Quiet Helmets

[Rev Chuck]

I’ve had a Shoei Hornet helmet for quite a number of years now (7ish) and it needs replacing.
While there are plenty of suggestions out there for a new helmet that’s fine, but what I’d really like is if anyone had recommendations for a quiet helmet.
I know the YouTube channel Champion Helmets have a ‘24 and now ‘25 video on the subject and that the HJC RPHA 91 & 71 coming up high on the list, but I don’t have €550 - 700 to pay for one.
So, any suggestions would be gratefully received.

 

[littleade]

The Scuberth C3 Pro has a good reputation for being a quiet helmet

 

[RedRick Esq.]

IMO and experience different helmets suit different bikes

My evidence ...

I loved my Arai RX7 on my Hypermotard and the Multistrada it was quiet

It was very noisy on the Streetfighter but a Shoei XSpirit was very quiet

The same Shoei is very noisy on the KTM SDR

It is such a shame that you cant relay test ride helmets

 

[Boxerboy55]

I enjoyed a Schuberth C3 for a few years. All day comfortable. But poor ventilation on a warm day.

Changed to a Shoei that is also all day comfortable, but quieter and ventilation is much better.

We all have different shaped heads combined with screens so trial and error rules.

 

[Pukmeister]

My Shoei Neotec2 is the quietest and most comfortable helmet I've ever owned.

I wouldn't touch another Schuberth, a major disappointment for me.

As always YMMV, its a shame bike gear shops don't have a sound booth where you could test a helmet for external noise.

 

[wessie]

For me, the main focus of buying a helmet is a good fit. Anything else is a secondary and being quiet on my bike is a bonus. The early Tracers had a really poor screen that generated a lot of turbulence around your head. I invested in an articulated Puig clip on spoiler which helped. I have used it on subsequent bikes as it improves airflow making for a quieter ride. The other factor is airflow around your neck. Just wearing a jacket with a storm collar or using a neck tube can make a helmet seem quieter.

 

[wessie]

My Shoei Neotec2 is the quietest and most comfortable helmet I've ever owned.

I wouldn't touch another Schuberth, a major disappointment for me.

As always YMMV, its a shame bike gear shops don't have a sound booth where you could test a helmet for external noise.

yet the aerodynamics of the bike will be the biggest factor as others point out so a static sound booth is not going to help much. They would need a wind tunnel!

 

[clutchspring]

Get looking on line if your looking for premium helmets at budget price's, I've not long purchased a nolan n100s at under 50% off from helmet city.
Great flip front helmet & very quiet night & day compared to My last helmet.

 

[Easy_Rider]

I find any helmet with good padding at the back by the neck have a good chance of being quiet. I have a Shark Spartan GT Pro which is quiet, i've now blocked the vent on the top off and it now even better.

 

[Mr Derek]

Flip front helmets tend to be slightly quieter than full face when the front is closed as the curtain at the bottom is tighter than a full face, letting less noise penetrate from below.

Helmets such as the C3 won't be available as the regs have changed and any old stock will likely be long gone. There may be some old stock 22.05 reg helmets at discount prices but new models must meet 22.06 regs where impact testing became more rigourous. They are still good helmets eg Shoei Neotec 2 and GT Air 2.

Nolan make very good helmets at reasonable prices. If I was on a budget of maybe £300, that's where I'd go. The same company makes X-Lite, who aspire to be a premium brand.

You really need to go to a shop or show where you can try several on as fit is critical. Any decent shop will provide advice and let you try them on. Even then you are only trying for comfort, not noise as so many external factors affect noise.

Finally, wear earplugs on every ride. Find the ones that suit you best. It's soft squidgy ones for me. A decent pair will reduce noise by up to 30 decibels. You can never recover hearing loss.

 

[Wapping]

what I’d really like is if anyone had recommendations for a quiet helmet.

For a quiet (or ‘quieter’) helmet, start with good quality earplugs.

 

[Mulcher]

I don’t know whether they still offer the service but a couple of years or so ago sportsbikeshop.co.uk used to let you test ride helmets if you went to one of their stores.

They’d give you a disposable balaclava to wear under the helmet for hygiene and off you’d pop.

Might be worth enquiring if they still do it.

 

[grantmac]

I wouldn't touch another Schuberth, a major disappointment for me.

