Screens and helmet noise?

[nzspokes]

Ive got one of the small Givi screens on my bike. Im getting ringing in my ears even though I use plugs. Also my helmet vibrates at speed. Could this be caused by the screen?

My helmet is a AGV air tech.

[FJRider]

DON'T speed ...

Helmet wont vibrate ...

SAFE bikers get a GOOD rep ...

ACC levys come down ...

Problems solved ...

[blackdog]

Ive got one of the small Givi screens on my bike. Im getting ringing in my ears even though I use plugs. Also my helmet vibrates at speed. Could this be caused by the screen?

My helmet is a AGV air tech.

In short, yes.

I have AGV's (K3 and K4) and they are both very quiet.

Your lid could also be too big.

A quick test might be to try it without the screen? Simple solution I know.

[nzspokes]

In short, yes.

I have AGV's (K3 and K4) and they are both very quiet.

Your lid could also be too big.

A quick test might be to try it without the screen? Simple solution I know.

Helmet was a touch small when I got it now perfect. I mean the helmets not moving on my head but its forcing my head to move.

Yes its easy to remove the screen. But Im not going for a ride now so have asked on here.

[ExpertoCrede]

Could be both: helmet too big and the wind deflection (buffeting) off the screen.

Remove te screen and try a different helmet.

[blackdog]

Helmet was a touch small when I got it now perfect. I mean the helmets not moving on my head but its forcing my head to move.

Yes its easy to remove the screen. But Im not going for a ride now so have asked on here.

This is going to sound weird, but another idea might be to try without your earplugs.

They could possibly be producing a stethoscope type effect.

[nzspokes]

This is going to sound weird, but another idea might be to try without your earplugs.

They could possibly be producing a stethoscope type effect.

Have done, its worse.

[Sable]

Sensitive much. Poor baby.

[Mom]

Have done, its worse.

Perhaps alter the angle of the screen?

[Lurch]

Ive got one of the small Givi screens on my bike. Im getting ringing in my ears even though I use plugs. Also my helmet vibrates at speed. Could this be caused by the screen?

My helmet is a AGV air tech.

I've got an AGV Aitech and on my SV1000 the wind noise gets to levels where I can tell I'm doing damage without earplugs if I ride for a couple of hours or more in a day.

On other bikes I've ridden I tend to not get anywhere near the same amount of noise it just seems to be that the stock SV screen is putting the wind right to my jaw line and causing the problem.

Unbolt the screen and go for a ride, you'll soon know if it's the screen or helmet after that.

[nzspokes]

Perhaps alter the angle of the screen?

Going to Take it off this morning and take the long way to work. If that helps I will try different angles next.

[sinned]

Easy test for screen noise - stand up on the pegs.

[Urano]

sound strange to me.

what kind of plug are u using?
nrr?
are they worn correctly?

i suggest you to buy a pair of silicon mould plugs...

[nzspokes]

Easy test for screen noise - stand up on the pegs.

Well ive tried putting my feet on the pillion pegs and laying on the tank. Not sure if it was quieter but is was faster....

[insomnia01]

Not sure if it was quieter but is was faster....

:facepalm::facepalm::facepalm:

[Maha]

Perhaps alter the angle of the screen?

Exactly...its what I did, I have the same size screen and my head is still, even at around xxx kph:shifty:
I would suggest to tilt it forward a cm or so , wont need much.
I dont, never have and never will use ear plugs.

[nzspokes]

sound strange to me.

what kind of plug are u using?
nrr?
are they worn correctly?

i suggest you to buy a pair of silicon mould plugs...

Just foam ones. I read an old thread on the mould ones so may try to find someone to make some.

[nzspokes]

Exactly...its what I did, I have the same size screen and my head is still, even at around xxx kph:shifty:
I would suggest to tilt it forward a cm or so , wont need much.
I dont, never have and never will use ear plugs.

I think ours are the same, mine is right forward. What Ive just done rather than take it off is drop it back. About to try it out...

[slofox]

I dont, never have and never will use ear plugs.

Interesting. I am the exact opposite - won't ride without plugs. Without, I hear all that mechanical noise from the engine - sounds like it's falling to bits...maybe it is..? :(:

[oneofsix]

Interesting. I am the exact opposite - won't ride without plugs. Without, I hear all that mechanical noise from the engine - sounds like it's falling to bits...maybe it is..? :(:

I find the plugs dull the engine noise but it is still hearable, but boy do they cut the wind noise so the ears don't get tired and I can still pick up changes in the engine note.

[rickstv]

There is a technique for fitting foam ear plugs, get it wrong and you may as well not be wearing any.

There is heaps of info about correct fitting.

3M have a U tube video that can be found by searching " fitting foam earplugs"

Wont cure the buffeting though, but it will stop you doing damage to your hearing. Lots of deaf motorcyclists about, don't be one of them.:no:

Good to see you on the Shelly Beach ride last Saturday too.

Rick.

[Zedder]

Exactly...its what I did, I have the same size screen and my head is still, even at around xxx kph:shifty:
I would suggest to tilt it forward a cm or so , wont need much.
I dont, never have and never will use ear plugs.

