Helmet / Wind noise issues

9001 Views 26 Replies 15 Participants Last post by RobertL, Jan 13, 2021

Clint1975

Discussion Starter · Dec 18, 2015

I recently purchase a new Shoei NXR Valkyrie (RF1200 in the US) and it fits / feels great. Unfortunately, I still suffer from ringing in my ears from wind noise, even while using those cheap foam earplugs. I took trublupsu94's advice from another thread and gave the Plugfones Contractor VL 2 a spin:http://www.kawasakininja1000.com/forum/lounge-area/7257-gps-poor-communication.html

I'm definitely happier with these over the cheap foam options. Incidentally, for anyone in Australia who's interested, they cost me nearly AUD$60 with currency conversion and shipping etc. The earplugs connect to your devices and deliver music etc, but they are limited to a maximum of 82 decibels to protect your ears. Here is a link to the product:

https://www.plugfones.com/product/contractor-vl-2/

After some time Googling my ear-ringing issue, I realise that I'm certainly not alone in my suffering, but most, if not each solution offered by one person is rejected by another.

Is it my helmet, the bike or my ears being overly sensitive. The Shoei NXR is arguably one of the quietist helmets on the market. Does anyone else suffer the same problems and if so, any solutions would be greatly appreciated.

1 - 20 of 27 Posts

trublupsu94

· #2 · Dec 18, 2015

I have the same helmet and I am so glad someone else is having this issue too because I thought I was going nuts. I bought this helmet because it was supposed to be one of the lightest and quietest helmets on the market. It is quiet but I get a slight ringing in my ears even with any brand ear plugs. Sometimes I wonder if it is a wind buffeting thing versus just noise. I don't know. I sometimes wonder if it could be caused by my Sena mounted on the side of my helmet. Maybe it is in a place that creates a wind frequency that makes my ears ring. Who knows.....

If you find something, please post. I've tried ear plugs from every vendor. Some are better than others. I've tried thicker padding in the helmet. No help. It doesn't happen all the time and it isn't a show stopper. But it is definitely there.

Reactions: 1

trublupsu94

· #3 · Dec 18, 2015

The plugfones kit also comes with two sets of plugs. I found the ones you insert but don't pinch to work better than the foam squishy ones. Everyones ears are different but this design works better for me.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71ppBCgQAYL._SX425_.jpg

maniak

· #4 · Dec 18, 2015

I also have the rf1200, and yes, it can be noisy.... Here is what I have found..

My helmet is most quiet when the windscreen is at the lowest position, or at least when the air is hitting my chest instead of right under the helmet.. If I have it at it's highest position, or where the air hits the tops of my shoulders, that is the loudest position.

Chin curtain doesn't help as much as you would think, but it does help keep me warmer (it's winter here)

I wear foam ear plugs and they work great BUT they must be installed correctly... this is what I use.. Amazon.com: Flents Contour Ear Plugs - Soft Comfort! 50 Pair with Flents Green Ear Plug Case: Health & Personal Care

This is the video I watched that made the lightbulb go off AND made ear plugs work well for me.. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3S6dthcSVIM Before watching the video and using the plugs that way I always thought foam ear plugs didn't work..

I'm also running Urban Brawlers exhaust which isn't quiet but if I wear the ear plugs (which I just about always do) it isn't loud and even after many hours or being on the bike I have no ringing from the exhaust or wind.

That's my .02...

~Mark

See less See more

Reactions: 2

Clint1975

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 18, 2015

trublupsu94 said:
The plugfones kit also comes with two sets of plugs. I found the ones you insert but don't pinch to work better than the foam squishy ones. Everyones ears are different but this design works better for me.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71ppBCgQAYL._SX425_.jpg

Yeah, it's driving me crazy - I've got to find a solution. I also prefer the ribbed set of plugs too! I really like the helmet and I'm hoping I can come to a solution so not to change helmets. I cam across this old forum post below from a guy who states he solved his problems by stuffing memory foam from a mattress into his helmet ear pockets and they cover his ears. He indicates that it makes a huge difference. I will have to give this a go! I will be certain to post the results of this trublupsu94. Now to find the right amount of memory foam?

