I recently got a Shoei Multitec and noticed a lot more wind noise than my previous cheap lid. I can rule out the fit as it is snug. The noise is not only obvious on the freeway, but also in town. Anyone else with this problem? I love the convenience of a modular, but the noise is a bit annoying. I do wear ear plugs while riding the freeway, but not in town.

Good ventilation comes at the cost of wind noise. I haven't had a Multitec but I did have an old RF-700 and an X-11. Both were somewhat loud but after getting a Scorpion EXO700 I've found that they actually weren't that bad. It's all relative really. My X-11 was louder than my cheapo bottom of the HJC I bought as a pillion helmet but it also vented much better.

What are you comparing it to?

Yeah, I figured that was the compromise. Here's the kicker. My previous helmet was a cheap GMAX that came with my Vespa GTS. But today I figured out where a lot of the noise is coming from (around my neck). The helmet is snug, but I guess my neck is skinny enough (16") for a lot of air to still  get through.

The convenience of a modular is important to me. I think I'll just wear ear plugs whenever I ride to spare my hearing for a few more decades.

Additional noise is a common issue noted in reviews of modular helmets.  IT seems par for the course that modulars are more noisy than a regular  full face.  Which makes total sense since there are more edges edge to create turbulence. 

And not directly related, but GMAX seems to put out a hell of a helmet for the cost.  The guys at WebBikeWorld gave the GMAX full face they tested a quite good review.  They are pretty through about their reviews, so I'd believe that the gmax helmets are a great value.  Maybe not the best helmet ever... but really good bang for the buck

Quote from: yuu on December 01, 2008, 06:40:22 AM
Additional noise is a common issue noted in reviews of modular helmets.  IT seems par for the course that modulars are more noisy than a regular  full face.  Which makes total sense since there are more edges edge to create turbulence. 

And not directly related, but GMAX seems to put out a hell of a helmet for the cost.  The guys at WebBikeWorld gave the GMAX full face they tested a quite good review.  They are pretty through about their reviews, so I'd believe that the gmax helmets are a great value.  Maybe not the best helmet ever... but really good bang for the buck

Yeah, I should give the GMAX helmet more credit. When I was in my accident, I kinda did a little break dancing on my head and, to my knowledge, I'm not any dumber than I was prior to the accident.