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DrDarkMatter
14th February 2013, 21:12
SO I just got my learners and a bike, and I am getting all my gear together as you do. I bought a helmet a HJC CL-Max II. I took the bike for its first ride tonight at a 100Kmh and the helmet is very loud, as in wind noise. Does anyone else have a the same helmet and can they recommend something to help?

thanks

steve_t
14th February 2013, 21:19
Earplugs... or a quieter helmet :msn-wink:

Also, check if the wind noise is coming from the vents, the visor, or under the chin of your helmet. You may be able to reduce noise with closing vents, adjusting the visor/visor gasket, or getting a chin curtain

onearmedbandit
14th February 2013, 21:54
Earplugs. Whether they are disposable ones from your local hard wear store or ones personally made to fit your ears, just get them. Wind noise will fuck your hearing over a long time.

ellipsis
14th February 2013, 22:16
...I think some more expensive helmets have a volume control...you'd think so anyway for the the money you pay..

Tigadee
14th February 2013, 22:17
Earplugs... even if you have a quieter helmet. Save your hearing, you'll never get it back!

FJRider
14th February 2013, 22:26
SO I just got my learners and a bike, and I am getting all my gear together as you do. I bought a helmet a HJC CL-Max II. I took the bike for its first ride tonight at a 100Kmh and the helmet is very loud, as in wind noise. Does anyone else have a the same helmet and can they recommend something to help?

thanks

A lot will depend on the bike you ride. Some different fairing screens affect wind noise .... and how you place your head in or near the slip-stream. (ie: riding position)

Helmets with (lots of) vents will be loud. Flip front helmets are even louder.

Often the ordinary, plain, no frills helmets (read cheap) are the quietest. Paying more money for the flash, with all the extra's on ... usually gets the extra sound free.



Some shops allow test rides ... but few ask. Because helmets are the number one safety item of every biker ... I've always found that strange.

FJRider
14th February 2013, 22:28
Earplugs... even if you have a quieter helmet. Save your hearing, you'll never get it back!

Sorry ... I didn't catch that ... speak up ... :lol:

Akzle
15th February 2013, 06:30
...I think some more expensive helmets have a volume control...you'd think so anyway for the the money you pay..

volume control is at your right wrist...

SMOKEU
15th February 2013, 06:33
Have a look at 3M Skull Screws. They are good earplugs and quite cheap, too.

oneofsix
15th February 2013, 06:38
volume control is at your right wrist...

In Wellington? Nature produces wind at higher speeds than he should yet be attempting however sometimes more twist on the right wrist reduces the noise by keeping you up with the wind speed. :lol:

Earplugs. There is a guy in Waikanae that will do personal set for you trouble is I don't have his contact details. Foam disposables from the local hardware store but watch the youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kuGjv8ZAfv4) on fitting them for best results.

bosslady
15th February 2013, 06:40
Have a look at 3M Skull Screws. They are good earplugs and quite cheap, too.

Where can you get these from?

Grant`
15th February 2013, 06:40
You can also get a wind jammer off trademe which works surprisingly well..

neoprene cuff that adds to bottom of helmet.

FJRider
15th February 2013, 06:42
Where can you get these from?

Checkout ...

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/member.php/8783-Plugz-4-Lugz

here on KB ... custom fit earplugs.

SMOKEU
15th February 2013, 06:46
Where can you get these from?

I got mine off Trademe about a year ago. On my ears they work far better than any other cheap earplugs I've tried, but everyone's ears are different so results may vary.

Maybe try this place http://www.haverstock.co.nz/shop/Hearing+Protection/Earplugs/p1300.html

DrDarkMatter
15th February 2013, 06:50
thanks guys for the great replies, I have lots of this to try.

:banana::rockon::woohoo:

TheTengTheory
15th February 2013, 08:22
I bought a Shoei qwest and I remember some people mentioning how quiet it was...Was fairly shocked to experience all the wind noise. Mind you its a naked bike. I wear ear plugs now if I go on the open road. Bought the 10 pack 3m with small plastic case. Keep it stored in my bike. lasted me 2 months at about 10bucks per pack.

manxkiwi
15th February 2013, 09:08
You can also get a wind jammer off trademe which works surprisingly well..

neoprene cuff that adds to bottom of helmet.


