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Helmet noise

Pirate

Well travelled
Location
Aldershot, UK
So, as I said in the brake recall thread, I suffer from a lot of wind noise around my helmet. I was sold a cheap-ish (£90?) Viper flip-up helmet when I bought the bike (I chose flip-up for practicality and love that aspect, along with the air vents and drop-down sun visor) but it seems to produce a fair amount of wind noise when riding above about 40mph. Any comments would be appreciated. While I wouldn't mind spending more if it solves the problem I don't go in for paying more simply for a name - Arai, Shoei etc - or are more expensive helmets actually better/quieter/safer? Quite fancy a Caberg Duke 2 Plain as an upgrade but might that be a waste of cash?
 

Eatmore Mudd

Moderator
Staff member
The windscreen is a little short for a lot of riders in the western world. Plenty of folks report quieter riding when they relocate the mirrors outboard with a pair of mirror extensions of this variety.


My helmet is a Scorpion EXO AT-950. The peak on it is kinda noisy but the visibility inside looking out is terrific so it's a good trade off imho. It's much quieter without the peak but then the late day sun would be in my eyes.

Dunno much about UK, EU, E.C.E helmet standards, Over here Dexter Ford did a study and wrote an article for the New York times a while back. In a nut shell, expensive helmets protect no better ( and sometime less ) than low buck helmets.
 

sqeeezy

Well travelled
Location
Southern Spain
So, as I said in the brake recall thread, I suffer from a lot of wind noise around my helmet. I was sold a cheap-ish (£90?) Viper flip-up helmet when I bought the bike (I chose flip-up for practicality and love that aspect, along with the air vents and drop-down sun visor) but it seems to produce a fair amount of wind noise when riding above about 40mph. Any comments would be appreciated. While I wouldn't mind spending more if it solves the problem I don't go in for paying more simply for a name - Arai, Shoei etc - or are more expensive helmets actually better/quieter/safer? Quite fancy a Caberg Duke 2 Plain as an upgrade but might that be a waste of cash?
Noise annoys. Me too. I got given a used crap cheapo Kangol polycarbonate helmet years ago and it was my quietest yet. I paid good money for a Nolan sorry can't remember model, meh..a second-hand one I got later, meh..I went to a pukkah bike shop in Edinburgh, specifically asking for a quiet helmet, and a feisty Jock with aknow-all attitude pointed me to a Shoei Qwest. It's a good lid, I still use it but it isn't quiet. I can move my hand around my helmet and hear the difference in noise level. Long distance trips I'll put on a good layer of scarves to dam the underside and, yeah, of course earplugs, sometimes lubed with vaseline for better seal.
Himmie-specific, I took the screen off around 500 km cos of the buffeting and never got around to modding/replacing. That maybe helps with noise too? The mirror extenders I haven't tried yet.
Good luck in your quest, keep us posted. I'm loath to buy a Schubertit (price) but may do one day.
 

Wintrup

Well travelled
Location
Cumbria UK
My first Schuberth, a 2, was the quietest helmet I've owned, but the 3 isn't so quiet. The first one was one size too small and not comfortable at all after an hour, the 3 fits fine and is very comfortable. Nothing worse than having to stop for a break from your helmet torturing you. Comfort and safety is all I ask of a helmet these days. After this one, I'll not likely buy another Schuberth as I can't afford one and I don't go fast enough anymore to care about turbulence.
 

modiorne

Well travelled
Location
Charlotte, NC
I use earplugs with a "filter" that cuts down on wind noise, but traffic sounds, the Bluetooth speakers, etc, can be heard with only minor dampening. I use Ear Peace, but a number of good brands available with filters available for specific uses.
 

BurnieM

Well travelled
As others have stated I think the major issue with the Himi is the screen height with a small contribution from the mirrors.

I have played almost exactly this game before with a DL1000. I do not think the mirrors on the Himi are as much of an issue as on a DL.
I have the standard windscreen in the rear position.
I am 172cm (5ft 8inch) with a Klim Krios helmet. The helmet is fine, not the quietest but not the loudest I have used.
I am also using Double Take Adventure mirrors. I feel the mirrors have not made a difference to the noise but now I can now see what is behind me.

