Motorbike Research

[steveclarke12]

I am a Loughborough University Student currently working on a Final year design project which focus is on motorcycle helmets. I am currently researching and investigating into problems and issues encountered by the motorbike population in an attempt to find a design solution! (specifically motorbike helmets)

Any response to the questions below would be greatly appreciated.


What issues do you encounter, if any, when using a motorcycle helmet?
fogging/overheating/high noise levels/adjustment issues/comfort issues/other
If other please state…


Can you go into detail about this issue? Why does it occur? How often does it occur? How detrimental to your experience is it? Have you tried to fix it? If so how?


Would you consider an automated/handsfree activated visor to be a beneficial feature and would it influence your decision when purchasing?
Yes/No
Would you consider a sound dampening/insulating inner lining to be a beneficial feature and would it influence your decision when purchasing?
Yes/No
Would you consider a custom fitted inner lining to be a beneficial feature and would it influence your decision when purchasing?
Yes/No
Would a customizable graphics service be something that would interest you and would it influence your decision when purchasing?
Yes/No
Would an advanced/more effective ventilation system be a beneficial feature and would it influence your decision when purchasing?
Yes/No

[J4mes]

Yes
Yes
No
Yes

I have a HJC IS Max helmet and the only issue I get is fogging up of the visor. I sometimes have to ride with it open or slightly open, but find that if it is open then my face gets very cold very quickly but if it's slightly open then I get air directed at my eyes and it makes them stream to the point I can't see. There doesn't seem to be any middle ground.

It occurs when it is cold outside and warm in my helmet! Generally when riding to work in the mornings, 7am-ish.

[G]

[Rogerborg]

Heh, then I incorporate my answer here.

I doubt that you meant "any" response, although I am obliquely trying to explain to you why we might not fall over ourselves to do your homework for you.
____________________
Biking is 1/20th as dangerous as horse riding.
GONE: HN125-8, LF-250B, GPz 305, GPZ 500S, Burgman 400 // RIDING: F650GS (800 twin), Royal Enfield Bullet Electra 500 AVL, Ninja 250R because racebike

[steveclarke12]

Thankyou for your responses, i am currently trying to research and investigate into what problems you guys run into relating to motorcycle helmets to gain a better understanding of what it is that could potentially be improved.

I don't mean to offend, I am simply looking for any issues or problems that are encountered.

Many thanks

[iooi]

Custom made liner would be great.

Would make choosing a lid so much easier....

Simply choose your prefered design and then they make a liner to suit.....

Takes away the whole pain of trying every helmet in the shop till you fine one you like and fits

Then again this has been suggested for years...... Seems the only people to get these are very well paid racers and not joe blogs.....
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Just because my bike was A DIVVY, does not mean i am......

[syler]

No
No
No
Yes

The only issues I have are, the visor fogging up, rain on the visor and sunlight in my eyes.

[J.M.]

The only real problem I have with my helmet is the fogging up. It's not nice.

Other than that.. that's a few things I'd consider doing to one technology wise (like building in some earphones for my Phone's GPS, and a Microphone perhaps for if I ever decided to purchase a radio).

I'd be tempted to add custom graphics to a helmet - but probably wouldn't due to cost. We're not all made of money, and that would be expensive (unless it was free, but then I'd probably spend too much time designing and not enough time riding!).

But personally, there's nothing really which would influence my decision in buying a helmet in terms of your post. I'd like a helmet that could stay fog-free and clear from the rain, but any helmet which claimed to do these things I probably wouldn't believe. You get way too many false advertising claims, or under-performing products for the price paid
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[Alex A]

No
No
No
No
No

Scratch proof visor please. Photochromatic would be good too.

[ClockworkJesu...]

My visor rarely fogs; thanks to the vents blowing air at the inside of the visor, and that I quite enjoy an open visor. If my visor begins to fog up tremendously, I just apply an anti-fogging solution to the visor. Works for me. More and more helmets are being sold now with anti-fog linings. No idea how good they are though.

Never over-heated. :S Just open the visor.

My helmet is noisy.. But my bike is noisier, and my bike isn't that loud. The less wind noise the better though, I suppose.

Never had adjustment issues, or comfort issues. I would figure these two are one and the same.


A hands-free activated visor would make me steer clear of the helmet. So yes, it would influence my decision; negatively. Don't fix what ain't broken. Manual opening/shutting works perfectly for me.

Sound dampening would be nice, as long as it didn't dampen the noise of the traffic, too; or more importantly, the sound of my bike. Less wind noise has to mean more environmental noise.

As long as the custom fitted liner didn't cost twice that of my lid, that'd be brilliant.

I guess custom graphics would be kinda neat; but I'd probably spend too much time trying to customize it and end up with something too tacky and be unhappy with my product. XD But I guess it'd be a cool optional feature.

Depends how the ventilation system worked. Passive or motorised? Light or heavy? Simple or complicated? Right now we have (pretty much) holes in the helmet that can be covered over by grills or flaps. Simple yet effective. Anything that's going to add weight or be easy to break; no thanks.

