Bonneville America Forums Forums Rider Safety Forums Helmets and Gear Quietest 3/4?

Anyone found a 3/4 helmet that is much quieter than any other you've used? I have a couple, a HJC and a Z1r. Neither is as quiet as i'd like and i know theres gotta be a exraordinarily quite one out there somewhere. Something reasonable too. I'm not going to spend hundreds on a helmet unless i can ride with it first, and i've yet to find a dealer who'll let me even with a deposit.

I use a Fulmer 3/4 that I find to be excellent. I believe it is a model AF-95 - However the numbers are worn.

I am currently using an AGV Dragon helmet. Excellent noise/wind reduction and very comfortable, imo.
The sizing chart they use is dead on too.

Got it shipped for $96. The pic shows the tinted visor but I use the clear one (comes with both).

Funny you should mention that. I tried one of those a long while back and it fit and felt real nice. In fact i considered buying it but at the time i didn't care for the look or the shield. How is that shield anyway as far as wind? i once heard someone say it caused too much turbulence or some such thing. I may have to look at them again. you sure it's quiet COMPARED to most other 3/4's ? And IS it a 3/4? It looks to be in between a 3/4 and a 1/2 helmet, but it's been a long time sibnce i tried it so i can't recall.

With the shield up, I don't even know it's there even at speed. With it down, there is a bit of wind coming up underneath but that feels more refreshing than annoying. Also, if you have a big old nose like me, the tip of the shield might touch a bit.

The very bottom part is leather but everything from below my ears and around is under the shell. As far as quiet, I cannot compare to other 3/4's but compared to my half (that has leather and padding over the ears), it's very quiet.

If you have a place to try one, I would suggest a re-visit. I will also get my wife to take a pic or two tonight with it on my noggin.

Ahh, well compared to a 1/2 any 3/4 is quiet. I have a 1/2 and both my 3/4 helmets are much quieter. i'm still kinda interested tho. The place that has em is about 40 min away, but next time i'm up there i'll see if they'll let me give it a run.

i've been thinking about this myself because i find my full-face so cumbersome and i think behind a screen the full face may be channelling noise more than blocking it. webbikeworld.com does extensive work on helmet noise - even posting mp3s. they stress that motorcycling is noisy, earplugs matter, helmet fit is critical, an ymmv.

as far as i could see from the comments there you could try a bell mag-8.

note to dinqua or anyone else in upstate NY - does helmet world allow test rides?

Hey Bill, You mentioned the Bell Mag-8. I have one, it fits great, has some wind noise but I have found all helmets have some noise. I had an HJC and didn't like the fit. The visor on the Bell is pretty cool. When you're heading into the sun you can pull down on the helmet a little. The shield works in any position. I like the fact that at stop lights I just push the shield up . At speeds below 40 mph I just ride with the shield up. Especially with this heat index we are dealing with right now. The Bell Mag-8 is right now listed for $119. I bought mine at a local Honda Dealer. You can buy it on-line from Bell powersports.
Steve

I was going to buy a mag 8 a while back and got this Z1R instead...

Does anyone out there use an open faced helmet and goggles rather than a visor?

I've got a Caberg Justissimo flip up with the integral tinted visor but I've never really taken to it. I don't fancy spending money on a similar helmet and thought about an open facer as they are more retro and, in my opinion, 'cruiser' style.

I'm toying with getting a Davida Open faced with goggles and a leather facemask(necessary in the usual UK climate). The downside is no shades, but I presume you can get reactive lenses in goggles.

Oh and bye the way anyone using a tank bag on a BA?

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Does anyone out there use an open faced helmet and goggles rather than a visor?

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Ido. I use a Shoei s-20 (red like my bike) and a pair of Panoptx prescription glasses. Couldn't be happier. It's actually pretty quiet due to the padding in the neck. I haven't tried the newer Shoei RJ-AIR 2, but it looks good. Having a windshield the open faced helmet is my first choice...

I have a Davida.

On the way back from the Farmyard Rally it was a little windy....I was still hearing the wind noise the day after..... Hence splashing out on the Davida.

I wear it with shades too. As long as the arms on your shades are quite flat it's not a problem. I have goggles for when it's dark/raining, but like the look with shades....

Tank bag....I have been known to - but I worry about scratching the paint...

I use an open face, with glasses (prescription sunglasses when required). I have a screen fitted and find no issues when weather is fine.

I use a buff or face mask when the weather gets a bit colder and revert to a full face in winter.

The open face is a Momo which also has a half visor, but with glasses on I find my glasses have a tendency to steam up when stationary at junctions and roundabouts and it channels air up behind the glasses causing my eyes to water at speed. So visor off now I've fitted the screen.

I'm sure Gooseman turned up at the Euro rally in Asendorf with and open face and goggles.

Jack Lilley's have Davida's in and they look the part, but have not tried one.

Cheers

Mark

One thing I forgot to mention and that is quietness is completely subjective, Dale. What is quiet to me might be blaring noise to you.

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I'm sure Gooseman turned up at the Euro rally in Asendorf with and open face and goggles.

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Yes, that's true. I know he uses a 3/4 Yes helmet with Peltor inserts. A helmet can't be more quiet than these.

Tank bag?

I like my OXFORD Sprint a lot. It stays on the bike all the time, and has not caused any paint issues in 20k+ miles. Super strong magnets (hold it tight, or it could DENT your tank if it pulls it out of your hands), and I take it on/off daily carrying it into the office with me every morning. All kinds of dust and crap on the tank in the afternoon, but it has not affected paint yet.

SHOEI has a new 3/4 helmet out now called a J-Wing. $300 territory here in the States, but state-of-the-art open-faced with a full shield that flips up.