Wind Noise/Buffeting

[rackevo]

Hey guys-

I just joined the forum the other day and am glad to meet a lot of willing and helpful people! I'm having a dilemma:

This bike is my third one, and I never know how much wind/buffeting is normal and how much is me being a whiny bitch. I'm 6'7" and have the stock shield at the tallest setting. At highway speeds I can feel the wind hitting my forehead on my full face helmet. I have yet to try the larger lowers (planning on it) but I was wondering if that would really help.

Is the wind supposed to go over the top of the helmet more? If so, would the larger lowers get rid of this?

I was hoping to not have to buy an aftermarket shield....I pondered making some sort of detachable laminar lip.

Thoughts??? Thanks!

[AlabamaNomadRider]

I really don't know what to tell you as I am 5' 8" with stock windshield and have no major problem with wind. It could have something to do with you sitting so tall in the saddle. I am sure some of the other guys can help you out.

[blowndodge]

Rackevo, being as tall as you are your going to get hit more in the helmet. Larger lowers like Edmonds will help some as most of the turbulance your feeling is probably coming under the windshield and running up your legs and hitting the top of your helmet.

I'm about 6'2" and with my shield up all the way I might get a little wind on the top of my helmet but I have the edmond extra large lowers and 90% of my buffeting is gone. If my windshield degrades over time I will buy a 2" taller shield. they even make them with a small lip on the top to throw the wind up over your head even higher.

I think the combo of both lowers and higher lipped shield would pretty much "solve" your issues.

[sarge1057]

http://www.vulcanbagger.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=9743

This thread has some ideas tilting the windshield helped me but I,m only 5'7".

[caddman11]

I'm 6'4 and had the same problem; I tried larger lowers and crash bar chaps and they didn't do much, the wind just beat on the top of my helmet. I bought a Clearview Shield with 2.5" added to the height along with a recurve and it has solved my problem; I no longer feel like a punching bag. I also added some over sized lowers. I don't have my shield up all the way anymore I have it down about 1" so all the way up may suit you just fine at 6'7. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

http://clearviewshields.com/shop/product.php?id=229

I got mine out of their scratch and dent bin at the beginning of this season with the vent. The two small scratches that came on it from the sale bin were hard to find, and after one season, they are pretty much gone. Keep your eye on that area, it's worth the $60-$70 savings. http://s2.images.proboards.com/shocked.gif

[dogdoc]

IMO the only way your going to solve the head getting whipped around is with a different windshield as cadmann said. I have tried everything but a new windshield and nothing has helped much. its just the design of the Nomad

[dabull]

IMO the only way your going to solve the head getting whipped around is with a different windshield as cadmann said. I have tried everything but a new windshield and nothing has helped much. its just the design of the Nomad

not just the Nomad...its everywhere...i've talked to honda and hardley riders and same thing... i too get beat up when wearing FF...half helmet helps up till about 80 http://s2.images.proboards.com/cheesy.gif

i got larger lowers too..helped some...shield up, sub shield down...i think i starting to see a clearview in my future...

[Netnorske]

IMO the only way your going to solve the head getting whipped around is with a different windshield as cadmann said. I have tried everything but a new windshield and nothing has helped much. its just the design of the Nomad

Doc,
I found for me that having both the large lowers AND the engine guard chaps working together made all the difference. Nice and calm back there now. Plus...the engine guard chaps really create a nice calm/quiet place for your legs as well....even on hot days. I will never ride without them again....JMHO.

[mercianbike]

There's been quite a bit of discussion about buffeting this past two years that I've been following the forum and there doesn't seem to be one solution that fits all. In my case, I had moderate buffeting from day one that I bought my Nomad as did my son-in-law when he rode my bike. I tried several adjustments of windshield height and tried larger lowers with no significant improvement. Then one day I installed driving lights and the buffeting nearly disappeared. The only thing I can figure is that the lights, sticking out as they do, disrupted the air flow in such a way that it was no longer blasting up against my helmet. I've not read of anyone else experiencing this but it works for me with stock lowers and the windshield in its lowest position.

[glwilson]

I will throw in my two-cents.

