The sound comfort of a helmet motorcycle does not depend solely on the thickness or quality of the internal foams.
It relies on two complementary parameters:
- Aerodynamic performance: how the helmet interacts with moving air
- Soundproofing: the quality, design, and arrangement of internal foams and textiles
At SHARK Helmets, each helmet is designed, tested, and optimized in a wind tunnel to find the best balance between stability, aerodynamic performance, and acoustic comfort.
Master the Flow: understanding aerodynamics in a wind tunnel
The aerodynamic performance of a helmet is mainly measured using three key parameters, analyzed during wind tunnel tests (Newton Lab):
1. Drag (air resistance)
Drag corresponds to the force that air opposes to the helmet as it moves forward.
→ The lower the drag, the less the air pushes the head of the rider backwards.
This resistance force generates muscle fatigue in the neck, especially at high speed, and also acts as an aerodynamic brake. In competition as on the road, controlled drag improves comfort and stability.
2. Lift (vertical lift)
Lift is the vertical force exerted by air on the helmet, which tends to lift it or press it on the head of the rider.
→ Well-controlled lift gives a sensation of a lighter and more stable helmet.
This phenomenon is comparable to that observed on the wings of an airplane. Excessive or poorly controlled lift can generate parasitic movements and instability.
3. Cx (drag coefficient)
The Cx measures the overall aerodynamic efficiency of the helmet.
→ The lower the Cx, the more the helmet has an efficient aerodynamic profile and generates less turbulence.
A low Cx promotes a smooth airflow around the cap, limiting aerodynamic disturbances and associated noise.
4. Turbulence and turbulence
Roughness, screens, vents, sharp edges, or surface breaks disrupt the airflow.
These turbulences are the cause of aerodynamic noise.
Conversely, a helmet that is too round can cause, at high speed, an oscillation of the head of the rider: this is known as buffeting or resonance phenomenon.
The movable flaps of the AERON GP have, for example, been specifically designed to limit these oscillation effects.
Similarly, the Skwal Cup and the AERON GP, designed for performance, show excellent results in drag and lift, offering a stable and smooth experience at high speed.
An aerodynamically well-designed helmet limits turbulences, noise, and fatigue, while improving stability.
Flip-back: a mastered aerodynamics, open as closed
On the helmets Modular SHARK, the Flip-back system plays a key role:
it allows optimized management of airflow, both in closed and open configuration.
Result:
- less parasitic turbulences,
- stability maintained,
- and a healthy aerodynamic base for acoustic work.
Mastering acoustics: when aerodynamics becomes silence
Newton Lab tests demonstrated a direct correlation between aerodynamic performance and acoustic performance, with noise being measured in dBA (A-weighting, conforming to human ear perception)
The lower the dBA value, the quieter and more comfortable the helmet.
Measurements show that some helmets SHARK reach:
- sound levels below 80 dBA at 100 km/h,
- with sound energy that can be up to almost 10 times lower than that of competing helmets, depending on the tested configurations (angle, speed, position).
These benchmarks are deliberately aligned with the standards used by market experts to allow for objective comparative reading.
For example, at 130 km/h, the Spartan GT Pro and Spartan RS record the lowest sound pressure levels in the range.
Why a more aerodynamic helmet is also quieter
The noise perceived inside a helmet mainly comes from:
- of the airflow around the outer shell,
- turbulence generated by the shoulders, visor, screen, and asperities,
- internal acoustic vibrations.
Thanks to numerical simulations and wind tunnel tests, SHARK optimizes:
- the shape of the shells,
- the management of airflow,
- and aerodynamic stability.
This performance is then validated by combined Drag / Lift / dBA measurements in an aerodynamic tunnel
On recent models like the Spartan GT Pro or the OXO, this approach has allowed:
- a measured reduction in noise level,
- fewer whistling sounds,
- less vibration,
- and lasting acoustic comfort, even at high speed.
The lining: internal acoustics at the heart of silence
To counter the acoustic effects of turbulence and thus the noise generated, SHARK constantly works on the design of its textiles and internal foams. Aerodynamics alone is not enough.
Textiles and foams
Newton Lab tests show that acoustics do not depend solely on aerodynamics, but also on the design of the internal foams.
The foams used in our helmets including that of the OXO rely on different compositions and density levels, carefully selected according to the areas of the helmet.
These foams consist of more or less open cells, which act as true acoustic barriers by capturing and dissipating noise.
Result:
- better ambient noise insulation,
- a reduction of the most tiring frequencies for the ear, particularly in the midrange (critical areas between 130 and 580 Hz),
- lasting auditory comfort, even over long distances.
An invisible but essential technology, for riding longer with less fatigue
Peripheral sealing
Air tightness is also essential, particularly at the neck guard level, which is designed to isolate the rider as much as possible from turbulence between the shoulders and the base of the helmet.
A quieter helmet is also a safer helmet
Beyond comfort, soundproofing directly contributes to safety:
- less noise = less auditory fatigue,
- better concentration = faster reactions,
- intercom clearer communication.
In summary
SHARK designs its helmets with an acoustic requirement directly derived from the world of competition, to offer controlled silence, without compromising on performance.
The soundproofing of a motorcycle helmet is not random: it is the result of advanced engineering work combining aerodynamics, acoustics, and ergonomics.
Thanks to our expertise and wind tunnel tests, SHARK now offers some of the most stable and quiet helmets on the market
