Hello.. I'm running full carbon arrow exhaust on my M750 and stock exhaust on my M1100evo. This season my ears started to hurt after 2~ 3 hours of freeway riding.. By the end of the day I couldn't touch my ears, especially my right ear (exhaust side) .. I wear shoei rf1000. No ear plugs at the time.. Started wearing ear plugs .. But still at times my ears hurt. Planning on buying a new helmet for next season. I'd like to buy the quietest helmet on the market.. Idc abt money when it comes to feeling that pain again ... Any ideas?
No matter what you buy you should still wear ear plugs. Don't blame the exhaust, the big enemy is wind noise. Supposedly the Schuberth S1 is the quietest on the market, reality is there are many other factors; fit and bike aerodynamics just to mention two. In general, the better the venting the worse the noise and modular helmets are usually noisier.
I wish I wore ear plugs years back as I used to ride with visor open. It isn't the pipes, it's the wind.
Trust me, wear your ear plugs or else ringing in the ear and hearing loss will await you. I am prime example sadly.
Quote from: ab on September 10, 2012, 09:10:30 PM
I wish I wore ear plugs years back as I used to ride with visor open. It isn't the pipes, it's the wind.
Trust me, wear your ear plugs or else ringing in the ear and hearing loss will await you. I am prime example sadly.
Sorry to hear that... :(
Yes , ill wear them all the time from now on...
I was abt to spend abt 800$ on arai helmet because someone told me that its like u r in a car when u wear that...
EARplugs makes all the diff
My Shoei RF-1100 is quieter than my Arai CorsairV, Ive heard AGV makes the quietest.
+1 for earplugs. (even though I seldom remember mine. D'OH!)
Quote from: freeclimbmtb on September 11, 2012, 04:21:03 AM
My Shoei RF-1100 is quieter than my Arai CorsairV, Ive heard AGV makes the quietest.
+1 for earplugs. (even though I seldom remember mine. D'OH!)
I always seem to link to this site, but... http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmets.htm (http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-helmets/motorcycle-helmets.htm)
Take a look thru these reviews at the helmets that you have, or are looking at. They attempt to gauge how these helmets rate for noise levels (but it's VERY subjective). My HJC is real quiet on the Monster, but a wind tunnel on the Concours. It's all about aerodynamics, and how much the bike affects the wind getting to your dome.
Like others have said, ear plugs make a huge difference. Spend a little extra if you need to for some custom ones that won't hurt your ears after being in a while. I'm lucky, some basic $5 reusable ones work great for me. There are a few threads in here on various ear plug choices... http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?action=search2 (http://www.ducatimonsterforum.org/index.php?action=search2)
I think quiet goes with headshape, fit, and riding position in regards to the angle wind hits it. The quietest helmet I have had is my Scorpion EXO-400 although others say it is noisy. I think it just fits my head very well. I tried an EXO-1000 and hated it (loud concussion inside at highway speeds). I will 2nd what howie said on the Schuberths, I have heard they are the quietest ones out there. From what I have found, the more of a neck roll the helmet has the better. I have an AGV arriving in the mail today and am hoping it will be OK since my EXO-400 is wore out. Regardless, earplugs are a must IMO. Good luck!
I only have experience with Shoei RF-1000, Arai Corsair V and Arai RX-Q helmets.
I do not consider any of them quiet so I always wear ear plugs.
I survived a light crash(cager's fault) and went face down on the Arai Corsair V. Zero head injuries. All the gear did its job perfectly. I would rather have the safest, comfortable helmet than the most quite since earplugs are such an easy solution. But best of both worlds would be great(safest and quietest).
I ride a '12 696. I wear an Arai Vector 2. My purchase was based on an '02 Arai that I owned and loved (I think it was a Quantum). I'm not claiming the Arai Vector 2 is the quietest helmet by any stretch.
I was too happy before I started wearing earplugs listening to the engine noise to even think about the wind noise. But after riding this season 2 hrs to and from work, my ears started ringing.
