From what I've been reading here, allot of you have had the same experience as me. That is, your RF-1000 seems to be a bit loud. In my mind (or in my ears) there's no doubt about it, this helmet is much louder than my HJC that it replaced. That's disappointing, moving up to a higher quality helmet I would have thought (hoped) that noise would be a major design criteria but I guess not.
That said, I was on a long highway run yesterday and the noise was starting to get to me. Oh, this is with ear plugs too, I'm religious with them. I started moving my hand around my helmet (must have looked quite funny) trying to see what part/feature is causing all this racket. The most noticable difference was when I put my hand across the bottom of my chin. It quieted it down a fair bit.
OK, here's the question. Is it worth installing the chin piece/cover mesh thingy? Does it quiet the helmet down? Is there a noticable difference?
MachineBuilder, Apr 29 2006, 08:32 AMFrom what I've been reading here, allot of you have had the same experience as me.� That is, your RF-1000 seems to be a bit loud.� In my mind (or in my ears)� there's no doubt about it, this helmet is much louder than my HJC that it replaced.� That's disappointing, moving up to a higher quality helmet I would have thought (hoped) that noise would be a major design criteria but I guess not.� � That said, I was on a long highway run yesterday and the noise was starting to get to me.� Oh, this is with ear plugs too, I'm religious with them.� I started moving my hand around my helmet (must have looked quite funny) trying to see what part/feature is causing all this racket.� The most noticable difference was when I put my hand across the bottom of my chin.� It quieted it down a fair bit.� � OK, here's the question.� Is it worth installing the chin piece/cover mesh thingy?� Does it quiet the helmet down?� Is there a noticable difference?� � Thanks for your thoughts.
I did a little research on Shoei's European Site. They offer a thing called the Whisper Strip. I was able to find one on EBAY and bought it. The install is easy, and it really works. I also purchased one for a friends RF-900. It also works great on that helmet as well. All in all, I think it brought the noise lever back down to my old RF-900. But I am still not happy with the fact that I had to buy another 45.00 option for my $350 helmet.
I'm running into the same issue as you with the wind noise on the RF. For me the noise is coming from a gap between my neck and the padding just below my ear. I went as far to buy a NOJ Quiet Rider Noise Liner which didn't work all that well in my opinion. At the time I was also running a Zero Gravity Double Bubble windshield. The ZG DB was creating too much buffeting at my neck which really made for a loud ride. I'm now back to the stock and using a different brand of ear plugs and that has made all the difference in the world. I can now ride for hours w/out having any problems.
MachineBuilder, Apr 29 2006, 08:36 AMMaybe installing the chin curtain (which looks like half of the "whisper" pkg) and getting some better plugs will get me to where I need to be.
I've got a line of some 33 NRR plugs that should make a considerable difference over the 29 NRR ones I'm using now.
It's disappointing though, shame on you Shoei. I guess the next helmet is an Arai.
You forgot to mention how incredibly cool (temperature wise) the Shoei helmet is in the summer. Sometimes having a cool head comes at the cost of some noise. I just wear custom molded earplugs and ride. I also use the chin curtain, but it makes things a little hotter in the summer. That full wrap around neck whisper quiet devise will make the helmet way hot in the summer. Good luck.
ULEWZ, Apr 29 2006, 11:43 AM You forgot to mention how incredibly cool (temperature wise) the Shoei helmet is in the summer. Sometimes having a cool head comes at the cost of some noise. I just wear custom molded earplugs and ride. I also use the chin curtain, but it makes things a little hotter in the summer. That full wrap around neck whisper quiet devise will make the helmet way hot in the summer. Good luck.
You're right, I did not mention how cool it is. Probably because my issue is noise not heat.
I get your point though. Especially with you being in CA, heat is less of an issue here. With the helmet having good ventilation, there is obviously a trade off.
I also didn't mention that the fit is awesome, it's super comfortable, I love how light it is compared to what I was wearing, it's got great ventilation (I haven't had the opportunity to ride with it in the summer yet but I know I've had to have all the vents closed while I've been riding in the fall and spring) and I think its a great looking helmet.
