FXDF and problems with buffeting
Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
FXDF and problems with buffeting
Hi,
Just got my first long weekend of riding my FXDF that I bought new this winter. Bike is sooo smooth and easy to ride. Love it_
However, yesterday I was riding into a 20 MPH wind and at 65 MPH I started getting shaking so bad it was scary. 5 minutes earlier with the wind 80 MPH was like riding on glass.
Have the standard height HD windshield and thought I had read a while back someone else having this problem. Is the buffeting being caused by the windshield? Can a full face helmet cause this? Anyone has some ideas I would appreciate the feedback.
Dan
Just got my first long weekend of riding my FXDF that I bought new this winter. Bike is sooo smooth and easy to ride. Love it_
However, yesterday I was riding into a 20 MPH wind and at 65 MPH I started getting shaking so bad it was scary. 5 minutes earlier with the wind 80 MPH was like riding on glass.
Have the standard height HD windshield and thought I had read a while back someone else having this problem. Is the buffeting being caused by the windshield? Can a full face helmet cause this? Anyone has some ideas I would appreciate the feedback.
Dan
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 665
Likes: 1
From: North Yorkshire
I have the standard windshield and get a little buffetting at around 80 also, but not to the effect you seem to be getting it. How high do you have it? Ideally the top of the windshield should be level with the tip of your nose. I have seen pics on here of people who drop the shields so low that they are covering the lights in order to avoid buffetting. You need to play around with different heights to see which one works best for you. If you need to drop it lower and don't like it covering the lights then you will need to have it cut down.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 665
Likes: 1
From: North Yorkshire
Basically it is turbulence off the windshield, to buffet means to strike forcefully or batter, ever been in a tent when the wind is rippling it hard, well that is what it feels like inside your helmet. It also has a large subjective part to it, some people can tolerate it better than others. It has the power to drive men mad 
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,606
Likes: 2
From: Denver, Colorado
I had a windshield on my old Sporty and on my current bike. Either I've never had a problem or I just don;t notice it when it happens.
If you mean the bars are shaking and stuff, then no, never happened to me.
If you mean the bars are shaking and stuff, then no, never happened to me.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 3
From: Vancouver, BC
Hi,
Just got my first long weekend of riding my FXDF that I bought new this winter. Bike is sooo smooth and easy to ride. Love it_
However, yesterday I was riding into a 20 MPH wind and at 65 MPH I started getting shaking so bad it was scary. 5 minutes earlier with the wind 80 MPH was like riding on glass.
Have the standard height HD windshield and thought I had read a while back someone else having this problem. Is the buffeting being caused by the windshield? Can a full face helmet cause this? Anyone has some ideas I would appreciate the feedback.
Dan
Just got my first long weekend of riding my FXDF that I bought new this winter. Bike is sooo smooth and easy to ride. Love it_
However, yesterday I was riding into a 20 MPH wind and at 65 MPH I started getting shaking so bad it was scary. 5 minutes earlier with the wind 80 MPH was like riding on glass.
Have the standard height HD windshield and thought I had read a while back someone else having this problem. Is the buffeting being caused by the windshield? Can a full face helmet cause this? Anyone has some ideas I would appreciate the feedback.
Dan
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
It just sounds like you hit some gusty crosswinds. Because sometimes it's smooth as glass and sometimes there's buffeting I don't think any kind of adjustment will help. The buffeting effect is amplified by your wind shield. No windshield no buffeting.
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Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Thanks to you all. Lowered the shield today as far as it will go and it was an improvement. My son says I am just a wimp - he is an ***. LOL Anyway, I don't like the buffeting when it gets extreme - wimp or not. In MN - you don't dare ride w/o shield - rocks and salt and sand in spring - BUGS the rest of the summer and Bees in the fall.
Advanced
Joined: May 2008
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I had the same problem a while back. I also couldn't tolerate the buffeting. Ofcourse its much less if you're wearing a half or 3/4 helmet than a full face. However, i always use full face helmets on longer rides, so that didn't solve my problem. Until someone here suggested a tool bag on the forks. It's easy to adjust the position of the tool bag to minimize buffeting. And it actually helps alot. Since it prevents the air coming up from underneath the windshield, and after testing it i found that it's actually that air that causes the buffeting. Try holding your arm across your chest just under the edge of your full face helmet, when cruising at the speed where you get the wind buffeting, and you'll know what i mean. The tool bag prevents this air from passing. Let us know how u resolve this issue? I'm always open to more creative ideas.