r3 newbie with helmet "wind slapping"

[Azisbest]

Since my Rocket is currently a boat anchor I just wish I had the wind slapping problem.

 

[Rocket Scientist]

I did not realize, until I did a lot of research, that there are many different "head shapes" and many/some helmet manufacturers have different models, for different "head shapes."

That's why I bought a Arai. They are specially shaped for Alien heads.

 

[tgarney]

hey guys,

i'm relatively new to the r3. before the r3, i never road with a fairing or a shield. all my riding was just around town, no long trips so i didn't need one. but with the r3, i'm taking longer rides.... but after riding her for a +300mile ride my shoulders were killing me from the constant force of the wind at 60-80mph, so i decided i needed a fairing or a shield. the shield was cheap, but it gave a lot of turbulence so my eyeballs were rattling around in my head (more so than usual). tried lowering and raising it, all the same, no difference. so i popped for a Corbin fairing (price tag yikes!). tried both the taller and shorter glass above the fairing, and i opted for the taller one, my eyeballs weren't rattling around in my head as much.

BUT the "wind slapping" against my helmet is noisy at speeds above 50mph (and gets worse as i go faster) and makes it impossible to have any sort of a bluetooth sound system in the helmet.

my question is...

is there a certain type/style of helmet that is more aerodynamic so to reduce the "wind slapping"?

i currently ride with a Biltwell Gringo helmet. it fits well, i like it but it has no bluetooth sound system and with all the "wind slapping" there's no reason to put one in it. i would like to have a helmet that i can put a Sena bluetooth sound system in so i can listen to tunes as i ride.

what say ye?

thanks!

Todd

I apologize for this being off topic.

Hey Todd, I saw an add for a used R3R at Freedom Power sports in Huntsville, Al. 2011 Triumph ROCKET III 474514 | Freedom Powersports They are asking $8,387.00 and it has only 7930 miles. I am not ready to purchase an R3 just yet, but I am looking. Would you happen to know any history on this bike? Thanks, my friend. Ride safe. Tom

 

[TriumPhil]

As barbagris stated early on in this thread, this site is encyclopedic with regard to helmets and this thread's subject matter; Motorcycle Helmet Noise - webBikeWorld

 

[1olbull]

True BUT it does not mean air is deflected over the head.

Good point & well taken, Chris.
Tilting or moving the shield inward would indeed affect & reduce the air lift up & over the helmet.
Remember, the air weight .0807 pounds per cubic foot.

 

[1olbull]

I did not realize, until I did a lot of research, that there are many different "head shapes" and many/some helmet manufacturers have different models, for different "head shapes."

Right on!
Check this out, Amigo:
Motorcycle Helmet Reviews (Sorted By Internal Shape) | wBW

 

[Claviger]

Just a thought, OP how do you sit?

Do you hunch or sit up straight, or lean back like a recliner?

At 6'2" if I sit straight up my head extends up over the pocket created by my fly screen and I catch all the buffeting on the chest, if I hunch a little, like a forward slouch not a tuck, I catch it on the very top of my helmet (that's normally how I sit).

That's why I bought a Arai. They are specially shaped for Alien heads.

I too resemble that, in the extreme!

 

[Bigjaype]

Just a thought, OP how do you sit?

Do you hunch or sit up straight, or lean back like a recliner?

At 6'2" if I sit straight up my head extends up over the pocket created by my fly screen and I catch all the buffeting on the chest, if I hunch a little, like a forward slouch not a tuck, I catch it on the very top of my helmet (that's normally how I sit).



I too resemble that, in the extreme!

I'm also fairly new to the R3 ride...I'm 6'6" and at the moment my screen is at a specialist making me up a new taller screen. In the meantime, I'm riding with my teeth to the wind. I use a Nolan N44, it's the best helmet I've ever used and helps to limit the buffering to some extent. Even the little screen helps but as the speed goes up, so does the pull on my shoulders and neck as the wind pushes me squarely in the chest and head. Can't wait for the screen to be back on the bike. I rode an MT-01 for a few years and had the same issue, eventually found a universal screen to help. I fear it ,au take a while to get to the sweet spot!

 

[barbagris]

Tilting or moving the shield inward would indeed affect & reduce the air lift up & over the helmet.

And - lest we forget - speed plays it part.

My screen sits slightly more forward and is marginally more vertical and is higher than OEM mounts permit. When I had my Z-Bars fitted I had almost no buffeting. My back went crak so I fitted a more pulled back set of bars and whilst undoubtedly more comfortable I do get far more latteral buffeting. It is is speed dependant but NOT a FASTER=WORSE thing. Sadly though it seems the police wish not to accept my reasoning for going faster.

The last decent ride I had I tested by shifting my head closer to the screen and/or up/down. Closer reduces latteral buffeting.

I get very little air hitting the frontal area. Can (I don't) ride with the main visor and sunvisor up and feel no breeze on my face. It's rather subjective but the sensation is more that it's the rear of the lid that is getting moved.

I was for a while concerned that fitting teh BarkBuster Artic was making things worse as it was coincident with changing the bars - but it's not - I have tried without them.

 

[1olbull]

@barbagris Chris,
For me (and I sit much taller than average in the saddle) the 30 foot distance works well at all speeds.
I have tested, and do not recommend riding open faced, with no glasses, with no wind in the eyeball issues.
Hope this helps . . .