Buffeting

[dabull]

Alright KawaNOW gang....

I am 6'2", have my windshield jacked all the way up. I am looking right across the top of the shield...

I wear a full-face ZAMP Modular helmet and when I finish a ride, I feel like my brain has lost a screw or two (thats two more than usual)...

Ive noticed I am getting buffeted quite a bit, and its pretty loud inside the helmet....when I tuck into the pocket all is quiet and just swell. Also, When I open the visor it seems to relieve some of the buffeting.

Is there anything else I can do?
Is it my helmet?
Should I get a half-helmet and would that reduce the buffeting?

Thanks in advance gang;)

Aloha

Derry

[cactusjack]

Aw, when I read the subject, I though you went buffet-hopping: Old Country Buffet, Hometown Buffet, Chinese buffets, that kind of thing.

I usually wear half helmets, although I do own a 3/4 helmet for colder weather. The type of helmet can affect the amount of buffeting. I have one helmet, a Bell "Drifter" that seemed worse than the rest. I installed a larger set of lowers made by our very own Chuckster, which seemed to help me a lot, although I've found buffeting (and eliminating it) is a very subjective thing.

[email:ikglps77]chuckster1_31@comcast.net[/email:ikglps77] for details.

[coacha]

Is the lower part of your windshield all the way down? I have mine on the head light and that helped some too, along with Chucksters lowers and the windshield up to just about nose level. I still have some issues with the full face put I can deal with it.

[caddman11]

I'm 6'4, windshield all the way up, small shield all the way down. I also have and use in colder weather, engine guard chaps, and I still have the problem.

I find on long rides, if I wear a helmet for more than an hour, I get a splitting headache from being bounced around. I wear a 3/4 when I wear one, but without a helmet is much less jarring. I would like to wear a helmet more often but?????????? I've got a set of larger lowers that I now have to modify because of the cobra light bar and I just haven't done it yet. I wish I had an answer for both of us, but I'm sure others with chime in here soon.

[Cajunrider]

I'm in the same situation as caddman11. I wear a half and 3/4 helmet and wind up with headaches with either. I don't have the over sized lowers and will probably give them a try. I tried my windscreen all the way down, half way, and all the way up. No difference for me. I think buffeting is just a way of life on the Nomad...

[timebandit]

Installed the fairing and engine guard bra and I got no more buffeting

[coacha]

The engine guard bra is good when it is cool but in the heat, your feet get a tad warm

[audiogooroo]

Larger lowers solved it for me. But mine is a 1500 and I know the rake is a little different. Not sure if that's a fctor or not.

[schoeney]

I am also 6'2" and wear a full face helmet.

I had the same problem...I tried several things ....all helped to some degree.


*Lowered inner winshield to lowest position on headlight
**Raised outer windshield almost all the way up (1" lower than top)
*Installed engine guard chaps (biggest difference)
*Open face shield and wear glasses
*I was getting alot of buffeting under my jacket....so I opened
the "air" flaps on my jacket (short type...suggest long type) and when it is cold I wear a longer jacket.

I now have very little buffeting...takes a little playing around with the factors.

This is all great when it is cool but when it gets warm I will need to do some more adjustments. Good Luck!

[dabull]

ok...looks like i have some work to do...i'm pretty sure the lower windshield is down all the way, but will check....will get larger lowers too and go from there.

Also toying with the idea of a half-helmet and am looking at this one from leatherup.com: http://www.leatherup.com/p/Outlaw-He...met/50552.html

Thank you all for the help...want to get the buffeting problem corrected before Spring Rally Ride;)

Aloha

Derry

[novijoe]

That's one of the biggest reasons I wear a beanie cheater all the time. I know, not the safest thing to do but I have an old neck injury and a helmet the sails around in the wind is not for me.
I like to pull the windshield off from time to time also. This year maybe I'll look into one of those kevlar helmets or the smallest lightest DOT approved helmet they have.

[paul]

About 3-4 months ago I came across a thread of a fellow doing a mod on his wind shield that gave it more 'slant'. You might check Gadgets site. I can't remember exactly where I found this.

According to the thread, it solved the buffeting issue, also had testimonials from others who had tried this. If I didn't suffer from CRS disease, I might remember where i saw it. I'll keep looking. Good luck.

[meat]

I messed with this all last spring when I bought my 2008. I'm 5'11 have my windsheild all the way down and bought large lowers from Edmonds. I have very little buffeting now and if I do get some buffeting it's usally in a strong cross wind. What made the big difference for me was the larger lowers. My wife said the lowers even made a difference for her.

[goldstar225]

I also had buffeting on my '06. To solve it I purchased a 2'X2' sheet of 1/4" lexan at home depot for $15 and made a larger set of lowers that extend to the bottom of the windshield and flare out to equal the width of the windshield. To mount it I used the original lowers bracket. I did have to use a hole saw to provide clearance for the back of the turn signals. It worked like a charm, no more buffeting with my 3/4 helmet.

[glwilson]

1/2 helmet for me.

Instead of raising the windshield -- I finally adjusted my windshield to nearly its lowest spot. That made a huge difference for me.