wind screen buffeting

[elizilla]

I'm 5'11" with a 35" inseam. I run with my seat in the high position. But my head probably sits about as high as Tremor38 or TRUBRIT's. I too can report that the stock shield gave me remarkably little buffeting. I replaced it with the MRA Vario shield anyway, because I like being able to adjust the spoiler based on temperature or rain. But it wasn't at all necessary.

 

[Motowalt]

I'm 5'11", 33" inseam.
Arai RX7 helmet, which is noted for being light and with good venting, but not the quietest helmet out there.
Stock seat, with stock seat pads set in the high position.
Rox Risers with bars tilted back as far as possible with the stock cables/brake lines.
Wolfman tankbag.

I've been running with the OEM windscreen and deflectors and just installed the MADSTAD bracket.
The deflectors helped quiet things noticeably and the Madstad was an even bigger improvement over the stock setup.
I did over 200 miles yesterday and I think this setup is a keeper for me.

All adventure bikes should come with adjustable windscreen brackets if you ask me.

 

[duranged2001]

It would be great if someone could rent some time in a wind tunnel, and test out all the known configurations to see what height, width screen works best at what angle and vertical position. How about a group buy??? ???

 

[Motowalt]

It would be great if someone could rent some time in a wind tunnel, and test out all the known configurations to see what height, width screen works best at what angle and vertical position. How about a group buy??? ???

Unfortunately, it's not that easy as everyone is an individual.
There are so many variables: helmet, body size, posture (which can vary day to day depending on how tired you are, etc), barbacks, etc.
With my old bike (BMW F800GS), I tried 4 or 5 different windscreens before finding the one that worked for me in most circumstances. None of them seemed to work well with my Arai XD3 helmet though...

Because the windscreens on adventure bikes are so far away from the rider, touring or sportbike-level coverage is not possible.

 

[markjenn]

Unfortunately, it's not that easy as everyone is an individual.
There are so many variables: helmet, body size, posture (which can vary day to day depending on how tired you are, etc), barbacks, etc.
With my old bike (BMW F800GS), I tried 4 or 5 different windscreens before finding the one that worked for me in most circumstances. None of them seemed to work well with my Arai XD3 helmet though...

Because the windscreens on adventure bikes are so far away from the rider, touring or sportbike-level coverage is not possible.

Well said. Aero is a very tough area on any bike and while you certainly could spend a ton of money (either in the tunnel or on CFD) and produce a great sheild for one rider, it might be terrible for the next. And adventure bikes are the toughest - as touring bikes, we have expectations of FJR-like weather protection, but the fairings and windscreens are smaller and much further away from the rider.

What works great for me is the Yamaha tall screen in the lowest position with the wind deflectors. Even with a duck-billed XD, I'm liking this combo. As long as the crosswind is not significant, this is one of the best compromises I've experienced between good protection and lack of buffeting. But throw in a 15-mph direct crosswind and all hell breaks loose.

- Mark

 

[toompine]

CalSci windscreens - the answer. ::012:: ::008:: I have the clear medium and it is hands down, no contest the best windscreen I have ever ridden behind. 5'-10" and I sit in still air. The shape, contour and air duct cutout make for perfect airflow. Lowers the noise in my helmet, eliminates any buffeting and creates a calm air pocket that is is a pleasure to sit in hour after hour.

The only down side,,,,,drumroll,,,,,, is that on hot days there is a shortage of cooling air flow. May need to get the Wasp bracket to lay the screen down on hot days.

Great company, great website (you could read for months on the stuff they have in there), and science based design.
::014::

 

[Mittenduck]

Just my 2 cents - Some helmets are quieter than others. Taking the helmet out of consideration, noise is caused by buffeting. Buffeting is cause by turbulence. This turbulence induced buffeting creates the low frequency, bass tone noise that is so annoying or even painful. Here's the proof. When riding behind a noisy windshield, try standing up or moving your head way to the side to get it into clear air; it's much windier but much quieter. It's also colder, buggier, and in very hot weather, hotter. The trick is either to raise the turbulence over your helmet (the tall windshield method) or to smooth the turbulent air into a laminar flow (the spoiler method). This stuff has been well understood by aeronautical engineers since the NACA Langley wind tunnel tests in the 1920's. If you want a quiet helmet but lots of air on your torso (and bugs) go with no windshield and stay far behind other vehicles, especially pickups and SUV's. If you want quiet air on your helmet but no air on your torso, go with a spoiler to create laminar flow. (You will still get bugs in your face) If you want to ride in dead air, get a big screen and mount it close to vertical as close to your body as you can. It should be tall enough for you just to be able to look over the top of it and see the road about 10'-15' ahead. A big screen with a spoiler is the ultimate. Personally, I like to be able to ride at freeway speed with my faceshield open in quiet air in the rain. I find that being able to ride with an open faceshield in hot weather is far cooler than riding in the wind with it closed. It is also a royal pain to have to clean bugs off your faceshield every 50 miles.
This is just a basic overview. It gets complicated when you take handling characteristics into account apply different windshields to different bikes at different speeds, and just for fun add a brisk crosswind.
I have had very good results with the Laminar Lip, but last time I checked, there was not one available for the S10. (may be errors - did not bother to proof read)

 

[rem]

Good day, Mittenduck. I think you may have sneaked past us .... I believe you to be a new member, and if such is the case, I just wanted to welcome you to the Forum. If this is the case, please offer us a brief background .. do you own a Tenere or will you be obtaining one soon, or still undecided? It makes no difference to us. Just curious. If I'm totally out to lunch and you been here for months, then slap me down and call me Lucy. In any event, ::004:: . R ::022::

 

[Mittenduck]

I have a Super 10 but only have about 3,600 miles on it, maybe 250 of it off pavement. I like it. I have been riding motorcycles since 1965 and have been lucky enough to ride dozens of different bikes. Currently my smallest bike is a plated XR250R and my biggest a GL1800. In between are a DL1000, a DR650, and a very customized Harley 1200 Sportster. In the right circumstance each one is my favorite. I have had a bunch of BMWs but find the new ones not robust enough to suit me. I am too old to ride sport bikes for more than 50 miles or so... rode a MV Agusta F4 that far a few weeks ago... intoxicating.

Life is too short to spend riding bikes you don't like, and it's pointless to try to convince others that your choice is better than theirs. When you ride with friends whom you trust, trade bikes for an hour or two. You will end up having a higher opinion of them. Either you will admire their judgement in bikes or admire their stamina for riding such a painful piece of crap.

Oh yeah, this is a windshield thread - find a windshield that makes you happy.