Ztechnik windshield + new Nolan helmet trial 2

Brownwood to Alpine on the Big Bend ride and additional thoughts on the Ztechnik + Nolan combination in 25 MPH sustained wind with gusts to 35 MPH.

I adjusted the angle of the windshield a little by adding a 1/4 inch rubber spacer to the top mount and getting slightly longer screws.

While I like the windshield and the fact that it is not right in my face like the Parabellum was, the amount of wind that is hitting my shoulders and upper arms is significantly increased.

I also notice some differences with the Nolan helmet — with the side wind I felt like a bauble head doll. When we turned into the wind I felt like I had to hold on to the motorcycle to keep from being pulled off — that’s how hard the wind was striking my upper body. The muscles across my collar bones were actually fatigued from the buffeting. And my neck muscles were getting tired from my head being snapped back from the wind gusts.

The offset to this is the noise is greatly improved inside the helmet.

I started having problems with my left ear bleeding from ear plugs toward the end of the Canada trip. On the short ride down to San Antonio (10 hours round trip) it was bleeding again. I am already using children’s ear plugs, but thought they might be long enough they are touching the ear drum. I cut some ear plugs a little shorter and found them to be equally as quiet, but no pain and no bleeding.

So even with the shorter ear plugs I was still able to hear my music even when going into the head wind — with the Parabellum/Caberg helmet combination I couldn’t hear at all in high wind and head winds were completely hopeless.

So while I’m definitely getting hit with more wind on my upper body, there seems to be a great improvement in what’s hitting my helmet. Or maybe the Nolan is just quieter.

For those of you who may have read the negative report on the Nolan N-103 on adventure rider along with the guys suggested modifications — I added rubber gasket connecting the bottom and top seal and notice no difference. I love having a flip front helmet so I’m happy putting up with a little noise for the convenience. I think maybe that guy just needs to stick with full face helmets.