I just started wearing ear plugs. Immediately I was able to discern the incredible amount of wind noise that passed by my ears as the ear plugs (Hearos 32db - the blue ones) did a pretty good job of dampening the engine noise (boo hiss). After riding with ear plugs for a week or so, I developed a theory that the shape of the windscreen directs wind to the underside of my helmet when seated in a normal upright riding position. I do notice that when I tuck my chin to my chest or ride in a tucked position that the wind noise lessens considerably. Maybe this is obvious to others?
There are a few helmets on the market that have a fabric chin spoiler (like my old Arai) or where the helmet shell seems to come down lower in the front than in the back. These might deflect more of the wind. A different windscreen on the monster might also help.
Not sure this helps, but good luck in your search. If you find something that works, post it up.
Quote from: billschusteriv on September 14, 2012, 02:02:55 PM
I ride a '12 696. I wear an Arai Vector 2. My purchase was based on an '02 Arai that I owned and loved (I think it was a Quantum). I'm not claiming the Arai Vector 2 is the quietest helmet by any stretch.
I was too happy before I started wearing earplugs listening to the engine noise to even think about the wind noise. But after riding this season 2 hrs to and from work, my ears started ringing.
I just started wearing ear plugs. Immediately I was able to discern the incredible amount of wind noise that passed by my ears as the ear plugs (Hearos 32db - the blue ones) did a pretty good job of dampening the engine noise (boo hiss). After riding with ear plugs for a week or so, I developed a theory that the shape of the windscreen directs wind to the underside of my helmet when seated in a normal upright riding position. I do notice that when I tuck my chin to my chest or ride in a tucked position that the wind noise lessens considerably. Maybe this is obvious to others?
There are a few helmets on the market that have a fabric chin spoiler (like my old Arai) or where the helmet shell seems to come down lower in the front than in the back. These might deflect more of the wind. A different windscreen on the monster might also help.
Not sure this helps, but good luck in your search. If you find something that works, post it up.
i kinda settled on the thought of always wearing ear plugs .. :)
for next season i ll buy the http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/shoei-helmets-qwest-passage (http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/shoei-helmets-qwest-passage) . it looks sick and i ll look on my bikes...
i ll try to find the right ear plugs for me and not spend more than 600$ for a helmet .. no need now after couple of speeding tickets i got last week (driving my 116hp car) [bang]
in other words im not going to speed or ride hard for a while....
My AGV GP-Tech is much quieter with regards to wind noise than my previous Arai.
You can actually hear the bike at speed.
If your ears are actually painful to the touch then it sounds like your helmet is the wrong shape for you as opposed to issues with noise levels. Is the shell of the helmet pinning your ears to the side of your head?
And I've used the RF-1000 and the RX-Q and the RX-Q is significantly quieter than the RF-1000.
Quote from: thought on September 16, 2012, 02:46:11 PM
If your ears are actually painful to the touch then it sounds like your helmet is the wrong shape for you as opposed to issues with noise levels. Is the shell of the helmet pinning your ears to the side of your head?
And I've used the RF-1000 and the RX-Q and the RX-Q is significantly quieter than the RF-1000.
no, the helmet is very comfortable. it happens from the noise at high speed.. oh by the way .. the earplugs dont help :(( im still able to hear the wind .. tried 2 types of earplugs .. same thing... and yes i put them on properly ... idk what to do ..
I have yet to find a helmet that reduces wind noise to the point where you don't need earplugs.
Had a hard time finding the plugs that work for me. The latest purchase seems to do the job but only if I wet them and fully insert them:
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/mack's-ear-seals-dual-purpose-earplugs/ID=prod1707479-product (http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/mack's-ear-seals-dual-purpose-earplugs/ID=prod1707479-product)
Quote from: Zaster on September 16, 2012, 05:06:23 PM
I have yet to find a helmet that reduces wind noise to the point where you don't need earplugs.
Had a hard time finding the plugs that work for me. The latest purchase seems to do the job but only if I wet them and fully insert them:
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/mack's-ear-seals-dual-purpose-earplugs/ID=prod1707479-product (http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/mack's-ear-seals-dual-purpose-earplugs/ID=prod1707479-product)
thx [thumbsup] ill go 2morrow and buy a pair. hopefully it works..
Which earplugs did you use?