These work very well, I have one, though don't use it all the time.

Ear plugs are a no brainer, I've used them for years, makes riding more relaxed too.

If you lift your shoulders up to the bottom of your helmet while riding, you'll discover the noise almost completely disappears. Nearly all helmet noise is produced by the air swirling around the bottom edge of the lid. Not much you can do except for the two above. Welcome to bike riding!

skippa1
15th February 2013, 09:14
I bought a Shoei qwest and I remember some people mentioning how quiet it was...Was fairly shocked to experience all the wind noise. Mind you its a naked bike. I wear ear plugs now if I go on the open road. Bought the 10 pack 3m with small plastic case. Keep it stored in my bike. lasted me 2 months at about 10bucks per pack.

+1 with the Qwest.....noisiest helmet I have had.....XR1000 was heaps quieter. Mind you, I used the XR1000 on sports bikes and the Qwest on a cruiser so it could be the head position? I know when I experience wind from my arse, the angle and height of my leg diectly effects the volume:killingme

sgtp
15th February 2013, 09:35
If you are new to using ear plugs, just be aware that putting them in at sea level and then riding over a moutian pass and back down might not be too kind to your ears (depending on how tight they seal your ear cannal) Just going over the Piecock hill with brandnew, extremely well sealed ears really made them hurt :( .....crapy plugs that dont seal well dont have this problem for me.

Gremlin
15th February 2013, 09:43
The wind noise at 100kph is sufficient to give you permanent hearing loss over time. Get ear plugs.

Anything from the foam disposable ones, to silicon cones, to custom moulded plugs, whichever works best for you and your budget.

I have small ear canals, so the foam ones don't work for me, expanding and pushing themselves out of my ears. Silicon ones never sealed properly, so I've used the Plugz 4 Lugz for the last few years.

Tigadee
15th February 2013, 10:10
Have a look at 3M Skull Screws. They are good earplugs and quite cheap, too.

May have a look at these...

Have been using those silicone putty ear plugs for the past 8 months now and while they are great at blocking out noise (best so far as they are very dense) and mold to the shape of your ear very well, they also lose their adhesiveness after a few months and start to come off more easily and fall out.

bosslady
15th February 2013, 10:13
The wind noise at 100kph is sufficient to give you permanent hearing loss over time. Get ear plugs.

Anything from the foam disposable ones, to silicon cones, to custom moulded plugs, whichever works best for you and your budget.

I have small ear canals, so the foam ones don't work for me, expanding and pushing themselves out of my ears. Silicon ones never sealed properly, so I've used the Plugz 4 Lugz for the last few years.

That's the same problem I have I think, I cant fit those expandable ones in my ears proper.

turtleman
15th February 2013, 10:24
That's the same problem I have I think, I cant fit those expandable ones in my ears proper.

I had the same issue with most of the expandable plugs. I now use some Husqvarna ones from my local lawnmower/chainsaw shop. They're a better shape and slightly more tapered, so I have no problem fitting them now, and they work very well. Quite cheap, too !

oneofsix
15th February 2013, 10:26
That's the same problem I have I think, I cant fit those expandable ones in my ears proper.

Looks like Gremlin is sorted with his custom plug but if you aren't ready to go that route yet, and the rate I lose plugs at I'm still undecided, I would suggest checking out the 3M youtube video I linked to earlier, might help with fitting the foam ones.

Akzle
15th February 2013, 10:29
skullcandy headphones :headbang:

TheTengTheory
15th February 2013, 10:53
I've got fairly small ear canals as well...abit of a struggle to get them in. I find I can only use the disposable plugs once and have to throw them away cause they don't compress and expand in my ear properly....Careful with in-ear earphones. I tried them at first and when you pull the helmet off the plug rips out of your ear...hurts like a bitch and the rubber piece usually gets stuck in your ear...not a recommended experience. Plus with earplugs you still hear your engine and sharp sounds like a horn.

