Wind noise on highway from helmet
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,460
Likes: 3,554
From: Idaho
Hey guys, it's my first summer riding with my new beanie helmet, I have rode for a long time using a full faced helmet with my previous sport bike never having issues, when I tried out the new beanie helmet within a half hour of riding on the highway it was unbearable. I have a feeling it was the positioning of the straps near my ears. Have any of you experienced this before? Any tips to help me out? I don't want to have to use ear plugs all the time. Thanks
There is no half helmet that will be as quiet as any full face helmet.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 32,851
Likes: 17,886
From: Newcastle, OK
, If it wasn`t for the FF I had worn last year when a lady in a cage pulled out in front of me, I wouldn`t have a left side of my face....
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 11,166
Likes: 1,801
From: Puget Sound, WA.
No kidding!
I rode through two helmet free states at 90mph, no problem.
Came to a mandatory state and put on my DOT beanie- the strap harmonics and wind vortex behind them deafened me.
I rode through two helmet free states at 90mph, no problem.
Came to a mandatory state and put on my DOT beanie- the strap harmonics and wind vortex behind them deafened me.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 1,488
From: SW Washington State
For Riding, helmets suck. For crashing, helmets are great. The secret is to ride and not crash.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 2,181
Likes: 488
From: Central California
LOL! Ain't that the truth. If only there were guarantees......
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,799
Likes: 29,733
From: PNW
But to the topic - hell yes, wear the FF helmet. Beanies suck on a bike w/o a fairing or shield. The wind grabs them and the wind noise is terrible. Yeah, ear plugs will help with noise for sure. But you still have that thing acting like a parachute with a rope around your neck. I've had 3 different brands of beanies. Some work better than others. My Zox, which was cheap, worked better than my Bell, which wasn't as cheap. That said, I will not ride on the highway with a beanie on a naked bike anymore. My face ends up looking like this -
Club Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,841
Likes: 17,873
From: Lafayette, Louisiana
When I was first dealing with noise after switching to a half helmet, I noticed if I turned my head slightly to one side.
Give it a try and see what happens. It will help you tell where the noise is being generated which will then lead you to a solution.
Give it a try and see what happens. It will help you tell where the noise is being generated which will then lead you to a solution.