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'07 FLHTC with a stock batwing sporting a stock 12" windshield = no problem. I don't get all of this attention about so called buffeting either. If you're trying to run a 4" or 6" windshield (which isn't really a windshield) I could see where someone may be having a problem. I guess I'm supposed to believe that someone else's batwing with a stock 12" windshield is somehow different than mine. Since they all come off the same assembly line, that makes no sense. I've ridden mine with a 1/2, 3/4, and full face helmet with the same results. Oh well, moving on.
I'm supposed to believe that someone else's batwing with a stock 12" windshield is somehow different than mine. Since they all come off the same assembly line, that makes no sense
It would make sense if you realize that not everyone is the same size and shape. 2 people might be 6 foot but one might have a longer torso than the other or one might have a 32" inseam vs a 34" inseam. Sort like one 5 foot 9 guy can flat foot a bike while another can't. Same bike that came off the assembly line, shouldn't make sense but it does.
I've done a few things to reduce the buffeting on my SG to where I thought I was comfortable. Then I test rode a stock Victory Cross County with both the short and tall windshield options and the clean air on that bike reminded me of the problem. For that reason alone, I for just a tenth of a second, saw myself owning a Victory. I'm back to reality now and I'm happy with the buffet. LOL
By the way, Victory seems to have reduced buffet, but I know a lot of fairing bikes have the problem because I see the same fixes like fork deflectors on them, so its not just Harley. When you throw a barn door on a motorcycle, something has to give.
I did, that's why I have a batwing. 10 miles and I was ready to get off of it and 15 minutes before my head quit shaking like I had parkinson's.
I agree, the RG fairing "is" more aerodynamic, but it sits so far forward on the bike that the rider doesn't get any of the advantages. Honda solved that problem on their Goldwing by putting a GIGANTIC windshield on the bike. That thing is so big that it looks like the jib off a boat from the Americas Cup. A better example would be the BMW. They bring the same type of fairing a little closer to the rider and gain the advantage. But even they have an adjustable windshield option to raise that sucker higher when the "buffet" gets to be too much at higher speeds. Different ways of fixing that barn door.
What REALLY gets me is,Buffeting is a real concern for those of us that have had it. I can do with out my head shaking violently enough that I see 4 of everything while going down the road... if you haven't had any buffeting problems.... why the hell do you care? Quit reading the posts about people having buffeting problems and making senseless posts on their REAL problems. That is what a forum is about, sharing information. There are plenty of threads on here that I skim right over because they have no relation to me what so ever....... If you have never had a buffeting problem, I am SERIOUSLY happy for you... but don't sit there and tell me that I'm not having the problem, just because you have no clue what the problem is!!!!!!!!! I personally have never had a problem with a "what ever kind of tuner" ....... so I don't post in those threads, nor bash people that think they are having a problem with their tuner, I let somebody that has a clue about that tuner post things that they have figured out. Everybody is different, different things bother different people... just be happy you aren't having a problem and hope that when you do and post on here to ask about it, people won't remember that you thought their problem was crap and will actually post helpful advice.
There's my 2 cents...... flame it if you want............ I ain't listening
I did, that's why I have a batwing. 10 miles and I was ready to get off of it and 15 minutes before my head quit shaking like I had parkinson's.
+1. I have an ultra classic with the lowers and adjustable hog wings, no buffeting, the RG I rented had terrible buffeting. Seems to be a bigger problem on the shark nose
Why don't you guys just get taller windshields? I've ridden the Ultra Glide, and had zero problems with it. It comes stock with a much taller windshield though.
My RKC doesn't get it either, and when I park next to my buddy's SG, my windshield sits taller than his does too. I only experienced buffeting when I ride without my shield. It felt like it was trying to rip my helmet off and was miserable. (Only happens at freeway speeds without shield)
Seems that a taller shield would fix all your problems, it just wouldn't look as cool.
Why don't you guys just get taller windshields? I've ridden the Ultra Glide, and had zero problems with it. It comes stock with a much taller windshield though.
My RKC doesn't get it either, and when I park next to my buddy's SG, my windshield sits taller than his does too. I only experienced buffeting when I ride without my shield. It felt like it was trying to rip my helmet off and was miserable. (Only happens at freeway speeds without shield)
Seems that a taller shield would fix all your problems, it just wouldn't look as cool.
Not necessarily true ..... like others said, you need to sit behind a fairing to understand. When I first rode a street glide I thought somebody had a hold on my head and was trying rip it side to side. Sunglasses after 50MPH, yeah, if you held them to your face. So, when I bought my street glide, I knew I would have to try new windshields. Tried the WindSplitter 7", made it tolerable, so went with LRS 9" recurve. That actually made it worse again at heigher speeds. Went down to a LRS 6" and it works very well as an all around windshield, no buffeting, nice air stream just over the head and it helps keep the upward flow compressed from under the fairing. So, taller is not always better .....
Never understood all the complaining about buffeting, either. I'm all for them...Chinese, Indian, whatever. Matter of fact, all this buffet talk is making me hungry.
With the aftermarket batwing, keeping my glasses from rattling around has been a problem. Have had to go to a 12" shield and side extensions. With a FF helmet on, the flow from underneath the wing sets up a nice concussive sound in my helmet. Have thought about the fork deflectors, but they are just so unsightly.
Never understood how anyone can use that stock short shield on the SG for anyhting more than a 40mph run around town. Thought my eyes were gonna fall out when I test rode it.
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