Eliminating helmet wind noise

[ALANT]

I've had my '04 ST since February and really love it but the wind noise at the top edge of my helmet shield is starting to drive me crazy. My bike is completely stock and I wear a KBC TK 7 helmet. The only way I've found to get rid of the noise is to raise my windshield all the way up or hold my hand on the top edge of my helmet shield, neither the solution I'm looking for.
I've read many posts related to windshields and it appears others may be having the same problem but there seems to be no concensus as to what works best.
I ran across some windshield edging made by Saeng called V.3 Micro-Swirl Edging that looks interesting. If anyone has experience with this product let me know what you think about it, especially if it helps reduce or eliminate this wind noise.

Thanks in advance...
AlanT :04biker:

oops, here's the url for the Saeng website if you want to read about it..
http://www.saeng.com/4000.htm

[CruisingDog]

Earplugs! I'm not being facetious either. This is what most people do.

[Bill Ishmael]

If I stick something in my ear, I want it to be more useful than earplugs. I use a Shure, in ear, headphone connected to a Dell DJ 30. Some use a satelite music service or similar.

[John-DownUnder]

Same problem Alan. Same solution as Cruisingdog - I have 2 sets of custom earplugs:

1. one set are musician's plugs - cuts the noise well but not as well as full plugs. Good for wearing when my wife is pillion so we can converse more easily through the J&M intercom (with the J&M speakers cut/set in to the helmet)

2. Full moulded plugs (no holes) - great for me on my own due to maximum noise reduction. I just turn up the J&M volume and its like I am not wearing plugs.

A third option is like Bills', where the moulded plugs actually have miniature speakers built in. These have been discussed elsewhere along with a "noise cancelling" feature that can be purchased over there.

These assume buying a new helmet is not an option (most these days are said to be noisy anyway, so this probably wouldn't solve your issue satisfactorily).
Cheers

[dannyk]

Try moving the windshield to the higher mounting point and take it for a spin see what you think. Its an easy fix, worked for me. Danny

[ALANT]

Thanks for the replies. I wear ear plugs but not always and the ones I wear are not custom fit. Maybe I should check into that. In the meantime I'll try Danny's usggestion of changing to the higher mounting point and see how that goes. Thanks again for the help.

AlanT :04biker:

[ajpags]

What kind of helmet are you wearing? If it's a fullface, check the fit between the visor and the top of the helmet itself. Sometimes (like on Shoeis) if you do a minor adjustment at the mounting plate, you can eliminate any gap there, and alleviate a lot of noise as well.

Pags

[rgatling]

Along with the suggestions already made, I use a Laminar Lip on my windshield. I can keep the windshield lower (improving visibility and cooler) while having the wind flow over my helmet. It also reduces the backpressure on the helmet.

[AgSTreak]

I also use the laminar lip along with earplugs. It's amazing how much wind blows around your hemet without the LL. Speakers in my helmet provide music and I am good to go.:03biker:

[Putt]

Alan..

I have the Saeng edging on my 1300.. It's "ok",
but for the price, my own personal opinion is that
it is not worth it.. I got mine at less than half price,
one of the users on this board had a piece for sale and
I picked it up.. Knowing the "cost vs benefit" of the edging,
If I had to pay full price, I would not get it. It makes a small
difference but not much.. It does help keep the rain from coming
up over the windshield though and makes it easy
to find your ST in a crowd. :)


Putt...

[texxter]

Thanks for the replies. I wear ear plugs but not always and the ones I wear are not custom fit. Maybe I should check into that. In the meantime I'll try Danny's usggestion of changing to the higher mounting point and see how that goes. Thanks again for the help.

AlanT :04biker:

For me the difference between using earplugs and not using them is huge! In fact I never ride without them, even if it's a short trip to the grocery store - the "bad noise" goes away, but I can still hear the engine and an emergency vehicle.

Earphones need to be inserted properly. I like the Hearos Extreme, very soft and comfortable.

Also, the Nolan N100 family of flip-up helmet is quiet, not too expensive and comfortable.

http://us.st11.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/earplugstore_1890_5766012

[doolyl]

Alan,

This may help you if part of your problem is road noise instead of wind noise. I have a Clearview windshield on my 2003 ST1300. The road noise was very loud at highway speeds. One day, I noticed that when I put my hand between the dash and the windshield the road noise was cut dramatically. I experimented and ended up wedging a 4" diameter black foam ball between the windshield and dash. Although the ball blocked well less than half of the air flow, it knocked out about 80% of the road noise. I can now ride comfortably without earplugs, or I can hear music on my headphones much better and at lower volumes.

Good luck.

[ligito]

Doolyl.

Can you provide a picture?:04biker:

[tdeboeser]

I'd like to try these. Has anybody tried them? The tabs look pretty long, I wonder if they protrude too far...
http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Etymotic-ER-20-Ear-Plug-p-16503.html

Also, I found a few variations of these on Ebay... a combo of the above with Koss/other earphones... not a bad idea if it works...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Koss-Spark-Plug-Etymotic-ER4-Hybrid-Isolation-Earphones_W0QQitemZ9714438523QQcategoryZ73841QQrdZ 1QQcmdZViewItem


Tom de

[RideTN]

so, with the 1300 you cannot add a custom windscreen thats a bit taller like you can on the 1100?

[nm6r]

You can add a taller windshield on the ST1300. I just don't see why as the stock one can go up way taller than ever necessary.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

[ligito]

Ray, people that are long in the torso may not agree with you.

[RideTN]

well i guess that was my point. on each of my 1100s i had to get a taller shield to get the wind noise down. i didn't realize on the 1300 that it might not be possible to raise the shield high enough to eliminate the wind noise. on the other hand, maybe the wind noise on the 1300 is not from the windshield being too short for tall riders.

[Fred D]

You can add a taller windshield on the ST1300. I just don't see why as the stock one can go up way taller than ever necessary.

Ray
http://www.frontiernet.net/~st1300rider/smile04Bikerwheelie.gif

It's the angle, and closeness to your head. As stock screen rises, it moves~angles forward, away from your head. With a taller windscreen, you can get a little more height before it starts angling forward, especially if you move the screen up to the top brackets. I think keeping the screen closer to your head keeps your head in a less turbulent pocket of air?