Suomy Vandal noise

[WarER4X]

Well, after getting back from the National, my forehead was plenty irritated from my Shoei RF1000.  It happened to me last year, too, when i took a week-long trip down south.  At any rate, the liner is not removable and, thus, is difficult to purge sweat build-up.  Also, two years of use has broken down the liner quite a bit.  Anytime I ride for more than a couple of days in high heat (i.e. lots of sweating) it irritates my forhead pretty bad.

On to the potential solution... I've been looking really hard at the Suomy Vandal as a replacement helmet.  It seems to fit my head well and is quite comfortable.  I'm fond of the features, including the pockets in the cheek pads to hold headphones, and of course, it has a removable liner!  My only hesitation is that I've heard a couple of comments that it is a fairly noisy helmet.

So, I was wondering if any folks around here have the Vandal and would care to comment on their experience with it?  Is it noisier/quieter than other helmets you've had?  Do you have a communication headset installed?  etc...

Any info you could provide would be helpful.

Thanks!

-SR-

[hobie1dog]

You should go to webBikeworld and read their write-up on it.  The started out by saying that it is the noisiest helmet they have ever tested.

[nanbil]

Yes, I've heard this also...but that seems to be the knock on all Suomy Helmets.  I'll admit that my Shoei X-Eleven is loud, but that is why I always wear ear-plugs.  

[info]

I've got a Spec 1R and I'd say it is louder than the Shoei X 11. That said,
it is the price you pay for a well ventilated helmet. In cooler weather I usually
wear an HJC. I have several helmets, which may seem excessive, but I ride
365/year. Sorry I haven't tried the Vandal.

[FuturaPilot]

I have a Spec 1r extreme.  It is loud comparative to some other helmets that I have.  It does however move the most air, I just use ear plugs, problem solved.

The quietest helmet that I have ever worn was a 2007 ICON Mainframe.
JCIII

[l2bike]

I have a Suomy Vandal and an Arai RX7-Corsair. While I have had problems with the Arai and think there customer service stinks, I have to admit it is quieter than the Suomy. Both are pretty noisy (and yes, I wear earplugs). The problem with the Suomy is that the frequency of the wind noise (on the same bike) is more irritating.

The Vandal is actually pretty quiet at lower speeds. The noise problem is at highway or better speeds.

I have grown to dislike the Vandal's shield locking mechanism. I change from a dark-tinted to clear screen regularrly. This is very easy on the Arai. Unlike others I have had not had problems with the side pods and have changed the screen hundreds of times. The Vandal with it separate metal locking collars (which are also side specific) is a PITA if you change screens regularly.

I have been impressed with the Vandals helmets finish, particualarly the interior.

[nanbil]

I have grown to dislike the Vandal's shield locking mechanism. I change from a dark-tinted to clear screen regularrly. This is very easy on the Arai.

Wow...I hate the Arai shield changing system.  I owned an Arai Quantum for several years, good helmet, but changing shields was a joke.  The Shoei system on my X11 is much easier.

[WarER4X]

The shield changing is definitely something for me to consider.  I change between light and dark quite often.  I tried it in the store and, other than being a little stiff (probably because it was new), it wasn't terrible, but definitely more cumbersome than my Shoei.  My biggest concern with helmet noise is with my helmet audio system.  I wear earplugs when I ride, also, but wind noise requires me to turn up the audio more and more and if I have a passenger, I have to turn up the intercom volume which makes any wind noise from the mics also louder.  It's a vicious cycle.

-SR-

[nanbil]

The shield changing is definitely something for me to consider.  I change between light and dark quite often.  I tried it in the store and, other than being a little stiff (probably because it was new), it wasn't terrible, but definitely more cumbersome than my Shoei.  My biggest concern with helmet noise is with my helmet audio system.  I wear earplugs when I ride, also, but wind noise requires me to turn up the audio more and more and if I have a passenger, I have to turn up the intercom volume which makes any wind noise from the mics also louder.  It's a vicious cycle.

-SR-

I've never worn a Suomy, but everything I have read about them screams LOUD.  If this is a major factor for you—and it sounds like it is (no pun intended)—then you should probably look at either another helmet.  Check webbikeworld they have great write-ups and list helmet noise differences between makes and models.

[ol Rocket]

Wow...I hate the Arai shield changing system.  I owned an Arai Quantum for several years, good helmet, but changing shields was a joke.  The Shoei system on my X11 is much easier.

Is your name Rick1957 in another life?  

[nanbil]

Is your name Rick1957 in another life?  

Nope, sorry.