Buffetting is driving me insane

[WingNoob]

So, I've been riding the new bike for a couple of weeks and I'm getting pretty frustrated.

The wind protection on this bike is the worst I've ever experienced. There doesn't seem to be any smooth airflow anywhere in or around the cockpit. My 2007 KLR650 has less turbulence. FYI, I'm 6'4" with 34" inseam.

My '97 has an OEM vented screen and it's basically useless for me. At the lower positions I get vicious buffeting, like my head is in a Home Depot paint can shaker. When I raise the screen it helps to soften the buffeting a bit, but the back pressure in the cockpit is a big problem with the wind actually pushing me FORWARD towards the screen and bouncing my head around in a very tiring way.

I borrowed a Puig adjustable air-foil that clamps onto the top of the screen to provide extra height and adjustable angle (https://puigusa.com/en/tuning-motos/vis ... onsivetab2.

It helps, but in order to get rid of most of the buffeting I need to raise the shield all the way and put the Puig in a raised, upright position as well. This means I'm looking through the Puig and the top of the OEM screen is right in my eye-line. Very annoying and possibly dangerous in rainy/buggy conditions.

The bike also came with Air Wings (2 piece deflectors mounted on the lower fairing). They're great for getting air and staying cool, but whenever I turn them to direct air towards me, the buffeting goes crazy.

It seems that I may be stuck looking through the windscreen, which I REALLY don't want to do. I'm considering removing the windscreen entirely and seeing what that does. Anyone have any experience running with short screens?

Sorry for the ranty nature of the post. I just got back from a long ride and I'm rather annoyed... Basically I'm looking for any suggestions on improving the airflow without resorting to a tall, look-through windscreen.

Cheers

[CrystalPistol]

Even with the vent open? … or have you tried that? I found that opening the vent a little relieves the low pressure behind the windshield which reduces the air being pulled inward after coming over/past the windshield.

There are some foam tunnel fillers too that fit around the fork tubes in the tunnel.

[Bigbiker0]

to avoid wind buffering on a bike try to seat on a car.

[AZgl1800]

different windscreens can make all the difference in how much air you get in your face.

On the 1500s and my current 1800, they all had Tulsa Tall which totally did away with wind buffeting, to the point that I melted from summer heat..... had to add Baker Air Wings in order to get some air on me....

I have since done away with that and 2 other brands I tried, and now use the Madstad, which is totally amazing in its' ability to "fit all requirements". It can be pushed way down low and still keep the wind stream above your head, or you can change the tilt angle and get lots of air in your face.

the Madstad is available for a lot of different bikes, and for Goldwings, gl1200, gl1500, gl1800
https://cyclemax.com/inc/searchresults? ... ad&n=31222

[WingNoob]

to avoid wind buffering on a bike try to seat on a car.

Gee, thanks

[WingNoob]

different windscreens can make all the difference in how much air you get in your face.

On the 1500s and my current 1800, they all had Tulsa Tall which totally did away with wind buffeting, to the point that I melted from summer heat..... had to add Baker Air Wings in order to get some air on me....

I have since done away with that and 2 other brands I tried, and now use the Madstad, which is totally amazing in its' ability to "fit all requirements". It can be pushed way down low and still keep the wind stream above your head, or you can change the tilt angle and get lots of air in your face.

the Madstad is available for a lot of different bikes, and for Goldwings, gl1200, gl1500, gl1800
https://cyclemax.com/inc/searchresults? ... ad&n=31222

I'm with you on the MadStad. I have one on my KLR and it's great. The problem is that I'd be looking at close to $500 CDN to get one for the wing. I never really planned on keeping the bike very long or investing much into modding it. I was going to use it on a month-long long distance trek this summer and then sell it (at least that was the plan before our friend COVID showed up and put everything on hold). I'd never get that money back when I go to re-sell the bike.

Well, the good news is that since my travel plans for this summer are pretty much screwed I've got plenty of time to figure out my next move.

[Swagonmaster]

That Tulsa Tall isn't super adjustable but it is tall, might be enough and cheaper.

[Happytrails]

Your just a tall rider and your head is right in that turbulence even with the windshield up there. The top of the windshield is probably around the height of you chin or throat? It should be around the bridge of your nose. Sounds like your trying the right things, one of those extenders might work or you could get a taller windshield.