I suggest these:
http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-Earplugs-Uncorded-NRR33/dp/B0013A0C0Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1347841397&sr=8-2&keywords=howard+leight+earplug (http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-Earplugs-Uncorded-NRR33/dp/B0013A0C0Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1347841397&sr=8-2&keywords=howard+leight+earplug)
They're cheap, 200 pairs will last you effectively forever, and they have the highest NR on the market at 33 db.
And all helmets will let in wind noise... you have to think of earplugs as a high/low pass filter. You're still going to hear through them but it'll block out the louder sounds.
And what hurts when your ear hurts? The inner ear or the ear lobes?
Used them for some time put they didn't always work, either didn't expand properly or started to move back out of the ear canal.
Quote from: thought on September 16, 2012, 05:28:12 PM
Which earplugs did you use?
I suggest these:
http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-Earplugs-Uncorded-NRR33/dp/B0013A0C0Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1347841397&sr=8-2&keywords=howard+leight+earplug (http://www.amazon.com/Howard-Leight-Earplugs-Uncorded-NRR33/dp/B0013A0C0Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1347841397&sr=8-2&keywords=howard+leight+earplug)
They're cheap, 200 pairs will last you effectively forever, and they have the highest NR on the market at 33 db.
And all helmets will let in wind noise... you have to think of earplugs as a high/low pass filter. You're still going to hear through them but it'll block out the louder sounds.
And what hurts when your ear hurts? The inner ear or the ear lobes?
those are exactly what im using . when my ears hurt (especially when my right ear hurts) who whole channel hurts .. from the inside up to my neck .. sometimes even my teeth on that side hurt... i guess the nerves go that way ...
so as i was saying im using the exact ones and i can still hear the wind ... even when all my vents are closed.
Quote from: Zaster on September 16, 2012, 05:51:46 PM
Used them for some time put they didn't always work, either didn't expand properly or started to move back out of the ear canal.
i use them once and throw them away.. i get them from work free and they advice us to use them only once to avoid ear ``infections``..
it helps to use saliva when u put them on. just lick each one a little bit when you put it on and it will seat good. also when you put them on pull your ear back with the opposite hand from the back . ex. when u are trying to put it in your right ear pull the ear from the back with your left hand . and repeat the opposite for the other side.
I used to get that same ear pain after wearing ear plugs for too long. Not from the helmet, but from the plugs, in my ear canal. I tried some silicone plugs, nice high NRR 3M branded foam ones, the Howard Leight ones posted earlier, and a few others and all hurt to some degree. I had some custom musicians earplugs made, but they kept getting knocked loose when I put my helmet on. The Hearos were the second best, but more expensive.
Finally I tried some Howard Leight Lite Max (the green ones) and they are much better. I think the foam is softer, or doesn't expand as firmly in my ear canal, or is just narrower to begin with. I got a 200 count of individually wrapped pairs and it seems like I have barely made a dent in the box after a few years. I wear them almost daily commuting, but do re-use a pair for 3-5 days usually. Not the best idea hygienically, especially with how cheap they are, I just don't remember to grab a fresh pair most days. But I force myself to get a new pair on Mondays.
Quote from: Zaster on September 16, 2012, 05:06:23 PM
I have yet to find a helmet that reduces wind noise to the point where you don't need earplugs.
Had a hard time finding the plugs that work for me. The latest purchase seems to do the job but only if I wet them and fully insert them:
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/mack's-ear-seals-dual-purpose-earplugs/ID=prod1707479-product (http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/mack's-ear-seals-dual-purpose-earplugs/ID=prod1707479-product)
So I got myself a pair of what u suggested.. they fit good and they don't hurt my ears unlike the ones I was using before (foamy and they expand by themselves) don't remember the brand now.. no pain at all from the new ones.. but I still hear the wind.. a lot... But I don't care as long as there is no pain .. also have a doctors apt for Monday to check the ears.. ill ask the doc if he can prescribe me some good ear plugs lol...
I agree with the no pain. [thumbsup]
Make sure they are inserted all the way...had issues with that at first and was disappointed with the performance.
Once I used lots of moisture to fit them properly I got a lot less wind noise.
Haven't found anything better short off paying $100 plus for custom made stuff.