Windscreen Madness

[MidlifeMotor]

I am no motorcycle expert, having only started riding an MC last year. However, I wanted to share what I have learned about buffeting and windscreens. My first bike is a V-star 650 with a small windscreen. The buffeting on the highway was really bad. I "fixed" most of the problem with earplugs and snugging the chin strap of my helmet. My police duty bike is a Kawi Concours 14 with an after- market, larger electric windscreen. I can adjust the windscreen up and down as I ride. Talk about sweet. I ride around town with it lowered but raise it when I get on the freeway. I can fine adjust it up and down as I please given the circumstance.

It is amazing how much difference even half an inch of adjustment can make. However, I want to add that the height of the windscreen to get the best result varies very much on many factors which change day by day. Headwind, sidewind, temperature, traffic conditions etc all play factors into the height I have it. With the Concour I have the luxury of making easy adjustments at the tip of my fingers with a switch. With the ST this is not an option.

Here's my point. Don't drive yourself crazy constantly changing out windscreens and cursing and wondering why it worked one day and not another. Most buffeting issues can be reduced with earplugs or ipod earbuds for music. Find something that works most of the time for the conditions you ride the most and don't get aggravated if you get some temporary buffeting.

 

[tomatocity]

Good advice though you will find most of us looking for a tactile change. One thing you did not mention about the C14 is when the windshield is raised it also changes the angle to a more vertical position. The C14 is a very good motorcycle and you are lucky to ride one for work. A friend bought a new C14 a month ago and he likes it. I have wanted one since 2008.

I suggest before buying a new windshield take the time to space the top of the stock forward about an 1/8 of an inch and see if you can notice the difference. This will cost you two longer bolts and two spacers.

 

[MidlifeMotor]

Good advice though you will find most of us looking for a tactile change. One thing you did not mention about the C14 is when the windshield is raised it also changes the angle to a more vertical position. The C14 is a very good motorcycle and you are lucky to ride one for work. A friend bought a new C14 a month ago and he likes it. I have wanted one since 2008.

I suggest before buying a new windshield take the time to space the top of the stock forward about an 1/8 of an inch and see if you can notice the difference. This will cost you two longer bolts and two spacers.

Great points. Yes, I pinch myself daily that I get paid to ride the darn thing! Now if my ST would just get here I would really be happy!

 

[creggur]

Buffeting is a new phenomena for me to deal with on the Tenere. My previous bikes were sport bikes where my head was always above the turbulence and in clean air. My last bike was a Honda VFR800 and the same held true for that sport-tourer as well - though many on popular VFR forums changed windscreens, angles, etc. to combat the dirty air that plagued them. Rider height, size, inseam, posture, and a myriad of other variables play into this, of course.

My experience with the Tenere was beyond a bit of buffeting in the ears (I always ride with plugs anyway), it was a teeth rattling nightmare that was akin to someone playing paradiddles on my forehead with baseball bats. I'd duck down in search of clean air with no respite. The only time it subsided was when I would get my head above the windscreen into clean air (you can ride in a semi-standing position at highway speeds for only so long) so I decided to try a shorter screen. What I've found with my CalSci shorty (2 inches shorter than stock) is that I still have a blast of air hitting my helmet (now mid-visor vs. forehead) but the air coming off is much cleaner and the buffeting is all but gone. The only time I notice any now is when following large vehicles, which is to be expected, but it's simply turbulent air moving my head around a bit, not the drum-beating I was experiencing before.

The biggest difference in design I can see between the CalSci and the stock screen, besides height and color, is that the CalSci doesn't have a lip, nor does the angle of the plastic change near the edge. I believe the stock screen, at the stock angle and height options, produces turbulent air by design-fault. I just couldn't find a way to live with it...

 

[DuMar]

Buffeting is a new phenomena for me to deal with on the Tenere. My previous bikes were sport bikes where my head was always above the turbulence and in clean air. My last bike was a Honda VFR800 and the same held true for that sport-tourer as well - though many on popular VFR forums changed windscreens, angles, etc. to combat the dirty air that plagued them. Rider height, size, inseam, posture, and a myriad of other variables play into this, of course.

My experience with the Tenere was beyond a bit of buffeting in the ears (I always ride with plugs anyway), it was a teeth rattling nightmare that was akin to someone playing paradiddles on my forehead with baseball bats. I'd duck down in search of clean air with no respite. The only time it subsided was when I would get my head above the windscreen into clean air (you can ride in a semi-standing position at highway speeds for only so long) so I decided to try a shorter screen. What I've found with my CalSci shorty (2 inches shorter than stock) is that I still have a blast of air hitting my helmet (now mid-visor vs. forehead) but the air coming off is much cleaner and the buffeting is all but gone. The only time I notice any now is when following large vehicles, which is to be expected, but it's simply turbulent air moving my head around a bit, not the drum-beating I was experiencing before.

