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

[JJH]

There is a mod you can try for free and that is to modify the adjustment bolts by filing off the bits that stop the screen going up all the way. I did this on my GSA and got a v stream larger screen +++ if your s3 helmet is the same as the BMW system 6 you will have noise I had one and it was the loudest helmet I ever had so before you try anything costing money try a different lid. By the way if you want the screen you are welcome to it just pay for postage. JJH

 

[Shoestring]

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

I went through the same issues with a '07 GS. I ditched the Arai for a Schuberth, got some Ultimate ear plugs made up (both of which helped) but it was only when I changed the screen for a GSA one that I found peace.

Oh, the GSA screen did come with a GSA too...

SS7

 

[moly]

Have you tried Ear plugs ?

i have been on the road 35years cant belevieve you sll the bike cus you not got the sense to WEAR EAR PLUGS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Yonkyo]

i have been on the road 35years cant belevieve you sll the bike cus you not got the sense to WEAR EAR PLUGS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you read the OP's post....He does wear ear plugs..

I'm about 5'10", prefer the seat height in its lowest position and wear a Schuberth C3 helmet and ear plugs.

 

[stonehenge]

I don't understand this. If you wear a C3 and ear plugs - most noise is taken away

Is the problem buffeting?

If you suffer from tinnitus when you have your ear plugs in then you will need some kind of sound - some music usually works, or listen to the radio.

 

[deaninkl]

Stanley, I have been afflicted with the same problem, and sepent money on higher screen torbinators, winglets, laminer lip....schuberth S1....all to no avail.

The only thing i have found that works is good quality foam ear plugs. I bought a big box of 3M foam plugs, you have to carefully insert them to ensure proper seal. But it works.

I'm told as you get older wind noise becomes more annoying, I certainly never remember this problem when I was young and wore crap helmets....but I also think BuMW could do more to solve the problem as its well documented.

 

[hatzyian]

It also depends on the jacket you are wearing. In the UK I have a Richa textile jacket with a large collar. In Cyprus a leather jacket with a very small collar. With the leather jacket I get alot more wind noise.

 

[pinkytiff]

GSA + winglets

I'm the same height riding the same bike. Tried several options including tobinators. Settled for a GSA screen + winglets and a TT screen extender (which I only fit on long m'way stretches.) I wear an Arai & ulimate ears.

Good luck!

 

[sven]

I've tried a standard, GSA (big improvement) and Givi AF330 Airflow screen (better still), combined with a Schuberth S1 Pro lid and decent earplugs.

This solved the problem for me and I'm a similar height to you

 

[gazzauk]

If there is only 1 modification you make to you r1200gs its got to be the Givi AF330 screen and NN winglets , the buffeting and wind noise vanish and even well above legal motorway speeds you can ride with your visor up and without ear plugs in total comfort. Oh and yes i do realise thats 2 mods really but you see what im getting at.

 

[Buttso]

noise

Have a R1200GSA.. standard screen.. over the years tried many things for noise.. ear plugs (foam etc)

I even tried the DIY "mold your own" Fuze ear plugs... ok but no joy

then one year at the NEC bike show, I bought the custom moulded ultimate ear plugs with built in headphones.. although they do a version without

I suffer from tinittus in both ears so even using foam plugs, I would get off the bike and be roaring and shouting in the house because my ears would be ringing....
so I looked it up , and at 70mph... levels of 105 Db+ are recorded on motorcycles inside the helmet.. (which would explain me roaring and shouting)

since I got the ultimate ear plugs (3 years ago now) no problems... they are without doubt (after my sargent seat) the best investment I have made for my biking.. a little pricey (170 pounds).. but my hearing is worth every penny

these are the ones I got... sent them back about 3 times at the start cause of issues. but each time they were repaired and returned.... have them 2 years now without fault and would use them a lot...

http://www.ultimateear.com/Sales/SoundEar.htm

anyway.. it worked for me. but each to his own..

 

[moly]

If you read the OP's post....He does wear ear plugs..

needs some bigger ones then

 

[Backroader]

I have a GS with GSA screen and winglets and it's still like having my head near a jet engine. Luckily I use a lot of back roads so at lower average speeds it is not so acute.

If only someone could invent a soundproof crash helmet that could be worn without earplugs - what bliss !

 

[Backroader]

Well - of course not entirely soundproof as that might be a bit disorientating.

 

[stanley]

Thanks again for all of the advice.

As has been pointed out (thanks) I do where ear plugs. I have custom "Ultimate Ear" ones but find industrial foam jobs to be more comfortable. Should have saved my money and not bought the custom jobs!!

I agree with the post above advising to look at the chin vent area- I'm sure the racket gets inside the helmet there. To put things in perspective I have been riding bikes for 27 years and have owned 16+ "big" bikes. Best one ever for NO wind noise was my totally naked Triumph 1050 Speed Triple. Any speed within reason was acceptably quiet when wearing the C3- even without ear plugs. Helmet was in clean air on that bike, so the helmet could do its aerodynamic job properly.

I do suffer a bit of tinnitus, so as mentioned, maybe that makes me more susceptible to noise.

General opinion seems to be the Givi screen + winglets. Maybe I'll order them- guess that I could sell on if no improvement.

Still open to other suggestions!!

Going to try making a "deflector" myself too; will report back on results!

 

[Pablo1]

just bought a C3 lid , it feels slightly too large but it was same size as C2 i used for last 2years and the smaller size was way too tight, im now getting the wind noise you describe so im thinking of ditching the lid.

 

[F104]

I have same issue, 6'4", a1200GS, my seat is much higher than standard

If I tuck in behind the screen there is still loads of wind noise!

By tucking in your helmet is angled so far forward its aerodynamcis will have changed completely, no reference to sitting more or less straight. However, i tried it once, and found noise much lower. I can not believe air travels up from below the beak to helmet level. I think the next point is what the cause is.

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.

I believe is is the one and only explanation

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.

will try this next. It's obvious to me the turbulent flow enters at the bottom of my helmet (system6, or C2). Noticed already it changes significantly when putting my hand in certain positions below the helmet You can easily feel with your hand where the turbulent flow is, just move it uo an down etc in front of you

I bought the custom moulded ultimate ear plugs with built in headphones / I suffer from tinittus

same here, have the ultimate monitors and mild tinittus. Monitors went also back for probably same reason. Now, 2 years later, the right one doesn't fit properly. Shame as I now require new ones, and I don't think they can re-use the speakers. Sound is great though, I once tried a Cardo / speakers / foam plugs, sound wise terrible as it filters all high tones out

 

[Deleted account 230818001]

I've got to say that I think it's the helmet too.

 

[Peak Rider]

Stanley, before you plunk down your cash consider a Cee Baileys screen from Sportouring (Woodys' Importarium) in Wales. They're well made and don't have the compound flow-disrupting angles of the stock screens. Most importantly you can order them in specific heights and widths to suit you best. If you want to get in touch with me I can walk you through how you might determine the best size and also how to reduce the low pressure area behind the screen.

Every bike/rider/helmet combination is unique. There is no miracle cure with airflow issues. You only have to look at how much F1 teams spend every year on their endless quest to find tiny aerodynamic advantages.

 

[Mistacat]

+1 for the Givi AF330 screen plus NN winglets & 25mm home made tobs, 6ft on 2009GS. 100% improvement over stock screen.