I get helmet buffeting on my Ural for the same reason, the windshield is about an inch too low. Its a little annoying but I just tuck my head a little if it gets bad. Its not a highway cruiser, more of a 2 lane ride. But then again thats mostly what I ride on my goldwing.

Good luck sorting it out

[WingNoob]

Your just a tall rider and your head is right in that turbulence even with the windshield up there. The top of the windshield is probably around the height of you chin or throat? It should be around the bridge of your nose. Sounds like your trying the right things, one of those extenders might work or you could get a taller windshield.

I get helmet buffeting on my Ural for the same reason, the windshield is about an inch too low. Its a little annoying but I just tuck my head a little if it gets bad. Its not a highway cruiser, more of a 2 lane ride. But then again thats mostly what I ride on my goldwing.

Good luck sorting it out

Problem is that at full height the windscreen IS right at the bridge of my nose. If I use the extender that I have it raises it about 3 inches and reduces the buffeting considerably. It also means that I'm looking through the screen, which just isn't acceptable to me. The problem with the stock screen is the angle, not the height. If I scoot forward about 10" until I'm basically sitting on the radio, I get a nice clean flow of air even with the screen in it's lowest position so I know it's possible to get what I want.

I'm 99% sure that the MadStad screen is the way to go but I'm just balking at the price.

[Viking]

Hold off till the border opens and ride to Cyclemax (Ohio) and get the windshield for $385 Canadian ($260 US) or maybe even less if our dollar gets a bit stronger. Install it there and ride home. Nice day trip from the GTA.

Yeah, I know. Not an ideal solution, but it is one solution.

Oh - and if you do that, go to a couple banks in T.O. and buy U.S. cash. The Canadian Border Service can access your credit cards to see if you bought anything in the U.S. when down there, so you do not want a heavy purchase to show unless you want to pay duty and taxes.

[FM-USA]

Drill a lot of small "Speed Holes" in the shield to let air filter calmly through to you?
Joking of course.

.

.

[DenverWinger]

Oh - and if you do that, go to a couple banks in T.O. and buy U.S. cash. The Canadian Border Service can access your credit cards to see if you bought anything in the U.S. when down there, so you do not want a heavy purchase to show unless you want to pay duty and taxes.

I don't know about Canada, but another option if available there might be a "Pre-Paid" Debit card. In the US you can buy them in the Grocery stores as a "Bearer Instrument", untraceable to you personally. Get one, load it up with $500 CDN, get your windshield and spend the rest on the trip. With the money gone you can dispose of the card.

[tfdeputydawg]

F4 Customs +4 tinted and vented
https://f4customs.com/windshields-for-h ... l1500.html
Baker Air Wings w/uppers
https://bakerbuiltairwings.com/proddeta ... od=1H15AWU
Baker Hand Wings
https://bakerbuiltairwings.com/proddeta ... prod=H15HW

[oakback]

I'm also 6'4". I don't want to look through my windshield because it has a lot of crazing or scratches (I'm not sure) that cause the sun to glare enough to blind me. In the lowest position the top is right at my eye level. Also I have the old version with no vent.

I'm thinking of hacking down the factory windshield to about neck level to get clean air flow and a good view. Maybe get one of those add-on extensions for long rides.

I think the only windshield I'd be very comfortable with is one that is ridiculously tall, with a vent, that's super clear.

[AZgl1800]

I'm thinking of hacking down the factory windshield to about neck level to get clean air flow and a good view. Maybe get one of those add-on extensions for long rides.

I think the only windshield I'd be very comfortable with is one that is ridiculously tall, with a vent, that's super clear.

that describes the Tulsa Tall windshields, of which I have had 3 of them.
2 on 1500s and 1 on my 1800.

my major complaint was
1: too damn hot behind the screen.
2: in the rain you are blind.

I much prefer the Madstad I have now, gives you the best of all worlds, for you, order up the largest one they offer.
You can make it just at/below eye level and the wind goes over your helmet.
or, you can make it down low and the wind still goes over your helmet.

or, you can adjust it so you get full wind force for better cooling, this can be done on the fly, do it all the time.

https://cyclemax.com/inc/searchresults? ... ad&n=31617

[Solo So Long]

Take the windshield OFF and ride it. Do you still have the buffetting? There are a lot of places that air comes off the front of the bike, maybe you're getting it from somewhere else and that's affecting the airflow at the windshield.

