Windjammer II Helmet Wind Blocker

by Rick K. for webBikeWorld.com

More:  wBW Reviews Home  |  Owner Comments (Below)

A majority of helmet noise can often be traced to the "dirty" air that causes buffeting up under the neck area of a motorcycle helmet.  This can be accentuated by a fairing or windscreen if it causes air to be directed towards the lower part of the helmet.  

The air that comes up under the neck of a motorcycle helmet during cold-weather riding is also uncomfortable and can decrease overall body temperature, because of the cooling effect on the huge amount of blood flowing in and out of the human head.

If you have a noisy helmet, especially one that has a low-frequency "booming" noise, try this:  next time you ride, place a finger up around where the helmet meets your neck under your ear to see if that decreases the noise.  

I'll bet you'll find a drastic decrease in sound levels.  Of course, you should always wear earplugs, which will greatly decrease perceived noise levels whilst protecting your hearing (See the wBW Earplugs and Hearing Protection page for more information).

The aerodynamics around the bottom of a helmet is a motorcycle helmet design issue that should really get more attention from helmet manufacturers, because it seems to be a potential source for lots of low-frequency buffeting, and it should be fairly easy to solve with some type of padding.  

In the meantime, there's the Windjammer II.  I've been aware of the Windjammer for some time, and I finally got around to ordering one to try.  I'm glad I did -- it fits over the bottom of almost any helmet and prevents drafts and noise. 

The inside of the Windjammer II has about a 50mm (2") wide section of some type of sticky substance that grips the helmet.  Proline Sports claims that it can be moved from helmet to helmet or repositioned, and I've been able to do this successfully, but I'm not sure how long the sticky material will last.

It's a bit of a trick to pull the material tight around the bottom of the helmet; it's a lot easier to install if there's someone nearby who can hold the helmet upside-down for you while you stretch the material over the bottom. 

Once the Windjammer II is installed, it stays securely attached to the helmet, and there should be no need for any further adjustments until it's removed.  The photo to the left shows the Windjammer II as it is installed on my OGK FF-4 helmet.  The product doesn't negatively affect the feel or performance of any helmet that I've tried it on in any way.

The Windjammer II has 6 small vents in the front (under the chin) and back, but I'm not sure they have much functionality.  Helmets seem to have a tendency to fog up a bit more when the Windjammer II is installed, probably due to the blocking of any outside air other than from the helmet's vents. 

Another interesting effect is that the Windjammer II seems to help make helmet vents work more efficiently.  I could even feel air coming through the vents on a couple of helmets where I never thought the vents actually did anything.  Either that, or maybe the vented air is more noticeable because it's not affected by buffeting coming from under the helmet without a Windjammer II installed.

The Windjammer II is made of a thin neoprene material with some elastic along the bottom.  Once installed, the head entry hole stretches wide enough to make it easy to don the helmet. 

With the Windjammer II installed and the helmet on, the opening is small enough to just about touch my neck, but it's completely unnoticeable when I'm wearing the helmet.  The neoprene is very soft, so it shouldn't bother even the most sensitive faces. 

The Windjammer II really does make a dramatic difference by decreasing the ambient noise level.  I tried it on a couple of helmets to the same effect.  It's designed to be used with full-face helmets, but I suppose it could be used successfully with a flip-up helmet.  It probably would have to be removed each time the visor was flipped up.  

The entire sales and ordering process from Proline Sports was first rate.  U.S.A. customers shouldn't have any worries about ordering from the Proline Sports website in the U.K.  

I received an immediate email confirmation and my package was delivered in less than one week, which is more than I can say for some U.S.-based retailers.  If your order is more than £20.00, shipping is free!  Proline Sports ships worldwide, and they offer a variety of neoprene and other cold weather riding gear, such as underwear, vests, Balaclavas and more.

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►Reader Comments and Owner Feedback

From "G.B." (2/10):  "I bought one a couple of months ago.  It reduced the noise level of every one of my helmets I've used it on: Shoei X-11, Arai Corsair, OGK FF5, and my Akuma carbon fiber.

I have moved it from helmet to helmet with no loss in stickiness, but I'm ordering one for each helmet so that I don't have to.  I'm also ordering one for a friend.

I haven't used one in the summer heat yet so I can't attest to the difference in heat levels inside the helmet, if any.  But as a noise reducer, it's great. I hate the rumble from helmets and think the manufacturers need to address it in their designs.  I don't wear earplugs any longer!"

From "M.B." (10/09):  "I bought one of these three seasons ago, in the fall. I tried it on my HJC CL-SP helmet, and while using it, the noise levels went up on my naked bike, and on my fully faired bike, the visor fogged too easily.  I had to leave the visor cracked almost all the time, which defeated its purpose.

The Jammer was put away, and then this year I remembered that I had it.  I had both a new bike and a new helmet- a Shoei TZR and a V-Strom with a short windshield on it.  With this combination, the wind blocker works great. It cuts the noise level considerably, blocks cold air from coming into the helmet, and does not make the visor fog, (as the lower chin vent keeps the visor clear- the air from the short windshield hits just above my neck).  I have been using it for the last 2000 miles this fall.  Surprisingly, when it the temperature got warmer on a few days, the helmet did not feel much hotter with the Jammer on.

The only problem is that the sticky stuff is not sticking well anymore.  I had stored the Jammer in a zip-lock baggie for almost 18 months after my first experience.  It sticks enough to stay on the helmet, but I do have to adjust it every ride. I am going to order another one though, as I like it."

From "K.Q.":  "Just a comment about the Windjammer II for your readers.  I bought one about 2 weeks ago on the rave reviews from webBikeWorld and elsewhere.  I was tired of replacing the Shoei Chin Curtain that fits my Shoei X-Eleven...it would always come apart from all the on-off cycles during the winter.  Figured the Windjammer might work better.

But unfortunately it barely goes on my XXL helmet, and in order to get my head through the Windjammer I have to push/cram the helmet down over my head...hard on my neck.  In addition it makes access to the helmet straps awkward, blocking the Shoei "clip" that keeps the strap end attached to the D-rings.

Also, on my Burgman 650 Executive (stock) the noise levels went *up* in the helmet (seems to *cause* "helmet boom") as well as it directs air uncomfortably around my neck.  Oddly, the little Shoei Chin Curtain works better in the airflow and noise department.

Given other folks' rave reviews, I chalk it up to "don't mess with what isn't broken"--the X-Eleven works best as-is.  I'll just keep paying the $15+ a year for Shoei-branded chin curtains.  Love your reviews otherwise, keep up the good work!"