head buffeting
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 800
Likes: 75
From:
i had an 06 ultra and a 09 cvo ultra neither buffeted this bad. they both have the vents so ill try that. LOL someone posted about holding your left arm across your chest to notice the difference.. I can ride like that all the time i guess.. Im kidding and know it was just to show how much wind is coming from under the bat wing.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
han't really noticed buffeting from the bottom of the fairing, I wear a full face and with the KW I can leave the face shield up and I can see fine, in a couple of weeks I am putting fairing lowers on and the lower fairing vents and that should make the ride that much better.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 416
Likes: 3
An easy way to cut down the updrafts that cause buffeting - and they are removable - is the rain guards (no temperature restriction on ours): http://www.leadermotorcycle.com/harl...n-rain-guards/
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,766
Likes: 16
From: Roseville, CA
Becauuuuuuuuuuuuuuuse this doesn't solve the problem (Einstein). Even w/FF helmet + taller w/s it only helps w/air from "above" the fairing/shield & does nothing to prevent "lower" airflow which pretty much most of the problem. Also...wearing FF helmet isn't even a factor b/c buffeting shakes your "head" - including whatever you're wearing (helmet, no helmet, etc...) so it's not a possible solution at all...
Now, FWIW, here's what I did to solve the dreaded buffeting cycle; (1) taller shield (KW 8.5"), (2) fairing wings (HD's set that opens), (3) HD fork baffle & (4) vented lower fairing. Sure adding these "four" upgrades was $pendy, but it worked & you can't put a price on riding comfort/safety.
Now, FWIW, here's what I did to solve the dreaded buffeting cycle; (1) taller shield (KW 8.5"), (2) fairing wings (HD's set that opens), (3) HD fork baffle & (4) vented lower fairing. Sure adding these "four" upgrades was $pendy, but it worked & you can't put a price on riding comfort/safety.
I have a well-designed FF (Shoei) and a 10" shield and only get buffeting in extreme crosswinds.
Perhaps because I have 13" apes, I have no issue at all.
All of that is correct but many buy the SG for the cool factor and they do look cool right off the show room floor. Great for putting around town (bar hopper). Then you get on the road for a long trip and dam your eyeballs start to shake, ratttle, and roll. The only way to solve the problem is do as you say but for many that will take away the cool factor. This is the problem facing alot of SG owners.
When I was younger I would rather look cool than be safe and comfortable. As I'm getting older that has reversed.
When I was younger I would rather look cool than be safe and comfortable. As I'm getting older that has reversed.
You just stirring the pot, or what?
Post after post here confirms the fact that "buffeting" comes from UNDER the batwing, not over it, and you suggest a FF & "taller shield"? C'mon.
And get out some day and ride in 107+ degree weather with your FF helmet all visored-up and report back on how great it is with sweat dripping down your face.
I'm 5'11", and an 8" recurve shield, fairing air deflectors, fork baffle, and fork mounted deflectors fixed it for me. Screw the "cool factor" - if I can't enjoy the ride, that ain't "cool".
Post after post here confirms the fact that "buffeting" comes from UNDER the batwing, not over it, and you suggest a FF & "taller shield"? C'mon.
And get out some day and ride in 107+ degree weather with your FF helmet all visored-up and report back on how great it is with sweat dripping down your face.
I'm 5'11", and an 8" recurve shield, fairing air deflectors, fork baffle, and fork mounted deflectors fixed it for me. Screw the "cool factor" - if I can't enjoy the ride, that ain't "cool".
Windshield and taller shocks were the 2 easy changes. Seat choice and luggage is personal preference (and for the passenger).
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Republic of Texas
Only helmet I own that I can stand to wear, now that it's getting over 100 deg outside, is my Scorpion EXO-100. It has a built-in sun visor that's sort of nice, and it does have some air vents under the front of the helmet that are supposed to do that scalp venting thing, but they're not enough (now that I've blocked all the buffeting
)- not much cooling effect by venting 100+ deg air over your scalp. I actually hate wearing a helmet - any helmet.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Republic of Texas
The left arrow points to what I found to be the most effective part in my process of eliminating air turbulence coming from below the batwing. I found these chrome fork-mounted wind deflectors on eBAY, and they installed in minutes. Not sure what the spots on the left one are in the image, probably bugs or lighting anomolies, but these are nice quality parts, good chrome, and were the only ones I found that enclose the turn signals and extend all the way up to the batwing. Others I saw did not. IMO, they nicely compliment my chrome front end.
