Helmet buffetting

[Big_Steve]

Hi,
With my new trike, I decided to go with 1/2 helmets. Out on the interstate yesterday, the helmet was shaking pretty good over 60mph. It made my glasses shake along with it, and it wasn't very comfortable. The helmet is the correct size, and I wear it as tight as I can without it being uncomfortable. When I sit, my head is higher than the windshield on the bike.

I can return the helmet for a few days. Would a 3/4 be better in this regard? I used to wear a full face helmet, but don't really want to go back to that.

Thanks

 

[spiritdream]

I've never worn the 1/2 helmets, but I've had a problem with glasses shaking even with my 3/4. I just got new glasses and went for a ride the other day, and the glasses didn't shake nearly as bad as before - my guess is the frames are tighter on these than on my old ones. Maybe you could try a new pair of glasses and see if that works for you too. Good luck - I know how annoying that is!! :yes:

 

[Ozarkryder]

Had the same problem with my glasses before this latest pair, which is smaller and tighter to my face. What I did was get one of those straps for glasses at a sporting goods store. Chinched it up just tight enough to stop the glasses from shaking from the wind.

 

[adventurer]

I also wear glasses, not tight on my face. Wear an open face helmet with a flip up face shield. When down the shield goes all the way to my chin and have never had a problem with my glasses buffetting.

 

[tomg]

All I wear are half helmets and the proper adjustments are not widely known by all !!!
Adjust the "V" on each side of the helmet so that the strap in the front is almost straight down in line with the connecting strap. Also make sure the front inside edge of the helmet is closer to your brow line rather than your hair line (Providing you have hair-hahaha) so the wind does now blow under it as much and this shouold help a lot.
Any half or 3/4 helmet you wear tilted back will cup the wind more.
Tomg

 

[Big_Steve]

I bought the helmet at a shop that takes 7 day returns, as long as you don't scrape it up.......

I'm rethinking the fit. It may be slightly large. I think I'll get the help of the guys that work there this time. Last time I thought I knew how to fit a helmet.....

 

[Mr.Wizard]

Wind buffeting can be negated by the use of a recurve style windshield and/or fork air dampers that will relieve the wind coming up from around your tank. Just my opinion but this would be where I would start the process, not by swapping out helmets. :blush:

1/2 helmet with normal sunglasses are very comfortable at speeds up to 80 MPH or more if the wind is redirected. :yes:

Take a look on the web for different styles of windshields. The expensive ones are not always as good as the cheaper windshields. Example: The extreme style shields don't do as good of a job with side wind buffeting as a simple top recurve.

Just a thought....

 

[Nauga Mok]

Mr Wizard is on the right track. The top of your windshield should be just below eye level -- about even with your mouth. You can get by with a shorter windshield with the recurves he suggests, but the idea is to get the main wind blast to go over the top of your head, not hit you in the face or helmet.

NM

 

[meredog]

Get a windsheild that's height is at the bridge of your nose and will stop buffeting--i had the same windsheild on my 1800 that you have and had the same issue---------i noticed that when they put it on they had it down as far as it would go on the forks. I simply loosened up the mounting screws and slide it up as far as was allowed (about 2 inches) and made a world of difference. I also ride with a 1/2 helmet skull cap

 

[Saltywheels]

Not to hi-jack this thread, but will this shorter height wind-shield, with say a re-curve & a vent, prevent buffeting for the passenger, or make it worse? Right now I have a very tall w-shield that I have to look-thru & hate it.But am afraid to shorten as I don't want wifey to get knocked around!

 

[Mr.Wizard]

Not to hi-jack this thread, but will this shorter height wind-shield, with say a re-curve & a vent, prevent buffeting for the passenger, or make it worse? Right now I have a very tall w-shield that I have to look-thru & hate it.But am afraid to shorten as I don't want wifey to get knocked around!

I realize we ride different trikes/bikes but on my Harley Street Glide I use a 9" on the Harley Trike I use a 10". Both heights hit me at the nose. When I carry a rider the wind goes right over my head and the passengers. No complaints. The front view of the bike with rider all you can see is a dark half helmet and sunglasses behind the windshield. Sort of an intimidating look if I must say.

Long Ride Shields Home This will give you an idea what I have... I use the Classic. I have found the X-treme to have too much side wind buffeting.

 

[Big_Steve]

FYI......
I exchanged the helmet. The guys at the store DID think it was one size too large. Thanks for the other tips. I had a medical procedure yesterday, and am grounded for about 5 days. So I'll see in a few days if it helps. If not, I'll start by seeing if my existing WS can go up or down, and go from there.

Hmmm, just walked out to the garage. My WS doesn't adjust.

 

[Big_Steve]

Just a follow up. After exchanging the helmet, there was no difference. Although everyone at the shop agreed that the first one I bought was a little too large.

I popped the sun visor off, and it made a good difference. It buffets about half as much as it did before, so even that improvement makes it much more bearable. Before it was constant, over about 60 mph. Now It buffets for a few minutes, stops for a few mins, back and forth. I may look into a taller WS later. It looks like I'm getting a new seat, so I'll wait until I've ridden it some with the new seat.