hiro Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 Shoei helmets. Do you have any of these and what are your thoughts about them? GT-Air RF-1200 RF-SR My HJC FG-17 is killing me. The NOISE! (Also, it used to kill my forehead, so I'm thinking the shape isn't a perfect match.) I know wind noise is a complex interaction of turbulence, position, bike structure...but I'm wondering if a more expensive helmet may help /enough/ to keep me riding. I do wear foam ear plugs, but my ears are ringing just sitting here. The noise comes from the base of the helmet, maybe more towards the back. I like to be leaned forward a little, rarely tuck, never fully upright. And I plan to move to NC, so heat might be a factor, but noise is a deal breaker. I've tried a Windjammer II which just doesn't work for me. Wearing a neck gaiter does help, but it's summer! As it is now, I can only imagine short rides and/or not exceeding 50mph. This is no way to live! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustinNck1 Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 I don't think you can go wrong with any of the Shoei or Arai helmets as long as the fit your head shape. My current helmet is a Shoei Neotec and my previous helmet was a Shoei Qwest (Replaced by the RF-SR now). Definitely see if you can try them on somewhere. Mike at @RidersDiscount can hook you up with an awesome deal on one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tall_tracy Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 I have both the GT-Air and the RF-1200. My first helmet was a Scorpion that wasn't doing me any favors. When I got the RF1200, it was worlds better (for me). There wasn't as much noise as the Scorpion, and the availability of a Transitions self-tinting shield was amazeballs. I was happy with it. Fast forward a year or two and being on a naked bike, the RF1200 wasn't doing it's job as it used to on my R6 (it was noisy & started giving me pressure on my forehead), I guess that tiny R6 windscreen actually does something?? A month or so ago I purchased the GT-Air from Riders Discount and once I went riding with it, I couldn't believe the difference from the RF1200. The GT-Air was quieter - probably in part because of the thicker padded chin curtain, which I haven't removed because I've read that this helps reduce wind noise within this particular helmet. I took it on my moto-camping adventure and had no issues with it at all. I have a completely naked bike, no tiny windscreen or anything. You've at least got a decent windscreen on the 650 but depending on how tall you are, the buffeting from it could hit you in a weird spot. My 650 seemed to hit me right in the helmet/visor/chin area, but that's because I'm freakishly tall. I like the GT-Air, but you've got fairings so the RF1200 might work for you. IMO, you can't really go wrong with Shoei (as long as it fits your melon). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiro Posted June 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 1 minute ago, tall_tracy said: I have both the GT-Air and the RF-1200. My first helmet was a Scorpion that wasn't doing me any favors. When I got the RF1200, it was worlds better (for me). There wasn't as much noise as the Scorpion, and the availability of a Transitions self-tinting shield was amazeballs. I was happy with it. Fast forward a year or two and being on a naked bike, the RF1200 wasn't doing it's job as it used to on my R6 (it was noisy & started giving me pressure on my forehead), I guess that tiny R6 windscreen actually does something?? A month or so ago I purchased the GT-Air from Riders Discount and once I went riding with it, I couldn't believe the difference from the RF1200. The GT-Air was quieter - probably in part because of the thicker padded chin curtain, which I haven't removed because I've read that this helps reduce wind noise within this particular helmet. I took it on my moto-camping adventure and had no issues with it at all. I have a completely naked bike, no tiny windscreen or anything. You've at least got a decent windscreen on the 650 but depending on how tall you are, the buffeting from it could hit you in a weird spot. My 650 seemed to hit me right in the helmet/visor/chin area, but that's because I'm freakishly tall. I like the GT-Air, but you've got fairings so the RF1200 might work for you. IMO, you can't really go wrong with Shoei (as long as it fits your melon). On my Ninja 650, I raised the windscreen to maximum and it made horrific noise! In the lowest position, it's still better to have no windscreen at all. Never tried the middle position. I have been wanting to cut the windscreen down, but I'm just not ready to risk destroying it. I'm only about 5'8". (I wanted to go naked, but I went with the best deal overall.) The chin curtain might help me. I have a weak chin and jaw line, I guess, and the curtain in the HJC is mesh and just touches the middle of my chin. I was planning to try stuffing some padding around the neck roll to see if snugging it up might help. The cheek pads used to be super tight! Painfully tight, but now they're good. If you had pressure on your forehead with the RF-1200, but not the GT-Air, the GT-Air sounds better for me. Considering the HJC used to make my forehead burn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiro Posted June 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 21 minutes ago, JustinNck1 said: I don't think you can go wrong with any of the Shoei or Arai helmets as long as the fit your head shape. My current helmet is a Shoei Neotec and my previous helmet was a Shoei Qwest (Replaced by the RF-SR now). Definitely see if you can try them on somewhere. Mike at @RidersDiscount can hook you up with an awesome deal on one. Yeah, RD deals is the only thing that make this an option at all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RidersDiscount Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 1 minute ago, hiro said: Yeah, RD deals is the only thing that make this an option at all! This is true, now give me your money. Ask @tall_tracy about that. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tall_tracy Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 1 minute ago, hiro said: On my Ninja 650, I raised the windscreen to maximum and it made horrific noise! In the lowest position, it's still better to have no windscreen at all. Never tried the middle position. I have been wanting to cut the windscreen down, but I'm just not ready to risk destroying it. I'm only about 5'8". (I wanted to go naked, but I went with the best deal overall.) The chin curtain might help me. I have a weak chin and jaw line, I guess, and the curtain in the HJC is mesh and just touches the middle of my chin. I was planning to try stuffing some padding around the neck roll to see if snugging it up might help. The cheek pads used to be super tight! Painfully tight, but now they're good. If you had pressure on your forehead with the RF-1200, but not the GT-Air, the GT-Air sounds better for me. Considering the HJC used to make my forehead burn! Try a different chin curtain to see if that does anything maybe? I forgot to add that I went up a size with the GT-AIR. It's worth trying on anything you might buy because not all helmets fit the same, even from the same manufacturer. Hopefully there's someplace close that you can try something on before you buy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tall_tracy Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 Just now, RidersDiscount said: This is true, now give me your money. Ask @tall_tracy about that. He ain't lyin... From now on, I know to not respond to his posts that I like something - otherwise he eliminates all my questions/excuses and I find myself with new gear, etc. Not that it's a bad thing... it's just an expensive thing. lol 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thompsonian Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 @hiro Not sure where you're located at, but make a trip somewhere that you can try each one on for the best fitment. I prefer the Shoei Neotec over just about everything except my Suomy Apex or Spec 1R. If I could squeeze a Sena into the Suomy I'd have gone with that, but decided that a modular would fit my needs the best at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiro Posted June 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 I can definitely try on many helmets locally. I just can't take them out to check for killer wind noise! Maybe I should become one of those track-only people? (I'd have to start going to the track first. heh) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimTheAzn Posted June 15, 2017 Report Share Posted June 15, 2017 (edited) 1 hour ago, hiro said: I can definitely try on many helmets locally. I just can't take them out to check for killer wind noise! Maybe I should become one of those track-only people? (I'd have to start going to the track first. heh) Them's fighting words! I have an RF1200, loved it for the street. Better than the Bell I had before that. I bought a Corsair V last year and loved it. Unfortunately I can no longer wear that helmet as it's hit the ground. I liked the Arai so much I gave Mike even more of my money for a Corsair X. Haven't ridden with it yet but I expect it to be just as good as it's predecessor if not better. What I did notice is that the fit was better for me (with the Arai.) I have a pretty flat face and the Shoei stuck out from my face a fair bit. The Arai's stay closer to the front of my face and I like that. Different strokes for different folks. Go to a place like Iron Pony and try a bunch of stuff on. That's probably the fastest way to find what you like and what fits you best. Some people have issues with trying something on at the Pony but buying somewhere else, I am not one of those people as I pretty much strictly use @RidersDiscount for anything and everything motorcycle related now. As for wind noise, I wear earplugs so its relatively negligible. 1 hour ago, tall_tracy said: He ain't lyin... From now on, I know to not respond to his posts that I like something - otherwise he eliminates all my questions/excuses and I find myself with new gear, etc. Not that it's a bad thing... it's just an expensive thing. lol No, its a problem. Edited June 15, 2017 by TimTheAzn 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiro Posted June 16, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 16, 2017 The forward ear is much quieter when my head is turned. Hmm...The frequency of the noise in the rearward ear goes from lower to higher and sounds smoother. If only I could grow a long beard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiro Posted June 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2017 Now that I think of it, maybe the cheap pads are /too/ comfortable. Meaning loose. What are the odds that new cheek pads would reduce noise significantly? And I'd like to try a different chin curtain if I can find one. I saw a photo showing a Scorpion curtain that was said to help. Looked like solid leather (vinyl.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NinjaDoc Posted June 17, 2017 Report Share Posted June 17, 2017 (edited) @hiro rather than spending more and more money to try and improve that one, i think this might be a better option > just 139 brand new shiny helmet to your door, cant get better than that. Pauly was saying this one with its "pump" action "customization" cheek pad + curtain and shape was less noisy than his costly arai. Cant go wrong with this i guess. Get the right size and ensure your head shape is right and your golden with a ear plug. Pm @RidersDiscount naaaaooooowww Edited June 17, 2017 by NinjaDoc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiro Posted June 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2017 Probably was worth a go, but they're out of size L. My FG-17 is a large, so I don't imagine medium would work. When I tried an Airmada, I think XL was more like it. I'm also wondering if it's good for a more upright/leaned forward a little position, noise-wise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NinjaDoc Posted June 17, 2017 Report Share Posted June 17, 2017 30 minutes ago, hiro said: Probably was worth a go, but they're out of size L. My FG-17 is a large, so I don't imagine medium would work. When I tried an Airmada, I think XL was more like it. I'm also wondering if it's good for a more upright/leaned forward a little position, noise-wise. dont mean to be condescending, just making sure. You are measuring the head the right way right, and not just trying helmets on etc ? I think u must be because you seem to research a lot. Just asking since when i started i was wearing a comfortable size XL helmet and once i got to know what i am doing i am now wearing a size small. Just a small difference Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiro Posted June 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2017 (edited) My FG-17 used to cause me to bite the insides of my cheeks. I dreaded needing to put in on OR remove it. haha After a while it leaves a dent in my scalp still. It doesn't hurt my forehead like it used to, but it will after 90 minutes or more. (I guess part of that is the wind pushing back?) So, it fit pretty snug! The large Airmada, I almost couldn't get my head into it from what I remember. haha My head is likely more oval than round. Edited June 17, 2017 by hiro Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiro Posted June 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2017 Oh, I have used a measuring tape on my head. I learned that it's important to check if the tape has stretched at all! Check the ruler with another ruler. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nebbors Posted June 17, 2017 Report Share Posted June 17, 2017 On 6/15/2017 at 2:03 PM, hiro said: Shoei helmets. Do you have any of these and what are your thoughts about them? GT-Air RF-1200 RF-SR My HJC FG-17 is killing me. The NOISE! (Also, it used to kill my forehead, so I'm thinking the shape isn't a perfect match.) I know wind noise is a complex interaction of turbulence, position, bike structure...but I'm wondering if a more expensive helmet may help /enough/ to keep me riding. I do wear foam ear plugs, but my ears are ringing just sitting here. The noise comes from the base of the helmet, maybe more towards the back. I like to be leaned forward a little, rarely tuck, never fully upright. And I plan to move to NC, so heat might be a factor, but noise is a deal breaker. I've tried a Windjammer II which just doesn't work for me. Wearing a neck gaiter does help, but it's summer! As it is now, I can only imagine short rides and/or not exceeding 50mph. This is no way to live! Allow me to recommend quality earplugs. Not the cheap foam ones. Go see an audiologist and get them made for you. World of difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiro Posted June 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2017 OK, so I tested some helmets. I found that the Shoei GT-Air and RF-1200 easily fit in large. BUT, removing the cheek pads and pressing the GT-Air forward opened up a gap in front of my forehead. In medium, it fit like a coconut shell and didn't move. So medium works if the cheek parts are changed immediately. I couldn't even get it over my head without changing the pads. The RF-1200 did squeeze onto my head, but the pads were overly tight. The RF-1200 has a massive field of view, almost like not having a helmet on! I was just slightly concerned about the forehead based on @tall_tracy's experience. Plus, noise reduction in a more upright position is the primary concern. It's a sweet helmet though. The RF-SR in large was way too loose. It was probably rounder, too. Didn't find a medium to try. BTW, I saw Scorpion EXO-R2000's for $90! I have a photo of a tag to prove it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiro Posted June 17, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 17, 2017 39 minutes ago, nebbish said: Allow me to recommend quality earplugs. Not the cheap foam ones. Go see an audiologist and get them made for you. World of difference. Probably worth a go. However, I did notice that if I press the chin of my helmet to one side, one side becomes quieter and the other noisier. Definitely related to a gap opening or closing next to my jaw. Also based on helmet testing today, I think my helmet is little larger than it needs to be due to a mismatch of crown shape. So, I'd try replacing the cheek pads first. Cheek pads plus custom ear plugs are still less than a new Shoei, but then I have no reason to get a new helmet. What to do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiro Posted June 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 Question about how the pads fit over the ears in the GT-Air. It feels strange until I pull down on the pads under my ears. After that it feels like my ear is in the empty space, which feels better. Is that normal? Should I have to pull on the pads to make it more comfortable? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfman1 Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 I used to have an HJC I used for years and decided I wanted a helmet that was better quality all the way around with an integrated tinted sun shield. After a shit ton of research and trying on every option at the Pony, I decided on a GT-Air. I have used it for a season and a half now and it's a fantastic helmet all the way around, they only thing I would change is to add another vent to move a little more air flow around the head for hot days, other than this I have no complaints. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiro Posted June 19, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 1 minute ago, Wolfman1 said: I used to have an HJC I used for years and decided I wanted a helmet that was better quality all the way around with an integrated tinted sun shield. After a shit ton of research and trying on every option at the Pony, I decided on a GT-Air. I have used it for a season and a half now and it's a fantastic helmet all the way around, they only thing I would change is to add another vent to move a little more air flow around the head for hot days, other than this I have no complaints. Did you have to change out the cheek pads? Did it feel more comfortable on the ears after pulling down on the pads right after putting the helmet on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wolfman1 Posted June 19, 2017 Report Share Posted June 19, 2017 18 minutes ago, hiro said: Did you have to change out the cheek pads? Did it feel more comfortable on the ears after pulling down on the pads right after putting the helmet on? No didn't change anything, they need time to conform to your face. Mine felt just a little too tight at first and now it fits perfectly. Love the tinted drop down sun visor, I used to have a fixed tinted visor on my HJC that was great for daytime, but sucked at night and I didn't want to have to cart around my clear visor every time I went on a long ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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