to reduce the noise (yes I'm aware that earplugs exist). Will replacing the cheek pads and liner give me that snug fit again? Should that be done every so often?
Are there things I can do to maintain my helmet and make the shell last longer? How do I know when to replace it altogether?

Thanks guys! As always your council is welcome and much appreciated.

 

Helmets are definitely something that need to be tried on, IMO, to make sure they fit right.

I know that HJC sells replacement cheek pads. If I recall, you can even get a thicker pad (i.e. if stock was 15mm, you can get 25mm - or whatever the measurement system is). That might snug it up some.

For me, I never ride without ear plugs. Wind will always find a way into a helmet, and being that I screwed up my hearing when i was a kid from one too many Iron Maiden or Judas Priest concerts, I'm now sensitive to loud noises. Wearing ear plugs makes a might and day difference. Even the cheap 20 pack from your local pharmacy can screen out some of those high-pitched noises.

 

Just like any mass manufactured product your helmet may be flawed. If after only 1K miles it's full of dimples and divots something is not right IMO.

Like P sez,, earplugs.

 

Fit and function are priority. The rest is a preference thing. As for the noise, I've owned 600.00 dollar helmets that were louder than 150.00 dollar helmets. I don't ride without ear plugs. I actualy hear the bike better due to the ear plugs filter out other noises. I also have foam ear buds I listen to music on during trips that also allow me to answer my phone. Only ear plugs in town. Try replacing your cheek pads, they tend to wear and feel loose. A new set will give you back that snug feel. As for the divits, I'm not sure. Did you ever get behind a dump trick hauling sand or gravel. If not then have you cleaned it with any harsh cleaners. Soap and water only. Chemicals can damage the shell.

 

If you can find a helmet that both has good airflow and keeps it quiet, I want to know what it is.

On fit, over time the padding compacts a touch. I use a HJC that has the removable liner. When I got a new one, I use the liner from the old one for hot-weather use as I wear a moisture-wicking skullcap; that liner and the cap make a good fit. For cold weather I use the newer liner that's not as compacted.

Noise, I went to earplugs years ago because of it, only solution I know of. Find some good ones that are comfortable; I mostly go with these http://www.amazon.com/EARPRO-SONIC-DFNDR-MAX-PAIR/dp/B00786X7M2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1434461579&sr=8-4&keywords=earpro+earplugs
Pretty comfortable, washable, last quite a while.

 

I have just been approved for hearing aids. Learn to live with the ear plugs now. My hearing loss is due mostly to the same type of noise you experience in your helmet. Driving for years at highway speed in a car with the window only part way down. A siren directly above my head on a light bar helped this along but the specialist told me it was mostly the wind noise bouncing around inside the car. He told me I should keep the windo up, or open two windows. Too late now.

Also, different helmets fit different heads. You may like your HJC but it simply is a poor fit for your head. I have an expensive Sharke helmet that I never did like the fit. It felt great when I bought it but like yours, became quite loose in short time. When it eventually wore out, I replaced it with a Shoei. I love that helmet. Been wearing it for several years now and it still fits proper. I do need new innards cause the outside material is starting to wear through.

Unfortunately it is noisy. But if you want performance, ie air flow, you sacrifice quietness. Airflow is not only needed to keep your noggin cooler, well lest's say less hot, but also to keep your visor clear of fog. You say you have a pinlock system so I assume you ride in rain or cold, or both.

All this brings us back to ear protection. Those compressible foamies are your best friend. Actually, I have found that the silicon earbuds for my music device works better but I don't use that much any more. I have a Bluetooth coms in my helmet.

 

"How much is your head worth?" More often than not, that's is a questions asked around the forums when the question about helmets quality comes up. Comments like "if it's good enough for Rosie- or Lorenza, or Brenda Spies for that matter- it's good enough for me"
I've had several helmets in different price ranges, but through the years I've found out that, at least for me, price doesn't translate into the best helmet. My conclusion is that the best fit is what I go by. Scorpion helmets fit me best, and my head is happy at the end of a 500-miles day or even more miles and several hours on the bike. I also learned to live with ear plugs.
Some riders buy nothing but a high-priced helmet, some buy very low priced -like bilt- helmets and is god enough for them.
I recommend you buy one that fits you best. I think with the right fit you can still get your melon protected and reduce wind noise at the same time.

 

In general, Air flow = Wind noise! It is very hard to get both good air flow and less wind noise. Although some makers seem to be doing pretty good. Oddly, out of all the helmet makers out there, it seems that Schuberth is the only one that advertises their noise rating or at least the one that made it easy to find. Maybe their demographic is the more experienced rider who, rather than have the latest replica helmet to look like their favorite racer (Mofo, that's "Rossi", not "Rosie"! :rofl: ), they want something more important than image, their HEARING!

Shoei helmets always seem to fit me the best but the RF-1100 helmet I had was one of the loudest I have owned BUT with one of the best air flow of any helmet I had previously. So it goes without saying ear plugs were a MUST. While I was wearing the RF-1100 I did a search for "quietest helmet" and this is where I found the Schuberth helmets and like I mentioned, the only maker I could find that listed their noise rating. I looked into the C3 and pulled the trigger and other than a tight fit at first, once broken in, it became my go to helmet. Even though it is a whole lot quieter than the Shoei albeit with less air flow, any speed above those on most city streets >60 MPH, the noise is still more than one should endure without ear plugs. In short, regardless of noise level ratings, air flow, fitment, ear plugs should be part of your ATGATT!

 

I love my Shoei and these ear plugs are the best < http://earfuze.com/ >