Helmet Buffering or what?

[pitzerwm]

Being new to riding, I am experiencing something that makes me uncomfortable while riding at freeway speed for a distance over 40-50 miles. Been researching and I'm suspecting helmet buffering, but I'm not sure what helmet buffering really is.

I have a 2014 with the 25" tall, wide (31") F4 windshield. My eye level is at the top of the windshield or 1" below. I'm not experiencing the wind "moving" my head around like a bobble doll. I'm wondering if buffering could also just be a more subtle "vibration" that eventually bugs you? I have the vent which I have open and I have the windshield full up. There is a slight vibration from the bike at freeway speeds, not sure if this is a fault or one of the wheels need balancing.

My helmet is a L BRP which I believe fits correctly, not tight but "secure". It has the detachable chin guard and I've tried it with and without. Doesn't seem to make a difference. I tried my GF's M HD helmet (3/4) and it was really tight. Experienced the same discomfort.

Any observations/ideas are welcome.

[SpyderAnn01]

Bill, are you feeling pressure on the back of your head? If so, you should try lowering the windshield. Actually, you should experiment with the windshield in all positions until you find one where you no longer feel the buffeting. I ride with my windshield about 1" up from the lowest setting, if I put it up any higher I feel the buffeting on the back of my head.

[bcoulter19]

if you feel like the spyder is moving around you might need a laser alignment.

Bill C.

[MouthPiece]

if you feel like the spyder is moving around you might need a laser alignment.

Bill C.

Agreed.

​Chris

[Orange Spyder Man]

its a motorcycle... expect wind.. its normal


osm

[ARCTIC]

When I wore a helmet on my RS the wind would shake the helmet just enough that it would make me sick after a little while.

[Chupaca]

Ann
you have to try all the different positions available. It will also vary with the helmet you are using...

[jaherbst]

Bill, are you feeling pressure on the back of your head? If so, you should try lowering the windshield. Actually, you should experiment with the windshield in all positions until you find one where you no longer feel the buffeting. I ride with my windshield about 1" up from the lowest setting, if I put it up any higher I feel the buffeting on the back of my head.

Ann is right on. Move the Windshield up or down slightly to the least buffeting area. You should be just looking over the windshield so you can see a point on the road in front of you about 75 feet and not through the windshield.

Jack

[tip]

'Might also check that your tire pressures are correct!

if you feel like the spyder is moving around you might need a laser alignment.

Bill C.

[SpyderDon]

If you're new to riding it may just be the extra weight of the helmet. The only true way to determine if your wheels are causing the vibrations is to find a perfectly smooth road, good luck. I don't think road builders give a crap about smoothness anymore. Also, experience will cause a lot less stress over wind gusts and traffic buffeting.

[pitzerwm]

if you feel like the spyder is moving around you might need a laser alignment.

Bill C.

It has been laser aligned. The bike doesn't appear to be moving. A vibration maybe.

[Firefly]

Move your head up, down, etc. and see if the problem changes. This was a common problem with early Spyder models due to crappy windshields. Many of us had to try various shields and positions to 'fix' it. The aerodynamics of your helmet matter a lot also.

It's going to take some trial and error to get it to feel just right.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

Bill, if I understood you correctly in an earlier PM you said were 5' 8" or so ......I'm 5' 11"....We have the same Spyder except for the F-4 which measured and said is the SAME height as OEM......if you are looking just over the top at MAX windshield height , I think something may be wrong with the lifting mechanism.......because at MAX height on mine I'm looking thru 2 inches of plastic ....annnnnnd I'm 3 in. taller than you...........Question has your seat been altered and is now extremely thick.....???..................Mike

[pitzerwm]

Bill, if I understood you correctly in an earlier PM you said were 5' 8" or so ......I'm 5' 11"....We have the same Spyder except for the F-4 which measured and said is the SAME height as OEM......if you are looking just over the top at MAX windshield height , I think something may be wrong with the lifting mechanism.......because at MAX height on mine I'm looking thru 2 inches of plastic ....annnnnnd I'm 3 in. taller than you...........Question has your seat been altered and is now extremely thick.....???..................Mike

I do have an Ultimate seat and the previous owner was taller than I so it could be a tallboy, which one would assume that was a little higher. Mike, I think this is the issue with me sitting taller than you do. Maybe your height in in your legs

The tire pressure is right and monitored with FOBO.

I am not talking about normal wind gust or a passing truck.

I will work with the height of the windshield.

[happyspyder2039]

Bill, are you feeling pressure on the back of your head? If so, you should try lowering the windshield. Actually, you should experiment with the windshield in all positions until you find one where you no longer feel the buffeting. I ride with my windshield about 1" up from the lowest setting, if I put it up any higher I feel the buffeting on the back of my head.

What she said!

[pitzerwm]

When I wore a helmet on my RS the wind would shake the helmet just enough that it would make me sick after a little while.

I didn't notice this on my RS but I only rode it 1000 miles before getting the RT. Did you notice the "shaking" or was it subtle and eventually you realized that you were sick? I understand that if the helmet is too big its going to move around causing problems.

