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I took the plunge and purchased a used 2016 Ultra Limited with just over 1000 miles. I think I paid a fair price and I think I received a good bike.
Except that this "touring" bike is all but unridable at speeds above about 50 or so mph. The wind buffeting is so bad that I cannot read the road signs or focus on the road ahead. And I am not a small guy, 270 lbs, 19 inch neck, etc. and I cannot control my eye and my head shake. The bike performs as it should other than this. I am ready to drive it into the ocean and leave it to the fishes or go get a bike I can ride.
I don't understand why Honda, Yamaha, Kawasaki can build touring bikes that you can actually ride out the their dealerships and onto the highway without issues and without adding any parts to make their bikes rideable. And yes I have owned all three of these manufacturers' bikes, including a Goldwing and various sport bikes and dirt bikes.
This isn't my first HD, it is my 10th. I had a 2007 Street Glide, 2 Road Kings, and a 2010 Ultra Classic. Those bikes were fine-no wind buffeting, etc. at any speed. This one is the terrible. I have a FJR 1300ES that sits next to my Limited. It has no issues with wind or anything else at any speed, up to the 120 or so mph I have had it up to. No shakes, no wobbles, nothing. Just a smooth and very long power curve. I understand that the Limited is a different bike, but shouldn't a touring bike be able to handle highway speeds without causing brain trauma (yes, I exaggerate, but it is bad).
I can't say I hate the Limited, but close. It is a bar hopper at best. I want to ride the bike to further than the grocery store or local pub.
I have read extensively on the wind issues. And I tried the HD Windsplitter 10", It didn't help much.
Any thoughts, or am I destined to sell this bike and get tourer that I can tour with.
Go to your local HD dealer that has the windshield loaner program and try some different ones. I have the same ride with the high 16 shield. Zero head buffeting.
And same body size as you.
You didn't mention if you're wearing a helmet or not. Also, how tall are you? Were your other bikes stock?
There are a lot of us who have dealt with buffeting. We're all different and I don't think you can reasonably expect all motorcycles are going to fit all people, especially in stock form. There are, of course, many different windshields and I'll bet there is one out there that will help alleviate much of the buffeting you are experiencing. Even then, I hope you don't expect not to have some buffeting. After all, you're on a motorcycle. If you do decide to drive it into the ocean, be sure to wear a life vest.
Its probably the shield. I've can ride my 16 Limited all day long, zero issues. I ditched my stock shield, simply because I didn't like looking through it. I went with a shorter LRS.
I'm 5'10". I use a 8" LRS shield but the magic answer was the Baker Windblockers I installed. I only have one eye so I have to have my head almost perfectly still to focus. I ride 18-30,000 miles every year.
I'll call bs on other brands not having turbulence behind the shield. The 1800 Wing was terrible from 40mph up without Baker or other brand wind management products. I put a couple hundred thousand miles on them.
Maybe just sell the POS and move on if it doesn't do what you expect! Doubt the turbulence is coming from the shield but from under the fairing.
I had some head bobbing on my '15 till I put a LRS shield with the flip on the top of it. Now its a nice calm ride. Your Helmet will also effect the head shake.
funny I see ultra limiteds on the interstate loaded down, all of the time. I'm sure they are not bar hopping so they must be touring. my 2016 street glide has toured quite a bit. it's very capable ,is it goldwing or BMW quiet and smooth, hell no it's a Harley it's not supposed to be, but it is comfortable and very capable. good luck with what ever you do
I maximize wind protection/buffeting from fork fangs(JES Custom Accents), Kuryakyn triple tree wind deflector and the correct windshield(Freedom touring windshield for example). Hopefully you can get the bike dialed in to your liking. Good luck!
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