My brother loves motorcycles. Even though I’m not a big fan of riding, I do ride sometimes. However, one of the most annoying things I usually face when riding is the amount of noise the wind makes.
Helmets are super important because they help to protect your head and neck in case there’s an accident. But a helmet can also help to protect you against excessive wind and road noise.
For those who don’t know the importance of wearing a helmet properly, you’ll be surprised at the impact this has not just on your eardrums but also on your brain cells.
This is why when buying a motorcycle helmet you should get one with noise reduction technology. This will help to protect your ears and brain as much as possible.
However, you can’t just look at a helmet and know which one has the best noise protection. The only way to know is if you actually test them out on the road which is why I’m writing this article to help you guys out.
My brother and I have personally tested these 5 helmets with a few other friends. We have ordered 8 of the best selling helmets over time and we tried them out for a month and compared the quietness, comfort and other features and wrote down the pros and cons of each.
We’re only happy with 5 of the 8 helmets and these are the ones that made it on this list.
So without further ado, let’s get to the reviews.
Quietest Motorcycle Helmet
| Motorcycle Helmet | Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Shoei Men's Rf-1200 Full Face Motorcycle Helmet | Editor's Choice | Check Price |
| Bell Qualifier Full-Face Motorcycle Helmet | First Runner Up | Check Price |
| HJC 980-614 IS-MAX II Motorcycle Helmet | Second Runner Up | Check Price |
| ScorpionExo EXO-GT920 Full Face Helmet | Best Value For The Money | Check Price |
| YEMA YM-926 Unisex Motorbike Helmet | Very Affordable | Check Price |
1. Shoei Men’s Rf-1200 Full Face Motorcycle Helmet – Editor’s Choice
The results we received from this high-end helmet are amazing. I strongly believe that the Shoei Men’s Rf-1200 is one of the quietest helmets on the market today.
Other than safety, the company also focuses on the shell structure, the aerodynamics and the EPS liner.
Shoei has taken care of both technical and cosmetic aspects of the helmet because the aim was to make a helmet that stands out in all parameters.
It’s lightweight, only weighing about 3.46 pounds and is extremely comfortable. It also has the ability to handle inner airflow pressure quite well thanks to its large vent.
The solid build also ensures it is as long-lasting as possible and the center pad of the helmet is shaped in 3 dimensions, giving you the ability to adjust it to fit regardless of the size or shape of your head.
I wore the Rf-1200 helmet during trips that ranged from 10 minutes to 1 hour and the helmet stayed very comfortable the whole time. Another thing that I began to notice is that this helmet felt lighter than my Schuberth S2.
If you’re looking for a high-quality quiet motorcycle helmet then I highly recommend checking out the Shoei Men’s Rf-1200 on Amazon.
Pros
- Extremely Comfortable
- The design is great
- Lightweight (only weigh 3.46 lbs)
- Easily fits any head size or shape
Cons
- A bit pricey
2. Bell Qualifier Full Face Helmet – First Runner Up
If you’re looking for a simple yet high-quality motorcycle helmet then I recommend getting this Bell Qualifier. It’s pretty quiet and I think it’s the best option for those on a low budget as well as for less experienced bikers.
This helmet was built to last. It has an anti-fog, anti-scratch and UV protection all built into the visor — it was surely built to last you for a very long time.
The Bell Qualifier has a solid construction. It’s pretty similar to the others as it involves lightweight polycarbonate/ABS while the padded wind collar reduces the road and wind noise dramatically.
The design makes this helmet stands out from the others. The design also offers Bell’s exclusive system of Click-release for the face shield. This feature allows you to change the face shield easily when necessary.
I love the fact that the air vents of the helmet can be controlled for a comfortable ride. Whether you’re riding at a high or low speed, you’ll be able to control the amount of air that reaches your face.
The entire comfort liner is removable and washable, with integrated speaker pockets making it even better.
Having the ability to wash the interior of your helmet is always a joy. This will ensure that you’re always at comfort when using your helmet.
Pros
- The price is very affordable
- Great for less experienced bikers
- The helmet is packed with tons of features
- Comfortable to wear
Cons
- No drop down sun shield
3. HJC 980-614 IS-MAX II Modular Motorcycle Helmet – Second Runner Up
Another quiet yet affordable helmet on the market is the HJC 980-614 IS-MAX II Modular. It’s a lot cheaper than the Shoei RF-1200 and this helmet is surprisingly one of the best you can find on the market for the money.
First, I must say it’s pretty quiet when compared to the Bell Qualifier Motorcycle Helmet. I believe the thickness and weight of the helmet (5.35 pounds) definitely plays a role.
I think the design is quite attractive and the extra weight is easy to adjust to over time. However, the weight will definitely be noticeable when switching from one helmet to another.
One thing that really stood out about this helmet is how large it is. Even the medium that I originally ordered was slightly bigger than other helmets I usually wear in the same size.
This helmet was also slightly heavier than most of the others, especially near the top of the helmet.
The visor of the helmet is designed in an excellent manner as it gives the helmet a distinctive appeal, making it look stylish.
The sun shield also locks firmly into place and once you enter a more dimly-lit environment, a single button press retracts the shield instantly. I find this feature to be amazing.
The road and wind noise in this helmet is comparable to other helmets that cost a fortune, which is impressive. Also, with six colors to choose from, you can easily find one that best suits you.
Pros
- Very affordable
- High quality sun visor
- Attractive design
- Multiple color options
- A lot of amazing features
Cons
- A bit heavy
4. ScorpionExo EXO-GT920 Modular Helmet – Best Value For The Money
When it comes to durability and value, I have to give the win to this ScorpionExo EXO-GT920 Modular Helmet. It’s made of a premium quality polycarbonate shell. It’s a good looking helmet that could easily be mistaken for a full face.