Plus 1.
I had 2 Schuberth´s. First gen C4 was crap. Leaky visor, comms kept shutting down etc. etc. They apparently ironed out the issues on the C4 Pro - NOT - the pinlock was good but the comms kept shutting down when I closed the visor so after 1 year sold the lid minus the comms. Still have 2 sets of top of the range comms units available if anyone is interested.
I switched to Shoie & bought a Neotec 2. Brilliant however, comms completely failed after 8 months. Contacted them and they replaced them but still a bit annoying considering the costs. Tomorrow will go to Motolegends and buy a Netoec 3 and new comms at their special offer price of GBP 715 all in incl. Comms
Reference the OP´s point, its all down to what you like. The Schuberth was a quieter lid but the Neotec is far better quality for my liking. Tried the C5 and to me a complete disaster....

 

[Pukmeister]

FWIW I bought my Neotec2 from Wapping as lightly used (I know, never buy used blah blah blah) and it has been brilliant.

One of the best things about it is that Wapping had it modified by Ultimate Hearing so the integrated comms now has a 3.5mm female jack socket for my UE custom moulded in-ear monitors (earplugs). The comms are simply superb even at low sound levels and the nose reduction and hearing comfort are very impressive.

If you have a helmet with comms, perhaps consider getting the comms modified with a 3.5mm jack socket and using custom moulded in ear monitors ?

 

[zoltan]

OP doesn’t say what bike he rides. On the 1250 GS the BMW System 7 was briliant. On the RS was terrible. The HJC RPHA 91 was much better and quiet but built quality not soo. Received a refund after I sent it back. Ended up with Neotec 2 at half price.
Also tried the Arai RX7. On the RS was better than the Neotec2 quieter and superior ventilation.
I use custom earplugs

 

[Mzokk]

Its best to get into a shop and try lids on before purchase. I currently use a HJC RPHA-90S with a HJC-ST (my old lid) as a backup. Both are all day comfortable and the HJC RPHA-90S is more quiet than the full face lid. I had a Scuberth C3 Pro and it felt good in the shop when I tried it on but subjected my forehead to undue pressure and I ended up with a headache after a couple of hours. I gave it to a friend with the same size bonce (by measurement) and it causes him no issues. For new helmets look for the ECE 22.06 safety standard and check review sites like Billy's crash helmets. Also check things like if you can stick comms on the lid. At the time I bought the HJC RPHA-90S I also looked at the Shoei Neotec 2 and would agree that it has tremendous build quality. But it left me nowhere to stick my Packtalk bold comms and i didn't fancy stumping up the extra for Shoei comms.

 

[steve hughes]

For me, the main focus of buying a helmet is a good fit. Anything else is a secondary and being quiet on my bike is a bonus. The early Tracers had a really poor screen that generated a lot of turbulence around your head. I invested in an articulated Puig clip on spoiler which helped. I have used it on subsequent bikes as it improves airflow making for a quieter ride. The other factor is airflow around your neck. Just wearing a jacket with a storm collar or using a neck tube can make a helmet seem quieter.

Got to agree with Wessie, fit , function safety are primary. How you helmet works with your screen naked etc has the biggest effect, hence ear plugs.

I have a Shoei Neotec, on my GS with a Givi screen its as quiet as. On my scoot with a Vespa flyscreen its like a roaring gale. I have to wear ear plugs. Same helmet, different turbulence / windflow.

So do your research by all means , but fit and comfort are no 1&2 in my book.

 

[Arsey]

At the time I bought the HJC RPHA-90S I also looked at the Shoei Neotec 2 and would agree that it has tremendous build quality. But it left me nowhere to stick my Packtalk bold comms.

What’s wrong with on the side of the helmet ? There’s even a bespoke mount

 

[Mzokk]

What’s wrong with on the side of the helmet ? There’s even a bespoke mount

View attachment 368086

I Wasn't aware of that. That would have been a better solution than using a sticky pad a bit too far back!! Every day's a school day. Many thanks To be fair the bloke in the "Visor Shop" (Crossans in Newry) must not have been aware a couple of years ago when I was in looking for a new lid.

 

[J biker]

It has already been mentioned, very motorcycle related. Works on one, not another.
Couldn't stand the noise of a Shoei when riding an FZ1s…better on a multistrada. Excellent on a GS…
Since balding and consequently cutting remaining hair very short, Shoei do not sit right on my head. Now using HJC rha11. Excellent helmet. Fairly quiet on a GS.
Like all helmet questions. Fit first..