How to buy a helmet?

[Afan]

... BTW, you cannot try a helmet by walking around...unless you can walk at 80kmh...

Amen!!!

 

[anglachel]

If hearing the wind noise is really really important to you...
Then I'd suggest bringing a leaf blower to the shop...
Probably battery powered, don't want to run a gas engine in the shop, and they probably won't give you the courtesy of using an outlet since you are turning on a leaf blower in their store...

Expect to be asked to leave by the proprietors of the establishment.
Might want to have a body camera for the event, because it sounds like a great youtube video.

As for me, I put a madstad on the bike to keep the wind off me and the helmet, and ear plugs for longer rides at higher speeds or across open country where cross winds are more likely...

 

[dreamer]

Not much help to you, but in Vienna, Austria we have a biker store, where they have a real motorcycle you can sit on and by turning the right handlebar grip you actually operate giant electric wind blower. It’s a simulator for trying out any helmet or piece of clothing you like. Very clever.

 

[Ackme]

You did not mention if you had specifically checked out the WebBikeWorld pages so sorry if this is old news. If not perhaps it is of some help. Like others I have a Schuberth C3 and it is definitely quieter than previous helmets i ahve owned.

Motorcycle Helmet Noise - webBikeWorld

 

[Madison Sully]

Not sure if this is helpful, but I did see above some comment about cheap earplugs from Walgreens.
Here's what I use:


Amazon.com: 3M OCS1135 Ear Soft Yellow Neons, Earplugs (Case of 200): Industrial & Scientific

 

[rippin209]

These are my favorite ear plugs. I've owned the expensive brand name ones also, the cheap ones are still my favorite.

Earplugs,Tan Custom Molded in Poly Bag, DIY Kit Molds in 10 Minutes, CEP001-T Amazon.com: Earplugs,Tan Custom Molded in Poly Bag, DIY Kit Molds in 10 Minutes, CEP001-T: Home Improvement

It took me 3 tries but I made a set that fits my ear buds and my ear perfectly

Homemade custom IEMs - YouTube

 

[davidc83]

Afan-you could try to buy from an online store-such as cycle gear. Be careful with the helmet, keep all packaging, don't remove any labels, tags from helmet when received; go for a ride-doesn't work, return for $$ or exchange.

 

[dragonaut]

Not much help to you, but in Vienna, Austria we have a biker store, where they have a real motorcycle you can sit on and by turning the right handlebar grip you actually operate giant electric wind blower. It’s a simulator for trying out any helmet or piece of clothing you like. Very clever.

That is a really cool idea. I was actually thinking about something similar recently as I have been searching for a better fitting helmet, and I wondered, "what if there were a motorcycle shop where you could try on a helmet and stand in front of a giant fan or a wind tunnel to find out how it would feel at speed?" Looks like someone else already had the same idea.

 

[Hank]

I think there was more to the OP’s question than just noise.
In terms of fit, the most important thing is to figure out your head shape.
You do this by measuring.
Most people are intermediate oval, but not everyone.
Most helmets are intermediate oval, but not all.

Motorcycle Helmets 101