Double Bubble noise and trouble

[davamb]

Does a double-bubble style screen such as Quan-Time's

make any improvement to the amount of wind noise, or does it just reduce the wind loading on your chest?
I'm average height - 180cm (just under 6ft) and find the wind noise tiring after a couple of hours riding with the standard screen.
Trouble is I don't like earplugs. I like to hear what's going on around me - the noises the engine makes, the exhaust, the tyre noises, the abuse that car driver's yell at you... sorry, got carried away there.

[Killerwhale]

You need a really silent helmet....like a schubert...

Does a double-bubble style screen such as Quan-Time's

make any improvement to the amount of wind noise, or does it just reduce the wind loading on your chest?
I'm average height - 180cm (just under 6ft) and find the wind noise tiring after a couple of hours riding with the standard screen.
Trouble is I don't like earplugs. I like to hear what's going on around me - the noises the engine makes, the exhaust, the tyre noises, the abuse that car driver's yell at you... sorry, got carried away there.

[Tarwetijger]

I have a double bubble but its more for the looks then wind protection.

Ear protection is important though! I don't ride without them anymore.
From the Alpine hearing protection website:
speed - noise - max. time
100 km/h - 94dB - 15 min.
120 km/h - 98dB - 7 min.
140 km/h - 102dB - 3 min.

Edit: with a good pair of ear plugs I don't hear the noise from the wind but I do hear the engine (wouldn't want to miss it too ) and other cars etc.!
Another edit: Please do realise that damage to your hearing is irreversible!

[G Beale]

I have double bubble but still get a LOT of wind noise. Also thinking of wearing ear plugs from now on. Think I've got a pretty good helmet (Roof Diversion) but still too much noise for long journeys.

[Mincehead]

One of the biggest issues with wind noise is the choice of helmets,they vary tremendously in the wind noise they allow around the ears.
If you want to deflect the wind more go for a `flip` screen,double bubbles don`t really deflect the wind away from the riders upper body they more channel it around you.
I`ve never liked full faced helmets,like to feel the wind in my face and collect flies on my teeth!
Most open face helmets have much snugger fitment around the ears so although they are `open` offer slightly better ear/hearing protection.
Ever had frost on the eyebrows?
I was a motorcycle courier for 28 months when I first moved to Scotland,summer and winter,open face helmet,no wimping out behind a full face helmet for me,I have to admit the knees suffered the worst,my craggy old face copes with anything.

[idl1975]

I use a "nuvo" flip screen and am 3 inches taller than you. There are probably pics of the bike on here somewhere, either in the TRX gallery or a post on EBC brake discs. No huge issue with wind noise, but you still can't really get completely under the airflow without putting your head on the tank, arse on the bolster and cranking your neck back. Better than the standard one though. IMO it makes the bike look better from the rear 3/4, but worse from the front 3/4 (sort of like an undernourished cockatoo).

I think the only way to sort that is to somehow fit an OEM YZF750R fairing. IIRC, it's like a barn door.

Personally, I've stopped bothering with earplugs, but that's because I basically only ride my bike to work and back these days (or on track), so I'm not really travelling at any speed for more than 15 minutes. I know you don't like them, but you might consider using at least a "lightweight" pair if you're really having trouble with wind noise. Like people are saying, hearing damage and all that...

Does a double-bubble style screen such as Quan-Time's

make any improvement to the amount of wind noise, or does it just reduce the wind loading on your chest?
I'm average height - 180cm (just under 6ft) and find the wind noise tiring after a couple of hours riding with the standard screen.
Trouble is I don't like earplugs. I like to hear what's going on around me - the noises the engine makes, the exhaust, the tyre noises, the abuse that car driver's yell at you... sorry, got carried away there.

[trixynut]

Mate,
I've found double bubble screens obviously reflect more wind over you when riding so you get a bit less noise, but more importantly, you get less buffeting of your head, which is easier on the neck. I'm 6' 1".
Although, some people like to be able to 'lean' into the wind which puts less pressure and weight on your rists and arms.
As has been said, best way to reduce noise is a good helmet (which you ususally don't know whether its quiet or not until after you've spent your hard-earned on it!) or ear plugs. I tend to wear one ear plug and alternate ears: not as good as wearing two obviously, but gives me a 'bit-of-both' and must be better than none at all.
Dave

[Greg]

Just earplugs ...

I'd support Tarty wholeheartedly with being able to hear the engine better with plugs - what you actually hear is the motor's noise less the higher frequency sh!te.

The shame about earplugs is that usually, you only realise how good they are when you've ridden for a few years without them - by which time of course the damage to your hearing is already done...

Greg

[bernardo]

I'm with Tarty and Greg. Earplugs remove the nasty frequencies so you can still hear the bike. It's uncanny the first few times.I used a db screen racing, but to be honest i reckon they olny make a difference when you're tucked in.
get used to earplugs, buy a schubert or an ear trumpet the choice is yours.

[steve speed]

so are you saying that the Schubert is quieter than arai ??

[slow codger]

The police use Schuberts, with ear plugs.

Dave E

[davamb]

Thanks guys, good feedback.

Yep, guess I better get used to plugs.
Strange though, I spent the last 25 years riding my Pantah and never had any trouble. Seems to be much more wind noise on the TRX even though the screen's probably about the same height.

[idl1975]

Thanks guys, good feedback.

Yep, guess I better get used to plugs.
Strange though, I spent the last 25 years riding my Pantah and never had any trouble. Seems to be much more wind noise on the TRX even though the screen's probably about the same height.

Paying attention to it today, the flip screen seems to keep airflow off the chest and shoulders - most of it ends up going straight at the helmet and then around it. However, I'm guessing that the flip up and sudden termination of the screen at 45o to the airflow creates swirl behind it, so the relative speed of the air hitting the helmet gets reduced significantly.
It certainly doesn't wallop you. Might be something for you to try, together with your new earplugs!

[Killerwhale]

so are you saying that the Schubert is quieter than arai ??

Never tried it myself but the tests states they are the most quite ones....in Sweden...

[Quan-Time]

i noticed bugger all difference with the double bubble. And i mostly use ear plugs all of the time.

I sold the whole front fairing to someone on this forum, ive forgotten who it was for the life of me. But they now have that double bubble screen.