Helmet buffeting

[David072]

Hi Guys,

Passed my mod 1 and mod 2 on Thursday, and now taking the motorway in to work.

Getting above 60 my helmet takes a hell of a hit from the wind, more so than I'd imagine. I knew I'd get a battering from wind now I can go quicker, but didn't expect this!

Would a better helmet help? I have a cheap Duchini one I bought after I passed my CBT.

I have a short screen on my bike and definitely don't want to ruin it's looks with a larger one.

Cheers,

David

[SQL]

try no screen and see if it is any better.

[DrSnoosnoo]

I've had this too, does it smack you around if you tilt your head down or slightly to a side?

I have to do this to stop the AGV squeal. Otherwise lay down on that tank and hide behind your tidgy screen ahha
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I'm Sam; Northern, Ginger, Lover
Did have: '95 ZZR600 '83 CG125 '97 ZZR1100 '15 Hypermotard 821 SP Do Have: '10 ZX10R

[recman]

[Teflon-Mike]

Before getting drastic... try the simple.
- Adjust your sitting position on the bike.
- Adjust angle of incident of helmet to wind.
- Adjust road position
- Slow Down (you dont say how much 'over' 60 you are going!)
- Take a different route to work - why do you want to sit on a boring motorway squaring tyres anyway?

Sitting position; depending on the bike, at higher speeds, you can get a little 'lift' changing the bikes balence. Sitting further forwards or further back, can make huge difference to how stable the bike feels beneath you. Will also change where your head is in relation to the wind blast and turbulance coming off its screen. Try find teh sweet spot.

In days of old, they used to give two top speed figures for bikes; 'Upright' and 'Prone'... Ie sat up straight, or leaning down over the handle-bars.

Leaning down over the bars, putting your head down can reduce your frontal area by as much as 1/3, and could, on old naked bikes make as much as 20mph difference to top speed.

Wind-Pressure increases disproportionately to speed. Takes 3bhp or so to go 30mph, 9bhp to go 60, 27bhp to go 90 and so on.

Faster you go, so the 'power' in any turbulence is going to be amplified.

Slowing down just 2-3mph can make a very big difference to how much wind turbulence you experience.

BUT; anything much over 60, its almost always going to be there, and heading into more elevated Auto-bahn-Basher velocities; unless you are tucked behind the 'bubble' of a sports fairing, 'prone' or cossetted behind a wind-jammer of something like a Pan-Euro, is always likely to be a little less comfortable.

(I actually passed a lad on an XJ600 who was lying flat on the tank, to get out of wind-blast the other day on the by-pass off the M6... he was being over-taken by a Ford Ka.... He cant have been going more than 60, but I suspect, it was his way of defeating the fatigue of sustained wind-buffet of longer motorway run... it does get tiring... hence I try and avoid motorways and take the scenic route - I ride for pleasure, and looking at monotonouse motorway furniture, and being hammered by wind-blast just isn't )

However, modern full face helmets, may be 'optimised' for different riding positions. Tilting into the wind, is likely to negate lift on the helmet, and hence 'buffeting'.

If you are sat behind or besides lorries; there is a lot of turbulance. Adjusting road position can take you out of high turbulance zone into a dead zone... buffeting goes.

Mods? What bike? What screen?

Is your screen a 'flip', or 'extended' one? If not, is there one available? These can change where the sweet-spot behind them is.
You can get small 'spoilers' that fit to the trailing edge that can again, change where the sweet-spot behind them is; some are adjustable.

Messing with gaffer-tape & card-board to make a temprary 'deflector' on the screen edge may help you find out how much effect such a mod, to a different screen might make.

How Old is your Helmet? How much wear has it had? How good a fit was it when you bought it? How good a fit is it now?

Helmets are made of expanded polystyrene. You should buy a 'bit' tight; as the inner layer of the polystyrene will compress and 'bed' to your head, with use and get a little looser. Loose helmets will shift about on your head.

Have you had a hair-cut recently? Can make a hat feel REALLY sloppy on your bonce. Try a balaclava beneath.

'Good' crash-hats have an expected life expectancy of approx 3-years 'normal' use. Cheaper hats significantly less.

Daily commuting; putting the hat on and off twice a day, to go to and from work, plus a few incidental journeys; would, by modern standards, be relatively 'Heavy Use'. I believe that Police Riders, used to get an allowance to replaced their helmets every year, and they tended to get better quality ones, to start with. For an every day commuter, buying middle range hats, I would suggest that as a fairly reasonable 'guide-line'. The DO go 'sloppy'.
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My Webby'Tef's-tQ, loads of stuff about my bikes, my Land-Rovers, and the stuff I do with them!
Current Bikes:'Honda VF1000F' ;'CB750F2N' ;'CB125TD ( 6 3 of em!)'; 'Montesa Cota 248'. Learner FAQ's:= 'U want to Ride a Motorbike! Where Do U start?'