I am 5'6". I found that making sure the lower portion of the shield was as low as it would go helped -- and I did the same for the larger portion also. This helped a great deal in stopping the buffeting.

Having the shield up all the way was far worse for me.

Again... as mentioned... this has been a discussion for a long time and it appears there are several things that may work depending on your height and sitting position when you ride.

Try a little of all the suggestions until you find what works for you. Good luck.

[biscuitsngravy]

Good point, Greg! BnG

[dogdoc]

kris: I do have Airlite chaps on, larger lowers, windshield all the way down and still get wind buffeting. Not as bad w/o these items but still not very fun to ride if the wind is over 10-15 mph. the wind shoots right up over the fender between the forks and over the gas tank.

[cdneh]

It seems like the Aerovest I posted about earlier might be the solution for some of these problems. If anyone tries, please post.

[ells]

Concerning this thread and no one in particular - You are on a motorcycle, the wind blows past you, suck it up. or try a cage.

[cactusjack]

Concerning this thread and no one in particular - You are on a motorcycle, the wind blows past you, suck it up. or try a cage.

Atta boy, Ells. My thoughts exactly.

[caddman11]

Why get beat up and have headaches if there's a solution to the problem for a couple hundred bucks. I look at buying a new windshield as being a cheap solution for getting to where you're going without feeling like you've been run over by a semi.

Concerning this thread and no one in particular, I'll keep riding my bike and enjoy the smooth ride without having to suck up anything. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[dabull]

does anyone have the clearview with the vents? I "assume" the one with the vents will work with all the chrome brackets and badges??

[caddman11]

I have one with a vent---no problem with fit. It's right above the chrome and the vent makes it tough to have a useful windshield bag.

[dabull]

I have one with a vent---no problem with fit. It's right above the chrome and the vent makes it tough to have a useful windshield bag.

thats a good point...but if the vent is closed, does it still get in the way??

[caddman11]

Yes, it really doesn't make any difference, open or closed. I still have one and with risers, it's just hard to get in and out of so it's not used very much. I have the 3" extension risers, if they came back towards the rider an 1" or so it would be a lot more usable.

[cactusjack]

Yes, it really doesn't make any difference, open or closed. I still have one and with risers, it's just hard to get in and out of so it's not used very much. I have the 3" extension risers, if they came back towards the rider an 1" or so it would be a lot more usable.

I'm glad you posted this. I am considering a replacement windshield since mine is scratched and pitted. I was considering the Clearview with a vent, but now I am rethinking the vent. It probably isn't worth the extra expense for what sounds like little benefit.

[blowndodge]

You ride too fast in those desert sand storms?? http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[caddman11]

Now wait, I didn't say the vent didn't work--it does very nicely; I was referring to it gettting in the way with a windshield bag and whether it is open or closed.

cactusjack----since you live in the desert, I wouldn't have a windsheld without a vent. It allows you to direct air flow to where ever you want it--chest, neck, face, without adding any buffeting. If you live in the desert or where it's hot all the time, I can't imagine going without a vent. I live in the midwest and when its in the low 80's, my vent is open for sure

[cactusjack]

Now wait, I didn't say the vent didn't work--it does very nicely; I was referring to it gettting in the way with a windshield bag and whether it is open or closed.

cactusjack----since you live in the desert, I wouldn't have a windsheld without a vent. It allows you to direct air flow to where ever you want it--chest, neck, face, without adding any buffeting. If you live in the desert or where it's hot all the time, I can't imagine going without a vent. I live in the midwest and when its in the low 80's, my vent is open for sure

The air that would be passing through the vent would be similar to standing in front of a heat gun. Not exactly a refreshing sensation.

No air is better than superheated air. I was considering it for the other 7 months of the year when temps are more moderate.

[caddman11]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Now I understand---temps here rarely get to 105, so now I know what you mean. The temps down there today looks like a good day for vents at 75.

[cactusjack]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Now I understand---temps here rarely get to 105, so now I know what you mean. The temps down there today looks like a good day for vents at 75.

It was 106 when I went to the airport on Sunday the 27th to fly to SFO. I came back on Friday the 2nd, and the highs here are in the 80's/low 90's. This is vent weather!

I am torn between replacing the windshield or just going completely off the deep end and buying a fairing.