The biggest difference in design I can see between the CalSci and the stock screen, besides height and color, is that the CalSci doesn't have a lip, nor does the angle of the plastic change near the edge. I believe the stock screen, at the stock angle and height options, produces turbulent air by design-fault. I just couldn't find a way to live with it...

That's great information, thanks. ::008::

I bought an adjuster thinking all I needed was a little more height, but found I couldn't find the sweet spot anywhere in the adjustment range. I believe you may be right about the stock screen being designed improperly. I swear the turbulent vibration is wearing the enamel off my teeth. :'(

I'm thinking of trying the large Cal Sci screen.

Mike

 

[creggur]

That's great information, thanks. ::008::

I bought an adjuster thinking all I needed was a little more height, but found I couldn't find the sweet spot anywhere in the adjustment range. I believe you may be right about the stock screen being designed improperly. I swear the turbulent vibration is wearing the enamel off my teeth. :'(

I'm thinking of trying the large Cal Sci screen.

Mike

Glad I could help, even being a Buffeting Novice of sorts. And I wouldn't throw the adjuster away, I may get one to tweak angles and such for increase/decrease airflow for the minor season changes we have here in The Sandbox. And I like where the bar on the WASP adjuster would put the GPS in my line of sight. Plus the adjusters seem like neat toys that open a lot of options for not-so-huge $$$...

Best of luck on your search for clean air - the bike is now perfect for me ergonomically and ride comfort-wise. I was afraid I wasn't going to be able to live with it before - the buffeting was miserable and caused headaches after an hour or so - no good...

Also The CalSci screen seems to be of utmost quality, and the service was spectacular. Ordered Monday evening USPS Express and It was on my doorstep Wednesday - shipped the day I ordered and the Posties were able to get it from Cali to Florida in two days... ::008:: I may order a medium myself for the hard winter months to block some more air - wouldn't hesitate to use CalSci again. Even though their online shopping cart and such seemed a bit "old-school" - it got the job done.

 

[DuMar]

I may order a medium myself for the hard winter months to block some more air - wouldn't hesitate to use CalSci again.

Did you say "hard winter months"? ) You live in Florida, right? ::025:: Oh man ... I wish I had to endure your weather. ::015::

Thanks again,
Mike

 

[korie]

i picked up the MAdStad adjustable bracket system. i LOVE this thing. it is raised all of the way up and tilted about half back right now and it is a world of difference from stock even though it is the stock windshield.

 

[creggur]

Did you say "hard winter months"? ) You live in Florida, right? ::025:: Oh man ... I wish I had to endure your weather. ::015::

Thanks again,
Mike

Yep - the 12 month riding season is a wonderful thing. Of course all of our roads are either straight and flat or straighter and flatter - and all of our dirt roads are pure sugar sand - so there are trade-offs.

 

[creggur]

Stock windshield works for me. I remember long before I got the bike, guys like Wasp said no way in the world I would endure the turbulence of the stock windshield without mods----- Wrong. i hear some wind noise, much more than on the Goldwing, I'll admit though. Never tried earplugs in 350,000 miles on the road, don't think I will.

This proves my theory of too many variables to take into account. Height, girth, inseam, posture, helmet, jacket, andonandonandon... I never had a moment of buffeting on my VFR, but there were countless threads on solutions to the 'buffeting problem' on VFR forums. Explains why the OEMs can't possibly build a one-size-fits-all motorcycle; I'm just glad the aftermarket is there to take up the slack. It was literally painful to ride the Tenere for me with the stock screen. And I couldn't imagine riding without earplugs...ever.

We all bring something different to the table and that's part of the fun of this whole thing, no?

 

[troll]

Never tried earplugs in 350,000 miles on the road, don't think I will.

what did you say Ron? speak-up I can't hear a word your saying.... ::013:: just kidding.... I'm riding behind the stock shield and doing ok... can't hear a thing anyway... ::014::

 

[troll]

shorten the shield and get your head out into free air - vents the helmet and stops the buffeting.

 

[rem]

He can be such a Troll sometimes ... Hey, I'm doing the Tagish Loop today? Wanna follow me ????? R ::025::

 

[troll]

He can be such a Troll sometimes ... Hey, I'm doing the Tagish Loop today? Wanna follow me ????? R ::025::

Man you get up early for a Sunday morning... ::013:: I have a few honey-do's to get done before my workweek starts so won't do a big ride today. I might get out late in the day with my sweetie for a little ride to view the swans, either at swan haven or the Tagish bridge. ::001::

 

[rem]

There are quite a few at the Tagish Bridge. I saw them through my WINDSCREEN. Just got back. ::008:: ::001:: R