stock windscreen adjusting...an option to reduce buffeting

[soldierguy]

Just thought I'd throw this out here as a cheap option for reducing buffeting. Maybe it's the former KLR owner in me, but cheap can be good! I'm 6 ft with a 33 inch inseam for reference.

Before buying a new windscreen, you might want to try inserting some plastic (or rubber...I just wouldn't use metal) washers in the lower windscreen mounts to move the bottom of the windshield forward. This gets more air moving underneath the windscreen, which reduces the low-pressure zone behind the windscreen. That low-pressure zone behind the windscreen is what causes air to tumble over the top of the screen and cause buffeting.

I had buffeting with the windscreen in the high position and the seat in the low position. With the screen in the low position, I had fairly clean air hitting my helmet. I moved the screen back to the high position, but inserted a little under a half-inch of plastic washers on the screw to move the base of the screen farther forward. I just used some plastic washers and longer screws I had laying around. It worked...no buffeting whether the seat is in the low or high position. It's not a quiet pocket of relatively still air like you get from a Madstad screen, but the buffeting is gone, and it cost me FAR less than any aftermarket windscreen...it was free for me since I had the washers and screws on hand.

I'll experiment some more once I get my free tall screen and winglets from Yamaha. But for now, it's much better!

 

[KUSTOMZMAN1]

Sounds like it's worth a try. Good write up.

 

[AVGeek]

I've owned my bike over 3 years, and still haven't found the perfect solution...but I did do this mod, and between using the Cal Sci shorty screen and changing to an Shoei GT-Air helmet, I've gotten close...

 

[Travex]

Good tip soldierguy. Makes good sense. I'm interested in hearing of any further experience.

 

[tomatocity]

Another idea... I find changing the angle of the windshield / tilting it forward, to be very effective. Space the upper fasteners with rubber washers.

 

[soldierguy]

I'm still playing with it all. I've got the tall screen & winglets on there now and it seems to work best in the high position with spacers on the top if I have the seat in the low position. Move the seat to the high position and I'll want the screen lower with spacers on the bottom. I like moving my seat between high and low, so I bit the bullet and I ordered the madstad adjustment bracket for the stock screens.

I'd rather not get rid of the stock screens...to me they are good sizes, but just need to be positioned a little better.

 

[advswede1981]

Just thought I'd throw this out here as a cheap option for reducing buffeting. Maybe it's the former KLR owner in me, but cheap can be good! I'm 6 ft with a 33 inch inseam for reference.

Before buying a new windscreen, you might want to try inserting some plastic (or rubber...I just wouldn't use metal) washers in the lower windscreen mounts to move the bottom of the windshield forward. This gets more air moving underneath the windscreen, which reduces the low-pressure zone behind the windscreen. That low-pressure zone behind the windscreen is what causes air to tumble over the top of the screen and cause buffeting.

I had buffeting with the windscreen in the high position and the seat in the low position. With the screen in the low position, I had fairly clean air hitting my helmet. I moved the screen back to the high position, but inserted a little under a half-inch of plastic washers on the screw to move the base of the screen farther forward. I just used some plastic washers and longer screws I had laying around. It worked...no buffeting whether the seat is in the low or high position. It's not a quiet pocket of relatively still air like you get from a Madstad screen, but the buffeting is gone, and it cost me FAR less than any aftermarket windscreen...it was free for me since I had the washers and screws on hand.

I'll experiment some more once I get my free tall screen and winglets from Yamaha. But for now, it's much better!

A real KLR veteran would recommend completely removing the perfectly fine stock windshield and replace it with a rusty bar stool that is duct taped to the front forks and wrapped in powder coated aluminium foil, which was bought from Happy Trails at an unforgiving mark up price. However, the buyer regret which is sure to follow, is suppressed by wild tales about adventure travels to Alaska and Patagonia.

 

[Curt]

I think this theory is right, and I've got a Yamaha tall windscreen mounted with a Touratech bracket adjusted accordingly with a large gap underneath. My ride is without buffeting, and generally quiet, but I still wear earplugs for long highway miles.

 

[AVGeek]

I was lucky to acquire a Wasp Works Windshield adjuster (I had previously used a Madstad, and wasn't happy with it). It sits much higher, so there is a good gap underneath the screen, and the range of adjustment is impressive (I was able to lay the CalSci shorty screen almost flat). I'm glad I got it, I'm much happier with the airflow management so far. I still need to try my stock screen, and I also have a tall screen (but it may be too tall now, not sure how the mounting horns will hold up).