Quietest Modular Helmet?

[Paulb_imp]

This is an area I know something about. Back in 1993 my brother and myself packed in our jobs and started a business selling motorcycle accessories, first by catalogue and later the Internet. Motorcyclists were just becoming aware of hearing damage caused by noisy helmets and we sold every brand of earplugs imaginable and sold millions of the things, even supplying the trade. We also sold many brands of helmets. I retired from the business six years ago but my brother still trades under the name of 'just helmets'. I've discovered two important things. Firstly, no helmet is quiet enough to fully protect against hearing damage and secondly, the best earplugs are the foam type. Of all the helmets available Schuberth are the quietest. I have had a Schuberth but currently wear a Shoei Neotec ( mates rates ) and that is also a fine helmet but I cannot ride with either of these helmets without properly fitted earplugs. I cannot stress this enough, you MUST insert the plugs properly. Watch Rossi getting ready to race and see how carefully he fits his foam plugs (read the instructions on the pack and don't just bung them in). I once paid a lot of money for custom plugs which were cast to the shape of my ear canals and they were rubbish. If they don't compress they won't work.

[Rocky_imp]

I wear E.A.R foam plugs all the time and find them very effective and comfortable.
I bought a box of several hundred pairs and every jacket I have has a few pairs in the pockets.

[Paulb_imp]

I wear E.A.R foam plugs all the time and find them very effective and comfortable.
I bought a box of several hundred pairs and every jacket I have has a few pairs in the pockets.

E.A.R. Are the original and probably still the best. They are a little too large to be comfortable for me so I use Maxlite. Everyone's ear canals are a different size and shape and it is a good idea to try several brands to find the one that suits. I used to sell mixed bags, (pick & mix) to allow customers to experiment with different brands.

[EarsOnWheels_imp]

Thank you, Paulb.

UPDATE: Today, I went to Cycle Gear (Laurel, MD) and Bob's BMW (Jessup, MD). I tried on the Shoei Neotec first at Cycle Gear, then headed to Bob's BMW to try on the Schuberth C3 Pro. Big thumbs up to Bob's BMW for having several of the C3 Pros to try on, including one in the back for test riding! I headed out on the highway for 15 minutes, and learned a few things.

- It is very quiet
- Great view, very open visor design
- Not as soft/plush/comfortable as I would expect
- The chin strap is placed pretty far back, making it unconfortable to look down at all. The strap presses against your Adam's apple area.
- The helmet prefers clean air. The amount of noise jumps significantly if I leaned forwards towards my windscreen (into some turbulence).
- The helmet is very sensitive to the angle of your head. Straight v. 5 degrees down v. 5 degrees up, etc, all resulted in changes of noise level / type.

I headed back to Cycle Gear and purchased the Shoei Neotec, though I still hadn't ridden with it. It was just that much more comfortable in the store. On riding home, I discovered:

- It continues to be comfortable after an hour.
- The helmet is much more forgiving of where you are on the bike and what turbulence you encounter. When moving from straight up to a tucked louder-due-to-Road-Comet position, the change in noise level wasn't anywhere near as dramatic as the C3 Pro.
- The noise is also more constant regardless of how much you tilt your head forward or back.
- It was a little louder than the C3. However, after 20 minutes, I discovered I had a tab open in the front to let in air. After depressing it, the noise level dropped even more, and it *seems* quieter than the C3.
- It came with pinlock (like the C3). Hopefully will resolve some of the fog issues I encountered over the winter.
- The regular D-ring straps will lock to my bike.

I record audio for a living and will begin to experiment with earplugs on the bike. I have custom in-ears as well as generic Etymotic plugs available.

[Riko_imp]

Nolan N-104. Quiet, outstanding ventilation, easily removable liner for washing, huge eyeport, lockable in the open position, drop-down sun visor. My 102 and 103 both lasted for years. They aren't half the price of the Shoei or Schubert, but they're a lot less. I've compared Nolan to both other brands side by side and if I'm honest, I'd pick the Nolan even if it were the same price. Mostly because I like the liner material better, but the larger eyeport would be reason 2.

I have a N-104

4.5 years later I still have it....and it shows.

Now I have Shoei GT-Air, totally different helmet. Modular vs integral.
But, quality difference is night and day. In feeling and in operation.
Weight difference is HUGE, 400 grams!

No, I would never pick a Nolan if it were priced as high as a Shoei or a Schuberth.

My locking mechanism doesn't close on the left side, I have to jank it hard to close it locked.
The sealing of the shield AND the pinlock system is superior in the Shoei.

The Nolan is loud as heck compared to the Shoei.

Have to replace the chin vent for a second time, the second replacement already deteriorated at the plastic tabs that hold it in place after a few weeks...poor plastic quality is my main gripe with this helmet.

The B4 system had to be replaced after its first rain shower....now its good.
But, now my microphne doesn't seem to work


Lets see.
Weight is huge, this never was an issue untill I got the Shoei.
The pinlock system sucks.
The locking mechanism is not working smoothly anymore.
The plastic materials are pure rubbish.
The liner that protects my chin from the straps broke of from deterioration, so their liner materials are also rubbish.

I have faith the materials (plastics and lining) are of better quality on the Shoei, so the helmet should be in a much better condition after 4.5 years of daily use...we'll see

I am glad I have a Shoei helmet now and it will be my main helmet for the CB.
I even bought the invisible Sena 10U thats made for it.

I'll keep the Nolan for my daily short commutes to work on my 50cc Honda Zoomer
Been looking for a replacement since its nice to have a modular for the summer, bur so far I havent found anything I like 100%.
The fit of the Schuberth felt too claustrofobic for my liking.
And the Shoei Neotec is even heavier than my Nolan.
The second most quiet and lightest helmet, HJC modular looks too plain

I'm contemplating about a carbon Shark Evoline pro, latets model.
Carbon shell beats the Nolans.
Weight is lighter than the Nolans.
Looks are okay for me.
Just not sure about soundlevels...