Only other thing I can think of is like; bluetooth-able built in speakers, or some kind of rubber blade above the visor, so when you open the visor it cleans it of water droplettes. Best I can do.

[mistergixer]

When I google 'BCF', it comes up as "Motorbike related message board with sections for UK national and regional events."

Somehow, this appears to translate as "Open season for lazy students who want their homework doing for them."

Just as well I never bothered with University, I obviously don't read good.
____________________
Space Monkey #7
Don Eladio is dead. His capos are dead. You have no one left to fight for. Fill your pockets and leave in peace. Or fight me and die!
Mistergixer's videos on YouTube

[steveclarke12]

Thanks again for all the responses to my questions.

All will help significantly in identifying the most prominent problems/issues that need to be focused on and addressed.

This should allow me to produce the most appropriate end solution.

I would be happy to pass on my findings and 'end solution' if interested!

[G]

[Teflon-Mike]

[mistergixer]

Ruddy heck, I actually just read all of a post by the Tefster.

What with my recent accident-posting epiphany, I'm starting to get a little scared that the sky actually might be about to fall.
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Space Monkey #7
Don Eladio is dead. His capos are dead. You have no one left to fight for. Fill your pockets and leave in peace. Or fight me and die!
Mistergixer's videos on YouTube

[Shaft]

[DrDonnyBrago]

My suggestion is something I'd quite like myself.

I'd like a camera built into my helmet. I want it to be discreet (so mr piggy doesn't seize it as evidence if I get pulled over) and film on a loop. I.e. I press record and it records continually and overwrites the oldest footage when the memory is full. If I press a button then it will write protect a certain period, i.e. the last 10 minutes. Good in case of accidents, pretty areas, fun parts of my ride etc.

I want it all contained in the helmet though, the card and battery perhaps could be removed but I don't want cables attached to my head and I don't want a fat "here is evidence of my wrongdoings, seize me" marker stuck to the side of my head.


As for the automatic visor opener/closer, I was actually and quite coincidentally considering that about 5 hours ago, decided it would be a waste of time, but it would be cool. Custom fitted helmet liners would be pricey but if it ended up affordable, not inflatable and actually worked it would be a good idea.


EDIT: Just read the post above mine, that summarises my thoughts quite well.

[Clanger]

What issues do you encounter, if any, when using a motorcycle helmet?
fogging
noise
comfort issues

Can you go into detail about this issue? Why does it occur?
Because the manufacturers seem to think that all heads are inbetween the set sizes. My head is a 54. So a 53/54 is too tight, and a 54/55 is too loose. If they made Suomy in a straight 54 then that would be ideal for my head shape.

Would you consider an automated/handsfree activated visor to be a beneficial feature and would it influence your decision when purchasing?
No

Would you consider a sound dampening/insulating inner lining to be a beneficial feature and would it influence your decision when purchasing?
If it didn't influence the price I would. If it did, I'd stick to wearing earplugs.

Would you consider a custom fitted inner lining to be a beneficial feature and would it influence your decision when purchasing?
To do what exactly??

Would a customizable graphics service be something that would interest you and would it influence your decision when purchasing?
No, I like my lid to be plain black, no graphics thanks

Would an advanced/more effective ventilation system be a beneficial feature and would it influence your decision when purchasing?
No, I've rarely suffered from heat, perhaps if I travelled or lived overseas, my answer would be different.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[rtho782]

[The Shaggy D.A.]

What issues do you encounter, if any, when using a motorcycle helmet?
My hat no longer fits.

Would you consider an automated/handsfree activated visor to be a beneficial feature
Not whilst I have the use of my hands.

Would you consider a sound dampening/insulating inner lining to be a beneficial feature
I have earplugs for that.

Would you consider a custom fitted inner lining to be a beneficial feature
All my helmets are custom fitted once they bed in.

Would a customizable graphics service be something that would interest you
I decorate my helmets with the bodies of flies.

Would an advanced/more effective ventilation system be a beneficial feature
How much more effective can you get than an open face helmet?

... and would it influence your decision when purchasing?
only by putting the helmet on the "features I don't need that make it more expensive" list and thus removing them from selection.
____________________
Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[swampy]

[G]

[Vincent]

The biggest issue I have is with the knob that makes me wear one when I don't want to.

Does that help?

Oh..........an intergrated ciggie dispenser/lighter/ashtray would be cool..........

Maybe some sort of auto pilot too so I could have a nap on long rides.

Intergrated speed camera alarm maybe.
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Space Is Deep

[steveclarke12]

Thanks again for the positive responses. All are helping narrow down issues and problems that you guys have, so that i can then attempt to design for them.

As someone who does not ride personally, the reason for user research is to help give direction and rationale to my project. It ensures that i am designing towards a solution that is actually a solution

Off to NEC Birmingham for the upcoming bike exhibition saturday for some first hand research!!

[Wafer_Thin_Ham]