Does helmet shape influence buffeting (helmet shake)?

LC4CARL

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I frequently ride in a very windy area. The type of thing where a gust will have you are leaned over while riding straight. At some point, it takes a toll on the neck.

Are any helmets better than others with respect to catching the wind?


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Don't get an HJC RPHA 70ST as the top vent causes a lot of turbulence at speed....

The RPHA 11 Carbon is completely stable at high speeds though....

The large fairing coverage on the Hayabusa makes it prone to wind gust buffeting regardless of your helmet type anyways.
 
Type this in your browser and you’ll see that there are several factors involved, not just the design and weight of a helmet. Head tilt, angle of the neck, distance from the windscreen, helmet height in relation to the windscreen. I do keep mine as slick as possible with Plexus or polish for whatever benefit that is and I’m sure the lighter the helmet the better is true. Helmets in my price range are over three pounds, close to four even regardless of brand. Neck strengthening exercises can’t hurt either.

motorcycle helmet buffetting tests
 
I frequently ride in a very windy area. The type of thing where a gust will have you are leaned over while riding straight. At some point, it takes a toll on the neck.

Are any helmets better than others with respect to catching the wind?


View attachment 1683856
My new Shoei RF-1400 sucks for fit, but I am working on that with new pads. Compared to the RF-1000 it replaced it seems to be much better with aerodynamics. Where it is really noticeable is buffeting from a large vehicle such as an SUV when riding behind. It feels a lot more stable.
 
My new Shoei RF-1400 sucks for fit, but I am working on that with new pads. Compared to the RF-1000 it replaced it seems to be much better with aerodynamics. Where it is really noticeable is buffeting from a large vehicle such as an SUV when riding behind. It feels a lot more stable.

Dude. I got stuck behind a big rig along the river the other day. Man. I thought I was going to get whiplash!
 
Don't get an HJC RPHA 70ST as the top vent causes a lot of turbulence at speed....

The RPHA 11 Carbon is completely stable at high speeds though....

The large fairing coverage on the Hayabusa makes it prone to wind gust buffeting regardless of your helmet type anyways.
Same helmet. Same problem on the Busa. I've now relegated it to urban only. Waste of $$ but better than not using it.
 
One thing I have found the hard way this time around, is that if a 100% perfect fit is required, based on one's noggin, really the only option out there is Arai. Shoei is working on a fitment program, but it is not readily available yet, see linky below.

The other thing I have learnt, is that if one will be spending a lot of time on the track at high speed, or stay out of jail by doing the same thing on the streets, one really needs a 100% perfect fit.

The new Shoei helmets are a lot tighter around the cheeks and if one has a noggin which borders one size to the next, for example on the border line of medium to large, getting the fit right with add on liners is a compromise, but it is not perfect. The other thing I have learned is that if the fit borders one size to the next, it is better to go with the smaller helmet selection and then change to different cheek pads and center liners for the best fit.

 
One thing I have found the hard way this time around, is that if a 100% perfect fit is required, based on one's noggin, really the only option out there is Arai. Shoei is working on a fitment program, but it is not readily available yet, see linky below.

The other thing I have learnt, is that if one will be spending a lot of time on the track at high speed, or stay out of jail by doing the same thing on the streets, one really needs a 100% perfect fit.

The new Shoei helmets are a lot tighter around the cheeks and if one has a noggin which borders one size to the next, for example on the border line of medium to large, getting the fit right with add on liners is a compromise, but it is not perfect. The other thing I have learned is that if the fit borders one size to the next, it is better to go with the smaller helmet selection and then change to different cheek pads and center liners for the best fit.

Here's a video about that.

 
I have been wearing Shoeis since the 90's(tried several others), and all the Shoeis have needed to be worn for many hours before they noticeably broke-in, to which they then fit perfectly and comfortably(to me), and they no longer felt as if they are squeezing my cheeks or face.
I have worn a large since I was a teenager.
I bought an xl Shoei years ago, as it felt a little better than that year's large.
2 weeks later it was loose on my head, and the wind was blowing it into my face, so the break-ins have always been very noticeable to me.
Shoei swapped the helmet for a large...and for free.
So, depending on how much time you've worn a Shoei, regardless of cheek pad size, it can be a while before the helmet stays molded to your head's shape, and fits snug and comfortable, without squeezing.
I also always feel like the cheek pads are too tight in new Shoeis, but in time, they fit just right.
Everyone's head shape and helmet preferences are a little different, but my experience is just a longer break-in time with Shoei helmet materials, and vs other brands, for whatever reason, but no real complaints from any of mine...but something lighter than nearly 4 lbs would be really nice too...
 
Here's a video about that.

Folks hate me, as I am anal when it comes to fine details.

Great video, also shows you can custom fit the helmet by doing things with the liner.

Both the large and the extra large fits in that video were too big though. Why do I say that?

Eyeline in the face of the helmet should be center, his eyeline was too high.

Below is a picture from our champ Marc, showing where the eyes should fit in the helmet.

Marc.png
 
I have been wearing Shoeis since the 90's(tried several others), and all the Shoeis have needed to be worn for many hours before they noticeably broke-in, to which they then fit perfectly and comfortably(to me), and they no longer felt as if they are squeezing my cheeks or face.
I have worn a large since I was a teenager.
I bought an xl Shoei years ago, as it felt a little better than that year's large.
2 weeks later it was loose on my head, and the wind was blowing it into my face, so the break-ins have always been very noticeable to me.
Shoei swapped the helmet for a large...and for free.
So, depending on how much time you've worn a Shoei, regardless of cheek pad size, it can be a while before the helmet stays molded to your head's shape, and fits snug and comfortable, without squeezing.
I also always feel like the cheek pads are too tight in new Shoeis, but in time, they fit just right.
Everyone's head shape and helmet preferences are a little different, but my experience is just a longer break-in time with Shoei helmet materials, and vs other brands, for whatever reason, but no real complaints from any of mine...but something lighter than nearly 4 lbs would be really nice too...
I was sponsored by Shoei when I raced.....

I generally always had one until I went to HJC a few years ago as they seemed to fit well right out of the box and needed no break in....

I will probably stick with them but go to an RPHA 11 in CF next time.
 
I was sponsored by Shoei when I raced.....

I generally always had one until I went to HJC a few years ago as they seemed to fit well right out of the box and needed no break in....

I will probably stick with them but go to an RPHA 11 in CF next time.

I like HJC as well, I've had a few, and they fit my head well.
Come to think of it, they do fit well out of the box.
 
I was sponsored by Shoei when I raced.....

I generally always had one until I went to HJC a few years ago as they seemed to fit well right out of the box and needed no break in....

I will probably stick with them but go to an RPHA 11 in CF next time.
My first helmet was an HJC that fit well, but didn't get the acclaim as the other more popular brands.
 
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