I'm looking at wearing ear plugs for longer open road rides but am curious as to why you don't wear them Maha.

[oneofsix]

There is a technique for fitting foam ear plugs, get it wrong and you may as well not be wearing any.

There is heaps of info about correct fitting.

3M have a U tube video that can be found by searching " fitting foam earplugs"

Wont cure the buffeting though, but it will stop you doing damage to your hearing. Lots of deaf motorcyclists about, don't be one of them.:no:

Good to see you on the Shelly Beach ride last Saturday too.

Rick.

I also recommend that 3M you tube video. Changed the comfort and effectiveness of my foam plugs once I stop trying to just mash them in my ear and fitted them properly. Doesn't take much longer and they don't fall out.

[NordieBoy]

I can't ride without plugs.

The bike sounds too "falley aparty" without them.

[nzspokes]

There is a technique for fitting foam ear plugs, get it wrong and you may as well not be wearing any.

There is heaps of info about correct fitting.

3M have a U tube video that can be found by searching " fitting foam earplugs"

Wont cure the buffeting though, but it will stop you doing damage to your hearing. Lots of deaf motorcyclists about, don't be one of them.:no:

Good to see you on the Shelly Beach ride last Saturday too.

Rick.

Was good to meet new people out there.

thanks for the U tube link. Yes I have been doing it very wrong. Will go get some new plugs and try that out.

[Big Dave]

It's the screen. I am yet to use anything but a very small fly-screen that DOESN'T make a gawd awful racket - regardless of angle, its height, helmet, ear plugs - or bike.

The taller you are the worse it is. Easiest solution is to remove the screen. I simply hates 'em.

[Devil]

Yes, I agree with Large David. It's usually the screen, particularly if there's vibration involved. VStroms are terrible for it (as an example), my current bike has a fantastic screen though, no buffeting issues for me.

[Big Dave]

no buffeting issues for me.

You are 'small' enough to fit inside the bubble it creates - for a tall guy to do so needs a screen so big it impacts on the handling of the bike.

Best to lower the level of turbulent air so it hits as low on the torso as possible.

[Urano]

I dont, never have and never will use ear plugs.

simple question: why?


my answer at yours:

you're wrong. :D
from the Cost 327 report: "the noise level on a bike is well sufficient to result in hear damages".

noise levels in a helmet have been measured at a mean of 90 dB at 65 kmh, 96 at 90and 120 dB at 160kmh.
two hour exposure at noise levels higher than 96 dB are above the large part of job's safety regulations.

the problem is aerodynamic noise.
starting from 20 kmh the engine noise is mixed with air's one, which become the higher at 35-40kmh.
fairing do not help, at least not for sure, as it's not completely possible to calculate the way fluxes impact on your torso and lower head after the end of the fairing, and how they interact with the helmet. in some cases it seems that there is a higher noise with the perturbation induced by a fairing than in a helmet put in a clear airflow on a naked bike.
obviously a full fairing well around your shape helps, so on a k1600gtl i'm pretty confident you'll have no aerodynamic booms around your ears... :)

now your point is (i suppose) "i don't hear the street around me", and that's your fault.
McCombe (1992) and Binnington (1993) reports state that "below 50-55 kmh the alert sounds recognition is found to be better without plugs", but "above 64 kmh plugs help in street noise and alert sound identification."
As for the Cost 327 those results "confirm what have been found in various industrial environment studies".

so the advice is: wear plugs.
have your silicone done and keep them in the jacket.
within the city, below 50-60kmh and for short trips, you can handle it alone.
above that speed pull over and put those plugs in your ear...:niceone:

[NordieBoy]

from the Cost 327 report: "the noise level on a bike is well sufficient to result in hear damages".

noise levels in a helmet have been measured at a mean of 90 dB at 65 kmh, 96 at 90and 120 dB at 160kmh.
two hour exposure at noise levels higher than 96 dB are above the large part of job's safety regulations.

Which helmet did they test with?

[nadroj]

Must have been riding a Hardley....<_<

[Maha]

I'm looking at wearing ear plugs for longer open road rides but am curious as to why you don't wear them Maha.

I wear ear muffs all my working day, I am very concious of the damage noise can do to your hearing. Its a personal choice not use ear plugs when I am riding. Theres fuck all noise to be concerned about to be honest (for me anyway)
Wind nosie is what ear plugs keep out...I get bugger all wind noise.

[slofox]

I wear ear muffs all my working day, I am very concious of the damage noise can do to your hearing. Its a personal choice not use ear plugs when I am riding. Theres fuck all noise to be concerned about to be honest (for me anyway)
Wind nosie is what ear plugs keep out...I get bugger all wind noise.

What's with this NOSIE bit, huh? I thought I was the only one who did that stuff...

Interestingly enough, I find el cheapo foam plugs better at reducing wind noise than were my expensive custom moulded earplugs. The foams seem to take out the particular wind frequencies better than the pre-moulded ones did.

The custom plugs had greater overall attenuation, but the foams are better at wind noise. Weird.

