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Motorcycle Helmet Wind Blocker
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The Windjammer II is a unique product that can decrease motorcycle helmet noise caused by wind buffeting while also providing some extra warmth for cold weather riding.
A majority of helmet noise can often be traced to the "dirty" air that causes buffeting up under the neck area of a motorcycle helmet. This can be accentuated by a fairing or windscreen if it causes air to be directed towards the lower part of the helmet.
The air that comes up under the neck of a motorcycle helmet during cold-weather riding is also uncomfortable and can decrease overall body temperature, because of the cooling effect on the huge amount of blood flowing in and out of the human head.
If you have a noisy helmet, especially one that has a low-frequency "booming" noise, try this: next time you ride, place a finger up around where the helmet meets your neck under your ear to see if that decreases the noise.
I'll bet you'll find a drastic decrease in sound levels. Of course, you should always wear earplugs, which will greatly decrease perceived noise levels whilst protecting your hearing (See the wBW Earplugs and Hearing Protection page for more information).
The aerodynamics around the bottom of a helmet is a motorcycle helmet design issue that should really get more attention from helmet manufacturers, because it seems to be a potential source for lots of low-frequency buffeting, and it should be fairly easy to solve with some type of padding.
In the meantime, there's the Windjammer II. I've been aware of the Windjammer for some time, and I finally got around to ordering one to try. I'm glad I did -- it fits over the bottom of almost any helmet and prevents drafts and noise.
The inside of the Windjammer II has about a 50mm (2") wide section of some type of sticky substance that grips the helmet. Proline Sports claims that it can be moved from helmet to helmet or repositioned, and I've been able to do this successfully, but I'm not sure how long the sticky material will last.
It's a bit of a trick to pull the material tight around the bottom of the helmet; it's a lot easier to install if there's someone nearby who can hold the helmet upside-down for you while you stretch the material over the bottom.
Once the Windjammer II is installed, it stays securely attached to the helmet, and there should be no need for any further adjustments until it's removed. The photo to the left shows the Windjammer II as it is installed on my OGK FF-4 helmet. The product doesn't negatively affect the feel or performance of any helmet that I've tried it on in any way.
The Windjammer II has 6 small vents in the front (under the chin) and back, but I'm not sure they have much functionality. Helmets seem to have a tendency to fog up a bit more when the Windjammer II is installed, probably due to the blocking of any outside air other than from the helmet's vents.
Another interesting effect is that the Windjammer II seems to help make helmet vents work more efficiently. I could even feel air coming through the vents on a couple of helmets where I never thought the vents actually did anything. Either that, or maybe the vented air is more noticeable because it's not affected by buffeting coming from under the helmet without a Windjammer II installed.
The Windjammer II is made of a thin neoprene material with some elastic along the bottom. Once installed, the head entry hole stretches wide enough to make it easy to don the helmet. With the Windjammer II installed and the helmet on, the opening is small enough to just about touch my neck, but it's completely unnoticeable when I'm wearing the helmet. The neoprene is very soft, so it shouldn't bother even the most sensitive faces.
The Windjammer II really does make a dramatic difference by decreasing the ambient noise level. I tried it on a couple of helmets to the same effect. It's designed to be used with full-face helmets, but I suppose it could be used successfully with a flip-up helmet. It probably would have to be removed each time the visor was flipped up.
The entire sales and ordering process from Proline Sports was first rate. U.S.A. customers shouldn't have any worries about ordering from the Proline Sports website in the U.K.
I received an immediate email confirmation and my package was delivered in less than one week, which is more than I can say for some U.S.-based retailers. If your order is more than £20.00, shipping is free! Proline Sports ships worldwide, and they offer a variety of neoprene and other cold weather riding gear, such as underwear, vests, Balaclavas and more.
Note: Unless otherwise noted, webBikeWorld® has no affiliation or financial interest related to the products, retailers or manufacturers listed. This article is for informational use only. All material and photographs are Copyright © webWorld International, LLC - 2001-2005. All rights reserved.
Product Review: Proline Sports Windjammer II
Available From: Proline Sports (U.K.) Suggested Retail Price: £9.95 (~$17.05)
Colors: Black Made in: U.K.
Product Comments: Neoprene wind blocker fits under helmets, does a good job at preventing drafts and greatly decreases helmet noise. Causes slightly increased levels of fogging because of decreased airflow in helmet, but seems to help helmet vents work more efficiently.
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TRY THE "WINDJAMMER" I HAVE BEEN USING IT FOR A FEW YEARS NOW AND LOVE IT. USED IT ON MY HJC AND NOW MY ARAI AND THEY BOTH WORKED GREAT. A DOWNSIDE IS THAT THEY GET STRETCHED OVER TIME. I USUALLY GET ABOUT A YEAR OR TWO OUT OF ONE. I AM STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PUT A LINK W/ MY REPLIES HAVE PAITENCE.
