If you’re a bike rider, who rides his bike just for the excitement of it, you must be well versed in the sound of the breeze and the thrust of the wind. This is one of the very few discomforts that a bike has to offer. Even being gripped by a helmet, won’t filter out that noise.
Well, we all have been practicing our own ways to filter out that sound. maybe it’s been uncomfortable or inefficient. I’ve seen people turning totally deaf by wiring some soundproof headphones. Let’s talk about the safest ways to resolute such problems. This way you can ride and walk on the earth a little longer.
What is Wind Noise?
Noise results from some random sounds that annoy our hearing. The air creates noise following around and against the motorcycle while riding.
Surprisingly, wind noise can hamper your hearing, and bit by bit can damage it. As riders have to face it, more or less, they should be careful. So, how is it originated? When you travel at high speeds, a powerful wind force hits your helmet. You may hear the noise as “booming”. That’s because the air creates turbulence under your helmet. Sometimes it gets to the point where you can get a tingle in your ears.
How Can Wind Noise Damage Hearing Ability?
When the intensity of noise goes above 90 dB, it disturbs our normal hearing. While riding a motorcycle at top speed, the wind noise inside your helmet can incredibly reach up to 115 dB. Moreover, the engine’s noise intensity can be 80 dB, which further increases the overall noise level.
Because of the noises, human hearing can be severely impaired. It can increase the risk of hypertension, heart disease, decreases control over mood, and creates adverse effects on the psyche. You may also feel fatigued which may lead you to adverse accidents.
As a motorcycle helmet is a safety material, every rider must use it. So, don’t worry about the noises, there are many ways to get rid of them now!
How to Make a Motorcycle Helmet Quieter?
Excessive noise creates annoyance for every biker. But no more worrying about making your trips enjoyable, here are some tricks that may help you reduce the noise.
Type of Helmet
Use a helmet that fits you correctly both in size and design. Otherwise, the spaces let wind enter inside the helmet and create a disturbance. Acoustic collars and snug fit necks make the helmets the quietest.
Make sure the helmet covers your head properly and fits well around your neck. Apart from noise, a well-fitted acoustic dampened helmet is equally fruitful for your safety, reducing the chances of injuries and also prevent you from catching a cold in winter.
Full face and modular helmets are unavoidable options. Among them, Schuberth C3, Shoei Helmets, Arai Signet, and Arai XD4 helmets give you both quietness and comfort on the road.
Earplugs
The use of earplugs for a biker is an effective way of avoiding wind noise. They are cheaper, small in size, easily fit in your ears. You can easily plug them into your ears and put on your helmet. The soundproofing technique of the earplugs is amazing.
Earplugs also protect your ears from harmful frequencies. Nowadays silicone earplugs are very popular. So they do not develop irritation at all. You can comfortably put them on and enjoy your journey.
Riding Position
Your riding position has a startling impact on reducing the noise of your helmet. Different motorcycles offer unique types of riding positions. The riding position of the naked bikes is more upright. Street and naked motorcycles don’t have additional accessories like – windscreens, therefore cause less turbulence.
The engine creates vibration. Especially on the metallic part of the motorcycle which often leads to turbulence. So while riding a bike, sitting a little away from the metallic part will give less vibration and a quieter experience.
Balaclava or Scarfs
Balaclava and scarfs are other cheap yet useful options for quieting a motorcycle helmet. They give you ultimate protection from wind gusts, dust, and harmful UV rays of the Sun.
In the beginning, wearing balaclava or scarf may feel tight and suffocating in your face. But balaclava gradually stretches out and fits your face. As they properly cover up your neck area, they will help you keep warm in cold climates.
Windbreaker
Those who ride the bike at high speeds, a windbreaker is much beneficial to them. Surely, this makes you look more stylish! It is a lightweight, neoprene jacket that covers your neck area properly.
It blocks the area, preventing air turbulence from entering your helmet. It adds more safety to your upper body part. You can take it off anytime you want. Moreover, it prevents you from catching a cold in a chilling climate.
Windscreen
Well, the windscreen is a unique accessory for bike-riders. Windscreen mostly works like a shield that is set up in front of a motorcycle. It is designed to keep a rider’s head, face, and body protected from wind gust, road dust, insects, etc.
The wind hits the windscreen and goes around, not affecting the rider directly. As a result, it does not generate wind noise.
Visor
We have already understood that wind is the prime culprit of helmet noise. So, you must make sure that is no space left to enter the wind into the helmet. Buy helmet with a visor that is well-fitted to the helmet and always keep it close before riding your bike.
Visor reduces most of the wind noise, leaving no air space. If you ever keep the visor open and ride your bike, you will feel the difference of air turbulence. It protects your eyes from road dust and flying insects too.
FAQs
Q. How Does Aerodynamics Work on Reducing Helmet Noise?
Ans: Aerodynamics is the movement of air around various objects. Aerodynamics acts on the things that move through the air. So, like other moving objects, this has a great impact on motorcycle riders too.
Buy a helmet that does not allow you to enter too much air to enter. Otherwise, aerodynamic may occur and cause air turbulence. A smooth and sleek helmet may help you create a quieter headspace inside.
Q: How Vents Keep Helmets Quiet?
Ans: The more vents in the helmet, the more air can enter. They keep your head cooler but tend to rise the noise inside. A balance is required.
Remember, excessive ventilation can increase air turbulence. Results in, wind noise may occur inside your helmet. So, avoid using the helmets that come with many vents for a quieter experience. We would recommend a helmet having comfort fabric liners but no oversized and square vents.
Conclusion
This is all about the tips and tricks on making your motorcycle helmet quieter. Following the tricks, you may not be able to stop the noise of your helmet once at all. But yes, you can surely reduce it. So, exploit your desirable tips and save your hearing with no delay. Enjoy a quiet and pleasant ride.
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