Buy the helmet of your choice, then install the bluetooth unit of your choice. You can compare features of various bluetooth units to get the features you need. Cardo and Sena are two of the major well-known brands. I'm partial to the Cardo Packtalk Bold.....it works well and has voice commands. If you are new to bluetooth, be advised there is a learning curve, so don't get frustrated. HJC is a decent mid price helmet, but only you can decide what your head is worth.

 

There are bluetooth helmet headsets available that velcro attach inside your existing helmet. I am trying a $16 set that works ok but definitely not hi fidelity for music guess it would take more than $16 for that. The rattling vents just put a little glue of some kind on them and leave them open or closed.

 

HJC have full face helmets at $85

 

As with many things, helmets are generally something that you get what you paid for. I am sure there are bt helmets out there with communications for 200 or less, but you might have the same experience as you're now having with the Bell. If you're wanting a good comunications kit like Sena or Packtalk, you're going to be paying nearly 200 for that alone. I like a great deal like most here, but helmets are one area I do not skimp on. I have a Shark Modular and love it (didn't at first), but it's about $350 if I recall and then purchased the Cardo Packtalk Bold/JBL that I absolutely LOVE

 

+1 on the shark helmets, very good for the price.

 

The 2018 was specifcially designed to work with the Sena 20S or SRL2 (which is a 20S in a very nice form on three Shoei helmets). My and my passenger SRL 2 is working great with my 2018. Key is to connect the phone to the bike via a wire in the center pocket and the helmets' comm units to the bike via Blue Tooth. Apple Car play does not work via blue tooth (limitation on the GW). If you have a CB, it will interupt the rider passenger intercom but not a problem, just a single tap will start the intercom again when you need it. Not an issue if you ride one up.

 

I didn't mean helmets with a built-in headset, I just meant helmets that had the openings to add them. I would buy a headset separately at some point. I think I'm going to try sealing the louvers shut on my current helmet with silicone. This helmet has two top vents, one right at the top of the facial opening, and another right beneath the opening, so it should still ventilate sufficiently. The two on the top are the only ones making noise. I really hate to have to buy another helmet considering this one is still almost brand new...

 

Almost every modern helmet has the capability to accept speakers. There are only one or two I am aware of that cannot. To check yours, remove the cheekpads (they snap out unless you have an Arai or a Biltwell) and look for the speaker recesses.

 

I bought this helmet on sale at Cycle Gear and "LOVE IT"!

BILT Techno 2.0 Sena Bluetooth Modular Helmet

Color: Matte Black

SALE $179.97
REG $319.99
Save $140.02 44%

 

All gone except for the smaller sizes. Drat!

 

I use in ear headphones (great sound act as earplugs too) and a BT adapter. You can do it for as little as $30, but won't have intercom.

 

A dab of glue OR tape on your old helmet and all rattles will be gone.............Then either Sena OR Cardo works fine............... I have Sena and love it./My riding buddy has Cardo and loves his..So which one you choice will be up to you there....

Ronnie

 

As long as the helmet has a DOT or SNELL rating, it's a safe helmet. Any of those helmets will offer the protection needed. Cost of a helmet has NO relation to safety at all. That has been proven in studies over the years. However, COMFORT is not the same. Generally, as the price rises, so does comfort and additional features of the helmet. So you get what you pay for in features, but spending $800+ for a helmet will NOT buy you more SAFETY.

HJC and NOLAN make great helmets and don't break the bank.

 

As long as the helmet has a DOT or SNELL rating, it's a safe helmet. Any of those helmets will offer the protection needed. Cost of a helmet has NO relation to safety at all. That has been proven in studies over the years. However, COMFORT is not the same. Generally, as the price rises, so does comfort and additional features of the helmet. So you get what you pay for in features, but spending $800+ for a helmet will NOT buy you more SAFETY.

HJC and NOLAN make great helmets and don't break the bank.

Also noise. More expensive helmets usually (not always) have tighter seams and closures, and so there is less whistling/noise. And typically the high end race-type stuff (Arai, Shoei, Schuberth) have a LOT of wind-tunnel time, to reduce stress and drag for racers. And of course - that also makes a quieter helmet (more slippery through the air).

 

IMHO my head is very important to me. So I only look at helmets that have a current SNELL rating. If you have ever been in a motorcycle crash you will appreciate a top line helmet. We spend a lot of money to own a Goldwing. Why wouldn't I want the best helmet on my head?

 

Just an idea. Try a small drop of oil in the moving part of the vent ( not to much). Then a small amount of clear silicone along the edge where it moves. The silicone won‘t stick to the oil and the vents should still work. Experiment on something similar first. I have the 20S EVO. Sena’s clamp mount doesn’t work so go on newer helmets. At least that is what I experienced. I have had nothing but trouble with the sticky mount. They don’t stay on very long. I was on a two week trip and had to epoxy the mount to the helmet. Even replacing the double sided tape only lasted 3 days. I love the Sena so call me crazy but I just put a very small screw through the sticky mount into the helmet. I know voids any warranty. It’s just a no stress ride. I also have custo molded earphones. Incredible sound.

 

And if that doesn't work, slather the helmet in Duct Tape

 

... This helmet is almost brand new, but the louvers on the vents rattle so badly (whether open or closed) while riding the noise is driving me nuts. It's a Bell helmet, and while they are a lower priced helmet, they have been good helmets (at least in the past they were) for the price. I'm not paying Shoei prices...

If it is a new helmet could the vents be defective and covered under a warranty? I would have guessed Bell can make a helmet without rattles.

I've only used Shoei and Arai helmets the last 10-15 years. Always purchased on closeout or clearance pricing. My current CosairX was $980 helmet discounted to $500+/- at Revzilla. Check motorcyclegear.com . They also heavily discount HJCs etc. Shoei just released a new RF1400 so RF1200 might be on clearance.

As for BT, I paired our new Sena 50s headsets our new 2018 wing. Work perfectly so far. The 50s clamps worked fine on my Corsair and the wife's Klim.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

 

If it is a new helmet could the vents be defective and covered under a warranty? I would have guessed Bell can make a helmet without rattles.

I've only used Shoei and Arai helmets the last 10-15 years. Always purchased on closeout or clearance pricing. My current CosairX was $980 helmet discounted to $500+/- at Revzilla. Check motorcyclegear.com . They also heavily discount HJCs etc. Shoei just released a new RF1400 so RF1200 might be on clearance.

As for BT, I paired our new Sena 50s headsets our new 2018 wing. Work perfectly so far. The 50s clamps worked fine on my Corsair and the wife's Klim.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

They won't rattle anymore...I filled the top vent holes with silicone then closed them. They don't move now. I still have the vents just above and below the face opening for ventilation, and I can still open the visor to various positions if needed. I can't force myself to spend $900 on a helmet...I'm sure they're better helmets, but 4 times the $$$ better? For that much it better right my bike to prevent a crash....

 

Here is a $900+ helmet for ya......https://www.araiamericas.com/node/121

Worth every penny when your head is bouncing off the pavement.

 

So what does a $900 helmet do differently than a $200 helmet when your head is bouncing off of the pavement? They both will keep your head in tact...