Getting beat up by the wind is part of riding a naked bike... No doubt about that. I guess the most we can really do is become more aerodynamic to a degree. With that said, what helmet on the market is the most aerodynamic without riding in a tucked position?
X-11? The new Corsair V (w/ adjustable "spoiler")?
I can't really give a comparison since I've only used the Shoei, but the X-11 is a very aerodynamic helmet. I was riding on the slab last weekend at 85-90 MPH and was impressed that the buffeting was non-existent. My only other helmets were an HJC several years ago and a Shoei TZ-R, which I remember having a lot more buffeting at higher speeds.
I've only worn arai, but I know that my corsair rx-7 has much better aero than my old... astral?
one issue I've discovered (more of the bike vs. lid) is that if i'm upright, past 70-ish, the corsair starts to lift on me just a teeny bit. when my bike had the screen on it, that never happened.
I get a lot less lift on a Shoei X-11 than on other Shoei helmets. Other helmets don't really fit me well, so I can't compare. Over the years, I've found that the more helmet there is under the chin, the less helmet lift.
If you feel like your head is being battered around and you're not feeling any lift, an "aerodynamic" helmet is not the best remedy. Get a windscreen if you don't already have one. Dart makes a clear screen that is pretty non-descript. And change your body position on the bike. Or get a bike with fairings.
I've found that a speed hump on my gear make a big difference in buffeting. I know that many think they are just for bling, but it keeps my helmet from knocking around so much. Then again, that's only in a crouch. If you're sitting upright with usual monster/streetfighter ergos, it's not gonna help a lot.
It think with the top-end lids it really comes down to fit. I have an X-11 and I think it's great - a big improvement over my older Shoei.
Up until recently, I had an Arai RX-7 Corsair that I adored. Great fit, light, noisy but fine with my SureFire earplugs, and pretty aerodynamic. My one beef was that if I turned my head at speeds above 70 mph, the whistling and buffeting got pretty severe. And then...
I dropped my helmet on the concrete and scuffed up the face shield and forehead. Bummer, since the RX-7 was less than a year old. But from adversity comes opportunity and thus, along comes...
A new Corsair V. The same fit as before, even quieter, almost as light, and no more buffeting or whistling above 70 mph. I can't attribute it all to the nifty new wing on top, but overall the helmet is quieter and significantly more stable at speed. Both of which are good things.
(http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200408/r27633_68603.jpg)
Quote from: ArabicaMan on April 29, 2009, 05:28:17 PM
Up until recently, I had an Arai RX-7 Corsair that I adored. Great fit, light, noisy but fine with my SureFire earplugs, and pretty aerodynamic. My one beef was that if I turned my head at speeds above 70 mph, the whistling and buffeting got pretty severe. And then...
I dropped my helmet on the concrete and scuffed up the face shield and forehead. Bummer, since the RX-7 was less than a year old. But from adversity comes opportunity and thus, along comes...
A new Corsair V. The same fit as before, even quieter, almost as light, and no more buffeting or whistling above 70 mph. I can't attribute it all to the nifty new wing on top, but overall the helmet is quieter and significantly more stable at speed. Both of which are good things.
ahh... the corsair V *drool*
How you liking your surefire earplugs? I just got some a week ago and so far i dig them.
As for the speed hump... Yes, it actually does help when crouched. My rf1000 is decent but if i ride without my delmar on, i can feel the buffetting.
The Corsair V doesn't have many reviews but through reading, it seems like the X-11 is probably the most aerodynamic to date.
You can't win the battle against the wind but any bit helps.
So far I've noticed that my Arai Profile seems to knock around much more than my RF-1000. +1 on the Shoei...
i love my RF 1000. Little wiggly at 100mph + though
I found it made a big difference when the Arai RX-7's chin screen is pulled down and the helmet's chin strap is pulled a little tighter -- reduced buffeting to zero at high speeds
Quote from: OT on May 02, 2009, 07:07:44 AM
I found it made a big difference when the Arai RX-7's chin screen is pulled down and the helmet's chin strap is pulled a little tighter -- reduced buffeting to zero at high speeds
yep, I started using that chin thingy, too...
i have rf 1000 and suomy
suomy is the best helmet i have even owned, so comfy light and aerodynamic
i like my rf-1000, especially for the price. Next helmet might be the X11, I also really like the Suomy's. Anybody have experience with the AGV helmets?
The aero humps on gear will help tremendously. The most simple (though inaccurate) way of thinking about it, would be to think of the hump as providing a place for the air to stay "attached" to, after it passes your helmet, otherwise there'd be an empty spot, or a pocket, in which the air would detach and go crazy.