What Helmet with Autocom Speakers?

[R1150GS Kid]

I fitted Autocom speakers behind the lining on my Arai RV last year.

Although I can feel them pressing against my ears a bit on a short journey they're quite comfy. However on longer journeys they become very uncomfortable and after a whole day riding they become almost unbearable.

Is there a way I can make them fit better (perhaps melt the foam they sit against to recess them a bit) or is this a bit risky.

Otherwise I'm opting to get a new helmet, in which case are there any which are designed to fit speakers into??

Any help much appreciated!

Andrew

 

[NeilF]

Andrew

The Missus and I had the same experiences with Autocom earpieces in our Shoei's.

I used a soldering iron to melt out the polystyrene from the back of the lining, leaving some small perforation holes for the sound to pass through. This also allowed me to shape a groove within the hole to secure the edge of the earpieces.

Result is that they're a tight fit and don't rattle, and you can't feel them.

Cheers,

Neil.

 

[Jimb]

The only lid that has the speaker holes in the right place is the BMW system 4, all the others require some removal of the polystyrene with a hot soldering iron or one of the gas ones that has a hot foam cutter blade.

The Arai's are the worst of all to fit speakers in and are also the noisiest of all, cut out some of the poly so the speakers sit deep AND in the right place, this is critical to speaker performance, they fit in horizontally not vertically and are of very high quality.

 

[(RIP) sherpa]

Jimb
You realy have too much time on your hands -
I mean, just how long did it take you to check out EVERY helmet ever made and come up with the conclusion that the ONLY helmet to have ear pockets in the right place is the System 4
Sherps

 

[Jimb]

Sherps

Cos I have to see the lids when I make the earplugs to see that I cut 'em back enough and the Arai's are the worst.

 

[KAS]

You can use a soldering iron to ease the foam back but can end up with some quite solid lumps which can, Still make it uncomfortable, cause problems with the rear of the speaker or worse still provide a pressure point in an accedent. Another option is to either tap the foam with a small ball pane hammer to compress the foam in way of the speakers or cut the foam with a scalpel in a lattice type fashion them compress it with your thumbs.

As for new helmets. I use The Arai Tour X and fitted the speakers fit into the ear wells under the lining with no alteration required. They have proved to be perfectly comfortable even wearing it for 8 hours a day.

My vote the new Arai.