Wind Buffeting on Street Glide - Solved
anyone with a WHITE GOLD PEARL SG with the Fairing louvers ? wondering what the look like on the white fairing ?
reading the whole post - some say it helps, some say do differance.... why no consistancy ? does it or not help with the wind buffing ?
reading the whole post - some say it helps, some say do differance.... why no consistancy ? does it or not help with the wind buffing ?
For example, when I ride my Sporty (no wind protection) with my big ol' Arai Classic open face and goggles I can't go over 45 mph because my vision gets extremely blurry. Same helmet, but remove the goggles it still buffets a little. I think it's the shape in front, it's a big fat "Gazzo" helmet and acts like a parachute.
Same bike with my vintage open face helmet no buffeting what so ever, but add goggles and it buffets a little, not to the point that my vision blurs though.
Today I rode my '03 E-Glide with a newly installed 4" windshield, and my new low profile Mustang Daytripper seat. I was wearing my vintage helmet, and large sunglasses. Above 55mph the buffeting is pretty bad to the point of blurred vision.
I'm going to borrow my buddies half helmet to see if it makes any difference. If it doesn't, I'll reinstall the batwing wind deflectors that were on the bike when I bought it (just don't like the look), if that doesn't work I'll reinstall the lower fairings that came with it too (I removed them because the paint doesn't match, and they have no inserts).
I was pretty bummed today to discover this, I don't want to put the stock windshield back on
For reference I'm 5'9" with a 30" inseam, and long knuckle draggin' arms. At least the seat helped with the foot plant and bar reach. With the stock seat I had to tip toe, and the bars felt too close. I should add that I lowered the bike 2" too.
Last edited by Johnny Wolf; Feb 7, 2010 at 11:21 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,005
Likes: 53
From: ID Ho
I solved the buffeting problem 3 years ago, I cut my stock SG shield down to 2" wind hits you straight on now and no updraft around the bottom of the fairing.
Another cure is Klock Werks new 3 1/2" sheild, put one on a buddies bike and it was a huge improvement over the stock 4"
Another cure is Klock Werks new 3 1/2" sheild, put one on a buddies bike and it was a huge improvement over the stock 4"
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 294
Likes: 0
From: Powderly TEXAS
Have any of you checked out the new Harley windshield that resembles a Klockwerks with the curves at the top and sides? It is finally in the catalog but I cannot tell from the photo if it is curved like the Klockwerks at the top of the windshield. It is a little bit cheaper than the KW one.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 7
From: The Great Northwest
Yeah, the fork baffle doesn't so a lot for rider wind buffetting, but I think it does help to deflect a little extra cooling air onto the twins.
Stage I
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: GA
Does anyone know if there is a difference in function between the fixed fairing air deflectors compared to the adjustable ones? I have seen a lot about adjusting them to cool the bike does that mean the fixed deflectors stop that much wind.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 62
Likes: 1
From: North Carolina
To any of you out there that feel like Alex Van Halen is playing a drum solo on your head at certain speeds, read on...
I purchased a new to me 2008 SG about 6 weeks and 1,200 miles ago. Love it! It came with an 8' windshield. (not sure the brand but it's tinted black along the bottom and clear on top. No recurve.) For what it's worth, I am 6' tall, 34 inseam, wear a half helmet and probably slouch more than I should.
Anyway, it has been fine at most speeds but between about 50 and 60, the drum solo begins. It's so violent that I could barely focus on street signs or anything. Not too safe not to mention I can't afford any brain damage, I have enough screws lose as it is.
Faster than that it smoothed out and under was not so violent, but still there.
As folks have suggested, I used my hand to determine where the worst of it was coming from. I determined that the windshield was tall enough, in fact I could probably go an inch shorter or may drop a few inches and get a recurve type. The nasty stuff was coming from under the fairing.
I tried the fork baffle thing and didn't notice any difference at all. Would have sent it back but it is chrome and does look nice so it can stay.
Next I install the fairing air deflectors. Ahhh... Buffeting is gone. I've done about 100 miles of all different speeds and it's awesome. The way this bike should ride IMHO. I got the adjustable ones so on hot days I can let more air through but even with the vents open, the buffeting is much better.
I actually noticed I was going a lot faster than normal since it was so smooth. I had to keep a close eye on the speedo until I got used to it.
Typical disclaimer, worked for me, YMMV, yada-yada-yada.
Ride safe!
I purchased a new to me 2008 SG about 6 weeks and 1,200 miles ago. Love it! It came with an 8' windshield. (not sure the brand but it's tinted black along the bottom and clear on top. No recurve.) For what it's worth, I am 6' tall, 34 inseam, wear a half helmet and probably slouch more than I should.
Anyway, it has been fine at most speeds but between about 50 and 60, the drum solo begins. It's so violent that I could barely focus on street signs or anything. Not too safe not to mention I can't afford any brain damage, I have enough screws lose as it is.
Faster than that it smoothed out and under was not so violent, but still there.As folks have suggested, I used my hand to determine where the worst of it was coming from. I determined that the windshield was tall enough, in fact I could probably go an inch shorter or may drop a few inches and get a recurve type. The nasty stuff was coming from under the fairing.
I tried the fork baffle thing and didn't notice any difference at all. Would have sent it back but it is chrome and does look nice so it can stay.
Next I install the fairing air deflectors. Ahhh... Buffeting is gone. I've done about 100 miles of all different speeds and it's awesome. The way this bike should ride IMHO. I got the adjustable ones so on hot days I can let more air through but even with the vents open, the buffeting is much better.
I actually noticed I was going a lot faster than normal since it was so smooth. I had to keep a close eye on the speedo until I got used to it.
Typical disclaimer, worked for me, YMMV, yada-yada-yada.
Ride safe!
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,153
Likes: 42
From: AZ
With the adjustable on hot days you can adjust them to allow more air to reach you. I wouldn't buy fixed wings unless I lived in an area that doesn't have really hot summers. I see over 100 d egree temps here almost daily through summer here.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window
Verdad Gallardo
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
Novice
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Denver
I put the fork leg chrome air deflectors on my SG in 2009 to eliminate the problem. Harley didn't make them to fit but found a set on e-bay.
Worked so good I put a set on my new Ultra Limited. Harley says they won't work with lowers but I haven't had a problem. Buffeting is gone.
Worked so good I put a set on my new Ultra Limited. Harley says they won't work with lowers but I haven't had a problem. Buffeting is gone.