Helmet Buffeting
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 269
Likes: 12
From: Carrollton Texas
I’m 6’3” with 32”inseam. Ride an FLHXS. LRS 11” Javelin fixed problem for me. Not a fan of look on Street Glide so also use 8.5” Klock Werks. KW causes wind to hit just at hairline, LRS up and over the head. Hope this helps.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 605
Likes: 96
From: SW Colorado
I'm 6' 3" w/ a 32" inseam and I ride with a 1/2 helmet On my 2018 FLTHK, I replaced the stock windshield with the HD batwing fairing 15 in. windshield No buffeting. Even when I'm riding in 45 deg. weather, I don't need to wear a face mask.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 1,985
From: Cleveland Zoo
Phil,
I've tried EVERYTHING available to stop helmet buffeting. Read the other threads on the subject first before wasting more money experimenting. I can tell you for sure, the two things that do the most to reduce buffeting are a properly sized recurve windshield and lower leg wind deflectors (fangs).
Good luck,
Mike
I've tried EVERYTHING available to stop helmet buffeting. Read the other threads on the subject first before wasting more money experimenting. I can tell you for sure, the two things that do the most to reduce buffeting are a properly sized recurve windshield and lower leg wind deflectors (fangs).
Good luck,
Mike
Banned
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 936
Likes: 21
From: Paying taxes in New York State
I will admit that I didn't read all the responses, but this could be the best $30 you spend to reduce buffeting -https://www.harley-davidson.com/store/front-fork-air-baffle. I had one on my 08 SG and on my 2012 Limited. Air coming up from underneath also causes buffeting.
I have a 2012 FLHTK and am having problems with buffeting that I believe is coming from over the top of the standard windshield. I am a tall person, about 6' 2" and sit fairly tall thanks to the rider backrest. Here is what I have tried so far:
1. The stock 12" shield and I get some buffeting.
2. A LRS 11" recurve and get some buffeting and look right through the top edge of the shield. It is tinted and I find that I prefer the clear shield.
3. A LRS 10" recurve and I look over it Like I am suppose to and the buffeting is the worst of all of these shields so far.
LRS gave me a good discount on a 14" recurve that I am going to try to see if looking through their shield helps the buffeting.
I additionally have a 13 inch non curved shield from EBay on order to see how that works. Cheap but may be effective.
I wear a 3/4 helmet all the time I ride as years ago I went down fairly hard and the helmet saved my head from serious injury. I do not ride without a skid lid.
Anyone else my size height wise have good luck with a shield that stops the buffeting on a batwing fairing? I had a 15 inch Harley tall shield years ago on the 09 Ultra I had at that time and it was pretty good, however I prefer not to look through a shield, but I may have no choice but to go back to the 15 inch shield.
Has anyone tried a small shield, like 3 or 4 inch and does that put you in a steady wind or is that not good either for someone my height?
And I see they make deflectors now for the glides with lower fairings too, however I think the most turbulent air is coming over the top of the shields I have, not from below.
Thanks a lot in advance for your replies and suggestions!
Phil
1. The stock 12" shield and I get some buffeting.
2. A LRS 11" recurve and get some buffeting and look right through the top edge of the shield. It is tinted and I find that I prefer the clear shield.
3. A LRS 10" recurve and I look over it Like I am suppose to and the buffeting is the worst of all of these shields so far.
LRS gave me a good discount on a 14" recurve that I am going to try to see if looking through their shield helps the buffeting.
I additionally have a 13 inch non curved shield from EBay on order to see how that works. Cheap but may be effective.
I wear a 3/4 helmet all the time I ride as years ago I went down fairly hard and the helmet saved my head from serious injury. I do not ride without a skid lid.
Anyone else my size height wise have good luck with a shield that stops the buffeting on a batwing fairing? I had a 15 inch Harley tall shield years ago on the 09 Ultra I had at that time and it was pretty good, however I prefer not to look through a shield, but I may have no choice but to go back to the 15 inch shield.
Has anyone tried a small shield, like 3 or 4 inch and does that put you in a steady wind or is that not good either for someone my height?
And I see they make deflectors now for the glides with lower fairings too, however I think the most turbulent air is coming over the top of the shields I have, not from below.
Thanks a lot in advance for your replies and suggestions!
Phil
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1,030
Likes: 80
From: Newburyport, MA
For my previous 15' limited, the coorect windshield, fork fangs(like others have mentioned) plus the Kuryakyn Lower Triple Tree Wind Deflector helped quite a bit. I was actualy pretty amazed just how much they all helped with buffeting. The Kuyakyn defelector really helped with the wind coming through the forks, over the tank and into my face/head.
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 143
Likes: 21
From: SE Ohio
I will admit that I didn't read all the responses, but this could be the best $30 you spend to reduce buffeting -https://www.harley-davidson.com/store/front-fork-air-baffle. I had one on my 08 SG and on my 2012 Limited. Air coming up from underneath also causes buffeting.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 172
Likes: 16
From: Tennessee
I will admit that I didn't read all the responses, but this could be the best $30 you spend to reduce buffeting -https://www.harley-davidson.com/store/front-fork-air-baffle. I had one on my 08 SG and on my 2012 Limited. Air coming up from underneath also causes buffeting.
Hi Sal!,
Ordered one today as you and some others here made a recommendation on the front fork air deflector. Additionally, I have been looking for you to thank you again for the shift lever that you sent me. Worked great and you are a honest man and man of your word!!!
Thanks again,
Phil
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 1,466
From: Charleston, SC
How you sit in the saddle, slouched or back-straight as a board, determines a lot too. The height of the seat you use will also determine how high you sit. And of course, the height AND width of the windshield matters.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 172
Likes: 16
From: Tennessee
Phil,
I've tried EVERYTHING available to stop helmet buffeting. Read the other threads on the subject first before wasting more money experimenting. I can tell you for sure, the two things that do the most to reduce buffeting are a properly sized recurve windshield and lower leg wind deflectors (fangs).
Good luck,
Mike
I've tried EVERYTHING available to stop helmet buffeting. Read the other threads on the subject first before wasting more money experimenting. I can tell you for sure, the two things that do the most to reduce buffeting are a properly sized recurve windshield and lower leg wind deflectors (fangs).
Good luck,
Mike
Hi Mike,
I read in another thread that you used shorter chrome lower leg wind deflectors. Are you still using them and do you have a part number for them? Where can a person purchase a set of them? Are they made for an Ultra / touring bike or do you have to modify them?
Thanks again,
Phil
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23,399
Likes: 8,509
From: Spartan Country, Michigan
i have yet to see the simple check mentioned. I had buffeting on my street glide. I placed my arm across my chest when I had buffeting, that stopped it. A simple check to see if you are getting air underneath the fairing/windshield/etc. I see the diagram showing wind flow.
this is a simple check.... next time you have buffeting, hold your left arm across your chest horizontally.... if the buffeting stops, you have air coming up from below. Save your money on trying different solutions until you try this!!!
Oh yeah.... I put the fugly fangs on....they are ugly, I hate them, but I have no buffeting!!!
this is a simple check.... next time you have buffeting, hold your left arm across your chest horizontally.... if the buffeting stops, you have air coming up from below. Save your money on trying different solutions until you try this!!!
Oh yeah.... I put the fugly fangs on....they are ugly, I hate them, but I have no buffeting!!!