Let's talk about buffeting...

[G3Truks]

I truely love my SG better than any bike I've owned...but....The buffeting nearly caused me to trade it on something else (anything at the time..I was mad). I played around and spent money on multiple windshields, added the little air dam that goes between the forks at the triple tree, added the dragon wings and finally added the chrome hard lowers. SO...now it doesn't look much like a SG anymore, and I have said and will repeat that I'm more interested in comfort than looking cool, and is starting to look strange.
What are you guys doing? (all 5 of you) about this issue?? Or does it bother me more than it does you? I have never had a bike, batwing, windshield or any combination that would actually pull my shirt over my head until I got this one.

Ideas?

 

[PB1]

Honestly, I've been in the same boat. I did add a better windshield but some of that is just what it is with bike. I won't trade it in but I just plan my routes to give me a break from it all!

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[Spoiler]

I'm in exactly the same place here. I've done the same mods (less the pair of giant fork deflectors) as G4 above. I'm basically at the "grin and bear it" stage right now.

If I were at a "grin and bare it" stage like G4 is, I might just buy me one of them new street glide shirts that also snaps at the bottom with leg holes. They are sort of like a "sleeper" for a baby.

 

[deep purple]

I use a Memphis shade 10" windshield, I have had the same one on the last 3 Glides and it works for me. I think some of it is just getting used to a fairing. I have also found wind conditions change the amount of "buffeting" I get.

 

[Spoiler]

I use a Memphis shade 10" windshield, I have had the same one on the last 3 Glides and it works for me. I think some of it is just getting used to a fairing. I have also found wind conditions change the amount of "buffeting" I get.

Yeah, there are lots of factors.... height of shield, curvature or not at the top of the shield, seat height, torso length, speed traveling, ect ect... I just haven't figured out the exact magic combo yet. I have no buffetting up to 60, but I ride over 60 quite a bit and that's when things get a little shaky. Another factor is passenger loading. I often ride with my sister-in-law, and she is a biggun to say the least. With her on, the back end is down about 3" lower and it's sort of an uphill ride all the way..

 

[G3Truks]

I actually got to the point I was trying to build a wind dam out of 2x4s and 3/4" marine plywood. Just like my Howitzer handlebar mount I was having trouble finding a place to bolt it.

 

[timn330]

Hi guys, I dont have a SG yet, just took one out for a test drive today, i'm gonna trade my Fat Boy in. I live in the Middle East where the speed limits are kind of advisory, so the average speed is between 75-100. On my FB there is no buffeting, but when I test drove the SG, it was really bad. Im looking forward to hearing of some solutions.

 

[03hdfatboy]

I wear ear plugs on my Fatboy without windshield and my street glide to keep the wind noise out of my ears. If the wind bothers u too much maybe u should try the road glide.


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[Aus]

G3Truks
G'day. I know this an old old post....But...Its still an issue. Did you ever find a solution?

 

[Mojo]

All-
This has worked quite well for me on my SGS:
Smoked Fairing lowers (the ones standard on the Ultra).
Chrome fork lowers (attach to turn signal brakets).
I just ordered a Custom Shield from sponsor Craig but currently use 7.5 Wind Splitter.
I am now pretty close to the calmness of my Road King's wind screen with fork lowers.
Good luck!

 

[AlanS]

You have to move the 'dirty' air coming off the windscreen up over your helmet, with a taller windshield, or down below your helmet (with a shorter windshield). That said, one critical variable is how 'tall' you sit in the saddle. The height variable is largely responsible for the fact that what works for one guy (windshield height-wise) doesn't work for another.

When you're riding down the road at cursing speed, take your left hand and move it up and down off to the side near your face shield to determine at what height relative to your helmet the wind feels 'smooth', and where the wind feels 'roughest'. (It's the 'dirty' air striking your helmet that causes most of the buffeting).

Where the wind is roughest is about at the 'center' of the dirty air. You want to move this 'center' above your helmet top, or below its bottom. Decide if you want to look through the windshield (move the dirty air up) or over the windshield (move the dirty air lower).

Gauge how many inches it will require (based on your 'hand measurement') to do this, and that will give you an approximation of how much taller, or shorter, the new windshield needs to be compared to the one currently on the bike. (This assumes you buy a windshield of the same shape as the one you currently have, BTW.)

Another variable is helmet shape. Some helmets will 'buffet' more than others in a given amount of rough air. Also, you might not have to get all the 'dirty' air off the helmet, just the worst of it (what was called the 'center' above).

My 2014 with a 7" Windsplitter works pretty well for me. If I go directly into a hard wind (30-40 knots or more) it adds to the buffet and I can feel it. That is, if I'm running 70 MPH, an additional 40 MPH head-wind makes it like I'm running 110 MPH. (So speed has something to do with the 'buffet equation' as well.) But on a normal (less windy) day, I get some dirty air at the top inch or so of my helmet, but it's not enough to bother me.

HD has a 'try before you buy' windshield program, so you can experiment at no cost.

alan

 

[metalfanatic]

The magic combination that worked for me was a klock werks 6.5 flare and the chrome HD fork deflectors. Believe it or not, the fork deflectors really work! I am 5' 10" and I can see clearly over the top of the screen. I hope this helps someone.

 

[Mojo]

+1 on the fork deflectors, they and fairing lowers really help!

 

[redrocket465]

I've found the perfect combination is fangs, klock works 8.5 screen and fairing wings...cuts all the wind.Only downside is engine heat now doesn't dissipate.

 

[Jenkie]

I found the best was for long trips, or full day trips was to install the Harley 10" Wind Splitter Windshield.

NOTE: I went to install my shield from the 2010, and it will not fit on the 2014. I had to buy another one.

 

[jason]

I'm 6'-1" and put an 8.5" Klockwerks on mine and it made a noticeable difference over the stocker. I also notice when I'm at freeway speeds, whenever I put my feet out on the highway pegs I get alot of 'dirty' air coming off of those. If I put them on the floor boards, in tight with the tank, it's nice and calm. Anyone else noticed this? Woud lower fairings help this?