XD3 on a Tenere

[10 ER AY]

Does anyone else have this problem? If so how did you solve it?

Somehow, wind pushes down on the visor of my Arai XD3. After a 100 miles or so it really starts to work on the back of my neck to the point I start getting headaches. I am presently on my 3rd windscreen (Yamaha, Yamaha Long, Parabellum) and none have made a significant difference. I noticed that if I sat back a little, the wind seemed to go away, so I installed some Rox Risers yesterday to push me back some. Its much more comfortable but I'm still getting the wind on my visor. I am going to move the Parabellum up to the high setting for the ride home and see how that works but after that I'm fresh out of ideas. I could get a Madstad, but I just paid to have a custom crossbar built so that would just be throwing money after money.

I love my XD3 and dont want to replace it. For 1, its relatively new mileage wise and 2, I paid a good chunk of change for it and 3 Its comfy and I like it. I ride with it on my windscreen-less thumper and have no problems. On my TDM and other bikes it works fine. I only get this problem on the Tenere.

Does anyone have advice that DOESNT involve replacing the helmet? If it keeps up I'll probably have to bite the bullet.

 

[RsZk]

I have the stock shield and Madstad bracket. 5'7", 5'9" with my Daytona GTX boots :-\. I have the AGV Evo 8 DS helmet, Shoei RF 1100, and Shoei Neotec. In the near highest position of the Madstad bracket with the shield tilted away I found some relief from what you are describing. Crosswinds would still make my visor flutter however no matter what positions I put it in. My Shoei helmets with no visor would not have any issue, so I tuned the bracket for minimum turbulence with my Neotec. I use my AGV for shorter and non highway rides, or on my KLR, or remove the visor, which eliminates the problem.

 

[cbrunsw]

Do you have the side deflectors?

 

[10 ER AY]

I installed the side deflectors when I installed the Parabellum. They didnt make much of a difference.

I have a Shoei XR1000 (basically an RF1000) that I dont get the same issue with but I cant fit my Sena speakers in it.

 

[RsZk]

I too have the side deflectors. They do help with the mid torso along with the stock shield.

 

[10 ER AY]

They definitely make a difference in other areas - just not where I wanted them to. ::008::

 

[AlsoRan]

Not sure if the XD-3 visor is similar but I had the same problem with my XD. The best setup that I have found so far is the MRA touring screen (with the wind deflector) and the stock mounts. I now have "smoother" air and less big wind to push on the helmet. It has really reduced the bugs plastering my face shield too. Also I sanded a 1.5" radius on each corner of the visor which seems to help especially with the tugging on the helmet in gusty wind.

Probably a windshield adjuster would help to dial it in better and reduce more wind, but for now I'm happy so I'm not in a big hurry to buy one. Not perfect but a big improvement.

 

[skoron]

My bike came with the Madstadt brackets and the adjustability seems to really help. I ride with both an XD3 or Shoei quest.

Skoron

 

[10 ER AY]

So I forgot theres a small amount play on the visor for adjusting it up and down. I've been riding with it all the way down for so long I forgot about it.

I adjusted it all the way up today and there was no more pressing down on the visor, but it acted like a parachute. I guess I just have to find the sweet spot to balance it out. Even all the way up is still better than the feeling of a midget sitting on the front of my visor.

 

[slipangle]

I have the stock shield and Madstad bracket. 5'7", 5'9" with my Daytona GTX boots :-\. I have the AGV Evo 8 DS helmet, Shoei RF 1100, and Shoei Neotec. In the near highest position of the Madstad bracket with the shield tilted away I found some relief from what you are describing. Crosswinds would still make my visor flutter however no matter what positions I put it in. My Shoei helmets with no visor would not have any issue, so I tuned the bracket for minimum turbulence with my Neotec. I use my AGV for shorter and non highway rides, or on my KLR, or remove the visor, which eliminates the problem.

I don't use the visor if I'm on paved roads and their associated higher speeds. Off paved roads, the visor goes on, and I'm using goggles instead of the shield. The neat thing about the XD series (aside from the comfort, removable liner, and great ventilation) is that they are like having two helmets in one.

 

[10 ER AY]

I guess I want my cake and eat it, too. :-[

I like the visor. Its great for blocking the sun and really, I just think it looks cool.

You can remove the visor but IMO, the XD3 is one fugly helmet with it off.

