First time buffeting -?

[mrpincher]

The morning ride observation.

I “had” 870 miles on the bike with no vibration or buffeting. This morning I went out for a First test run with the addition of the loaded cases. For the first time noticed some annoying wind buffeting. The cases, duffel and gear weigh 93 pounds. (The pelican cases seem heavy before they’re loaded.) I weigh 177. I notice the rear of the bike sagging a bit so I increased the rear shock preload from #4 to #3. I suspect a change in the distribution of weight to the front wheel is causing some harmonic vibration or a change of angle with the stock wind screen which is causing the buffeting.

Any ideas - What may have caused this change?

Photo's as she sits.

(edit - someone wanted to see the cases open)

 

[yukondood]

Based on your pictures you may also be sitting more upright or forward due to the bag on passenger seat. I had this same experience when loading a dry bag to the passenger seat. Try adjusting your dry bag further back. Just a thought

 

[mrpincher]

Good idea. You're right, I am sitting further forward than without the bag. That's something that's easy to test - and cheap.

Will try a second ride tonight. Thanks

 

[roy]

Riding with no cases or tail bag I have no buffeting. With cases loads I experience buffeting. Windshield was in low position both times. Weird?

 

[mrpincher]

So what do you think it is? A change in the pitch of the windscreen? Possibly the front end is lighter and is causing the the windscreen to vibrate?

My windscreen is on the high setting and I've had zero buffeting or wind issues at all. I'm 5' 10".

Suppose I'll try a bigger windscreen, if changing where I sit on the seat doesn't fix it.

 

[yukondood]

perhpas now that you are sitting slightly lower in the rear raise the rear spring. Or lower the windshield, maybe more air is flowing between headlight and winshield gap due to diferent approach angle. Very weird. I have not notice this difference loaded or empty?????

 

[Reg IT]

Re wind shield gap. I was doing 170 KPH on the A995 (for Munich members). Standard screen, TTech adjuster mounted on the low holes, screen at full height. Air flow lifted the lip of that flimsy plastic instrument pod cover and wrenched the centre quick fastener out of place. The pod cover went into vibration mode and make the whole bike shudder. I thought I had a flat, or hit a rock or who knows.

I am going to buy a bag of quick fasteners and then tape the pod cover down. Or remove it, what does it do?

I will post this again under a WARNING heading.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I'd address it in steps.
Try leaving off the top bag, as those have caused issues on more than one bike.
If that's not it, try simply unloading weight but keep the shape.

 

[20valves]

Anytime you modify or change the bike's configuration you should expect some variation in performance. With bags loaded and something on the rack, I'd have the rear preload jacked all the way up and wind in a click or two more of rebound. You may or may not need to fool with the fork. I would absolutely expect aerodynamic changes with bags vs. without. And when you fully load the thing up, you might need to slow down a bit. You don't see roadracers with saddlebags and duffles.

And I would respectfully disagree with moving a load further from the center of the bike to try gain stability. Seems a little counter-intuitive.

As Yamaha says in their lawyer-speak in the manual, when you add non-factory accessories, they can have effects that the factory hasn't tested. Caveat emptor.

 

[mrpincher]

Thanks for the information guys. I know "wind management" has been discussed on the XT12 forums so I appreciate everyone's patience with me.

I was honestly startled by the whop whop whop of the buffeting wind after so many blissful hours of buffet free riding. Not fun.

My solution is to man up and order a calsci screen. The medium screen should arrive Friday and I'll have her in place before the 4 hr ride to Albuquerque on Saturday. I'm not going to make any other changes (other than tighten up the preload) to the bike or the gear. I suspect the new screen will solve the problem. I'll report back.

 

[mrpincher]

CalSci fixed it.

I bought the medium screen per Calsci's recommendation. Rode the bike from Amarillo to Albuquerque and back last weekend, about 650 miles round trip. No wind issues at all - no buffeting, nothing. In my case it works as advertized.

BTW - unspeakably horrible cycle wreck on I-40 while I was there. Tractor trailers and motorcycles -bad deal. Be careful out there.

Mike

 

[SisuTen]

So far, the stock screen in the high position works fine for me. As a result of my riding experience, I'm up on the tank and no wind issues at all. I ride at freeway speeds with my visor open and no buffeting.

I don't know what the problem is, I love "buffets", particularly the "Svedish Meatballs"!! )

Paul

 

[mrpincher]

SisuTen - I'm with You on the "What Up!" I had zero issues until I put the bags on the rear. I suspect that gap at the bottom of the screen had some role to play in the head jarring wind effect I experienced. Once was enough. Kinda felt like this on my helmet. ::010::

I prefer the size & looks of the stock screen. But the medium calsci is a good compromise.

Wish you continued good luck. Mike

 

[SisuTen]

SisuTen - I'm with You on the "What Up!" I had zero issues until I put the bags on the rear. I suspect that gap at the bottom of the screen had some role to play in the head jarring wind effect I experienced. Once was enough. Kinda felt like this on my helmet. ::010::

I prefer the size & looks of the stock screen. But the medium calsci is a good compromise.

Wish you continued good luck. Mike

I have Caribou cases installed, but no top case yet. I haven't had any issues to date. I installed the factory wind deflectors, maybe that's the fix.

Paul

 

[tomatocity]

So far, the stock screen in the high position works fine for me. As a result of my riding experience, I'm up on the tank and no wind issues at all. I ride at freeway speeds with my visor open and no buffeting.

I don't know what the problem is, I love "buffets", particularly the "Svedish Meatballs"!! )

Paul

Also agree with the stock windscreen. I moved it to the lowest position to see if I could create buffeting and it was still good though I could feel the wind on my helmet. Moved it back to the stock setting and all is good.

Buffeting: If you test the windscreen in clean air and do not get buffeting though get buffeting in traffic and/or cross winds then the problem is not with the windscreen.

Windscreen: The lip on the stock windscreen seems to be the plus+++. The larger Yamaha windscreen does not have a very good lip and I have heard complaints. The stock windscreen is smaller and should be a good warm weather windscreen though something to hide behind in cold weather might be welcome.

Mod: I am looking for a way to move the top of the stock windscreen forward. This should help with traffic and crosswind buffeting. For you KLRistas think WheatWacker.