need help finding helmet

Hey guys, I'm shopping around for a helmet for my wife. The main attribute she is looking for is wind noise. Does anyone have any suggestions? I've read some reviews but its always harder when you're shopping for someone else. I'd prefer something for under $350.

 

I second the RF1000 and ear plugs. Took me a while to warm up to ear plugs but once you do its hard to ride without them. Just had a set of custom ones made at the Internation bike show.

 

The RF1000 with graphics is going for over 400 now. the plain ones are about a hundred less. I just got mine and am very happy. +1 on the ear plugs though.

http://vfrworld.com/forums/polls/16789-your-lid.html
^^Check this thread for a few dozen ideas.

 

And a third vote for the ear plugs. Hearing loss is usually permanent. I think what you will find is that the more ventalated the helmet is, the more wind noise you will get. So to get the comfort level you may want, you will have to persevere the earl plugs. Speaking from experience. I hated ear plugs as much as I hate eye glasses. But I forced myself to wear the ear plugs while highway riding which is what I do all the time. It really did not take me all that long to get used to the plugs. There are a wide variety of foam ear plugs out there that cost literally penies and are very good at noise reduction.

As far as helmets go, I have a Shark RSR. It is very light but also quite expensive. But I commute 30,000 km year round here so the cost is well worth the comfort. My first helmet was a KBC. it was fine but on the heaveir side. But if all you are doing are recreational rides, then it may be a good choice for you. Unfortunately I have no others to compare with. Shoei does seem to be popular here. If it is popular, there must be a reason.

BTW That Cabot Trail must be a real nice ride!

 

ear plugs and Schuberth for me
but, the most important thing will be fit, the better it fits her, the less noice she will notice
not just the size, but also importantly the shape will make a very big difference
some heads/helmets are more sphere shaped, while some are more oval front to back, the closer you are to her shape, the less noice and discomfort she or any of us will suffer, so it is really something best handled, at least the first time in a store, the largest one around that you can find, so that she can try on multiple brands, and even within a brand, multiple models
some brands stick to one shape, some try to cover the range, Arai for instance has 3 distinct shapes they offer
So ideally don't get wedded to the Acme X helmet in the Joe Smith paint scheme without trying on that particular model
Shape will determine fit
also know that a couple of companies offer check pads in a couple sizes, Arai again offers like 6 or something, so you can really get taht fit around the ear right, less space means less air moving around, means less noise to the user

 

If wind noise is a concern, I would stay away from modulars. While they are conveniant, they are also more noisy than a normal full face.

I love my modular and put up with the extra noise. Although my new HJC is a lot quiter than my old one, and it has a flip down internal visor too. And it's pearl white to match my bike.

 

I'm with Spike on this. The better the fit, the less wind noise. Also agree on ear plugs, I wear them almost all the time. If they fit her head, the SHARK RSI series are around $300 and a very nice helmet. I think they are a relaxed oval fit. I've got a long oval shaped melon and the shark RSR (one model up) fits like it was custom made. Have her try on as many as she can get her hands on. Hopefully she'll have that "That's the one!" experience.

Action

 

Great points! At least now I have some ideas on where to go. Trying on helmets where I live is difficult this time of year seeing as where people are more apt to be snowmobiling right now.
I've been riding for 6 years now and I haven't worn ear plugs as of yet. Do the majority of you just use the foam ones that you roll in your fingers and then put on your ears?

 

I tried a few and now have the rf- 1000, shoei, really quiet , fits way better than the others, and is noticeably lighter. They have come down in price and also there are some really good deals on fleabay and kijiji, lots of people get bored of riding after a short foray into the two wheeled world or downright scared and then they bail and are left with all kinds of gear that's barely used. I'd stay away from gmax and hjc if you don't want noise, good price but heavy and loud. Just my $.02.

 

The foam ones work just fine......started with those. Just recently got the customs ones because they stay in until you pull them out. I kept loosing foam ones when taking off my helmet.

 

My advice is to take her to a store that has a good selection of helmets and start trying them on. That's what I did. I didn't look at the price or colour, just kept trying until I found the best fit. Everybody's head is a different shape so trying them on is the best way to go IMOP. I settled on a Arai Signet (now I think its called the Profile). My wife hated the full face helmet.

I also use the disposable ear plugs. After meeting a fellow rider at a gas station, who yelled at me because he was almost deaf from years of riding without plugs, I decided to wear them. Now I use them all the time.

Good Luck!

 

Find a helment that fits right and then buy Good ear plugs, I wish someone would have told me that years ago! now i have a ringing in my ears that just won't go away, it wake me up at night!

 

I do. They work well and are cheap as dirt. I keep a bunch in my tank bag so if I lose some, it doesn't matter.

But I put them "in" my ears, not "on" them; they seem to be more effective this way, rather than trying to use them as ear muffs. (J/K)

 

Wait until you start hearing the little voices in your head. It will make you wish the ringing would come back.

 

Arai Fits my head best but when shopping for the wife the Shoei RF1000.
I was first concerned with fit, Second with performance, third with price. Also EAR PLUGS. you need em they make a big difference. look for silicone in the 26 to 30 range. You can get them at a hardware store for $5, for swimmers at about $3 and at a motorcycle store for $30.
Foam and disposables are good I have just found the silicone to work best and be most comfortable on long rides.

The reason you don't wan't too good of an ear plug should be obvious. You can't hear traffic and emergency vehicles etc.

Good luck. Hope all works out.

 

Wind noise is an issue? LOL WT... Yep RF1000, be hard to go wrong...

 

what's wrong with little voices?:unsure: