[quickbeemer]

Question: $300 range, looking for a helmet and was wanting comfort and as quiet as possible. Have been riding with a Nolan 102 since new and HJC before that, both modular. I am not convenced I want another modular but the Nolan I have is just too heavy and is giving me pains in my neck. Any sugestions are welcome.
Thanks!

 

[Lee510]

I have a Shoei X-11 that has good ventilation, but I don't have much to compare the noise level to. It is quieter than the KBC FF that I started with and the Arai Astral X that came next. Competition Accessories in Rock Hill, SC has them on sale from time to time. Might still be closer to $400.00 even then. I bought this one in Dec. 2010 after the unpleasantness of having my LT knocked out from under me. Since the other driver's insurance was buying this one, I should have gotten the Schuberth C3 I had my eye on! The C3 was very quiet in the store. Actually lowered the ambient noise level. I don't know how it would have been on the road.

Good luck with the search.

 

[rowie]

Shoei Qwest would be close to that price in one color. I have one and it's pretty nice except for the foggiest visor I've ever owned, which I think is very poor for a helmet in that price range. My extra cheap G-Max modular had a better visor than the Shoei. But otherwise it's pretty good. I bet there's better though for the money.

 

[Lee510]

Oh, yeah. I forgot about the fogging. The X-11 does it too. A Fog City Shield from Cycle Gear fixed that. :thumb:

 

[tvguy]

I had the Nolan 102 with the J&M audio installed. It was a nice helmet. The C3 is the only way to go. They are A LOT more money but they are light, have good ventilation and are very quite... You really can't beat them.

 

[Rocketsled]

I have a HJC SyMax III...it's about 15-20% quieter than the previous model.

The major noise issues I have with helmets have all been conquered with in-ear headphones.

 

[johnbaker15]

I have a HJC Sy-Max II and find it a little noisy. I am going to look a the Sy-Max III to see what the differences are.
However at another price point ( $600+) last night I tried on both the new Shoei Neotec and the Schuberth C3. Both helmets have the pin-lock system, the Shoei comes with the addition shield not sure about the Schuberth, both have built in Sun visors. The Shoei also has a built in chin screen that is claimed to reduce noise. Ventilation on both seemed to be much better than my Sy-Max, huge channels at the top to flow air. The Schuberth channels were much more visible than the Shoei, however the rear exit for the air in the Schuberth was built into the liner and the Shoei had an exit port in the helmet.
The Shoei was MUCH more comfortable, I found the Schuberth's linier was stiffer than I would want and though over time it would be a negative.
I now need to see how I get one for a test ride to compare noise levels.

 

[taylorjn]

+1 on the C3! Just brought ours home. Had mine on in the heat last weekend. Amazingly quiet. Good vents. Acknowledging we both have "Schuberth-shape" heads.

We have been pleased with our Scorpion X900s up till now. Great venting plus convertable to 3/4 for really HOT weather.

 

[LittleJoe]

I have a HJC Symax 11 modular and am very disappointed in the noise. I bought it this last winter at helmet house in florida.

I just this morning dug out my old HJC open face with out the drop down sunvisor and it is QUIET. I think it is the drop down sunvisor openings that make all the wind noise.

My old helmet is quieter without earplugs than my new symax is with earplugs. Hard to believe......

 

[WillieC]

I use a SHOEI RF-900 in white and it is extremely quiet on bikes with a fairing
as well as with no windscreen at all.
What I do do though is that I do not use a face shield on my helmets especially if
I have any kind of fairing or wind screen. Very quiet and zero buffeting as well as
cooler. I wear safety sunglasses or rec-spec sun glasses with no face shield on the helmet,.
Has been a great combination for me for years.
Try it and see if you like it.

 

[johnbaker15]

In case anyone out there is still looking around, Competition Accessories has a sale running on the Sy-Max II. ( $250.00 )

 

[MountianMama]

got a shark for my wife, the only one that fits her. the chinbar folds all the back so cn be ridden with or without.

 

[johnbaker15]

In case anyone out there is still looking around, Competition Accessories has a sale running on the Sy-Max II. ( $250.00 )

Typo on my part...SY-MAX III not II