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Helmets hmmm.
 

i was wondering for all you riders who have tired multiple helmet brands, which is the quietest? i've only worn HJC IS-16. and i know a helmet can only really be so quiet but is there one or so brands or models that really seem quieter than the rest?

thanks!

The basic answer to your question is "no".

The quietest helmet that I've owned was an inexpensive helmet that fit just right. It was "speaker ready" which meant that the foam was not touching my ears directly. It was the least noisy helmet that I've ever owned. I bought that same make/model helmet a few years later, but found out that it had been changed by the manufacturer during that time.

Webbikeworld tests helmets and rates their quietness, so you might want to check out that site. But there are no guarantees. Some of the noise depends on how your noggin fits inside the helmet.

They sell these little foam devices called ear plugs.

Nah, Man! Bad vibes! You should only wear earplugs if your shotgun-pipes are too loud to stand at idle....

Just like touchin' the Front Brake will throw you over the handlebars; if you wear Earplugs when ridin' you can't hear anything, and that Semi-truck will run you over.....

+1 on all hats being about the same (given the type, full face, 3/4, bucket) noisiness.

It's funny about earplugs! I can't get my buddies to wear them for some reason. Even when I hand them a set...

I won't ride more than 5 miles without them! More than 50mph, and they make a HUGE difference in 'rider comfort.'

On long trips, the difference in my 'fatique level' is significant.

What's really illuminating is when I get to wherever I'm going, then jump on the bike for a 'side trip' and don't re-insert the plugs. Wow! Is it ever loud!

I find they seem to make my hearing better, because with my tinnitus, high freq sounds are quite overwhelming. The plugs attenuate the higher frequency more than the lower registers, so I can hear more of my surroundings.

Its IMS time again, get a custom set of ear plugs at the show for $50 and dont look back. Just do not move your face at all when the goop is "setting" in your ears.

i was just curious, i commute for about 50 min, doing 45-75 on the way and i was just wondering, the noise doesn't bug me, but thought i could do with less.

Ah, but the noise DOES bug you!

Just try some cheap foam plugs. One time, you'll be hooked!

I had a custom set of earplugs made when I first started riding. With some helmets I *have* to use them, especially if I'm riding on the expressway. With a few of my helmets I don't. They're always with me in my tank bag, though, just in case.

Try some foam earplugs. They're inexpensive, and you might find out you like them.

Most of my helmets are from Arai and I also have a few low cost HJC ones and they are mostly the same even though some were advertised as quieter. I just wear earplugs. I found that most of the noise comes from the air around the neck because on cold rides when I have a thick neck warmer on it is much quieter.