I plugged the screens behind each ear with silicone and it immediately became quiet. Don’t miss those flow screens at all and makes the helmet very nice. It was far too much wind noise before fix.
I had a Bell when I used to drive my gas scooter around when I was like 15 or 16 years old😅 I hit some gravel on the road and went sideways and hit my head on the concrete. That helmet protected my head and I was thankful to have a helmet! Thanks for the review Professor B!💪🏽
I used Bell for years, protected my head many times. I went through a fence one time on my motocross bike, I wouldn't be here right now if that helmet wasn't on.
Very frustrating finding a quiet helmet to record audio and just riding in comfort. Maybe when I was younger I didn’t pay much attention to it, but right now it is high priority. I currently have a cheap Amazon ILM 502 modular helmet $80.p, very plush, very comfy. At first I taught it was noisy, but yesterday I tried an HJC i70, that thing kept getting louder as I gained speed, much like it was described on this video, I went back to the store, although they have a no return policy, the guy gave me my $300 back, I was so relieved. What a mistake. I started researching the Bell, and found this video, so I really don’t know anymore. I guess unless you spend $600 on a RF1400 everything else is a waste of money.
Dropped this video link at the last second on the recent livestream before it ended. That said, these days nothing is built as good as the older stuff.
I just did a detailed inspection on this helmet today. The left side which has that plastic tab (No idea no use why its there), the left side visor latching mechanism is flawed. When I open the visor and move it side to side, the left side clicks out hard as if its going to pop out of the locking rings. Means its not latched and sealed in properly on the left causing gaps for wind to pass through and circulate, causing loud wind noise. Another observation, there is mesh on the cheek pads which is supposed to flow air through the cheek pads to wick seat away, but instead, air leaks into the helmet causing noise. The chin curtain is mesh! Supposed to be straight thick fabric to block the wind out, but the mesh again lets the wind gush in and circulate. These are all stupid designs by who ever did it, probably at the factory in china and not at the Bell HQ USA.
BRO!!! I have the exact same issue with mine. I got this as a replacement (after an accident) because I liked the look and the price for the features you get (that Protint face shield is GREAT and the MIPS technology is a plus). But noise on this thing is intolerable on the left side ONLY. I have tried many different things and the only time I was able to notice a difference is when I am not wearing a jacket. If I am just riding around with a shirt, I seem to get a "little" less noise, but it is still unbearable. After having used this helmet for over a year now, I was hoping it would "wear in" and do better, but it just hasn't.
My man, this thing was brutal. I have never experienced anything like that before. Even with budget helmets. It made for a pretty interesting torture device.
It comes with one. Unfortunately it's not so much the noise but the buffeting. I have a cheap scorpion that has a ton of wind noise but no buffeting the way that that helmet did.
Interesting you ride at highway speed without hearing protection. Hard to believe the helmet was as noisy at 60 mph as at 120 mph. Kind of difficult to take your review seriously.
Well, I did try it with earplugs, and it was still much louder than my Shoei RF 1400 that I use regularly. Both with and without earplugs. The main issue that I noticed was on the left hand side. And believe what you like, I have no reason to lie about a helmet. But don't take my word for it, prove it to yourself and report back your findings
I plugged the screens behind each ear with silicone and it immediately became quiet.
Don’t miss those flow screens at all and makes the helmet very nice.
It was far too much wind noise before fix.
Can you elaborate more, what screens behind the ears ?
I had a Bell when I used to drive my gas scooter around when I was like 15 or 16 years old😅 I hit some gravel on the road and went sideways and hit my head on the concrete. That helmet protected my head and I was thankful to have a helmet! Thanks for the review Professor B!💪🏽
I used Bell for years, protected my head many times. I went through a fence one time on my motocross bike, I wouldn't be here right now if that helmet wasn't on.
Great review. I have a current Arai (Signet I believe). I have quite a bit of road noise despite using a Cardo Pack Talk edge and ear plugs.
Very frustrating finding a quiet helmet to record audio and just riding in comfort. Maybe when I was younger I didn’t pay much attention to it, but right now it is high priority. I currently have a cheap Amazon ILM 502 modular helmet $80.p, very plush, very comfy. At first I taught it was noisy, but yesterday I tried an HJC i70, that thing kept getting louder as I gained speed, much like it was described on this video, I went back to the store, although they have a no return policy, the guy gave me my $300 back, I was so relieved. What a mistake. I started researching the Bell, and found this video, so I really don’t know anymore. I guess unless you spend $600 on a RF1400 everything else is a waste of money.
Dropped this video link at the last second on the recent livestream before it ended. That said, these days nothing is built as good as the older stuff.
I just did a detailed inspection on this helmet today. The left side which has that plastic tab (No idea no use why its there), the left side visor latching mechanism is flawed. When I open the visor and move it side to side, the left side clicks out hard as if its going to pop out of the locking rings. Means its not latched and sealed in properly on the left causing gaps for wind to pass through and circulate, causing loud wind noise.
Another observation, there is mesh on the cheek pads which is supposed to flow air through the cheek pads to wick seat away, but instead, air leaks into the helmet causing noise. The chin curtain is mesh! Supposed to be straight thick fabric to block the wind out, but the mesh again lets the wind gush in and circulate. These are all stupid designs by who ever did it, probably at the factory in china and not at the Bell HQ USA.
It doesn't fit glasses claimed by some. Swapping cheek pieces doesn't help and only compromises the fit.
Would have been nice if you put it on
BRO!!! I have the exact same issue with mine. I got this as a replacement (after an accident) because I liked the look and the price for the features you get (that Protint face shield is GREAT and the MIPS technology is a plus). But noise on this thing is intolerable on the left side ONLY. I have tried many different things and the only time I was able to notice a difference is when I am not wearing a jacket. If I am just riding around with a shirt, I seem to get a "little" less noise, but it is still unbearable. After having used this helmet for over a year now, I was hoping it would "wear in" and do better, but it just hasn't.
My man, this thing was brutal. I have never experienced anything like that before. Even with budget helmets. It made for a pretty interesting torture device.
I'll even take it a step further, my left ear was punished. And was ringing for about an hour after getting back
Would a chin curtain help with the wind noise?
It comes with one. Unfortunately it's not so much the noise but the buffeting. I have a cheap scorpion that has a ton of wind noise but no buffeting the way that that helmet did.
Interesting you ride at highway speed without hearing protection. Hard to believe the helmet was as noisy at 60 mph as at 120 mph. Kind of difficult to take your review seriously.
Well, I did try it with earplugs, and it was still much louder than my Shoei RF 1400 that I use regularly. Both with and without earplugs. The main issue that I noticed was on the left hand side. And believe what you like, I have no reason to lie about a helmet. But don't take my word for it, prove it to yourself and report back your findings