BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

I just bought a Shoei RF1000 to replace my RF900. I bought a Shoei because they seem to be just about the only brand that makes a brain bucket that fits my big head. Both helmets are size XXL. Anyway, I just rode about 70 miles on my SV this evening at highway speeds up to 90 mph (~96 indicated). I am happy to say that the new helmet is noticeably quieter than the old, which from my experience was already pretty quiet compared to most helmets on the market.

The wind noise on long trips is what has had me thinking about buying a full blown touring bike next time I plunk down a check for my next steed. Otherwise, the R1150R to me is almost a perfect touring bike. I'm now hoping that my ears don't ring after a 1100+ ride over two days like I often do during summer months from Southwest VA to the NYC area and back. If so, my next bike may not be quite as heavy as I was intending.

Wind noise is my biggest riding annoyance as well, Yong. I hope to remedy that when I get a new helmet this time. My noisey Nolan has 4+ years on it and I'm pretty tired of the noise. Ear plugs are a necessity and now I have my new XM radio, I'd like to be able to hear it through those noise isolating ear buds they sell.

I have to get a flip-up though, 'cause of the glasses. I'm eyeing the new Shoei Multi-Tec.

I'm glad to see your report. I was beginning to wonder if there really was a difference in helmet brand...as far as noise level goes.

Hey Phil - I wear glasses too, and I migrated within the Shoei brand (RF900 is a Shoei as well). When I started off riding for the first time in '98, I bought a HJC helmet because of the price. It was a decent helmet, but noticeably louder than the RF900 I bought five years ago.

The way I put on my glasses is to put the helmet on, slide my glasses in, and then tighten the straps.

Mac,

Are you seein' this?

I'll go try on some RF1000s. Never thought of that.

Yeah, the way I figure it flip-up helmets don't have the structural rigidity and robustness of regular helmets. Plus I would probably cruise around with the helmet flipped up if I had one of those, increasing the risk that I would hurt myself by doing a face plant. Not trying to be morbid or glum. Just trying to reduce the risk of an already risky sport.

That's what I do. Earplugs in, helmet on, glasses in throught the visor port, tighten chinstrap, gloves on, visor down. It's reeeaaaly exasperating when I forget the earplugs.

NoRRmad wrote:That's what I do. Earplugs in, helmet on, glasses in throught the visor port, tighten chinstrap, gloves on, visor down. It's reeeaaaly exasperating when I forget the earplugs.

I always wear ear plugs unless I am absolutely sure that I am staying below 50 mph. On long trips on the interstate, ear plugs are a must unless you want to go deaf within a year given the rate at which most of us on this board ride.

I used to wear sunglasses under the helmet and did the same with the full face - just squeeze them on through the visor.

I have to wear earplugs. Lost too much hearing already. My wife says it is a selective hearing loss!

So what is it about helmet noise? Seems like everybody wears earplugs, helmets enclose the ears, what better place is there to provide hearing protection? Is there a Federal regulation or something that states that the ears have to be unemcumbered? (Are earplugs actually illegal?)

Years ago, I had a 3/4 helmet, don't remember the brand, that was pretty noisy. I made some foam pads covered with some smooth fabric and hot-glued them over the ear area. (It was a cheap helmet.) Worked pretty well. Does anybody make a similar thing that might protect our hearing but don't require sticking rubber foam into our ear canals, with attendant risk of fungus infection, etc.?

That woudl be nice.

I just tried doing exactly that - installing swatches of sound absorbing foam (the kind used in vessel's engine rooms) inside the helmet's earpockets. It is a multi-layered foam ~ 1 1/2" thick that's supposed to efficiently absorb high and low frequencies, but they pressed against my ears uncomfortably and didn't work as well as earplugs. I think because they're glued to the inside of the helmet they can transmit more wind-noise from the hardshell to the ears. However, when I first put the helmet on (after tucking my ears in) they did seem to dampen sound about as well as earpugs, but when the air started moving over the hemet, it got loud. I'm going to try to cut them thinner to relieve the pressure (on my ears) and let the foam expand so maybe they'll work better. I'll let you know how that goes...

Have my RF1000 for several years now... and have been very pleased with it...

In fact, I got it for the same reason... one of the quietest helmets at a reasonable cost. I actually got mine new on eBay for a fantastic price.

Do you wear... (not the right name) the chin wind deflector? This makes it even more quiet. My RF did not come with one in the box... and I had heard Shoei would send you one... and sure enough, they did! (At least then they did a few years ago.) Great company.

Also, I always wear hear Extreme Hearo plugs with it.

Ed K wrote:Do you wear... (not the right name) the chin wind deflector? This makes it even more quiet.

Not yet, but I intend to given the cold weather. Will report my experiences with it.

My Arai Quantum/f has a pull-out chin deflector... Doesn't make any difference, as far as I can tell. But I'll certainly try a Shoei RF1000, next time I need a helmet replacement. Noise is important to me, but nobody seems to focus on making a helmet quiet.

+1 on the Shoei RF1000. I have one and it is definitely quieter than my Arai, but it just doesn't fit as well, so I don't wear it as often...
T.

I currently have a ShoeiRF900 as well.
I was thinking of trying the HJC flip helmet, but may check out the RF1000.

Johno...as you know the BMW flip helmets are very pricy..but very good.

Southback is selling its stock of System 4 evos off cheap..about $500-600 I think..they were about $750.

The new System 5 is brilliant..and very quiet..but very expensive at about $800-$900..have you every tryed one?

DJ

If I paid $800 for a helmet, it would have to comb my hair as it came off.

recently i bought a new helmet and it's the lazer fiber pro . it is black and it' s a very good helmet and so light. with the pinlock system no stream .
in france 230 euros (215 dollars)

Part of the problem with helmet noise seems to be the windshields we have. I rode a F650CS and the windshield was much quieter than the shields that I have had on my R. Just stand up and compare the noise level.