The height of the screen is the major issue for me.
At 80kph (50mph) the noise arrives. The turbulence is not as bad as a DL but the noise is similar.
As I am still running it in I have not taken it over 90kph (56mph).

So like the DL, the screen needs to be either higher or lower.
I have chosen to go lower and am currently waiting for a Powerbronze short fairing in a light tint. This screen is 95mm (4inches) lower than standard.
This should give protection to the instruments and GPS while allowing a more neutral airflow onto my chest and helmet.
With a 125kph (78mph) max speed wind protection is not really required and some have chosen to take the fairing off completely.

Regardless of the helmet I have always used ear plugs on trips.
I find that the reduction in high frequency sound reduces fatigue.
I do not use them around town.

General comment;
Wind in itself does not generate (much) noise. Turbulence generates noise.
Clear airflow onto your helmet will generate low level noise but rolling airflow off the top of a screen edge will be much louder.
The issue is the height (and shape) of the top edge relative to your helmet.
Design and construction of the helmet also contributes but to a lessor extent.

Powerbronze short screen pics on Advrider
 
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Eatmore Mudd

Moderator
Staff member
My Himma is rocking the Ken Sean folding mirrors. It helps the turbulence but doesn't cure it. Running a four inch windshield extender cured it but the dang thing made the windshield flex back and forth. No Bueno. I gave it away.
 

HaveACuppaTea

Finally made it
Location
Scotland
I'm with squeezy.
I fitted the mirror extenders so I could see past my shoulders. I wasn't expecting it to improve the turbulence and I didn't notice if it did.
I'm 5'11" and with the screen in the rear position the wind hits right in the bottom of the helmet visor. In the forward position it hits nearer the top of the helmet visor.
Take the screen off and you just get 'clean' air relative to your speed over the whole helmet which is much better. The turbulent air now hits mid chest.
 

Wintrup

Well travelled
Location
Cumbria UK
The other factor to take into consideration is driving rain and a higher screen helps to deflect the worst of it. With turbulence the Himalayan screen was better set at it's default position, but I had to tilt mine to the more upright position after adding some things. For most of my riding it's not really a problem, but if I was going to do a long tour I'd be looking to modify it.
 

Pirate

Well travelled
Location
Aldershot, UK
Wow - an unexpectedly high volume of traffic on this thread. I really wanted to hear more of the engine and other traffic around me which is why I wanted to cut down on wind noise. Earplugs won't help my particular needs but I see where you're all coming from on that one. Selective earplugs sound an intriguing prospect. I have my standard windshield in the forward position which I find OK - I'm only 5'9" so any turbulance is only at the top of my helmet (but it's so hard to tell isn't it?). I'm going to try some mirror extenders at some point - they will certainly improve rear vision even if they don't reduce the wind noise/turbulence. Thanks for all of your input.
 

Solera

Finally made it
Location
A.C.T Australia
I suspect most of us are using adventure helmets with peaks, correct?
I have an Arai XD4 and a Schubert E1. I find the Schubert quieter mainly because it seals better around my ears and underneath. A lot of noise comes from the bottom on the helmet. As noted turbulence is the cause. I couldn't wear my XD4 on my CB500X due to turbulence hitting the peak. Would vibrate the entire helmet. Even with a screen extender on it. I can tolerate the Schubert. I haven't ridden the Himma fast enough yet(still running in) to see if its the same.

I have ridden a naked cruiser wearing the XD4 and there was almost no noise, even at 100kmh. So my direction is to go for a smaller screen to protect the instruments and keep the wind off my chest. Clear air above the shoulders is the go. As far as rain goes, you need a big screen to get any benefit. I have a BMW K100RT and that provides some weather protection, only when moving though.
 

Pirate

Well travelled
Location
Aldershot, UK
I suspect most of us are using adventure helmets with peaks, correct?
I may be in a small minority on this one but I bought my Himalayan based on price (ridiculously good value!), riding position and ruggedness. I don;t intend to do much, if any, off-road riding so I have a Viper flip-up helmet (I will be riding to France quite a bit so it's useful for communicating with port authorities etc), no visor or other odd 'sticky-out' bits. It does have a couple of useful vents, one on the chin guard and one on the top of the helmet which I find a great in warm weather. I guess ultimately, we are all built differently and have different conditions in our various countries or regions so it'll be down to a bit of experimentation to find the optimum screen, screen position, helmet etc.
 