Don't get me wrong, I like it but......... does it HAVE to be so noisy? We can put a man on the moon but we can't make a helmet that is quiet AND has good ventilation?
I have no idea how it stacks up against other models of Shoei's or Aria's. Is the ventilation really that superior to others that the noise is justified? If that's the case then I retract all of my concerns. smile.gif
I really believe that a lot of the issues people have with noisy helmets has to do with fit. Most people tend to buy helmets too big or the wrong shape for their head. I have had a Shoei in the RF line (800,900 and now 1000) for quite some time and have found them all to be very quiet. Could be that the shape is just ideal for my head blink.gif
MachineBuilder, Apr 29 2006, 11:36 AMMaybe installing the chin curtain (which looks like half of the "whisper" pkg) and getting some better plugs will get me to where I need to be.
I've got a line of some 33 NRR plugs that should make a considerable difference over the 29 NRR ones I'm using now.
It's disappointing though, shame on you Shoei. I guess the next helmet is an Arai.
I have an Arai Astral X and while it is extremely comfortable it is very noisy. I have had a Shoei in the past which was very quiet. I suspect it varies depending on how it fits YOUR head.
As I have mentioned before, every projection on a helmet causes turbulence which causes noise. My Shoei TZR is quieter than my RF1000. So, you've probably guessed now that I have a cool weather helmet and a hot weather helmet. I don't want to pay alot of money for custom made ear plugs. One of my friends who's a target shooter says that gun people sell those for way less than cycle people. I haven't had time to find out yet.
I am going to try a SHARK helmet next and see if those are more quiet. I LOVE my Shoei but there are just too many small niggling issues with the helmet for me to be satisfied with it. Not good for a $400 helmet.
I have a RF800 and an RF1000. The 1000 is slightly louder than the older helmet and visually comparing them, the 1000 has a much larger "ear hole" in the liner. The space is much larger than the one in the 800. As mentioned above, the 1000 is much cooler in warm temps and the extra space around my ears allows for easier use of ear buds without the liner moving them around as I put the helmet on. Both helmets are very comfy for me for long rides but I pick the 1000 for the cooler temps.
I haven't had a noise issue with the RF1000, but I'm usually listening to my iPod with etymotics ear speakers while riding. But I'd be very surprised if you found an Arai to be any quieter. The stupid panels they use over the face shield pivot areas create turbulence that is right over your ears. Not to mention that they make changing the shield and enormous pain in the hindquarters.
As mentioned above, fit is critical. Another reason I happen to like the RF vs. Arai models. I think I just have a Shoei head. My XS-11 also fit really well, but had to be retired after bouncing off the pavement during an unexpected get off.
After Motor Cyclist magazine did their helmet test, I went right out and bought the FZ1R that they top-rated. For the price, it's an excellent helmet. Still, it doesn't fit or feel nearly as good as my RF1000. My suggestion, add a little music to your riding and the wind noise will recede to the point that it becomes a non-issue. At least that's what worked for me though YMMV.
Ah yes, RF1000 noise pissed.gif A few weeks back I was wearing my heated vest with a high collar in the morning. Took it off at lunch when the temp was warmer and my helmet got a LOT louder. WTF! After bending my left arm/hand around very which way to try to emulate the collar I found the noise culprit and the solution - YMMV. Compared to my HJC, the RF1000 has "straight" side pads at the bottom of the helmet, as opposed to more curved pads on the HJC. This creates a small triangular open area at the back corners. The collar was blocking the holes. Skirt the hole or fit a piece of foam in there (what I did) and the noise level goes down noticably. biggrin.gif
Not sure what it'll do as far as heat. Haven't had to worry about that yet up here.
With Etymotic 6i ear phones it makes for a nice quite ride though.
My RF1000 is quieter than the RF800 it replaced, which had an irritating top-vent whistle, and the HJC Symax I used for touring which was just plain noisy. Same Max earplugs used in all. I did have a Shoei factory rep fit me for this lid, guess he did a good job.
Regards,
VFR_ATL
End of thread · 16 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 24 Oct 2006