Wind Buffeting on Street Glide - Solved
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Joined: Jul 2009
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From: New Hampshire
Wind Buffeting on Street Glide - Solved
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 Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,783
Likes: 10
From: Oh
I installed the air deflectors and noticed an improvement also. I also have opened them on hot days to get more air on me and they work. I am comtemplating putting on the lowers but, haven't pulled the plug yet. Some here will say the buffeting stays no matter what they try, they should sell and buy a cage.
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 72
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From: New Hampshire
I completely agree. I have had many bikes without fairings or windshields and didn't have any complaints at all with any of them. I'm just not convinced HD did much design research on the batwing.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 866
Likes: 2
From: Pocahontas, IL
It is about being in the wind but when you add a windscreen or fairing the wind is disrupted and not natural. I don't have any issues unless I have to wear my helmet and use the windscreen. I can't use his solution but I am going with the "somewhat ugly" chrome fork air deflectors. I would just like to enjoy riding it into Missouri for work......or they get rid of that stupid helmet law. They don't even have a law about the passenger being able to touch foot pegs........so I can take my 2 year old but I can't ride without a helmet? WTF?
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Joe Kucinski
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: NJ
Interesting....I had to switch to 7EYE goggles because my eyeballs would rattel so much from the wind through any type sunglasses that I had to seal my eyeballs off with goggles.
I've seen the air deflectors but always associated them with additional air cooling which I thought on a bike was silly. But if this can stop my eyeballs from ratteling out of my freeking head, you get a star! Thanks alot for the tip.
I've seen the air deflectors but always associated them with additional air cooling which I thought on a bike was silly. But if this can stop my eyeballs from ratteling out of my freeking head, you get a star! Thanks alot for the tip.