Zero Buffeting - Screen vs Fairing vs Nothing?
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 738
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
Never understood the whole buffeting thing........
wind hits at different directions when riding and and at different speeds.....
the best you can do for any bike is have the proper windshield height and pray the winds are kind...
Even when you're swearing about certain conditions when you ride.....the next day we always look back and chalk it up to another great riding experience........don't we?
wind hits at different directions when riding and and at different speeds.....
the best you can do for any bike is have the proper windshield height and pray the winds are kind...
Even when you're swearing about certain conditions when you ride.....the next day we always look back and chalk it up to another great riding experience........don't we?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
IMHO you should always look over a windshield, not through it. They are not glass and dirt and rain sticks to them, which can make visibility downright dangerous on occasions.
My bike originally had a windshield similar to a RK. I found that in some windy conditions the wind grabbed at it and made handling unpleasant. Took my mind off any buffetting I might have suffered! I fitted an elderly batwing and I find that much better. I get some buffetting on occasions, but the bike handles well and I have stayed with it. No windshield is not an option!
My bike originally had a windshield similar to a RK. I found that in some windy conditions the wind grabbed at it and made handling unpleasant. Took my mind off any buffetting I might have suffered! I fitted an elderly batwing and I find that much better. I get some buffetting on occasions, but the bike handles well and I have stayed with it. No windshield is not an option!
Last edited by grbrown; Sep 16, 2009 at 09:21 AM. Reason: Grammar
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 749
Likes: 2
Your question is very subjective. "Buffeting" of the helmet can usually be regulated by the proper size of windshield/wind screen. I have owned both RK and FL. The buffeting coming from under the fairing or windshield bugged the crap out of me. Lower wind deflectors on the fork tubes corrected this for "me". Maybe you should consider renting and/or test driving each bike and judge for yourself before you spend this kind of money...
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: NB, Canada
As said by many, buffeting is a subjective thing. For those of us that experience buffeting it isnt pleasant. It can turn a nice ride into a nightmare you just what off of. With that said my ongoing quest for a buffeting cure I currently run the following set up. I have the chrome fork deflector located between the forks; I have the big ugly chrome fork deflectors, these are the ones that run down each fork tube; I have the small fairing wings, and a Clarks Custom 12in windshield. This is by far the best set up yet for me, but I still get beat around on a windy day. I dont like the 12 inch shield because I have to look thru it; a 9 inch is about the right height for me to look over. Im just in the process of ordering vented fairing lowers in hopes that this will be the final cure. As a note about Helmets, with my FF I have far less buffeting that with my half helmet, others experience just the opposite, go figure??? At the end of the day I still love my bike, I just cant go on really long day trips. Best of luck in your search for a new ride
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
I am still unsure as to whether a fairing is better than a properly set up wind shield when talking purely about turbulence/buffeting?????
But from all the responses so far it seems that
1. buffeting is dependent on many factors (height, helmet size etc)
2. everyones experience is different (even with similar set ups)
3. The only way I'm going to find out is by going through it all for myself!!
But from all the responses so far it seems that
1. buffeting is dependent on many factors (height, helmet size etc)
2. everyones experience is different (even with similar set ups)
3. The only way I'm going to find out is by going through it all for myself!!
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 282
Likes: 0
From: Fairborn Ohio
If I use the windscreen and NO helmet, it is a beautiful ride. If I use the windscreen and a helmet, the buffeting/head rattle/shaking is horrible. I put on a pair of fork air deflecters to see if that help. Haven't had a chance to drive it yet with the rain coming down.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
I am still unsure as to whether a fairing is better than a properly set up wind shield when talking purely about turbulence/buffeting?????
But from all the responses so far it seems that
1. buffeting is dependent on many factors (height, helmet size etc)
2. everyones experience is different (even with similar set ups)
3. The only way I'm going to find out is by going through it all for myself!!
But from all the responses so far it seems that
1. buffeting is dependent on many factors (height, helmet size etc)
2. everyones experience is different (even with similar set ups)
3. The only way I'm going to find out is by going through it all for myself!!
1. Front fork air baffle
2. Fairing "wings"
3. Clearview Recurve at the right height.
Also, know that lowers help a lot but I didn't need/want them.
Hope it goes well! I know my bike seems "perfect" now after these adds.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,128
Likes: 27
From: florida swamp
My RK shield is standard height. I'm 5-10 and look thru it about 4 inches from the top. I still get wind but not anything that I would call buffeting. It's a motorcycle, not a mini van.
You could build a barrier in front of you and ride in a relatively calm space if you want but then you'll probably complain about motor heat.
You could build a barrier in front of you and ride in a relatively calm space if you want but then you'll probably complain about motor heat.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 760
Likes: 1
From: Mesa, AZ
My RK shield is standard height. I'm 5-10 and look thru it about 4 inches from the top. I still get wind but not anything that I would call buffeting. It's a motorcycle, not a mini van.
You could build a barrier in front of you and ride in a relatively calm space if you want but then you'll probably complain about motor heat.
You could build a barrier in front of you and ride in a relatively calm space if you want but then you'll probably complain about motor heat.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 285
From: Edmond Oklahoma
Beary