Wind Noise - Ideas

Hello All,

Before someone answers "ear plugs", suffice it to say that I am aware of them and use them, but they don't address the issue at hand:

I recently ditched my big comfy, wind-shielded bike for the VFR1200F. I love it. The only real negative I have is wind noise around the shield of my Arai helmet such that the bluetooth intercom is virtually worthless now, and even moreso if I wear earplugs. Now, I know Arai's aren't known for being quiet, but it fits my noggin like a glove. Does anyone have an experience with a FF helmet on the Gen 7 that is fairly queit where one can use the headset; that fits like an Arai? Or, are my days of bike-to-bike communication (and music) over?

Thanks,

Paul

 

That's a good question, Paul. You're hitting on one of the main issues that many people have to cope with who ride sportbikes: wind noise. Keep in mind that since you are coming off a bike with a windshield, it's very likely that you'll likely never get that same level of "quietness" that riders who are on touring bikes and bikes with windshields enjoy.

From my experience, Arai and Shoei make some of the quietest helmets out there, so it sounds like you have a good helmet. You didn't say which model but unless the helmet is 20 years old, it's probably a good one.

There are several factors that can affect how much wind noise you are getting, but I would take a good look at where exactly the wind is hitting you as it passes over the VFR 1200's windscreen. Your height will make a difference. If you're tall, consider getting a taller touring screen. Some people attach the Vario wind deflector to try and get the wind to pass over their helmet. Or you can try pulling the windscreen off altogether to see if it's quieter when the air hits you squarely in the shoulders instead of buffeting at helmet level.

As you guessed, I would have first recommended ear plugs. I went on a ride last weekend using one-year-old ear plugs and the ride was extremely noisy, particularly at 80 mph. I stopped and got new earplugs at the drug store and they were a HUGE difference, so make sure you are using fresh ones.

And when it comes to using Bluetooth intercom, well, I would say, keep trying. I have an iPod affixed to the side of my helmet and I wear earplugs, and can still hear the music, barely. I'd say the main thing you'll want to do is find a way to move the air flow so that you can create a quieter still-air pocket. Good luck with this!

 

Thanks Thunder,

The Helmet is an RX-Q, almost 2 years old. You hit the nail on the head - it's the airflow over the windscreen which is really clean (no buffeting), but makes some noise. Yep, the earplugs help the noise, but make it really hard to hear conversations on the headset (and music is muffled). If I hold my gloved hands over the areas where the shield is hinged, it helps a bunch.

It's not the end of the world as it is, but I like to be able to talk to other riders on long rides (especially if they are less experienced). I am trying some high-fidelity earplugs now... I'll let you know if I find something that works.

 

Before my bike was totaled last week, I had installed an MRA Touring Xcreen ... IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE in so many different ways.

http://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/mra-x-creen-tour-variable-windscreen-spoiler-bladehttp://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/mra-x-creen-tour-variable-windscreen-spoiler-blade

I will be purchasing another ....

 

Glad you are OK! I will check out the Xcreen.

 

I found that I can use earplugs and still hear my comms and music pretty good. Not sure what comm system you have but the Cardo G9x I bought had spacer pads that you can put behind the speaker allowing it to sit closer to your ears, this helped me out a bit. Also, the G9x has the ability to use just about any headphone you like as long as it has the 1/8" mini plug. They offer a larger speaker setup which I was going to try, but the spacers seem to do the trick. I've read on another forum that some riders are buying KOSS headphones and using the speakers off of them as the level and fidelity is better than what comes with most of these comm systems. That's always an option too.

The other thing that helped is the earplugs I use, www.earplugsonline.com. These are made of moldable material and you actually have the ability to "tune" them, so to speak. Depending on how much of the material you use and how tightly you pack it in your ear canal, it changes the amount of noise reduction.

They aren't cheap but since I use half of one plug for each ear I double the number of earplugs I have. The last time I bought them I got the 12 pair box, I think for what they're going for right now. $39.95. You can order a sample pack to try them. That's what I did and now I'm hooked on them.

 

I was going to suggest a wind curtain for your helmet but I don't know if they make them for modular type helmets. It makes quite a difference on my Shoie X Twelve. I can't say I agree with the statement that Shoei makes a quiet helmet. Maybe it is just their X Twelve that is noisy due to the great airflow inside.

 

Custom moulded earplugs with earphones built into them should run you less than $100 for a REALLY good pair

 

I made my own with a cheap pair of earbuds and a silicone cornstarch mix just to see if it would be worth it and am still using them, made a huge difference in the sound quality. It is a bit muffled trying to listen to my friends when we are stopped at lights though but its muffled anyway with earplugs and they are part of the atgatt for me (except for maybe quick local low speed rides).

 

Ooooh, this thread is very relevant to me. I took a VFR1200 for a spin the other day and I am considering picking it up. Problem was the wind noise. Even with ear plugs it was super loud. I'd imagine a double bubble might help. I rode my mates F800ST with double bubble and it was the most smooth ride I have had on any motorcycle. Way smoother than my Tiger 800 with barn door screen that buffets me.

 

Tellin' ya guys .... MRA Tour Xcreen ... worth the $'s .... and you can deflect more air at your chest on hot summer days if you want as well.

 

I checked them out... having trouble locating the clamp on version but it looks like a nice piece. Has anyone ever tried the one Honda offers?

 

Revzilla carries in both in clear and smoke, and bolt on / clamp on .. they are out of smoke.

However, Twisted Throttle (dot) com has it in stock in smoke: http://www.twistedthrottle.com/mra-x-creen-add-on-variable-windscreen-spoiler-blade-clamp-on