Turbulence and buffetting.... help me
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,032
Likes: 9
From: Alabama
RE: Turbulence and buffetting.... help me
ORIGINAL: shark2eatu
I get a lot of buffetting on the top of my helmet despite what helmet I wearing. It feels like it just shakes my helmet. If I slouch down it isn't so bad. I have an '07 RKC and I am 6'1". Any suggestions on size and type of windshield to use. I wonder if the recurve on the stock height would be enough. Help I don't want shaken baby syndrom!
I get a lot of buffetting on the top of my helmet despite what helmet I wearing. It feels like it just shakes my helmet. If I slouch down it isn't so bad. I have an '07 RKC and I am 6'1". Any suggestions on size and type of windshield to use. I wonder if the recurve on the stock height would be enough. Help I don't want shaken baby syndrom!
But when I sobered up I realized I just needed a taller windshield, so I got the 3" extended one from HD. It's 15" tall- I look through it all the time now (which doesn't bother me any more than the stock shield being right in my line of sight) but no more slouching and the buffeting was completely eliminated. In the dead of summer it works almost too well at stopping the wind, so I put a set of Dragon Wings on the batwing which provides adjustable vents to direct wind up to me. I also put the standard shield on in winter because I can see over it if it fogs up- which happens occasionally. I can't see over the top of the 15" shield even if I sit as upright as possible, so if it fogs over I go IFR- which is pretty terrifying- especially if I'm sober at the time...
[sm=alcoholic.gif]
I realize you don't have a batwing, but the principle is basically the same- try a windshield 2-3" higher than the one you have now...
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 811
Likes: 0
From: Inverness, FL
RE: Turbulence and buffetting.... help me
ORIGINAL: Bluestreet
Has anyone tryed the HD Soft Lowers? These my help some of the turbs at a lot lower price. I don't know if they work or if they're a wast of $$$.
[IMG]local://upfiles/58733/8B92D88B5A94417FB8231A1EC13F4FE2.jpg[/IMG]
Has anyone tryed the HD Soft Lowers? These my help some of the turbs at a lot lower price. I don't know if they work or if they're a wast of $$$.
[IMG]local://upfiles/58733/8B92D88B5A94417FB8231A1EC13F4FE2.jpg[/IMG]
They do reduce theupdraft slightly,andit does reduce the turbulance that rides up your legs while they areon the pegs, and they do keep you a lot warmer on cold days and dryer on wet days but only minor help with helmet buffeting. I do not have the fork center deflector or chrome fork lowers.
HD recommends you don't use them over 50 degrees, but I'll leave them on if it's cool for the morning ride to work but mid-60's coming home. The EGC is my daily commuter and I don't want to keep popping them on in the morning for the morning ride on the freeway.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 26
RE: Turbulence and buffetting.... help me
While all of the above suggestions have merit, your original post should be pointing you in the right direction. You said that depending on where you put your legs, you can change the amount of buffeting.
What does that mean? It means your legs are catching air that runs right up your leg and into your face.
First thing I would try, would be the faring edge air deflectors. I know that when I have mine on, it kicks the air out around just enough that it does not flow right up my leg and into my face when I am on the highway pegs.
The basic HD ones are only $30. I would suggest you try that first, and see if it makes a difference for you, before going after any of the more spendy fixes. The downside, IMHO, is you get a bit more "fairing wiggle" when your in dirty air, such as around a Semi.
Next up are the lower fork leg deflectors. Between those two items, (about $100) you can get rid of a lot of buffeting, IF the problem is mostly when your legs are up on your highway pegs.
I think the full on hard lowers are the best solution, but it would make sense to try the cheaper things first, before you plonk down $600.00 for those. The cheaper fixes may be enough for you.
What does that mean? It means your legs are catching air that runs right up your leg and into your face.
First thing I would try, would be the faring edge air deflectors. I know that when I have mine on, it kicks the air out around just enough that it does not flow right up my leg and into my face when I am on the highway pegs.
The basic HD ones are only $30. I would suggest you try that first, and see if it makes a difference for you, before going after any of the more spendy fixes. The downside, IMHO, is you get a bit more "fairing wiggle" when your in dirty air, such as around a Semi.
Next up are the lower fork leg deflectors. Between those two items, (about $100) you can get rid of a lot of buffeting, IF the problem is mostly when your legs are up on your highway pegs.
I think the full on hard lowers are the best solution, but it would make sense to try the cheaper things first, before you plonk down $600.00 for those. The cheaper fixes may be enough for you.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,947
Likes: 5
From: Ontario, Canada
RE: Turbulence and buffetting.... help me
Fairing lower buddy. I'm 6'3", I ride with either a 10" or an 8" shield. the buffeting is no existant on the 10" and very minor on the 8". They still look sporty IMO, but I'm sure it's the fairing lowers that make the difference. I rode my buddy's SG with an 8" and a fork baffle. Hated it, the buffeting at 60 miles an hour was no fun. I'll never own a HD touring bike, Road King included without having fairing lowers!
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Crestview, FL
RE: Turbulence and buffetting.... help me
I'm experiencing many of the afore mentiond issues and am concidering the Hard Lowers on my 08 Street glide. Does anyone have pics of a SG w/ Hard Lowers?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,947
Likes: 5
From: Ontario, Canada
RE: Turbulence and buffetting.... help me
ORIGINAL: Bluestreet
I'm experiencing many of the afore mentiond issues and am concidering the Hard Lowers on my 08 Street glide. Does anyone have pics of a SG w/ Hard Lowers?
I'm experiencing many of the afore mentiond issues and am concidering the Hard Lowers on my 08 Street glide. Does anyone have pics of a SG w/ Hard Lowers?
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Turbulence and buffetting.... help me
I think the folks at Harley design their fairings and windshields forlooks rather than function. The windshields on all of the baggers are too far forward and too upright resulting in the air pocket collapsing right about where the driver sits. I have tried numerous shield combinations; tall, short, re-curve and laminar lip. You can make it better but the buffeting is still there.
As others have said, the other problem is with air comming up from the tank. Lowers make things too hot in my area. The best solution is to ride with your legs tight against the tank but that's not comfortable on a long haul.They could probably design a tank that would help the problem but then it wouldn't look like a proper Harley.
As others have said, the other problem is with air comming up from the tank. Lowers make things too hot in my area. The best solution is to ride with your legs tight against the tank but that's not comfortable on a long haul.They could probably design a tank that would help the problem but then it wouldn't look like a proper Harley.
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RE: Turbulence and buffetting.... help me
Hey Tampa, you bring up a good point. Ever notice the design on most of the 'other' touring bikes windscreens allows for air to come up the backside of the screen? My theory is venting air behind the screen reduces the low pressure area that pulls air up from the engine/fork area, thereby reducing the turbulence. I've even considered creating an air intake above the the headlight and havingthe aircome out some slots cut in the inner fairing behind the screen. Anyone have a batwing they care to donate? 
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,282
Likes: 52
From: DFW
RE: Turbulence and buffetting.... help me
ORIGINAL: Bluestreet
I'm experiencing many of the afore mentiond issues and am concidering the Hard Lowers on my 08 Street glide. Does anyone have pics of a SG w/ Hard Lowers?
I'm experiencing many of the afore mentiond issues and am concidering the Hard Lowers on my 08 Street glide. Does anyone have pics of a SG w/ Hard Lowers?
