helmet strain/position

[R1150Rclean]

So I do not have a fairing, been ridding more and more and have started to notice my neck is getting strained. Have a Shoei X-11 helmet. What I noticed is that if I hold my head straight up my neck muscles have to work a lot, but if I lean my head forward about 10-15 degrees it takes very little work. Anyone else notice this?

[Modern_Monkey]

I just got the X-11, and I agree that it's more efficient in a slightly downward position. I'm sure it was designed this way with racers in mind. The engineers spent a ton of time going over the aerodynamics on this helmet for its intended application, and the ideal position is a racing tuck, not a sunny sunday ride with your head stretched way up.

I guess I would recommend that you go with the flow! If not, maybe your neck will get stronger!

[AirForceDirt]

quick solution: try rotating the helmet a few degrees forward on your head (ie. pull the chinbar down a bit if it not too uncomfortable). It might help a bit.

[R1150Rclean]

I am normally in a forward leaning position, but yes, I have done both and the strain really drops off (when it is in the zone, the helmet feels like it is floating). Leaning forward and tilting the helmet forward both reduce my upward field of view, but that is really not needed for ridding, just for watching a big bird fly over head or clouds in the sky

The thing I found about rotating the helmet downward is that it blocks the sun from shinning directly into my eyes.