The foams also are better at allowing me to hear a) cellphone or b) GPS or c) radar detector. Oh, and did I mention that they are cheaper?

[Maha]

.....some can listen to mp3 players and iPods etc while they are riding, I have had not inclination to do that either..:no:
The voices in my head say otherwise...:confused:
Solitude is where I am at inside my helmet...me and my thoughts.
And those thought include ...whats for lunch?

[Zedder]

I wear ear muffs all my working day, I am very concious of the damage noise can do to your hearing. Its a personal choice not use ear plugs when I am riding. Theres fuck all noise to be concerned about to be honest (for me anyway)
Wind nosie is what ear plugs keep out...I get bugger all wind noise.

Thanks. I take it then that you've reduced the wind noise by adjusting the screen as per your earlier post suggestion and it's not a particular helmet brand that makes it less noisy.

[Maha]

Thanks. I take it then that you've reduced the wind noise by adjusting the screen as per your earlier post suggestion and it's not a particular helmet brand that makes it less noisy.

I always wear a make shift neck warmer (keeps what noise level there is to a minimum)
...add to that the new helmet and there you have it.
But yes, by adjusting the screen (forward) it deflects the wind away from the helmet area, still get a bit but thats because I am not in a car, cant get completely away from it on a Nekid...
Ultimately, I am just that concerned and I dont like wearing ear plugs...

[Zedder]

I always wear a make shift neck warmer (keeps what noise level there is to a minimum)
...add to that the new helmet and there you have it.
But yes, by adjusting the screen (forward) it deflects the wind away from the helmet area, still get a bit but thats because I am not in a car, cant get completely away from it on a Nekid...
Ultimately, I am just that concerned and I dont like wearing ear plugs...

Fair enough.

[sinned]

Well ive tried putting my feet on the pillion pegs and laying on the tank. Not sure if it was quieter but is was faster....

Standing up on the pegs is a quick and easy test of how much noise is from the screen. It also is a more accurate way of assessing the noise from the screen than removing it as it is difficult to remember how noisy it was in your last ride. This test works unless you ride a cruiser and cannot stand up on the pegs or have a really large high screen.

Ear plugs are a must for me, and these are the best by far: http://www.earplugsonline.com/

[gwigs]

I have an electric powered windscreen that can be raised or lowered by 100mm.
I usually have it down but you can notice the change in wind turbulence around the helmet when you adjust it.When its fully up its very noisey till you get over 140k(or so I,m told,I mean its against the law and dangerous to do that kind of speed or so I,m told)then it quietens right down.

[crystalball]

I brought a pair of windjammer 2 helmet silencer's for my helmet and my daughters to make the wind noise on the highway less noisier ( wont use in summer tho to hot probaly ). We can hear each other on the intercoms much easier now even tho still get bad windnoise sometimes (mainly side on wind ) when we are on the highway. When I ride alone listen to my music via bluetooth on it, I love riding to music and still can hear the bike eaisaly. But yes I have a givi screen and I also am gona take it off and see if there is any difference, Also getting caberg helmet this week so that be interesting to see if any change as well. "Earplugs thats for... lol :laugh:

[nzspokes]

Well this morning I went out with the screen right back, and it was better for noise and buffeting. At lunch time I went to NZ safety and got some grade 5 plugs. Tonight I took the screen right off and fitted the plugs as per the 3M vid. Noise was a lot better, think that due to the plugs being in properly. Buffeting was better apart from at 100k which felt like I was being pushed off the bike backwards.

So I think the screen will go back on but al its lowest setting. Also will be looking for some lower bars as my bike is very upright. Think that will help as well.

And to finish off im in the market for a jacket. Probably a leather one that will again help as my textile one is a bit big and flaps around heaps.

[nadroj]

My experience is that you either need the airflow over the front to be hitting you in the chest up (nipple height) to have the helmet in undisturbed air or the screen needs to deflect the airflow just over your helmet as anything in between "unbalances" the helmet characteristics causing disturbed airflow and noise.
This is based on adjusting my lean and height on the Busa and with an electrically adjustable screen on the ST. Further adjustments are required if a pillion is on board and speed comes into play for the airflow to pass over them also. The width of the screen can also have an effect as I found after swapping back to stock clear from the wider tinted screen.

[awa355]

I ride a cruiser with a windscreen fitted. Definitely less windnoise without the screen, ( same helmet). but more wind blast on the chest, more bugs on the visor.

My other helmet, ( old, cheap ) is far quieter , more so than my $700. helmet. No turbulence to speak of with either, but wind noise differences are noticeble.

Both helmets are quieter with the visors 3/4 up.

Quietest yet, is my open face with a fixed peak and drop down visor.

[Hitcher]

As a rider who has probably ridden over 120,000km behind screens, I can say that they are greatly overrated pieces of kit. Your helmet will never be quieter to wear than it is on a naked bike. That's the only place it will consistently do what its manufacturer designed its aerodynamics to offer.

Behind a screen there is always wind chop and buffet going on. Electrically adjustable screens can tune out a bit of that noise. Adding a pillion or a mounted backpack or topbox further compounds what's happening behind the screen.