How does your helmet choice effect your riding?

Recently I'd become concerned with the noise from my Shoei Multitec and the opportunity came along to try a Schuberth C2, Schuberth lids have the reputation for being the quietest helmets on the market, so I've taken the plunge a bought a C2.


The conventional checks when buying a helmet are to confirm the fit and ensure the helmet matches your head profile - I've never managed to get on with Arai products, but always found Shoei more suitable to my skull shape.


I've never given much though in the past to head checks and wind noise, but since riding with the C2 I've noticed a significant impact on my riding from both of these factors.

Noise.


The Schuberth has lived up the marketing hype - the noise levels from the helmet are significantly lower than the Shoei.  Ear plugs are still required but I don't feel that I'm damaging my hearing when wearing the C2, whereas the Shoei always gave me that impression.


The issue of noise is a problem with my bike's screen design, it's a very fine line between good wind protection and buffeting around the helmet (which seems to create the noise issue inside the shell).


So, wearing the C2 I set out for a spin to hear the difference.  The result?  Approaching corners too fast!!
I'd never realised that my perception of speed was so dependent on the noise I heard inside the lid.  The quieter environment of the C2 caused me to perceive my speed to be lower than it actually was and a quick re-learning exercise was required to get my perception to match reality...


Vision.


The second major difference has been with the peripheral vision - especially shoulder checking.  The C2 has a more "substantial" chin piece compared to the Shoei, and this means a shoulder check requires my head to dip & turn, rather than just turning the head to the side.


Comparing the two helmets side by side, the Schuberth seems to have a wider aperture, which you would thing would give better peripheral vision, but the angle that this aperture forms seems to be most critical - the Shoei has a broader aperture, whereas the C2 is narrower.


Although this isn't a major issue, it's again something that I've needed to relearn!


I still wear both helmets, and changing between the two can be quiet an interesting experience.


When you're buying a new helmet - consider these two factors along with you normal fut checks!!