Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Helmets and Gear Louder with helmet

Hey, I'm new to the site. I have a 04 TBA with Sceptre exhaust...love the sound. When I wear my full face helmet the sound is amplified quite a bit. Has anyone else experienced this? Would a half or 3/4 helmet make a difference? It gives me a headache after riding about 30 minutes.

Half helmet will certainly make a difference.
Believe it or not, wearing earplugs is recommended...especially for longer rides.

I always ride with ear plugs, to protect from the wind noise in a full face helmet (HJC) 3/4 Bell helmet seemed to be much quieter.... I too, was surprised at the level of noise in my full face helmet.... It gets worse with less clothing to cover the bottom on the helmet.....

Welcome Zippy! didn't notice it was your first post. Be careful out there, nice to meet you, there's lots of fun to be had on this site......

Have to agree with the above comments, "sounds" like you might consider earplugs, there's been discussion here on a wide range of styles. A search should turn up those threads. Myself, I go for the cheapo throw away foam rubber kind. I should have worn them to the Wishbone Ash concert in 1975, my ears are still ringing. Of course with Epco exhaust I rarely notice wind noise . But it is interesting how some full helmets almost act like a sound chamber.

Welcome to the site.

jh

Yup, i was surprised how much louder it is too with the full helmet. I don't think there is anything you can do except earplugs or taking your pipes off and putting the stocks on.

Welcome to the pack, Zippy. I have a 80% hearing loss in both ears, be glad that you have that problem. A change in helmets would seem to be the first thing to try my helmet has removeable ear flaps, that might be something to go for. My helmet is a model CL2 made by HJC. About 80 dollars. TR

I agree with the helmet change idea. I have a Scorpion EXO-700 and it doesn't allow for much wind into the helmet. I hear my pipes, the other traffic and some wind turbulance outside of my helmet.

Soren

I use the HJC half helmet like TR, with the removeable ear piece. With the ear piece zipped in, the noise is cut down becuase it is closed and snug over your ears when strapped. I zip it out when I want to hear more noise. As my own pipes have settled in, I haven't taken it off lately. My local Honda place sells the helmets for about $70.

Actually the one I use is a HJC model CS-2. I'm not sure what the difference is from the CL-2 mentioned by TR. Check with your local Honda dealership - that's where I bought mine. They had all the HJC models, ie: half, 3/4, full in all sizes at really good prices. I like to try on helmets before buying. I liked the HJC full face helmet the best for comfort but it's just too hot for our area. The 1/2 helmet without the ear piece is not as comfortable or as snug as with it on. It looks like I'll probably leave it zipped in all the time. The helmet also has vents that can be opened in hot weather. It has a black fabric covered foam liner - not sure what you call the "shape".

I have 3 including 2 HJC's and none of them are quiet enough to ride w/o earplugs unless you stay as conservative street speeds. even then it's annoying to a degree. When i was young and riding in the 70's b4 helmet laws i rode w/o a helmet. (yea, i know) I never had any issues as far as noise. I believe helmets generally increase noise over no helmet because they trap the wind and it ripples all thru the helmet, and the helmet acts as an acoustic amplifier.

that said, i hate them but i always weea earplugs. Wish i didn't have to, but it can become almost tortue at freeway sppeds w/o them. This place has a good selection and great prices in quantity that'll allow you to use a new pair each time you ride w/o breaking the bank. I got 200 pairs of really good plugs for $20. I use each pair for a few rides so my box is still mostly full after 6 months. they are a hassle, but at least try a few pairs for a couple weeks and if you're anything like me you won't wanna ride w/o them once you get used to it.
http://store.yahoo.com/earplugstore/difoearpl.html

I appreciate everyone's advice. Looks like I'll try some earplugs before I sink more money into another helmet. Does anyone have problems hearing the other traffic with earplugs? (probably doesn't matter since I can't hear the traffic with my helmet on now)

Purchased my first and last full face last year. It was like riding with a bucket on my head ! Went back to my 3/4 after a week's try.

I have a full face SHOEI that I love. The only thing I don't
like is how much it reduces exhaust sound. I like to hear my
BUB'S! I also have a Skid Lid half, that I use when it's hot
riding around town. At anything over 40 to 50, it is
uncomfortable. There's too much wind to the ears,
and pulling up on the front.

Charlie

I wear a full face helmet when it's cold out. It fits well and the screen or the entire front can be flipped up, which is conveeenient, but I can't wait till it warms up so I can wear my shorty.
Even though the padding inside fits around my dainty, shell-like ears, it is so damm loud inside I can't hardly hear myself sing. That may be a good thing, but the constant amplified exhaust sound and engine noise is irritating.
With the shorty helmet (and a Windvest w/s) there is hardly any wind noise and the exhaust sounds low and away - much more enjoyable.

WEAR EARPLUGS ! YOU'LL BE GLAD YOU DID IN ANOTHER 20 YEARS........ oh, sorry. Was I yelling?

WHAT?

No thanks. I can't handle earplugs. If it was that bad, I'd change pipes.

It's not the pipes, but the wind noise that kills your hearing.......

I have sceptres as well and have gotten used to wearing earplugs on longer rides. The key is to find earplugs that are comfortable to wear all day. It's true wind blast is the biggest source of noise fatigue and combined with sceptres in ANY helmet can be disconcerting on a mega milage day. Custom plugs would be the best way to go. (initial expense, but, worth it in the long run.)

Three years ago I did a 700 mile day with a beanie and no plugs and my ears were ringing for three days after. (never again!)