Helmets Continuing Quest for Quiet

  • Thread starter Thread starter royws
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wengland said:
Regardless of anything, the sound level in your helmet at speed will be between 100 and 110dB. Different screens, helmets, etc. change that slightly, and may move the noise into different frequencies. Different helmets have various things that catch the wind and whistle or rumble. Different screens move the air up or down your helmet. The laminar lip creates a smoother airflow, less buffetting, but not much less noise. May help to create a more stady-state noise, easier to ignore.

But, at 100 to 110dB, you are causing permanent hearing damage in under 15 minutes. Full stop.

Therefore, you really need to find some earplugs that don't suck. And wear them. Try the Howard Leight Max series - they are very soft, very comfortable, and cut noise by around 30dB. I've worn them for a couple of years now and really like them.

Aerostich offers a sampler pack of a lot of different types of earplugs. Get it.Try em all.

And when you are putting the plugs in, they should go in *deep*. Roll them thin between your fingers, lick them to get them slick (yeah, gross, deal) and slide them way in. When they expand, it should be like you just put your head under water in the pool - everything just gets quiet.

Permanent hearing loss isn't anything to **** with.

Even wearing earplugs, I'd guess i've dropped a few points of sensitivity since I started riding bikes. More ringing in the ears now too. Sigh.

Will
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What Will said.
Earplugs. If they don't work you're not putting them in properly - many people don't. The biggest problem I have is getting them out again, you need fingernails. Both the foam and the slippy foam types work great if you use them correctly.
 
I have the same problem on my GL1800 wing. I think that it is your rear exhaust vents that are causing the problem. You might try plugging them with some foam earplugs to test it on your bike.

I cut a channel into the foam of my HJC CL15 from each intake vent to it's corresponding exhaust vent. They are about 3/8" deep and 3/16" wide. They relieve the great changes in air pressure that the exhaust vents create during buffeting winds. I do not feel that these channels compromise the helmets ability to protect me in any way.
 
I went for a ride this past weekend and discovered that if I put the winshield all the way up with my visor fully open I get clean air. I wear safety glasses all the time while riding as well. I have an HJC Symax helmet which liklely has something to do with it along withe being 6'1".
 
I'm 6'3' and I feel your pain. I've tried quite a few larger windshields clearview and aeroflow. My shoei RF 1000 or RFR with ear plugs is the only fix for me. The hard foam earplugs work for me but they're very difficult to get in my ear due to a weird kink in my ear canal. I'm making an appointment with an audiologist to get custom plugs this week. I don't mind earplugs for long trips but for short trips to work or the store they're a pain.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but I think the noise comes from air coming over the shield and over the helmet then curling around and hitting the back of the helmet.

I'm tempted to try a small clearview shield next. I think shorter people don't notice it as much trouble. Having longer arms also places your body back farther were more of the turbulence occurs.
 
dhuber, I remember this thread, even though it's almost 2 years, to the day! anyone has replied.

While it's true you can end up in the turbulent stream of air, the taller one is the less likely it is, ideally that's what's wanted? If the air coming over the shield hits you in the chest area, it helps to keep your upper body up and your elbows bent.

I just always use ear plugs when I ride, end of story.

Regards,
 
Keith_UK said:
Roy - I had exactly the same problem, right from the first time I rode my new ST13 back in January 2005. As soon as I raised the speed above 40 mph, I noticed that awful windblast noise straightaway, which really alarmed me.

So I bought a Flip Top windscreen from Keith Munro. I got the 1" taller x 2" wider version. The difference is amazing. The flip feature re-directs the oncoming airflow right over the top of your lid.

So I can now happily and easily listen to music, hear GPS voice prompts, and have a quiet conversation with my pillion, even with the shield lowered all the way down - and at speeds of 80+ mph.

I don't wear earplugs either ... never have.

Keith M's Flip Top windshield is easily the best accessory I've acquired to date, by far.

There ya go then ... problem solved!

keith
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Keith,
How tall (and inseam) are you?
 
You silly bike riders that think you can look over a windshield and have quietness crack me up. :p:

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Hey the might come in handy when your guitar string breaks and you're going 150mph sideways and 500feet down at the same time. :)

Don't want a pickle just wanna ride my motorscicle....
 
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