Wind Noise

Thought I'd share this because Barwel's listening to music thread reminded me of it.

I've had two helmets since getting my pointy faired SV and have thought that both were quite noisy. Until that was I got back on my SV recently after riding my naked XT600 all winter, which I bought in December.

When I got back on the SV, I noticed a marked increase in windnoise over what I had become used to on the XT. It's not my helmet at all, it's the shape of the fairing, screen and mirrors on the SV!

EDIT: unless the different angle of the helmet on a sporty clip-ons, versus a sit up and beg of the XT makes the difference?

[Bri w]

If you are traveling at, say 70mph the wind as it swirls over the top of the fairing will be traveling even faster - its a compression/pressure thing. + the buffeting effect will also increase noise.

Bikes without fairings are a lot quieter, and are also easier to ride in a crosswind

[JamesMio]

Funnily enough, I find the wind noise on the Blade isn't too bad, yet on the Pan it's almost unbearable without earplugs.

Weird eh!?

OK, thanks guys, glad it's not just me! Looking at James' example it would seem the more plastic you have in front of you the more noisy it is. First time I've ever heard that because everyone blames the helmet. Makes you wonder when bike journos review helmets, "the HJC was considerably louder than the Arai", well what bike were you riding with the Arai on?

^ this theory could be why i think my race helmet (AGV GP-Tech) is quiet and most people say its loud more than likley they are on fair bike where im on a naked

My HJC IS-16 doesn't get good reviews for noise, but on my XT you don't need earplugs with it, on the SV you get on the motorway and immediately realise you forgot to put your earplugs in and have to stop.

I'm deaf already, I don't hear higher pitch noises, nightclubs, computer datacentres and motorbike helmets without earplugs (earplugs being in common use is a relatively new thing), but I can tell the difference between one noise level and another, albeit for me that level may be a bit quieter.

and we plunge into the perilous murky depths of fluid mechanics.

Ignoring engine noise, and just considering wind noise I've found a fairing either greatly improves, of greatly worsens the problem.

My naked SV was kinda noisy. My Sprint ST was quiet, unless you sat bolt upright at which point it was extremely noisy. My GSXR is nice and quiet.

[Nobbylad]

I found my HJC helmet, whilst far cheaper than the Shoei, was far quieter....same bike, same journey to work, just a different helmet. Even the whisper kit for the Shoei doesn't help that much

yep, small screens make it worse, im currently having a play to find out at what height the screen stops the helmet noise.

Buying some plastic sheet tomorrow .