Wind Buffeting on Street Glide - Solved
#21
09-15-2009, 01:11 PM
where i got mine was from the harley parts counter. the adjustable ones that come on the ultra are great quality. i refuse to use kuryakyn crap. they make what's called dragon wings, but the stock harley adjustable ones worked wonders for me. part number for them is......58156-08 this part # is for the 08 and newer batwings. i am guesssing that the different size of fuel tank, 6 gallon, on the 08 and newer harleys dictated the different part number. cost in the 09 parts and accessories catalog is $109.95 it made a huge difference on my streetglide, along with the fork baffle of course.
#23
09-15-2009, 04:29 PM
Road Captain
#24
09-16-2009, 09:40 AM
Club Member
#25
09-16-2009, 10:16 AM
Extreme HDF Member
Let me start off by saying that 95% of the roads in Texas have a 70 mph speed limit.
So all my comments are about riding at 70 to 75 mph. There is a big difference over 65 mph. Below 60 you can use almost anything
I'm 6' and I sit up pretty straight (because of a bad back, if I slouch), I have a 9 1/2" recurve Clearview, Fork Baffle, Fairing Wings (deflectors) and lower fairings. I have solved my head buffering and get to look over the windshiel by 3" or so.
The helmet types do make a difference too.
My 1/2 helmet is no buffering and the 3/4 is almost head buffering, it is close.
I have tried an 8" Windvest with the major recurve and it had a little buffering, so I sold it
I tried the 10 1/2" Klock Werks and had a little buffering, sold it
I tried a 10" half moon and had a little buffering, sold it
For winter time I have a 12" and 14" halfmoon and they are fine, no buffering.
I look over the 12" and through the 14". But at these sizes, they look and act like billboards
I need to get an 11" for winter, I think it would work too.
What the Fairing lowers helped with, is being able to use the highway pegs. Before I had the lowers if I put my feet on the highway pegs (I have them mounted low) my legs would act like wind deflectors and throw the wind right in my face. Not any buffering just 70 mile per hour wind right in my face. With the lowers their is no difference with my feet on the highway pegs or on the floorboards.
This summer I did take the vents out of the lowers and it seemed to add about twice as much air for cooling my legs and feet.
No differnce on the buffering or wind on the body or face.
So all my comments are about riding at 70 to 75 mph. There is a big difference over 65 mph. Below 60 you can use almost anything
I'm 6' and I sit up pretty straight (because of a bad back, if I slouch), I have a 9 1/2" recurve Clearview, Fork Baffle, Fairing Wings (deflectors) and lower fairings. I have solved my head buffering and get to look over the windshiel by 3" or so.
The helmet types do make a difference too.
My 1/2 helmet is no buffering and the 3/4 is almost head buffering, it is close.
I have tried an 8" Windvest with the major recurve and it had a little buffering, so I sold it
I tried the 10 1/2" Klock Werks and had a little buffering, sold it
I tried a 10" half moon and had a little buffering, sold it
For winter time I have a 12" and 14" halfmoon and they are fine, no buffering.
I look over the 12" and through the 14". But at these sizes, they look and act like billboards
I need to get an 11" for winter, I think it would work too.
What the Fairing lowers helped with, is being able to use the highway pegs. Before I had the lowers if I put my feet on the highway pegs (I have them mounted low) my legs would act like wind deflectors and throw the wind right in my face. Not any buffering just 70 mile per hour wind right in my face. With the lowers their is no difference with my feet on the highway pegs or on the floorboards.
This summer I did take the vents out of the lowers and it seemed to add about twice as much air for cooling my legs and feet.
No differnce on the buffering or wind on the body or face.
Last edited by Texas Fat Boy; 09-16-2009 at 10:19 AM.
#27
09-16-2009, 11:40 AM
Cruiser
#28
09-16-2009, 12:09 PM
Road Warrior
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Houston Texas
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Not for me, and most will agree it's about being in the open space, not at all about having your face contorted to alien looks... I am 1/8th American Indian descent and the open space is the appealing part of riding.
#29
09-16-2009, 06:15 PM
Extreme HDF Member
#30
09-16-2009, 06:54 PM
Road Warrior
To any of you out there that feel like Alex Van Halen is playing a drum solo on your head at certain speeds, read on...
I purchased a new to me 2008 SG about 6 weeks and 1,200 miles ago. Love it! It came with an 8' windshield. (not sure the brand but it's tinted black along the bottom and clear on top. No recurve.) For what it's worth, I am 6' tall, 34 inseam, wear a half helmet and probably slouch more than I should.
Anyway, it has been fine at most speeds but between about 50 and 60, the drum solo begins. It's so violent that I could barely focus on street signs or anything. Not too safe not to mention I can't afford any brain damage, I have enough screws lose as it is.
Faster than that it smoothed out and under was not so violent, but still there.
As folks have suggested, I used my hand to determine where the worst of it was coming from. I determined that the windshield was tall enough, in fact I could probably go an inch shorter or may drop a few inches and get a recurve type. The nasty stuff was coming from under the fairing.
I tried the fork baffle thing and didn't notice any difference at all. Would have sent it back but it is chrome and does look nice so it can stay.
Next I install the fairing air deflectors. Ahhh... Buffeting is gone. I've done about 100 miles of all different speeds and it's awesome. The way this bike should ride IMHO. I got the adjustable ones so on hot days I can let more air through but even with the vents open, the buffeting is much better.
I actually noticed I was going a lot faster than normal since it was so smooth. I had to keep a close eye on the speedo until I got used to it.
Typical disclaimer, worked for me, YMMV, yada-yada-yada.
Ride safe!
I purchased a new to me 2008 SG about 6 weeks and 1,200 miles ago. Love it! It came with an 8' windshield. (not sure the brand but it's tinted black along the bottom and clear on top. No recurve.) For what it's worth, I am 6' tall, 34 inseam, wear a half helmet and probably slouch more than I should.
Anyway, it has been fine at most speeds but between about 50 and 60, the drum solo begins. It's so violent that I could barely focus on street signs or anything. Not too safe not to mention I can't afford any brain damage, I have enough screws lose as it is.
Faster than that it smoothed out and under was not so violent, but still there.As folks have suggested, I used my hand to determine where the worst of it was coming from. I determined that the windshield was tall enough, in fact I could probably go an inch shorter or may drop a few inches and get a recurve type. The nasty stuff was coming from under the fairing.
I tried the fork baffle thing and didn't notice any difference at all. Would have sent it back but it is chrome and does look nice so it can stay.
Next I install the fairing air deflectors. Ahhh... Buffeting is gone. I've done about 100 miles of all different speeds and it's awesome. The way this bike should ride IMHO. I got the adjustable ones so on hot days I can let more air through but even with the vents open, the buffeting is much better.
I actually noticed I was going a lot faster than normal since it was so smooth. I had to keep a close eye on the speedo until I got used to it.
Typical disclaimer, worked for me, YMMV, yada-yada-yada.
Ride safe!