Any recommendations abt the QUIETEST helmet on the market..

[desmodoktor]

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?

[Howie]

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.

[ab]

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.

[desmodoktor]

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...

[Raux]

EARplugs   makes all the diff

[freeclimbmtb]

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!)

[RBX QB]

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

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

[dark_duc]

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!

[OrangeDragon]

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).

[billschusteriv]

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. 

[desmodoktor]

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 . 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)  
in other words im not going to speed or ride hard for a while....

[ducpainter]

My AGV GP-Tech is much quieter with regards to wind noise than my previous Arai.

You can actually hear the bike at speed.

[thought]

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.

[desmodoktor]

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 ..

[Zaster]

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