I finally solved my problem with wind noise! | Adventure Rider

GaryK

· #6 · Dec 18, 2015

Clint I don't know if this would help on a shoei or not but if there are plastic vents that are tacked onto the helmet.. putting a very small bit of silicon gasket goo in the creases will quiet them down.. this definitely works on my Scorpion Exo-1100.

Clint1975

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 18, 2015

Thanks Mark, that's definitely something to work with - who would've known you could make a 5 min video on foam earplugs? The angle of the oncoming wind is interesting too - I'll play with my windscreen and see if this has any positive results? I have it placed in the highest position for highway use, but will be interesting to know if this has an impact.

Clint1975

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 18, 2015

GaryK said:
Clint I don't know if this would help on a shoei or not but if there are plastic vents that are tacked onto the helmet.. putting a very small bit of silicon gasket goo in the creases will quiet them down.. this definitely works on my Scorpion Exo-1100.

Thanks GaryK. I have placed the silicon oil around the visor beading but as for the vents, I'll have to look at that more closely. I'll give it a go and let you know!

East Bay Ninja

· #9 · Dec 18, 2015

I bought a Nolan helmet once. The faster you would go the louder and more shrill the noise got. I've been an Arai guy ever since.

trublupsu94

· #10 · Dec 18, 2015

I have an Arai helmet and the Shoei RF1200. I LOVE how quiet the Arai is. But my head is slightly oval and the Shoei fits a lot better. So it comes down to better fit(lighter too) or quiet. Both have their advantages. I'll check out the video Clint. Thanks for posting.

Mike

Forcefed

· #11 · Dec 19, 2015

I have a RF-1200 and I did what the manual says and used the oil that comes with your helmet to adjust the visor and make a perfect seal. After I did that I didn't have a bad wind noise. I also bought NoNoise ear plugs that are designed to stop wind noise and still allow you to hear people talking with them on. I sometimes forget to put them in but the wind noise is not that bad since I did the adjustment. Just read the manual because I broke one side on the adjuster, it is plastic. Ordered a new one and had to do the adjustment all over again.

Clint1975

Discussion Starter · #12 · Dec 19, 2015

Forcefed said:
I have a RF-1200 and I did what the manual says and used the oil that comes with your helmet to adjust the visor and make a perfect seal. After I did that I didn't have a bad wind noise. I also bought NoNoise ear plugs that are designed to stop wind noise and still allow you to hear people talking with them on. I sometimes forget to put them in but the wind noise is not that bad since I did the adjustment. Just read the manual because I broke one side on the adjuster, it is plastic. Ordered a new one and had to do the adjustment all over again.

Thanks Forcefed, I've double-checked and I'm pretty sure I've got a really good seal happening with the helmet. I have also taken advantage of the silicon oil and that aspect of the helmet seems to be perfect! If I had to pin-point where most of the wind noise is coming from, I would have to say it's sounding like it's coming from the side to rear. I'm about to head out for a ride at highway speeds with each windscreen position and see if that makes any difference?

Clint1975

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jan 30, 2016

2

Wind Noise Issues

I've been able to significantly reduce my wind noise issues by adopting a method I referred to in an earlier post within this Thread. In short, I purchased a Memory Foam pillow and cut two pieces of foam from the pillow and inserted them into the spaces surrounding my ears within my helmet. I glued Velcro to the inside of each foam cushion to keep it from both falling out and shifting out-of-place each time I placed my helmet on. Cheap-as-chips and a good sound diminishing alternative to anyone out there with similar issues. Pictures included below:

Despite riding for most of my life, I've had to do this due to suffering a recent onset of Tinnitus. Either way, the foam is working well, but after reading the VStream Sport/Tourer reviews within this forum, I'm looking to purchase one soon.

