I thought I should put this into another thread apart from my trip to WA thread.
Any thoughts for a good helmet for using on a long trip with ear pieces for music. I got nice mufflers on for HD audio broadcast to the masses, but on a 4,000km trip I would like to listen to some tunes aswell. I currently have an old AGV Kenny Roberts & generally ride with a Nolan open face & visor.
Dermie
I've got the Bikercom system in my Shoei Multitech fullface helmet and it's supposed to be the best on the market. This is a full comms system that is linked bluetooth for nav system, music, VHF radio and mobile phone. It's not cheap at $900. Having said that even though it is the best on the market, the music quality suffers as the ear speakers are not against your ears. This is a problem as you loose bass and the music also competes with that backgound noise i.e. bike engine and wind noise. Anyone that has had speakers pressing up aginst thier ears, no matter how lightly will tell you it gets pretty painful after a while and you can't wait to get the helmet off at each stop.
I found that the ergonomic ear pieces that you can buy at places like JB HiFi and the like for ipods are the next best thing. They are around $100 bucks and give good sound quality but you are hard wired to the music device and have a tendency to fall out while riding. The block out some outside noise and have good base. If you go this option make sure they have an inline volume adjuster as its a pain trying to play with the device while on a ride.
The best I have found is the Earmould hearing protection speaker system. http://www.earmold.com.au/Headsets/Stereo-Headsets.html They block out the ouside world sound really well and provide music with good bass. Had mine made when I was in Adelaide. Again these are hard wired but are the best you can get. I notice you were going to Adelaide on your ride. You have to be there to get fitted and they cost $200 - $250 but are robust and worth the money IMHO. They are a little uncomfortable at first but you will get used to them and can trim them if they remain uncomfortable in spot of your ear
I've done a lot of money and time reseaching sound systems for riding and you pay for what you get. Something always suffers, wether its sound quality, sound blocking or comfort.
The other thing to consider is a volume levelling program (google to find one that suits) that will make all you music the one level of volume. Sometimes when you download/copy music it can be at differing volume levels. Its a pain when your riding when one song you can hardly hear and the next one deafens you. As I said above, an in line volume adjuster is the go.
Just so you all know I have nothing to do with Earmould Australia. I use their product and find it the best music system for riding.
Hope this helps. Music is a must on long rides.
NOTE: If you wear a full face helmet you will quickly know if you are a good singer or not!!
Gee Magilla I don't think I will be spending 900 smakeroos on a helmet but if one puts the "how valuable is ones head" question into the factor then I probably should.
But any how I was thinking in the maybe $200 to $400 range hoping that the Aust Standards would give me a base for keeping my head intact but that I would get good accoustics for tunes.
earmoulds are the best by far, I think they have out lets in each capitol city, I know there is one in Perth and I think now they charge 180 bucks.
I have good Hogtune speakers my Eglide, but some times when I am on a long trip I get the Earmoulds out for better sound, especially when playing the Blues stuff I have.
$89 bluetooth set mic & speakers inside the helmet, straight to mu iphone, listen to music, take calls, reject calls all from a single touch on the side of the helmet. Phone very clear
www.oo.com.au
Any helmet will do
Cheers
Poddy
