Helmet Buffeting....?
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 935
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
Helmet Buffeting....?
I have a 06 RKC, and above 50 mph I get quite a bit of helmet buffeting...shakes my head around pretty good and it is annoying! I'm 6'4", and my head sticks above the windshield, but I do want to leave the 'shield' on. Any others have this issue? If so, what worked for you to resolve this? [&:]
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
RE: Helmet Buffeting....?
I'm 6'3" and have the same problem. What type of helmet are you using. I went to a 3/4 and noticed it was a little better. (probably since it's a bit more streamlined) You may need to invest in a taller windscreen. That will probably be your best option.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,475
Likes: 3
From: Southeast Wisconsin
RE: Helmet Buffeting....?
The turbulence is probably coming from underneath. Try this experiement; ride with your feet on top of your engine guards and see if the buffeting stops. If it does, then you will want some sort of lower deflectors on the bike, a taller windshield won't help.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 96
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Helmet Buffeting....?
I'm 6'4" as well, and know exactly what you're talking about. Sometime when you're riding at speed, hold your hand out, palm toward the windshield and in front of you, about 6" back from the windshield. There will be minimal air pressure on your hand, but if you begin to raise it straight up (parallel with the plane of the windshield, you'll begin to feel an area of smooth airflow. Now if you bring your hand back towards your face and up towards the top of your helmet, you'll notice that this smooth airflow changes to a more turbulent flow. You can experiment around and find out where the edge of the smooth airflow is relative to the top of your helmet. The best is if this smooth flow goes over your head, but I'm guess that for you, the turbulent zone starts just an inch or two below the top of your helmet.
The trick is to get all that turbulence to occur over the top of your helmet. There's only a couple of ways to make that happen. One is to lean forward, which might lower your head enough. The other is to raise the top of the windshield. HD sells a taller windshield for the RK which will do that.
Helmet shape can play into this, but it's more important when there is no windshield at all. There's no much the helmet shape can do to reduce the effect of the turbulence.
Hope it helps.
PL
The trick is to get all that turbulence to occur over the top of your helmet. There's only a couple of ways to make that happen. One is to lean forward, which might lower your head enough. The other is to raise the top of the windshield. HD sells a taller windshield for the RK which will do that.
Helmet shape can play into this, but it's more important when there is no windshield at all. There's no much the helmet shape can do to reduce the effect of the turbulence.
Hope it helps.
PL
Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 373
Likes: 0
From: Elkridge, MD
RE: Helmet Buffeting....?
I am 6'5 - I have the same problem, at 75mph it can even be had to read road signs the old noggin is shaking around so bad! It is not nearly as bad when I have my full face helmet on. My 3/4 has one of those little visor things on it that really catches the wind.
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: Santa Maria di Camisano, Italy
RE: Helmet Buffeting....?
I'm 6'4" and don't really have that problem with the RKC. I wear a half-helmet (DOT) with no visor and generally have my feet up on the highway pegs when at 70+ mph. I don't think it's because I slouch, either, because I can see easily over the windshield. Go figure! It might be a helmet thing.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 791
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
RE: Helmet Buffeting....?
Try wearing a doo-rag or a bandana underneath your helmet! They help stabilize the helmet to your head, and keep the liner cleaner too.
ORIGINAL: billk
I have a 06 RKC, and above 50 mph I get quite a bit of helmet buffeting...shakes my head around pretty good and it is annoying! I'm 6'4", and my head sticks above the windshield, but I do want to leave the 'shield' on. Any others have this issue? If so, what worked for you to resolve this? [&:]
I have a 06 RKC, and above 50 mph I get quite a bit of helmet buffeting...shakes my head around pretty good and it is annoying! I'm 6'4", and my head sticks above the windshield, but I do want to leave the 'shield' on. Any others have this issue? If so, what worked for you to resolve this? [&:]
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 378
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From:
RE: Helmet Buffeting....?
I had the fork mounted wind deflectors on my RK and when i had the 103ci done i took them off thinking the increased wind flow would keep the engine cooler. Well the temp didnt change any but it sure beat the heck out of me and i realized why i had put them on to begin with. I put them back on and all is well...i ride with a ball cap on at up to 65 mph, after that it comes off. Very little buffeting with them on.
Mike
03 RoadKing 103ci
White Pearl
Mike
03 RoadKing 103ci
White Pearl
