helmet shake/vibration at highway speed.

[jwulf74]

Hey. Just took our first official highway ride. We got a lot of helmet shake/vibration from the wind. Since we are new to this, does that mean that our helmets are too lose? Or is there anything to help combat that?

[oldblindjohn]

Maybe. Are they a snug fit? If not try 1 size smaller. The helmet should be snug but not real tight.

[ARtraveler]

Hey. Just took our first official highway ride. We got a lot of helmet shake/vibration from the wind. Since we are new to this, does that mean that our helmets are too lose? Or is there anything to help combat that?

Your profile indicates a new 2011 RT-S. Your helmet should not be jiggling around--and should firmly fit. A loose helmet, means it will fly off in the event it is needed.

You might also try adjusting your windshield screen up or down to find the "sweet spot" where you do not get any wind buffeting.

[Pennyrick]

You don't indicate what you are riding but if it is an RT you may want to move the windshield up or down a couple of inches and that may cut down the turbulence. Your helmet sounds like it is too loose.

Helmets with visors tend to be much more stable in the wind. Just that little snap on or screw on visor is a big assist in smoothing out the jiggles caused by the wind.

[finless]

Only time I get helmet buffeting is if I forget and leave my chin guard up (it's a modular helmet)

Bob

[chuck58]

How tall are you? I'm 6'1" and even with the windshield all the way up I experience a little buffeting.

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[Flanker]

Put your helmet on, DO NOT fasten the chin strap. Gently shake your head forwards and backwards, and then from side to side. If the helmet/s move around while doing this.......................they're too loose. You either need smaller helmets, or if you have helmets that have removable padding you may be able to replace them with larger pads. Good luck!

[jwulf74]

Thanks everyone. We were out for an extended ride. . We are indeed on an RT. It is better with the windsheild all the way up, but we actually started that way and it gets really bad if we put in in any other position so it wasn't down for long. I may dig our our visors and try that. If that doesn't help, we may have to try a size smaller.

[scott16119]

I'm a little on the tall side and had a terrible amount of wind buffeting with the stock RT windshield in any position. I got the tall cal-sci windshield and it solved my problem.

[napper39]

put a base ball type hat on backwards and put the helment on over it thet will snug up your helment thats what i do and it works good.

[Bob Denman]

Flanker's got you covered on checking the fit of the helmets.
Other than that; excessive buffeting from the windshield might need to be addressed...
I hate to bring this up, but a different windshield might be needed to solve the problem too!

[schnauzermom]

The way we were taught in HD Mototclothes is put your helmet on and lace it up. Put your hands on either side of your helmet and rock it back and forth. It should be snug enuff to slightly move the skin above your eyebrows up and down. We would encourage customers to wear the helmet around the store as they shop to see if they feel any pressure points. And on a side note, Sioux Falls is my hometown!!!

[Bob Ledford]

Congratulations on the new ride.

I normally wear a Vega Transit which is a 3/4 helmet. It fits snug but not tight enough to give me a headache. Anne usually wears a 1/2 helmet with a combination of a 1/2 shield and a visor. She gets a fair amount of buffeting at highway speeds. Sitting up front I get very little buffeting.

When we double up the windscreen goes full height. When by myself it goes down to where I can just see over the top....

You may have to consider different helmet styles OT several different styles in your ready room depending on the ride and temperature your going to be for the day or trip.. Our ready room has three styles of helmets in iit. His and hers, 1/2, 3/4 and full face black and white ( summer and winter ).

[flaggerphil]

Hey. Just took our first official highway ride. We got a lot of helmet shake/vibration from the wind. Since we are new to this, does that mean that our helmets are too lose? Or is there anything to help combat that?

What type of helmet to you wear?

[jwulf74]

We currently have convertible helmets that we rear as 3/4. The chin price made us both too claustrophibic especially when trying to take it off.

[CurtG]

I currently have 3 helmets. A Scorpion 1/2, a GMax 3/4 and a Bell Revolver Modular (brand new).
I like all 3, but do notice more buffeting when I have the 1/2 on, no face shield just the drop down sun shield and doesn't mater up or down. The 3/4 is fine as long as the face shield is down, up a notch or 2 for ventilation is okay except that the rattle can be annoying. The Bell is great, quiet even with the face shield up but almost unnerving with it down. I turned the G9's volume down quite a bit and still have no trouble hearing the wife from her bike. Also seems like I hear the Bugs engine better and the traffic around me also. I suspect it's the drop in wind noise. Have to have everything up to put it on and still have to take my glasses off to get into it. Really think I'm going to like the Bell. It actually feels lighter on than my GMax and it's hasn't felt noiticably hotter than the other helmet..

The other folks have pretty much covered the fit thing. I was told once that a new helmet should feel a little tight but not have noticeable preasure points. So far that's worked for me along with the other pointers mentioned above.

Enjoy your new critter.

Ride safe,

[jwmcclellan]

I road from Woodbridge VA to the Spyderfest, and the entire way I was thinking that I needed a new windshield because I was getting buffeted by the wind the entire trip. I wear a full face helmet during cold weather riding. Coming back home from the Spyderfest I accidentally lowered the windshield half an inch, and the buffeting went away. I'm 5'10" and I have the RT. I now have zero buffeting with the stock windshield.

[Buttsy]

I hate to bring this up, but a different windshield might be needed to solve the problem too!

In my opinion this is most likely what you may need to look into. The 2011 RT will not have a vented windshield like the 2013 does. Attached is a link to a windshield with a hole in it. In my opinion this is key, I appreciate wind can get up through the bottom of the RT windshield BUT after installing mine it still made a significant difference with "head bobble"! CanAm now sells the 2013 vented windshield which will bolt up to the 2011, or like I say another version http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/SpyderRTprod.html