Middle arrow points to the HD "Chrome Front Air Baffle", pn 58520-79TC. This is probably one of the least effective parts for air deflection, but it's also the cheapest. I wanted to cover all the bases.
Right arrow points to HD fairing air deflectors. They're available in dark or light smoke color, and fixed or adjustable. Mine are HD pn 58166-08A. There are a lot of imitators available, but you get what you pay for. My "Freedom Wings" wound up in the garbage.
With these parts on my bike, I now ride with some breeze, but no buffeting; there's essentially no air turbulence reaching me from under the fairing. Life is good.
Novice
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City
I just installed faring air deflectors this morning. Dark tint, $109.95 at the stealership. Took about 10 minutes to get them on, went for a ride and the buffeting was cut down 65-70%. Much more comfortable at 70 and I don't have to worry about the buffeting ripping my Oakleys off my face. Gonna measure myself for a LRS shield tonight.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
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
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
The Best and Worst Harley-Davidson Moves of 2025
Verdad Gallardo
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,487
Likes: 156
From: boston
I have the lrs 7" ultreawith the flip top, as well as the fairing deflectors. I still get a little bit of buffeting but it comes up by my legs. If I spread my legs off the tank at 75, the buffeting is worse. Still bearable, but worse. Last night I thought I would do an experiment. Up on the highway I went. Got to about 75 and felt around for the wind. It hit me half way up my 1/2 helmet from over the windshield, no problem there. Put my hand over the tank, nothing there. Deflectors doing there job. then I started feeling for the wind was coming from. Sure enough, right by my knees. If I put on lowers or the rain shield I am sure it would eliminate all wind all together. If I wanted that I would take either my truck or my car. this is a motorcycle and I am supposed to feel some wind in the face. The glasses bounce around a bit, because they are in the wind, where they are supposed to be. Dont't bother my visiom at all.
I am sure if I put on my ff the buffeting would be worse so I will just wear my half helmet and a smile.
I am sure if I put on my ff the buffeting would be worse so I will just wear my half helmet and a smile.
Novice
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: Montreal
Funny, I never tought of buffetting until I started my preparation for my vacation and got a nice 3/4 helmet (Nolan N43...) I still have the factory shield on my Classic and look through (although I am starting to think I have enough of looking at the road through buggs and stuff...). So, as soon as I put the new helmet on and closed the face shield...this thing pounded on me like some one was hitting the helmet with a wodden mallet...
Now, with a half helmet, all is good... (i get some wind in my face but hey... its a motorcycle...) But this buffeting effect of the closed helmet is enough to drive me crazy. I got this helmet for bad weather driving, but kind of like the closed ears and clear view for long rides. The visor on this thing is so clear its like wearing nothing at all in your face...
I guess its comming from the bottom, I thought initially it was comming from the top, but if I put my arm in front of me it almost all goes away. its like the wind catches in the face shield like under a bell if that makes any sense...
I am going to try the fork deflectors for sure... cheep compared to anything else, I already have the HD fairing deflectors and would not live without them. Love em when its real hot, I call them my air conditionning...
Air is all right, dirty air is annoying as hell...
Now, with a half helmet, all is good... (i get some wind in my face but hey... its a motorcycle...) But this buffeting effect of the closed helmet is enough to drive me crazy. I got this helmet for bad weather driving, but kind of like the closed ears and clear view for long rides. The visor on this thing is so clear its like wearing nothing at all in your face...
I guess its comming from the bottom, I thought initially it was comming from the top, but if I put my arm in front of me it almost all goes away. its like the wind catches in the face shield like under a bell if that makes any sense...
I am going to try the fork deflectors for sure... cheep compared to anything else, I already have the HD fairing deflectors and would not live without them. Love em when its real hot, I call them my air conditionning...
Air is all right, dirty air is annoying as hell...