Voyager Buffeting

[Netnorske]

I am going to drive you guys nuts with all my newbie Voyager owner questions....but enquiring minds want to know. I noticed on my first freeway ride today that quite a bit of air comes under the fairing and up through the forks and triple tree over the tank (and therefore around your head). Has anyone made an attempt or have an answer for deflecting that wind elsewhere...?? I had oversized lowers and engine guard chaps on my 1600 Nomad and I got nothing in the way of wayward winds. Maybe I got spoiled, but I did not really expect to get it as much as I do with the fairing.

BTW....my first freeway ride came with about 35 miles on the bike. Got it up to about 3200 rpm. They said something about a break-in-period....but when it comes to that, I am like the kid at Christmas tossing his new socks over his shoulder. Ride it like ya stole it is what I say. That's how I broke in my '08 Nomad and it ran like a champ 'til the day I traded her. Besides...the guy telling me about the break-in-period was rolling his eyes with that you-gotta-be-kiddin'-me look..... When I told him how I planned to break in the bike....he got a big chit-eatin' grin....

[Bdog]

Kris..put an air damm under the triple tree. Check out "Damm" thread.

[jestephens]

I hear a lot of guys complain about "buffeting", that sometimes seems like they are talking about simple "air flow" and noise.
So I'm curious,
How would you describe "buffeting"? - IMO, buffeting is a turbulent air flow that causes undesired, uncontrolled movement of the head or helmet. In other cases I would use buffeting to describe a rhythmic change of air pressure causing a loud noise on the ear drums. (like when driving a car with only one rear window open, and cracking open a second [front] window resolves the problem)

I know as riders we're all different shapes and sizes, so our bikes fit unique to each of us, but I ask because on my '05 Nomad I'd never experienced the need for oversized lowers. In fact, I had chrome HD lowers on mine (smaller than Kaw OE). By my understanding of Buffeting, the only bit I've experienced on my '11 Vaquero is with the stock windscreen and a 9-incher solved the problem. (That's what she said)

[mobandy78]

Follow Bdog's advice! I was going to mention that until I read his post.

Jay - My thinking is the same as yours. I see "buffeting" as turbulance and which, in turn, would make my head/helmet bounce around uncontrollably. Another example, getting behind a cage in thier draft and feeling the bike get a little "wobbly". That's what I see as buffeting. Either that, or eating way too much on an all-you-can-eat offer.

I've had no problems at all on the Nomad. A little extra air flow would help get some air movement around the body anyway and help with air-conditioning.

[majeff]

I bought a new 2010 Voyager back in 2010 and got rid of it after 8 months because of what I call poor design. 1river's seating position places you up on the gas tank, 2:transmission shifting banging clunk, first three gears, 3: heat from motor, 4: rake angle only 30° / 7.0 in. makes bike hard to control at slow speed, 5: not speedy take off or passing power, all Torque for trailer and passenger, 6: small fuel tank for big heavy bike. 7: Air flow "buffeting". The bike is a good looking bike but looks don't make it a good bike. Just my opinion!

[cactusjack]

I'm not picking on Majeff here, but I have seen a lot of comments from different 1700 owners about "clunky shifting". I'm puzzled why this is a "problem"? I'm sure the tranny clunked when you test rode the bike. Did someone tell you it wouldn't clunk? The clunking is due to the way the gears are machined. In other words, Kawasaki designed it that way. I just don't see this as a problem.

[Monkeyman]

Future 1700 owners should ride a Harley (touring line) before they buy the Nomad/Voyager/Vaquero. They'll appreciate the LACK of clunkiness in the Kaw compared to the HD.

[ponch]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

I'm not picking on Majeff here, but I have seen a lot of comments from different 1700 owners about "clunky shifting". I'm puzzled why this is a "problem"? I'm sure the tranny clunked when you test rode the bike. Did someone tell you it wouldn't clunk? The clunking is due to the way the gears are machined. In other words, Kawasaki designed it that way. I just don't see this as a problem.

It does clunk, more like a HD, but it does work...I found the Voyager much better at low speeds than the 1600. Not as good as an EG though...

[ponch]

Originally Posted by jestephens

I hear a lot of guys complain about "buffeting", that sometimes seems like they are talking about simple "air flow" and noise.
So I'm curious,
How would you describe "buffeting"? - IMO, buffeting is a turbulent air flow that causes undesired, uncontrolled movement of the head or helmet. In other cases I would use buffeting to describe a rhythmic change of air pressure causing a loud noise on the ear drums. (like when driving a car with only one rear window open, and cracking open a second [front] window resolves the problem)

I know as riders we're all different shapes and sizes, so our bikes fit unique to each of us, but I ask because on my '05 Nomad I'd never experienced the need for oversized lowers. In fact, I had chrome HD lowers on mine (smaller than Kaw OE). By my understanding of Buffeting, the only bit I've experienced on my '11 Vaquero is with the stock windscreen and a 9-incher solved the problem. (That's what she said)

I got the Edmunds lowers and it solved it for me. I guess it all depends on size and position. I haven't ridden a Voyager enough to experience buffeting and probably never will. May be we need to get Netnorske in a wind tunnel and see what the problem is.

[almsy]

Sorry, never really experienced the wind or buffeting you describe, except when it's real windy or getting ready to pass an 18 wheeler. (never stay behind them too long) and then it's the whole bike which gets jostled about, but not too badly. 9000 miles in the last 6 months and the thing I often think is...'if I'm not careful, I could fall asleep on this darn thing"

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

Future 1700 owners should ride a Harley (touring line) before they buy the Nomad/Voyager/Vaquero. They'll appreciate the LACK of clunkiness in the Kaw compared to the HD.

We all know Harleys clunk going into gear, so do Victorys. I knew it when I bought mine. It's the nature of the beast, hence - I don't complain about it. I look at it as an "audible shift confirmation feature".

[Monkeyman]

Yeah. The pre '11 aluminum frame Vics are TERRIBLE for it. The change to helical cut gears in the '11s really made a difference but it's still not as quiet as a 1600 Nomad. Even the '11+ Vics are bad enough I had to question it when I test rode the Vision.

[majeff]

It's the six speed trans. A motorcycle isn't a truck. The five speed is ok for a motorcycle and it is smooth and does not have a loud clunk. I don't understand why the six speed that adds weight to the bike and cost more.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Monkeyman

Yeah. The pre '11 aluminum frame Vics are TERRIBLE for it. The change to helical cut gears in the '11s really made a difference but it's still not as quiet as a 1600 Nomad. Even the '11+ Vics are bad enough I had to question it when I test rode the Vision.

The only Vics I've ridden were at Cyclefest a few years ago. They clunked as bad or worse than my Harley.

[Monkeyman]

The aluminum frame bikes were the touring bikes (Vision, Cross Country and Cross Roads). They had straight cut gears until the 2011 model year. In 2011, they totally redid the tranny (still a 6 spd) with helical cut gears which quieted it down considerably but it still clunks, especially into 1st. GIBBY probably knows more about it than I do since he's got a XC.