And now....buffeting
Former Sponsor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 416
Likes: 3
For wind buffeting you might want to check out the Desert Dawgs: http://www.leadermotorcycle.com/harl...n-rain-guards/ They take out a lot of those updrafts, plus they're good in rain...
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 169
Likes: 13
From: Bay Area, CA
On my setup to get comfortable I have a 6" curved shield, fork deflectors, adjustable fairing wings. This combo has helped with 85% of my problems. I would bet the fork baffle would get rid of the rest.
The buffeting is just an effect of a low pressure zone. The odd thing is that if i ride my sport bike with basically my noggin/helmet taking the brunt of the wind, i get zero buffeting and it's more comfortable from a wind perspective, some goes for when I had a softail.
In short - it's a common problem and everyone has a different solution...best advice is to move your hand/feet/head around to see where it's coming from.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,487
Likes: 156
From: boston
I have a 2012 sg with a 8" flared lrs shield and the deflectors that go under the fairing. I still get a little bit of a buffet when my legs are held away from the tank. Not to bad if my legs are close but when pushing 80 on the highway and want to strectch out the groin muscels, shakes my glasses around quite a bit. Luckily not that comfortable for me to ride that way, just need to stretch every now and again.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 963
Likes: 1
From: Bellefonte PA
Well, I did some more evaluating yesterday and this is what I noticed. When I am up to speed and have the buffeting going on I also get a fair amount of wind noise in my helmet between the sides and my cheeks. If I put my feet up on top of the crash bars, the wind in the helmet is greatly reduced. Not 100% positive if it also knocked down the buffeting, as I didn't stay in that position very long but it stands to reason that this area is the source of my turbulence. So if that is the case, would a set of those Desert Dawgs soft lowers help? Has anyone actually used them to address Road King buffeting? I wonder if I would still have the problem because of air coming over the top. I actually looked to see if Captain Itch made anything similar, but I didn't see anything.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 36
From: ST. Louis
These solved all that on my Fat Boy with a windshield (same prinicple)
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
Chrome Wind Deflectors
Easily attaches to fork brackets for protection from the elements. Accent the full dress look.
part number: 58121-85B
Fits '83-later FLHT, FLHS, FLHR, and FLHRC models. Does not fit models equipped with fairing lowers or lighted fork slider kit. Does not fit FLHX models or models equipped with Custom Front Bullet Turn Signal Kits P/N 69577-06 and 69492-05.
MSRP US $69.95
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
Chrome Wind Deflectors
Easily attaches to fork brackets for protection from the elements. Accent the full dress look.
part number: 58121-85B
Fits '83-later FLHT, FLHS, FLHR, and FLHRC models. Does not fit models equipped with fairing lowers or lighted fork slider kit. Does not fit FLHX models or models equipped with Custom Front Bullet Turn Signal Kits P/N 69577-06 and 69492-05.
MSRP US $69.95
Take a ride and when it starts happening use your hand/arm to block the wind and figure out where the air causing the buffeting is coming from.
On my ultra I found it was coming up between the tank and fairing. Harley has a baffle that fits between the forks and blocks a lot of it. (I think it was about $20).
On my ultra I found it was coming up between the tank and fairing. Harley has a baffle that fits between the forks and blocks a lot of it. (I think it was about $20).
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Phone:
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Advanced
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland
I went through the same thing with my past bikes and know the wind from under the tank is the issue. Here are some of my "ugly" 
defectors that work wonders to control the buffeting.
I even remove the factory lowers when its hot and just run the deflectors for a smooth ride.
defectors that work wonders to control the buffeting.I even remove the factory lowers when its hot and just run the deflectors for a smooth ride.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,727
Likes: 6
Well, I did some more evaluating yesterday and this is what I noticed. When I am up to speed and have the buffeting going on I also get a fair amount of wind noise in my helmet between the sides and my cheeks. If I put my feet up on top of the crash bars, the wind in the helmet is greatly reduced. Not 100% positive if it also knocked down the buffeting, as I didn't stay in that position very long but it stands to reason that this area is the source of my turbulence. So if that is the case, would a set of those Desert Dawgs soft lowers help? Has anyone actually used them to address Road King buffeting? I wonder if I would still have the problem because of air coming over the top. I actually looked to see if Captain Itch made anything similar, but I didn't see anything.
They will help, I use them in the winter months, but they won't do it alone. You need to block the air coming from the bar to about six inches above it too. Something like these are on the right track, but these won't work either. You need to make it yourself if you want something that really works well.
Below is what I made. A bit ugly, you can make some that look better but this is the area you have to block.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,052
Likes: 6
From: North London, UK
These solved all that on my Fat Boy with a windshield (same prinicple)
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
Chrome Wind Deflectors
Easily attaches to fork brackets for protection from the elements. Accent the full dress look.
part number: 58121-85B
Fits '83-later FLHT, FLHS, FLHR, and FLHRC models. Does not fit models equipped with fairing lowers or lighted fork slider kit. Does not fit FLHX models or models equipped with Custom Front Bullet Turn Signal Kits P/N 69577-06 and 69492-05.
MSRP US $69.95
http://www.harley-davidson.com/gma/g...bmLocale=en_US
Chrome Wind Deflectors
Easily attaches to fork brackets for protection from the elements. Accent the full dress look.
part number: 58121-85B
Fits '83-later FLHT, FLHS, FLHR, and FLHRC models. Does not fit models equipped with fairing lowers or lighted fork slider kit. Does not fit FLHX models or models equipped with Custom Front Bullet Turn Signal Kits P/N 69577-06 and 69492-05.
MSRP US $69.95