TN_twowheeladdict

Well travelled
Location
Tennessee
I suspect most of us are using adventure helmets with peaks, correct?
I have an Arai XD4 and a Schubert E1. I find the Schubert quieter mainly because it seals better around my ears and underneath. A lot of noise comes from the bottom on the helmet. As noted turbulence is the cause. I couldn't wear my XD4 on my CB500X due to turbulence hitting the peak. Would vibrate the entire helmet. Even with a screen extender on it. I can tolerate the Schubert. I haven't ridden the Himma fast enough yet(still running in) to see if its the same.

I have ridden a naked cruiser wearing the XD4 and there was almost no noise, even at 100kmh. So my direction is to go for a smaller screen to protect the instruments and keep the wind off my chest. Clear air above the shoulders is the go. As far as rain goes, you need a big screen to get any benefit. I have a BMW K100RT and that provides some weather protection, only when moving though.
Personally, I think ADV helmets are not a good choice unless all your riding is in the woods following someone who might throw up some roost at your face.

I want an aerodynamic helmet that cuts through the wind and doesn't try and tear my head off when doing a lane check.
 

TN_twowheeladdict

Well travelled
Location
Tennessee
Wow - an unexpectedly high volume of traffic on this thread. I really wanted to hear more of the engine and other traffic around me which is why I wanted to cut down on wind noise. Earplugs won't help my particular needs but I see where you're all coming from on that one. Selective earplugs sound an intriguing prospect. I have my standard windshield in the forward position which I find OK - I'm only 5'9" so any turbulance is only at the top of my helmet (but it's so hard to tell isn't it?). I'm going to try some mirror extenders at some point - they will certainly improve rear vision even if they don't reduce the wind noise/turbulence. Thanks for all of your input.
Since you mentioned vents in your original post, I thought you wanted air flow to stay cooler. If that is not the case than get a helmet with no vents at all, a nice seal on the visor, and a chin guard mounted underneath to block noise from below. Also make sure it had nice ear pads that seal off your ears from the wind.
 

Solera

Finally made it
Location
A.C.T Australia
may be in a small minority on this one but I bought my Himalayan based on price (ridiculously good value!), riding position and ruggedness. I don;t intend to do much, if any, off-road riding so I have a Viper flip-up helmet (I will be riding to France quite a bit so it's useful for communicating with port authorities etc), no visor or other odd 'sticky-out' bits. It does have a couple of useful vents, one on the chin guard and one on the top of the helmet which I find a great in warm weather. I guess ultimately, we are all built differently and have different conditions in our various countries or regions so it'll be down to a bit of experimentation to find the optimum screen, screen position, helmet etc.
I was basing some of my assumption on various u-tube videos, plus hanging around dirt bikers probably skewed my perception of how most would be using the bike. I also have road bikes, so I change riding gear to suit.
My Schubert is also a flip-up helmet, with a sun visor and peak. Not bad for what it is.
I hear you on the screen, position etc. I spent too much money trying to find a decent screen I liked for my 800GS when I had it. In the end I just stayed with the standard short screen. In summer here you need all the air flow you can get once it gets over 40 deg C. I suspect I'll be going a short screen on the Himalayan as well.
in the end you have to find what works for you.
 

Solera

Finally made it
Location
A.C.T Australia
Personally, I think ADV helmets are not a good choice unless all your riding is in the woods following someone who might throw up some roost at your face.

I want an aerodynamic helmet that cuts through the wind and doesn't try and tear my head off when doing a lane check.
Point taken , I've been hanging around dirt bikers too long. I like the peak because it helps keep the sun off the face. Being in the skin cancer capital of the world that's important. The Schubert E1 has a sun visor built in as well as the peak. Plus the peak comes off very easily and it then looks just like a "road" helmet. I have done that when the turbulence was too much riding my Honda.
Never had a problem with that doing a lane check, unless I was way over the speed limit. Not likely on the Himalayan. I have found getting into clean air works best for me whatever helmet I have had.
 
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