[BajaRon]

Buffeting (not buffering) is caused when turbulent wind hits the helmet from several different angles randomly and in quick succession. It's like getting pummeled by wind.

If you can move the helmet without moving your head then it is very likely that the helmet is too loose. A properly fitted helmet is quite snug and most people will not wear a properly fitted helmet.

When the helmet is too loose this buffeting action will cause the helmet to move erratically on your head. Usually back and forth. This messes with your vision and can give you a headache.

Your windshield crates a region of relative calm behind it with turbulence around the edges. The size, shape and location of this calm area depends on several factors. The trick is to get your head into the calm area. Regardless of where your windshield is, you can lean forward and down to find this sweet spot. That gives you a point of reference. If the sweet spot is too far forward or too low or both. then you need to make the necessary changes to relocate the sweet spot to where you can take advantage of it.

The turbulence and the sweet spot will move depending on speed and wind direction.

Bottom line is, You're on a motorcycle. You are going to get wind. You can manage it some, but you can't get rid of it altogether. It's part of the experience!

[pitzerwm]

Buffeting (not buffering) is caused when turbulent wind hits the helmet from several different angles randomly and in quick succession. It's like getting pummeled by wind.

If you can move the helmet without moving your head then it is very likely that the helmet is too loose. A properly fitted helmet is quite snug and most people will not wear a properly fitted helmet.

When the helmet is too loose this buffeting action will cause the helmet to move erratically on your head. Usually back and forth. This messes with your vision and can give you a headache.

Your windshield crates a region of relative calm behind it with turbulence around the edges. The size, shape and location of this calm area depends on several factors. The trick is to get your head into the calm area. Regardless of where your windshield is, you can lean forward and down to find this sweet spot. That gives you a point of reference. If the sweet spot is too far forward or too low or both. then you need to make the necessary changes to relocate the sweet spot to where you can take advantage of it.

The turbulence and the sweet spot will move depending on speed and wind direction.

Bottom line is, You're on a motorcycle. You are going to get wind. You can manage it some, but you can't get rid of it altogether. It's part of the experience!

"Getting wind" isn't the issue, being made sick by something means there needs to be an adjustment to something. Most of you are riding in pleasure, I intend to figure it out and also enjoy riding. BTW my new bike has a BajaRon on it

[BajaRon]

"Getting wind" isn't the issue, being made sick by something means there needs to be an adjustment to something. Most of you are riding in pleasure, I intend to figure it out and also enjoy riding. BTW my new bike has a BajaRon on it

I think we are all just throwing things against the wall hoping something will stick for you. Windshields make turbulence. Big windshields make a lot of turbulence. That is why I like a small windshield. I prefer constant wind and virtually no turbulance to a windshield big enough to put the turbulence behind me.

But I understand that there are very few who share my preference in this area.

By moving around you should be able to determine if the buffeting is coming from the top of your head, from the sides or both. That should head you in the right direction. (no pun intended)

Good luck!

[pitzerwm]

I think we are all just throwing things against the wall hoping something will stick for you. Windshields make turbulence. Big windshields make a lot of turbulence. That is why I like a small windshield. I prefer constant wind and virtually no turbulance to a windshield big enough to put the turbulence behind me.

But I understand that there are very few who share my preference in this area.

By moving around you should be able to determine if the buffeting is coming from the top of your head, from the sides or both. That should head you in the right direction. (no pun intended)

Good luck!

I understand Ron, I will be trying everything, I think that I will even try taping some ribbons onto the windshield to understand where the turbulence occurs. Buffeting, glad to get that corrected Flunked English all of my life, just glad it wasn't any worse.

[SpyderAnn01]

Ann is right on. Move the Windshield up or down slightly to the least buffeting area. You should be just looking over the windshield so you can see a point on the road in front of you about 75 feet and not through the windshield.

Jack

We agree on something!

[BajaRon]

I understand Ron, I will be trying everything, I think that I will even try taping some ribbons onto the windshield to understand where the turbulence occurs. Buffeting, glad to get that corrected Flunked English all of my life, just glad it wasn't any worse.

Not a problem. I can't spell! If it were not for my wife and spell checker software, no one would understand anything I typed!

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I understand Ron, I will be trying everything, I think that I will even try taping some ribbons onto the windshield to understand where the turbulence occurs. Buffeting, glad to get that corrected Flunked English all of my life, just glad it wasn't any worse.

Bill, if you are looking to track the AIR currant, you will need SMOKE. The ribbons will tell you it's there ( some thing you already know ! ) but not EXACTLY where it's going after it comes over the top of the windshield.........Mike

[BajaRon]

Bill, if you are looking to track the AIR currant, you will need SMOKE. The ribbons will tell you it's there ( some thing you already know ! ) but not EXACTLY where it's going after it comes over the top of the windshield.........Mike

Drive up close behind this guy. That should do it!

[jaherbst]

We agree on something!

I think we agree on most things. Your my heroine Ann!

Jack