You really want it to muffle the buffeting caused by the wind but allow higher frequencies to come in.

I think it has something to do with the position. If i raise my head up and look through the bottom half of my visor the buffeting stops but you can't see your gauges. Maybe its the wind hitting at a lesser angle of attack to the bottom of the helmet.

bosslady
15th February 2013, 11:29
Looks like Gremlin is sorted with his custom plug but if you aren't ready to go that route yet, and the rate I lose plugs at I'm still undecided, I would suggest checking out the 3M youtube video I linked to earlier, might help with fitting the foam ones.

I've always wanted to get custom made ones and I see that Plugs 4 Lugz are at Paeroa this weekend. I don't know how much they are though??

SILVER SUZI
15th February 2013, 11:50
I've always wanted to get custom made ones and I see that Plugs 4 Lugz are at Paeroa this weekend. I don't know how much they are though??

Go watch the racing and you can ask them while you are there.

I got a set from them a couple of years ago at Paeroa, I think it was $80, but being as old as I am I can't really remember.
They will do the initial fitting while you are there, then they take them away to coat them, and send them back to you in a couple of days. So take some disposable ones to use for watching the racing.
They are great, and I use em all the time, not just on the bike, but in the shed using power tools, using chainsaw ect.:niceone:

bosslady
15th February 2013, 11:59
Go watch the racing and you can ask them while you are there.

I got a set from them a couple of years ago at Paeroa, I think it was $80, but being as old as I am I can't really remember.
They will do the initial fitting while you are there, then they take them away to coat them, and send them back to you in a couple of days. So take some disposable ones to use for watching the racing.
They are great, and I use em all the time, not just on the bike, but in the shed using power tools, using chainsaw ect.:niceone:

I might get some disposables (lost mine??) until I can get some custom made ones, $80 a bit hefty (though well worth it!). I wonder if they will be at the thing a HD next weekend.

GrayWolf
15th February 2013, 13:50
SO I just got my learners and a bike, and I am getting all my gear together as you do. I bought a helmet a HJC CL-Max II. I took the bike for its first ride tonight at a 100Kmh and the helmet is very loud, as in wind noise. Does anyone else have a the same helmet and can they recommend something to help?

thanks

Earplugs, as little as 6-10 bucks from ANY industrial safety shop, and are proper industrial level.

Why??? I AM one of those who now have hearing impairment (industrial deafness) type of loss in the higher frequencies associated with being around heavy plant for years without ear protection....

Reason? 30vyrs of riding open face, and full face with no earplugs.... you only have one set of ears, and you can never regain the loss once it's damaged.

Tigadee
15th February 2013, 14:33
Have bought these to try:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/building-renovation/building-supplies/safety-gear/protective-gear/auction-562381345.htm

superjackal
15th February 2013, 15:06
I have an HJC helmet and I can't hear anything much out of it. Came out of the Hobbit and thought I'd gone deaf when I hopped on the bike. Trying out a couple of 500cc bikes lately I was amazed I couldn't hear the engine at 100kph. Was a bit annoying.

Gremlin
15th February 2013, 15:25
Looks like Gremlin is sorted with his custom plug but if you aren't ready to go that route yet, and the rate I lose plugs at I'm still undecided, I would suggest checking out the 3M youtube video I linked to earlier, might help with fitting the foam ones.
Oh yeah... my first pair was black (or very dark grey) against their advice. But I really wanted them that colour. A while later, had an off, put them somewhere, never found them again.

Since then I've had orange (for my KTM), they broke (new compound now I believe), Blue (current, for the BMW) and also a custom custom mould, smaller than usual. I found the full size ones gave me massive ear ache after 10-15 hours of continuous use as they didn't allow the ear to flex in the helmet. While the blue ones don't seal quite as perfectly, they are good enough, and better, I've worn them for 20+ hours at times...

I've also got another pair of orange now, as a backup for the blue set. I use mine all the time, for commuting or country riding.

The key is making sure you keep putting them in the same place, like the same jacket pocket etc, get into the habit and you should be OK.