It also has a super-plush interior, with very thick padding. After wearing it for about 2 weeks, I can proudly say that it’s a far better helmet than I had even hoped it would be.
The last helmet I had (3 years ago) was noisy and leaked in the rain. However, this helmet is reasonably quiet and stays dry as a cloth in the sun in heavy rain.
The face shield is pretty impressive, as it features a high resistance anti-fog material, so you don’t have to rely on a fussy pin lock.
The coating is hard and scratch-resistant, with UVA and UVB protection. You can also easily operate the visor by sliding it up or down.
The eye port provides good outward visibility although the optical quality of the face shield could be better.
Scorpion has created a modular helmet that is high quality, without looking for complications and has everything necessary so that you can go by city, highway, long route or daily short route.
Pros
- Has a pretty unique face shield
- Extremely durable
- Great value for the money
- Anti-fog material
- The design is amazing
- Reduces wind and road noise
Cons
- Optical of the face could be a bit better
5. YEMA YM-926 Unisex Motorbike Helmet – Best Low-Priced
If you like to ride at 100 km per hour with no wind or road noise, then YEMA YM-926 Unisex Motorbike Helmet is the perfect choice for you. In addition to sound reduction, this affordable helmet also comes with a unique futuristic design.
This design ensures that the head of the rider fits in a comfortable way even when riding at a very high speed.
Based on testing, it stands as one of the quietest helmets on the market, capable of handling intense impacts.
It has a solid build, ensuring it lasts you a long time. The shell is also durable made with aerodynamic UV resistant ABS, so you don’t have to worry about parts breaking.
It’s effective when it comes to handling airflow pressure, which is why it’s considered to be one of the quietest on this list.
The liner is also removable when you want to wash it. Since I’ve already explained all the good things about this motorcycle helmet, it’s now time to talk about the downside.
The only disappointing thing about this helmet is that it doesn’t have any Bluetooth speakers even though the helmet has extra space for them.
Pros
- High-quality sun visor
- Lightweight (only weighs 3.7 pounds)
- You can easily remove the liner and wash it
- Has a unique futuristic design
Cons
- No Bluetooth feature
Important Factors to Consider When Purchasing a Quiet Motorcycle Helmet
When searching for the best quiet motorcycle helmet, there are certain things you need to keep in mind before buying.
If you don’t know which size would be the best fit then the smartest idea would be to go in and measure the helmet as well as your head size so that you can get one that properly fits your head comfortably.
These are the three main factors to consider.
Weight
When choosing a helmet it’s best to purchase one that’s lightweight because they’re easier to use over long rides.
The helmet’s weight will also be determined by the way it fits — e.g. how it distributes its weight easily around your shoulders and head. If it fits wrong, it will feel a lot heavier even if it’s lightweight.
Tightness
This is a mistake a lot of people make when purchasing a helmet. First of all, you should never buy a helmet that doesn’t tightly fit because over time the padding will compress and become loose.
However, the helmet shouldn’t be extremely tight either, as you don’t want to get constant headaches or pain when you’re riding.
Ventilation
Another important factor is air circulation. When a helmet has good air circulation your head will remain cool and comfortable and you’ll feel great even on a hot day.
Make sure to properly inspect the outlet and inlet vents at the back, top and side that you can easily open even when you’re wearing gloves. It’s also a good idea to get a helmet that has chin vents so that the visor doesn’t mist up.
Why You Should Invest in a Quiet Motorcycle Helmet
Even if you’re new to motorcycle riding, you should know that depending on where you live it may be illegal to ride a bike on a public road without wearing a helmet.
Not wearing a helmet while riding may get you in trouble with the police. Other than that, the main reason for wearing a helmet is health and safety.
Regarding health, hearing loss is very common among people who don’t wear a helmet that’s customized to protect them against intense wind noise.
A quiet helmet is also great for your safety, as it will make it much easier for you to hear things around you, which will make it much harder for accidents to take place.
How Can You Make a Helmet Quieter?
Finding the perfect quiet helmet for your needs can be a bit challenging, which is why you might want to take matters into your own hands by making your current helmet quieter.
For this you can use earplugs as it will help to reduce a great amount of road noise. You can also make your helmet quieter by adding a chin curtain and visor seal.
Using a neoprene sleeve can also help to seal the gap between your helmet and neck while reducing the noise and debris that may come into contact with your helmet as your ride.
Types of Motorcycle Helmets
When choosing a helmet there are three varieties you can choose from, including the full face, open face and front flip.
If you’re searching for a helmet for protection in case of an accident, then a full face helmet would be the right choice for you. It’s the most popular type of helmet and the noise level is also pretty low. But you should make sure the ventilation is good as they can become hot.
The open face helmet doesn’t have a chin or face protection, which is the biggest downside. I only recommend this type of helmet if you find the full face to be too hot.
The flip front helmet, on the other hand, has become quite popular recently because you have the ability to use it as both full and open face helmet. The lid will give you proper protection as well as security.
Conclusion
These are the quietest motorcycle helmets you can find on the market today. Before buying a helmet make sure to pay close attention to the different types and the three main factors listed above as well. Do so and you’re sure to pick the one that best suits your needs.
You can also check this article on how to quiet motorcycle exhaust.
If you have any questions feel free to let us know by commenting down below in the comment section. Before you leave, make sure to give us a like on facebook and never miss one of our upcoming guides.
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