wind noise- please help before I go deaf or sell the bike

[stanley]

So I know there are lots of screen recommendations on this forum, I've tried some of them, but I'm still getting so much wind noise that I'm on the verge of selling the bike.

The bike is an 07 1200GS, I've owned it for a couple of years and have done about 14,000 miles on it. I'm about 5'10", prefer the seat height in its lowest position and wear a Schuberth C3 helmet and ear plugs. I've tried the standard screen, a small "moto" style screen, and an MRA vario touring screen. I've stuck with this latter screen and have experimented with it in every possible combination of settings. I feel that my problem may not be entirely screen related, so I'm reluctant to buy another. However I need to do something as I get off the bike with ringing ears and a headache :-(

At any speed over about 40mph I start to get a lot of wind noise in the helmet. At 70mph+ it becomes unbearable.
I've experimented with a few things:

If I stand up on the pegs and get my head in the "clean" airflow way above the screen then things become nice and quiet - even at silly speeds.
If I tuck in behind the screen there is still loads of wind noise- ie. there is NOT a nice and still pocket of air behind the screen.
If I lift my visor the wind noise reduces a bit!

This has lead me to conclude that wind turbulence is coming up from under the beak and up at me after passing through the gap around the top yoke. The turbulent wind then hits my helmet underneath the chin causing a load of noise. Opening the visor improves things a little as it stops the noise reverberating inside the helmet.

What do you reckon?
Is my theory right?
If so, what do I do to fix it?

Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated, Cheers

 

[K9Morris]

A lot of folks on here change to a GSA screen-much better imho-or it could be the helmet, hav u tried changing that? Try different angles on the screen too. Hope this helps

 

[JayC]

Have you checked to see if your ears need syringing, no , seriously? Clogged ears are enough to drive anybody nuts and have the effect of amplifying noise.

Try a different jacket for experimental purposes as different clothing will have different effects on air flow.

 

[david a hall]

Is you helmet to big? try a scarf round your neck, My Enduro helmet has done a few miles and is a bit looser on me now and i can relate to what you say, how ever i have another helmet (BMW) that i wear on the mway and is much quieter.

 

[ianran]

So I know there are lots of screen recommendations on this forum, I've tried some of them, but I'm still getting so much wind noise that I'm on the verge of selling the bike.

The bike is an 07 1200GS, I've owned it for a couple of years and have done about 14,000 miles on it. I'm about 5'10", prefer the seat height in its lowest position and wear a Schuberth C3 helmet and ear plugs. I've tried the standard screen, a small "moto" style screen, and an MRA vario touring screen. I've stuck with this latter screen and have experimented with it in every possible combination of settings. I feel that my problem may not be entirely screen related, so I'm reluctant to buy another. However I need to do something as I get off the bike with ringing ears and a headache :-(

At any speed over about 40mph I start to get a lot of wind noise in the helmet. At 70mph+ it becomes unbearable.
I've experimented with a few things:

If I stand up on the pegs and get my head in the "clean" airflow way above the screen then things become nice and quiet - even at silly speeds.
If I tuck in behind the screen there is still loads of wind noise- ie. there is NOT a nice and still pocket of air behind the screen.
If I lift my visor the wind noise reduces a bit!

This has lead me to conclude that wind turbulence is coming up from under the beak and up at me after passing through the gap around the top yoke. The turbulent wind then hits my helmet underneath the chin causing a load of noise. Opening the visor improves things a little as it stops the noise reverberating inside the helmet.

What do you reckon?
Is my theory right?
If so, what do I do to fix it?

Any thoughts or suggestions appreciated, Cheers

Interesting, I have a Schuberth S1 bought because it was quiet, and am roughly the same height as you. A GSA screen is way for me however hugely expensive. A Givi screen split, like the MRA seems to be the favourite bet. Apporx £130, less than half the GSA screen cost.

Ultimately this is always a personal choice, £130 is cheaper than a new bike!

 

[dadster]

I had the same problem when i first got my gsa, ok the gsa screen is taller than the standard gs but as i'm 6'4" the problem could be the same. I tried al the usual trial and error stuff and as you have found the wind noise was reduced with the visor open so i tried an arai tour x and found the peak did the same job as the open visor. Hope this helps and you get sorted.


Dave

 

[bisbee]

I went through a similar process but a GSA screen and winglets work for me

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

Stanley, Get the Givi AF 330 and NN winglets and you will get the job done once and for all!
It's as good as you'll get on a GS. which obviously isn't the most aero dynamic bike in the world

 

[looney]

Been there, done that etc. - Givi screen AND winglets (BMW in my case)! I tried without winglets first (only the AF330 screen) and it was not much better than stock. I have no idea how the winglets work with other screens, but for me they made the difference.

While YMMV I'd give that combination a try

 

[oldnfat]

+1 on the Givi 330 plus winglets.....90+ visor up..quiet, no buffeting a cracking set up....and it is height adjustable too.

 

[stanley]

Thanks for these replies,

But I'm really not convinced that it is the screen that is causing this excessive noise. Maybe the screen is causing a negative air pressure that encourages higher pressured air to come whizzing up under the beak and up around the yokes.

I'm thinking of trying to block of the area around the top yoke- don't know how though!
Maybe I try a tank bag- see if that deflects the air flow that I think is the culprit

 

[Big Red]

If you have a spare helmet or a mate with the same head size, try that so you can rule out that as the cause.
If the noise remains the same then see if your local dealer has a GS with the GSA screen fitted and try that.

One of these should hopefully find the cure before you start spending, good luck

 

[Wierpig]

wind noise

Stanley,Im about the same height as you and also suffered from wind noise on the 1200gs.Unfortunately it is more or less inherent on a bike of this style as you sit so far from the screen,the air re converges around your lid.The best I could get it was using a puig screen and a shoei z1 hat.Found c3 noisier but more convenient.
Bought gsa now and its quite a lot better.
Tried a few screens and found the mra to be one of the noisiest!

 

[Bikerjim]

Could try a car

You are on a motorbike the wind is supposed to be "in your Hair"

Jim

 

[duckspeed]

A pair of Micky ear plugs made all the difference for me would not ride without them

 

[Blue Sweeper]

Have you tried Ear plugs ?

 

[Rusty Bolts]

I too have a similar set up , C3, 07 GS etc. The noise with the standard GS screen is almost certainly caused by the chin vent. Tape it over with duct tape and it is reduced significantly. Next fit a givi airflow and winglets and it is improved. Finish with tobinators and the jobs a good un. I have removed the tape and now have ventilation as well. I could ride at silly mph with the visor up no problems. The winglets seem to make a big difference

 

[STUBBS]

ipod

 

[Bryn]

A lot of folks on here change to a GSA screen-much better imho

Got to agree

I'm 5'9" .... last year on an 09 SE.... put on a GSA screen and winglets... much better, then halfway down france borrowed a TT screen extender... the bike suddenly seemed to get noisy.... because I could hear the engine rather than the drumming from being buffeted.....

Had to give it back though

 

[stever1]

+1 for the Givi AF330 screen plus winglets. However since i fitted these i have had a slight funny weave on the front end . Nothing too dramatic but noticable, as i fitted a pair of EXP tyres at the same time im waiting to see if it disapears when i change back to the original tyres.