Wind Noise in Full-Face Helmets

working for a metal manufacturer..who has a workplace noise level of 140dB+ (twice as loud as a jumbo jet)
coz bloody 400T stamping forges are NOISY, we get free supply of very good earplugs...obviously

I have a box of them at home for rides

I thought I'd check this theory out tonight on the way home along the M4 (quiet and long and straight) and so I just tipped my head backwards until I was looking down my nose at the highway and the back of the helmet was pushing into my neck warmer and BINGO.

SILENCE

(well, almost! Except for the bike and road noise: no more wind noise!)

I'll be keeping this in mind next time I go to buy a helmet, but in the mean time, just try it for yourself, it's quite quiet

I thought I'd check this theory out tonight on the way home along the M4 (quiet and long and straight) and so I just tipped my head backwards until I was looking down my nose at the highway and the back of the helmet was pushing into my neck warmer and BINGO.

SILENCE

(well, almost! Except for the bike and road noise: no more wind noise!)

I'll be keeping this in mind next time I go to buy a helmet, but in the mean time, just try it for yourself, it's quite quiet

Don't you go looking down your nose at everyone young man!

You can also wear a scarf ..... it has the same effect as 2 KSRC neck warmers

I will add my two cents to this perpetual problem.
I also suffered from noise when riding my ZZR600. I had a Nolan (pedrosa rep), which I have just replaced with a KBC which I find much more comfortable. I agree with the theory if you wear something between your neck and your collar it certainly reduces the turbulence noise. I use a polar fleece or a neck warmer. I also use an IPOD to help mask the noise but found I had it at 7/8s to hear it clearly at 120km/h. I recently purchased a pair of Sony Fontopia ear phones I now set the ipod to 5/8s volume. I bought them at Myer for $40.
Cheers M arty

You can also wear a scarf ..... it has the same effect as 2 KSRC neck warmers

You trying to do yourself out of business ?

guys, it's no the helmet that give most wind noise, it the different fit people have around the base of the helmet. ie the neck and jaw areas, and the air swirling around this area and up into the helmet !

it's true, put you hand around the base of the helmet and adjust the aero's while your riding, and hear the difference ! Also push the helmet down on the back of your neck whilst riding, you will hear the diff.

Stop blaming the helmet !!

Last edited by hoffy on Tue Jun 09, 2009 10:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.

And if wind is still a problem, don't do curry with the Hoffmeister !!

been down this road recently. as someone else suggeested - webbike...com......most of the noise relates to "dirty air from the fairing etc..read the webbike info..
also bought the neoprene "windjammerII" from proline in the UK that was recommended by webbike. works very well! noise is reduced in my AGV, but also some minor fogging. Summer may be interesting with air flow. It has vent holes in the front neck skirt section that I taped over - reduced wind even more in this draughty helmet. In summer will remove the tape. Cost me $25 roughly - arrived in less than a week. recommended! My helmet was very noisy from 50km up. at 100km the wind "roar" was louder than engine noise - couldn't hear gear changes. that has improved a lot! now I get by without earplugs, but should probably wearem on 2 hr + rides.
If only the Aus Standard required Noise attenuation tests. and, we could test try helmets in windy environments - which is what we use them in....!

OK, I've just gone back thru this post and checked all the responses. Firstly, thanks to all for your contributions. The first thing that is apparent is there is no SIGNIFICANT difference between helmet brands, so thanks, that answered my question.Now, this has evolved into a discussion on the relative merits of ANY form of noise reduction for bike riders and, as such, requires a broader approach. I'm starting a new thread.