Helmet Vibrations.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,488
Likes: 30
From: Maryland near DC
and your point is....oh yea, to flame the hd site...I am sure that stuff is acceptable over at the honda forum, but here we try to....oh never mind you will never get it...
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,145
Likes: 98
From: Colorado Springs
I don't have to worry about any of that while operating my wife's sewing machine either, it's as smooth as silk. Doesn't mean I like operating the sewing machine.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 427
Likes: 1
From: Hot Springs, AR
Some combination of acoustic interactions gave me permanent tinnitus after wearing my HJC full face and doing a bunch of riding on my then new 2010 Road King. I wasn't wearing ear plugs and took a 2 hour ride and my ear was on fire when I finished. The squealing noise hasn't gone away after almost a year, although it is a little better.
I tried 3 different helmets and several different ear plugs, including custom fit plugs. When the ear plugs seal really tight there is a booming base frequency that comes through and it feels like the sound is traveling through your bones. The audiologist said it was called occlusion and folks who wear hearing aids have it too. Try sealing your ear with a finger and then tapping gently on the top part of your ear.
I found the sound was worst riding in town because the RK shakes my head around at idle and the helmet moves around and somehow that transfers the "throught the bones" sound the worst. Both a full face and 3/4 helmet did this but the full face was the hardest to endure. I found that if I took out the removable ear/cheek pieces it left an open area around the ears and less sound transfered.
I thought I might have to sell the bike but I kept trying different things. By far the best single thing I did was to quiet the exhaust at the source. My stock 2010 touring mufflers were pretty loud, especially the right side. I bought a set of 2009 take off mufflers and they have an entirely different internal construction and they're twice as quiet. I also bought a 2" taller windshield and the front fork air deflectors. I am able to use and enjoy the bike again. I've come to the conclusion that full face helmets can boost certain sound frequencies and that the Harley can interact with the helmet to make an awful combination.
I tried 3 different helmets and several different ear plugs, including custom fit plugs. When the ear plugs seal really tight there is a booming base frequency that comes through and it feels like the sound is traveling through your bones. The audiologist said it was called occlusion and folks who wear hearing aids have it too. Try sealing your ear with a finger and then tapping gently on the top part of your ear.
I found the sound was worst riding in town because the RK shakes my head around at idle and the helmet moves around and somehow that transfers the "throught the bones" sound the worst. Both a full face and 3/4 helmet did this but the full face was the hardest to endure. I found that if I took out the removable ear/cheek pieces it left an open area around the ears and less sound transfered.
I thought I might have to sell the bike but I kept trying different things. By far the best single thing I did was to quiet the exhaust at the source. My stock 2010 touring mufflers were pretty loud, especially the right side. I bought a set of 2009 take off mufflers and they have an entirely different internal construction and they're twice as quiet. I also bought a 2" taller windshield and the front fork air deflectors. I am able to use and enjoy the bike again. I've come to the conclusion that full face helmets can boost certain sound frequencies and that the Harley can interact with the helmet to make an awful combination.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
It sounds to me that your helmet is not fit corectly. When they are loose fitting, they feel more comfortable when you are sitting, but when you are moving that room allows the helmet to move and rattle around your head.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Augusta, GA
I thought I might have to sell the bike but I kept trying different things. By far the best single thing I did was to quiet the exhaust at the source. My stock 2010 touring mufflers were pretty loud, especially the right side. I bought a set of 2009 take off mufflers and they have an entirely different internal construction and they're twice as quiet. I also bought a 2" taller windshield and the front fork air deflectors. I am able to use and enjoy the bike again. I've come to the conclusion that full face helmets can boost certain sound frequencies and that the Harley can interact with the helmet to make an awful combination.
Thanks, exactly what I'm experiencing. What helmet did you finally end up with that you took out some padding?
Banned
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: at home
Your head is already a resonating chamber exactly like the ones used in a microwave oven. A pulse comes in resonates around gaining strength and shoots out. Some helmets must magnify the effect at certain frequencies. If you want to know what I am talking about, take the key fob to your car and walk just far enough away that it stops activating your horn. Then move farther back another 30 feet or so hold the fob against/under your chin and trigger it. You will find your horn will activate, because doing that extends the working distance of the fob. Why? Because it used your head as a resonating chamber to increase the signal strength. I don’t think they test helmets for that situation. Dump it and get another one.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 210
Likes: 0
From: Augusta, GA
Your head is already a resonating chamber exactly like the ones used in a microwave oven. A pulse comes in resonates around gaining strength and shoots out. Some helmets must magnify the effect at certain frequencies. If you want to know what I am talking about, take the key fob to your car and walk just far enough away that it stops activating your horn. Then move farther back another 30 feet or so hold the fob against/under your chin and trigger it. You will find your horn will activate, because doing that extends the working distance of the fob. Why? Because it used your head as a resonating chamber to increase the signal strength. I dont think they test helmets for that situation. Dump it and get another one.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 477
Likes: 0
From:
Ride safe,
Bob.
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Banned
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: at home
I have the HJC Symax II flip up helmet. Yes, it is very noisy (both wind and exhaust). I think the wind noise originates at the overlap area. The exhaust has since been replaced with SuperTrapp Fatshots. That reduced the exhaust noise. But, it does not vibrate. I am also looking for a full face helmet for cold weather riding.
Ride safe,
Bob.
Ride safe,
Bob.
Get one that says Polaris on it. Cover the Polaris with reflective tape.
07 SG w/ Monster Ovals ... I just took a weekend trip wearing my AFX 3/4 with w flip down shield. I dont have any head shake but it does amplify the exhaust & makes it a booming sound. Yeah, during the ride my ears ring alot as well. When I wear my 1/2 helmet, no issues at all.