Trouble breathing at high speed?

[stinkwheel]

Something I've noticed I have trouble with when doing very high speeds (in the order of racetrack back straight speeds) is I seem to find it pretty hard to breathe.

Not entirely sure why, I considered simple air pressure pressing on my chest but the bike is faired, the neck strap isn't choking me but as I try to breathe in my nostrils seem to collapse, even breathing by mouth seems to take extra effort

I was wondering if it's some sort of weird venturi effect on the vents of the helmet effectively dropping the air pressure on the inside. Or maybe even a similar thing causing a 'vacuum' effect behind the fairing.

Anyone else experienced something similar?
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

Possibly something to do with adrenaline or something else to do with your body as opposed to an outside occurence?

[Handsome]

I've had that happen once or twice, never really thought about it untill now though...


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Previous Bikes...Honda NSR 125 RR...Kawasaki Zephyr 550...Suzuki SV 1000 S...Yamaha FZ8...Current Bike...Suzuki GSX-R 750...

[stinkwheel]

[Kickstart]

Hi

Not had that problem. Nearest I have had is difficulty due to ramming my head down low and then landing up with my neck at a sharp angle so I can still look forward.

Have you tried any other helmets?

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[stinkwheel]

[Scouse]

Had a similar thing occuring myself a few times recently. Found it a feeling of a nose full of expanding foam expanding to the back of the throat and making breathing very difficult.
I narrowed mine down to only occuring late at night and with my visor up (hate riding with it down). So have avoided that situation since as much as possible.

I can't think what it could be other than possibly hayfever, although I've never really been a sufferer of that. :shrugs:

[TheDonUK]

Never had it myself either, but it would make sense that the area behind a windbreak would have an area of low pressure.

Maybe its just time to buy a BMW and be fucked with it all?
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[Current Bikes - GSXR-750 K5 & C90-97 ] [Previous Bikes: Runner 125, YBR 125, GS500, Bandit 600, Hornet 600, ZX6R-99, C90-99, R1-99, XT600E-04, GSXR-750 K4, CRF250L '16]

[Tarmacsurfer]

The idea of a dead spot behind the fairing is more likely than the helmet vents due to the sheer volume of air movement required to make breathing that difficult I'd have thought.

Can't say I've ever noticed that effect on any bike though. What are you riding at the moment?
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I'm immortal. Well, so far.

[stinkwheel]

[craigs23]

I sometimes get that if it's cold and a windy day....and I'm walking.

Maybe I'm just incredibly unfit, but haven't suffered from it on a bike before.

Maybe something to do with your head positioning/airflow into/under your crash helmet?

[carlperkins00...]

it may be something to do with the air being forced into your nostrils.
same sort of thing as opening the window in a car and sticking your head out, you cant breathe.

either that or adrenalin, but it would only happen the first few times if it was adrenalin, as you would get used to going fast.

hope this helps

[Rowey]

Tried one of those chin/helmet curtains? Might be the air rushing up the bottom of the lid.
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ZX6R C6F.
Never argue with an idiot. They'll only bring you down to their level, and beat you with experience.

[carlperkins00...]

or a thick balaclava, might stop most of the wind.

[stinkwheel]

It was more for interest than anything else to see if anyone else had noticed the same. Looks like it is a feature of my particular helmet/fairing/riding position.

Thinking about it, I really noticed it the other night and it's the first time for a long time I've not had a tank bag on the bike. That would lend creedence to the fairing-induced dead spot theory.

It's very rarely I go that fast anyway and I really shouldn't.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[carlperkins00...]

[Charlie]

I think it would be induced from the fairing/screen/helmet set up, d o you experince the "nodding dog" at all?
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Past: Honda x8rs, Honda City fly, Honda Hornet 250, Honda VFR750, Yamaha xt600e.
Current: Honda CBR929RR & Yamaha XT660Z Tenere