 

[kgfire]

In the Cycle World magazine long term test of the ST they had the same issues with the combination of windscreens and ADV dual sport type helmets and buffeting. After installing the Wunderlich Tobinator adjustable windscreen bracket ($130) they reported a big improvement. I'm not much of a fan of aftermarket windscreens because unless you're willing to install a barn door sized windscreen they usually are a waste of money. Apparently with the Tobinator you can use the stock windscreen and it becomes adjustable up and down and angle.
Good luck!

 

[Karson]

I think the xd3 & xd4 have the same visor, or close, but I was looking at the xd4 against the hornet ds at a dealer a month ago. they're both fantastic helmets and I'm sure the xd4 has an edge over the shoei in one respect or another, but i went with the hornet because of the exact same buffeting concerns you're having. the visor is much bigger on the arai, but that also means it's more effective i suppose, too.

the hornet visor is lifted off the helmet enough that air can channel through really easy, but it's snubby so only in the perfect direction and time of day does it become an effective solution to block the sun. don't get me wrong if i have a predominate wind coming in on me at an angle the hornet still buffets, but with the touratech bracket and stock small windscreen everything is good. ::003::

i can't handle the barn door looking windscreens. i'd rather dress appropriately and withstand the elements than run one of those, i'm probably in the minority though. the closest to a large windscreen i got was the aftermarket yamaha one and it was worthless as it's the same height, just a little wider at the top as the stocker.

 

[scudrunner]

Hi,
I ride with an XD4. I'm 6'0" with the seat in the high position. The helmet buffeted like crazy until I got an MRA touring screen with the adjustable spoiler. Now its great. I can comfortably sit at 70-80 with no buffeting at all. I'm glad I put the screen on and kept my helmet because its so comfy, and the visor is amazing for long rides into the sun. Hope it helps.
Randy
::008::

 

[snakebitten]

i can't handle the barn door looking windscreens. i'd rather dress appropriately and withstand the elements than run one of those, i'm probably in the minority though.

First time you showed your age. And too late. You can't take it back you whippersnapper.

Can't believe you just took a shot at all us old coots on Teneres. You DO know you are going to be heavily outnumbered in Ouray?
Any 2 riders will likely be > than 100 years old.

 

[Karson]

First time you showed your age. And too late. You can't take it back you whippersnapper.

Can't believe you just took a shot at all us old coots on Teneres. You DO know you are going to be heavily outnumbered in Ouray?
Any 2 riders will likely be > than 100 years old.

First time in a long time I laughed out loud on a post. I like hanging out with you seasoned farts. I act old myself - rarely go to the bars ever and rarely am awake past 10. Y'all saved many hours of wasted time and money.

So no intent to offend in the least I can see the functional part of them, but I've taken one of those big 'ol things to the throat once on my KLR and I swore never again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[snakebitten]

Nice recovery (attempt)

It wasn't your poser gene (dies out with age) after all. It was your sense of "safety".

I'd like to buy it. And if you were.....say 40, or even 35, I might have.

 

[Swagger]

Is it the peak causing the problem? I ride in one behind an OEM screen and I don't notice any real buffeting. If you've tried various screens take the peak off and see if it's that. At least you'll know one way or another.

 

[10 ER AY]

Is it the peak causing the problem? I ride in one behind an OEM screen and I don't notice any real buffeting. If you've tried various screens take the peak off and see if it's that. At least you'll know one way or another.

Peak/visor, same thing. The peak is definitely the problem, but I'm trying to find a way to keep it.

 

[terryth]

I have one of the original XD's in the basement and have never ridden with it on the Tenere. It's retired, but I can't bring myself to throw something that expensive away. My current helmet is a cheapo Fly Racing Trekker DS with a visor peak in hi-viz yellow. Odd thing is, the peaked Fly DS helmet is quieter and a lot smoother than my regular HJC carbon street helmet with my screen set up. I use a Givi airflow screen with a Saeng edge across the upper part. I don't notice any obvious lifting or pushing with the visor, except when riding in really strong side winds. I like the peaks for the sun blocking, back in the 80s and 90's I used to buy a Nolan street helmet model that had a visor for that reason.

http://www.saeng.com/product.php?id=581&category=80

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/givi-airflow-windscreen-yamaha-xt1200z-super-tenere-11?gclid=CNvv7buF57cCFbFAMgodZD0AhQ

http://www.jafrum.com/Motorcycle-Helmets/Dual-Sport-Helmets/Fly-Trekker-Dual-Sport-Motorcycle-Helmet-Solids?gdftrk=gdfV25976_a_7c2444_a_7c9150_a_7cFlyTrekkerSolids&gclid=CPvh8IWB57cCFehAMgodblMAiQ