[CrystalPistol]

A windshield that is set or cut so that when sitting on the bike, you are looking just over the top (have someone measure eyeball height, then put a mark on a wall 20 feet in front, put tape on the windshield and mark for height) … and an opened vent that relieves the vacuum behind the wind shield works for me.

The OEM wind shield looks very vertical to me, but it turns the air up well.

[AZgl1800]

I took a ride yesterday with a friend who is nearby.

it was already 87*F when we left, and that is near my limit.
So, I lowered the Madstad to the bottom and tilted it back so the wind would be present in my face, as well as over the top of my helmet.

This allowed the helmet's upper air vent to work great, providing cooling air over my scalp.
Also, with my jacket "open" I got wind onto my body which allowed me to ride with him w/o having to complain about the heat.

we covered about 60 miles around our lake, hit the donut shops a couple of times, enjoyed the time together.

[CrystalPistol]

I took a ride yesterday with a friend who is nearby.

it was already 87*F when we left, and that is near my limit.
So, I lowered the Madstad to the bottom and tilted it back so the wind would be present in my face, as well as over the top of my helmet.

This allowed the helmet's upper air vent to work great, providing cooling air over my scalp.
Also, with my jacket "open" I got wind onto my body which allowed me to ride with him w/o having to complain about the heat.

we covered about 60 miles around our lake, hit the donut shops a couple of times, enjoyed the time together.

Power Ring Dispensories …… I enjoyed just reading that post. Second that on the 87*F, can ride hotter but the fun goes away fast. Thank you.

[wingryder]

Hi everybody,

A few years ago i placed an electrical adjustable screen from " firecreek" on my bike.
I had one sent up to the Netherlands and mounted it myself. Worked very well.
I am 6' 4 also.
The screens are available in different sizes.
On my new (2008) 1800 i mounted a screen from ergomot. That's a belgian company.
I dont know whether they still exist.
You Just Google " ergomot" and find out.

Drive safe

Greetz from Holland.

Jan

[Zxgsgl]

I feel your pain on the buffeting. I'm 6'3" and I get it on all my bikes with a larger windscreen. I have tried larger screens, spoilers on top, crouching, you name it, lol. What did work for me was to use a much smaller screen. My Goldwing is an 84, with no fairing and no buffeting. Buffeting on my BMW GS adventure was terrible until I installed a Puig racing screen which brought the turbulent air to chest level keeping my head in clean air. Sometimes less is more. Good luck

[lglamb]

Don't know about Abstab(?).

Highly recommend looking into the Air Bender. Easily look over the screen, send the buffeting above your head.

[grwsystems]

Another option is the "Taka" windshield from Long Ride Shields here in Sparks, Nevada. Our GWRRA chapter did the initial consultation and the field testing of the Taka as it was developed. It is a "recurve" windshield, with a turned up lip at the top. That recurve deflects wind much higher than any windshield without it. After we completed testing and arrived at the final design, my passenger informed me that we were not putting the stock windshield back on our 1800. The comfort level for her had increased dramatically with the Taka, so we will always have one.

[GLRT]

As crazy as this sounds, I put together a 2003 for myself last year and installed a vented windscreen. The vent does help a lot but I don't like high windscreens so I cut 1-1/2" inch off the stock windscreen to get it down out of the way. The buffeting went to near zero so it was a "stone two birds at once" modification.

[Haley]

Hi. I bought a '99 1500SE a couple of years ago and had the same annoying buffetting issue you are describing as well as the forward pushing wind at my back. I'm shorter at 5'10'' so I was looking through the windshield and not liking that either. I like looking over the windshield not through it. To hopefully cure those problems, I taped the windshield with masking tape, marked a line roughly 6" below the top edge of the windshield and then plugged in my jigsaw and cut along my line that looked like a suitable shape to me. I used the piece I cut off to make a small wind deflector which I mounted at a suitable height in the center top of my shortened windscreen. The hardware is just cheap angle brackets, bent and cut to suit for making the pieces hinge, and stainless bolts and lock nuts sourced at my local building supply store. A few adjustments on the angle of the deflector and the buffetting, forward pushing wind is gone. I can look over the windshield now, too. The wind is deflected up and over my passenger as well, so she's happy. Bonus! It was a little scarey cutting and drilling that windshield, but, hey...they make 'em every day, right?