[prawny1]

What type of helmet you wearing, standard full face, flip up or endure style?

Some helmets are physically large using the same size shell for all head sizes, You could try for a helmet with a smaller foot (face) print.

If your screen is angled wrong that could cause problems too, try tilting it in and out see if it change where the wind is deflected to.
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hellkat wrote:

Some people are only alive cos its against the law to kill them.

[Rogerborg]

[David072]

Cheers so far guys!

It's a cheap, full face Duchini helmet.

Bike is a fazer S2, so it has a short screen that I don't want to take off/amend because it looks good and I'd only cause damage that I'd rather not!

In terms of speed, I've only had the bike a few days so I genuinely haven't been above 80 or so to be honest. I understand people not wanting to use the motorway, but it cuts off around 25 minutes of my commute time into London so I'd much prefer to take this route!

I guess I was just surprised at how noticeable this was. Maybe it's something to get used to with time, though if I can do something to improve it I'd like to do so.

Maybe a new helmet is the way forward, Shoei Qwest gets good reviews. Are there any other recommended helmets that are somewhat cheaper but still quiet, less buffeting and good protection?

Thanks!

[hedgehugger]

Make sure the front of the helmet is tilted down.
Hard to explain, but if the wind can get under the the helmet at the front it lifts it.
I lift and tilt mine once on, so that it's pushed up at the back and lower over the chin. Still comfortable of course.

[prawny1]

Do you ride with your visor up a lot? if you do try taking it off and see if that helps you.

Nothing wrong with not having a visor on you can always carry it with you in case it rains.
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hellkat wrote:

Some people are only alive cos its against the law to kill them.

[Notj7]

[Atomic Punk]

Work on your neck muscles.
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I may have lost my way but I'm way ahead of schedule.

[garth]

You get used to it.

On the road, I like having windblast, it keeps the speed down.

[_Iain_]

More expensive helmets do have a lot more aero work put into em. I belive shoei have their own wind tunnel, and they claim that makes them better than everyone else as they're the only one that doesnt have to rent one out or some other horseshit.

Personally i'll only spend more than £100 on a lid if it's really pretty. In your case i feel this might help;

https://stores.sportbiketrackgear.com/images/InitialSet/ICON_Airframe_Ghost_Carbon_detail_2_600.jpg

My airmada isnt bad on buffetting, that's the one up & in carbon. It'll be lighter & apparently they've tinkered with the aero on the airframe. Plus you'll look like a pimp.

Scorpions are also worth a look, they've got more nice toys on em but the Icon's got the better graphics.

Shoei's are overpriced & everyones got one. Same with Arai. I'll await the torches & pitchforks...

https://www.niklassmith.com/torch%20mob.jpg
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Please be aware that the above post may be full of complete nonsense.
Riding: '07 KTM Duke II, Baotian BT49QT-20 Driving: '88 Volvo 340

[Mehty]

I think it's a case of MTFU.
I ride 70 mile sprints of dual carriageway on the er6-n, wind blast is never really a problem, just adjust depending on wind/speed (at some 'perfectly legal' speeds if I sat up completely I swear I'd be ripped from the bike.
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2007 YBR 125 (sold), 2011 ER6-N (sold), LHD 1999 GSX750F (sold), ??????

[hedgehugger]

BTW, it's buffeting

[Pol Anorl]

[_Iain_]

[totalllama82]

I use a Duccinni D701 lid simply because I can't find any other helmet to fit my big daft noggin.

They're OK, sometimes let in a bit of water around the visor when riding in torrential rain.

You need two things, first your neck muscles need to be built up. This takes a bit of time but is really the ultimate solution.

Secondly, a double bubble screen is also excellent for creating a nice shelter at high speeds. Not to mention it keeps the rain from landing on your chest. Unless you're sprawled over the tank all the time.
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Gone: Haotian HT125-8 / Yamaha YZF 600R Thundercat / Kawasaki ZX9R C2
Current: Kawasaki ZZR 1400 A7F

[scorps]

I have a half shell and have started to develop some serious muscle in my neck and shoulders
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Do not presume that I am male.

[kiddakidda]

I went from an AGV S4 to a Shoei XR1100.

Massive improvement. Very comfortable.
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Suzuki SFV 650 (Gladdy) > Triumph Street Triple R

[Nobby the Bastard]

Real men just strengthen their neck muscles.

Personally, I can handle 340 miles in 2 days at 100+mph on an FZ750 without resorting to ducking under the screen. I have no doubt that other people consider me a wuss.

Just man up....
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[Nobby the Bastard]

[iMark]

[Wonko The Sane]

You do get used to it, and bizzarely ear plugs help a bit as you can't hear the wind buffeting as much so you don't notice it as much.

keeping your visor closed (incase you weren't) helps too.

I've got a cheap HJC helmet which buffets a bit, but used to it now.
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