Oakie
15th February 2013, 16:52
I just worked out which vents were making the wind noise and covered them over with duct tape cut to the right size and shape. The vents were black as is the tape so you can't tell unless you're pretty close.

Marmoot
15th February 2013, 17:17
I use this
http://www.sportouring.com/SPpageimages/Alpine_ear_attenuators_files/AlpineEarPlug.JPG

It's a bit pricey at $50, but it has lasted me more than 3 years.
Washable, etc, very comfortable in the ear, and I can still hear people talking shits behind my back.

Unlike the cheap earplugs that give you the feeling of blocked ears, this one actually has a little canal in the middle of it for "good" sound to still travel through.
Comes with two sets of plugs, green or yellow for better blockage.

I remember I bought it from Motomail.

roogazza
16th February 2013, 07:41
Shit Marmoot they look flash !
I rode for about 15 years without bungs, then round 1980 I started using those 50 cent jobbies from Industrial type supply shops. So have "used" for well over 30 years !
Wouldn't be without then now.
The bike sounds shithouse without them after this much time. Like a tin can with a few nuts thrown in and shaken.

Haggis2
16th February 2013, 08:28
Sometimes I get loud noise from wind in my leathers, any suggestions for this?

FJRider
16th February 2013, 08:33
Sometimes I get loud noise from wind in my leathers, any suggestions for this?

A change of diet may help ... :msn-wink:

Akzle
16th February 2013, 10:24
Sometimes I get loud noise from wind in my leathers, any suggestions for this?

four cans of baked beans for breakfast might not be such a good idea...

discotex
16th February 2013, 20:25
I had the Alpines. They work great when in but would often pop out at the most annoying time.

Got some Plugz-4-Lugz made up about 5 years ago and the same pair is still going strong. I just wash them in luke warm water every few months. They're far superior to anything else you can do. Comfortable for very long rides, don't block too much "good" noise, and never fall out. I'll probably get another set made soon just for a change in colour :)

Hitcher
16th February 2013, 20:55
Get some of that expanding aerosol sealant. Put your helmet on. Shut the visor. Then squirt sealant into the gap between your neck and the helmet. It should set in about 5 minutes. Then go riding.

FJRider
16th February 2013, 21:27
Get some of that expanding aerosol sealant. Put your helmet on. Shut the visor. Then squirt sealant into the gap between your neck and the helmet. It should set in about 5 minutes. Then go riding.

A lot of noise comes from around the visor ... :yes:

So do that first ... :devil2:

BMWST?
16th February 2013, 21:49
i also have a narrow ear canal and always have trouble getting a foam plug in me left ear.I got the moulded plugs from the fella in Waikanae.He came down to Wellington for a group of us organised through KB(or was it facebook?).Very good.IMHO all helmets are relatively noisy.I am sure bikes with screens that are below head height make it worse.I have a whisper kit on the raid 2 but i wear earplugs if riding for more than an hour or if its windy(ier than normal).I still have trouble getting the plug in my left ear but once its in its in.I have them on a cord and have one blue and one red.

PrincessBandit
16th February 2013, 22:01
i also have a narrow ear canal and always have trouble getting a foam plug in me left ear.I got the moulded plugs from the fella in Waikanae.He came down to Wellington for a group of us organised through KB(or was it facebook?).Very good.

I had Plugz for lugz too some time ago - very good but I have no idea where the hell they went. They were quite expensive and tbh the el cheapo foam ones do the business just as well, although I too find one of my ears more difficult than the other to get them settled into. Think it comes down to rolling them skinny enough then being patient while they expand back out to fit the space they're in.

Maha
17th February 2013, 07:11
Think it comes down to rolling them skinny enough then being patient while they expand back out to fit the space they're in.

I was like with joints back in the late 70's.

kakapo76
27th February 2013, 13:41
Checkout ...

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/member.php/8783-Plugz-4-Lugz

here on KB ... custom fit earplugs.

Cheers for the link have ordered 20 pairs ($38.50 inc postage and gst). Good site and works well, will report back on the plugs! :cool: