I have 3/4 helmet and experience quite a bit of wind noise over 45 mph. I am considering buying a windshield and/or full face helmet with face shield. I know I can use ear plugs but would rather not. Any suggestions on cutting wind noise would be appreciated.

 

I vote for custom ear plugs. Excessive wind noise can cause you to lose your hearing. I always thought it was the loud pipes but was told by a friend that the doctor told him his loss of hearing was due to the wind not the pipes. Plus, a good pair of custom ear plugs are easy to carry and less money (about $65) than a windshield or new helmet. My two cents.

 

Just as you have suggested, full face, windshield, ear plugs. All will reduce it but will not eliminate it - hey you're in the wind dude, it's gonna be there. My experience with ear plugs is that you still get the noise just kinda muffled. Full face has the best effect but it's still there. Never rode with a wind shield before but I'm sure the noise'll get to you somehow. I usually ride with my tunes and my skull candy - for me that's the best remedy and I'm always ridin' with a half. Still hear the wind though but it don't drown out the music. At 70 - 75 I just crank up the volume & try not to grin too much. I toyed with the idea of getting a windshield but worried I wouldn't like the looks of my sporty with one on. Anyway I'm getting used to the wind and actually kinda like it, it's all part of the ride, kind of invigorating.

 

I'm already deaf so, you know...................fugit.

 

I was riding to western Pa. last summer and the wind noise began to bother me as I got on 68 west in Hancock, Md. I stopped in a CVS and bought some ear plugs. Way too qiiet, I caught my self going down the next mountain at 95 mph, I got no speed sensation at all. I took em out.

I have these now== http://www.jpcycles.com/product/ZZ15057

 

I haven't tried it yet, but I hear (pun intended) that an ice pick to both middle ears eliminates all noise while riding... and the rest of the time, too. Another friend of mine swears by simply turning off the hearing aid to eliminate noise while riding.

Cheap foam earplugs are the best bet, they eliminate a decent amount of the wind noise, but allow you to hear most of what's going on around you. Full face helmets don't really help, they just change what pitch the noise is.

 

 

I use these from Walgreens for $3.99. Tried the foam ones and just didn't like them (YMMV). These work great for me under my 1/2 or 3/4 helmet.

http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/mac...707479-product

 

 

Depending on the size shape and how you mount a windshield it can range from almost eliminating the wind noise to actually making it worse.