See less See more

Reactions: 2

ScorpioST

· #14 · Feb 5, 2016

I swear there is something about this bike that causes like a hi-freq. harmonic vibe, buzz/ring sound right up into my helmet. Never had anything like it. Even with ear plugs and foam jammed into helmet ear area, it's there, and at certain throttle positions it's completely gone.
Think I'll try those plugphone things next.
Not a show stopper, just noticeable, never had on any other bike. Love my 1K too much to let it bug me, but will keep trying different things to lessen it.

rcannon409

· #15 · Feb 5, 2016

Clint, great idea. I've done this for years and have never had a noisy helmet. I cover my foam with spandex and you dont even see it.

Reactions: 1

Clint1975

Discussion Starter · #16 · Feb 7, 2016 (Edited)

That's a good idea rcannon - I'll give that a whirl! Plus, it will make it a little easier to place over my ears without the need for adjustment after placing the helmet on. I found the initial thickness a little too much and after a while the pressure starts to become painful on the sides of my face and ears. I've recently cut them down a little and will give them another run.

I've been trying to understand why I've developed Tinnitus so suddenly since I've ridden for most of my life without any hearing issues. You may be on to something ScorpioST - something's caused it and perhaps it's a frequency/vibration specific to this bike that I'm overly sensitive too? It's been driving me freak'n mad!

Either way, I'm still saving up for a V-Streat Sport / Tourer windscreen - from what I've read on this forum, it should really help with reducing wind noise.

rcannon409

· #17 · Feb 7, 2016

Clint, I'm a puss when it comes to my helmets. I'm excited to try your memory foam idea. I usually make my ear liners from a spare set of cheek pads, so the look is original. The memory foam sounds like the ticket.

No idea why they dont do this from day one. The sensation of having your ear covered is odd, for about 5 minutes, then its fine.

Reactions: 1

bombim

· #18 · Feb 15, 2016

ScorpioST said:
I swear there is something about this bike that causes like a hi-freq. harmonic vibe, buzz/ring sound right up into my helmet.

I've been using my 2+ yo HJC CL-ST II helmet since the time I got the Ninja and iI didn't have any problems with it, except for the wind noise at hiighway speed. I wasn't really planning to replace it until I dropped it and scratched the face shield. The replacement shield was 1/4 the price of a new helmet, so I decided to get a new helmet instead -- same model but now with a color scheme which matches the Kawasaki green of the bike.

When I went for a ride yesterday, I was surprised by low-frequency vibrations inside the helmet, not high frequency ones that you have experience. It is an annoying low-rumble. With the old helmet, I could ride without earplugs. With this new helmet, I couldn't stand it and had to immediately put my earplugs on.

Weird! II went with the same helmet model partly because I figured I wouldn't have problems with it. The only difference I can see is that the helmet is a little tighter fit than the old one which had already molded around my head over the years.

See less See more

out5

· #19 · Apr 21, 2016

If you're having trouble finding good earplugs, try the Radian Custom Molded ones. You mix 2 putties together, stuff into ear, and it hardens( not actually hard, more like rubber) into a perfect fit. About $10.

novaks47

· #20 · Apr 22, 2016

That's what's tough about helmet buying. Head shapes and ear placement varies, so even with proper fitment on the same head shape, a helmet could be quiet for one person, and noisy for another.

For earplugs, these are my favorites : Elvex Blue UF Foam Ear Plugs (NRR 32) - Industrial Foam Ear Plugs by the Pair (1-50 Pairs) They're actually made by Howard Leight, just a different label slapped on.

I bought a huge sampler bag a few years back, and out of about 100 different types and brands, those were the most comfortable, quick expanding, and had the largest reduction in wind noise, while still allowing me to hear cars and such. You can get them there, or sometime on amazon for even less. I think I paid about $20 shipped for the last box of 200 sets the last time I ordered. I usually get 2-3 uses out of each pair before I huck 'em. Of course, not everybody's ear canals are shaped the same, but they're worth a shot.

1 - 20 of 27 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.