Helmet Buffeting

[MRH]

I already purchased the X-creen and installed it.

John

So, how do you like it?

And, how was the customer service on fixing the double order?

[DrJohn]

I

Hi,

Aftrer changing windshields, and going nuts, because I didn't like the wind management, I bought a Schuberth on sale at Revzilla. It knocked the wind noise down 80% and there is little to no buffeting. A bit expensive, but well worth it. If I'd bought the Schuberth first, I might have left the blue ridge on.

Ron Boyles

Ron,

Which one did you get?

John

[DrJohn]

So, how do you like it?

And, how was the customer service on fixing the double order?

They corrected it quickly.

John

[DrJohn]

I

Hi,

Aftrer changing windshields, and going nuts, because I didn't like the wind management, I bought a Schuberth on sale at Revzilla. It knocked the wind noise down 80% and there is little to no buffeting. A bit expensive, but well worth it. If I'd bought the Schuberth first, I might have left the blue ridge on.

Ron Boyles

I have the Bell Mag 9 helmet. After reading your post Ron, I think the sun visor may cause some buffeting. It is removable. But, before doing that I want to test the X-creen that I just spent $160 for.

John

[Michaelscs]

John,
I had the Bell Mag 9 helmet. Nice helmet, but not very quiet. I tried taking the visor off and it didn't matter. Like Ron B. I went to a Schuberth C3 pro.
It's a very expensive helmet, but it's much quieter.
I don't know if it will help with windshield issue though. I'm 6'4" and I just can't find a windshield that works; including the F4 32". I ended up looking right though the edge of the F4 and I just couldn't stand the looks of that tall sail on my beautiful bike. Right now I'm riding without a windshield and it's really quiet with the Schuberth. A lot of wind on the body though.

[Motorcycledave]

Bummer glad they gave you your money back.

Been there, done that - it did not work well.

The one they sent for the Blue Ridge is not at all appropriate. It does not match the curvature of the BR screen - it was designed for the factory screen for the RS. At least I got my money back (less shipping).

[DrJohn]

John,
I had the Bell Mag 9 helmet. Nice helmet, but not very quiet. I tried taking the visor off and it didn't matter. Like Ron B. I went to a Schuberth C3 pro.
It's a very expensive helmet, but it's much quieter.
I don't know if it will help with windshield issue though. I'm 6'4" and I just can't find a windshield that works; including the F4 32". I ended up looking right though the edge of the F4 and I just couldn't stand the looks of that tall sail on my beautiful bike. Right now I'm riding without a windshield and it's really quiet with the Schuberth. A lot of wind on the body though.

You have given me a lot to think about and try out. Since I already installed the X-creen, I will see how that works. Then, I may try the mag 9 helmet without the sun visor. If that doesn't work, I may try the Schubert C3.

John

[GaryTheBadger]

The Schuberth helmet made no difference for me, so I swapped the stock BRP Blue Ridge windshield for a Gustaffsson middle-height F3 (it bolts to the stock BRP brackets) and that cut down the buffeting about 50%. Next, I will try their full-height version. (Want to buy the medium height from me?)

[DrJohn]

The Schuberth helmet made no difference for me, so I swapped the stock BRP Blue Ridge windshield for a Gustaffsson middle-height F3 (it bolts to the stock BRP brackets) and that cut down the buffeting about 50%. Next, I will try their full-height version. (Want to buy the medium height from me?)

I will keep it in mind. I want to try out the X-creen I already installed. That is as soon as the rain goes away, which may not be for another week.

John

[Wvuf3s]

Drjohn, did you buy the tour or the sport? Thanks for posting the pictures. I'm curious to hear if it fixes the issue for you.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[armyspydervet]

I already purchased the X-creen and installed it.

John

Did it work?

[DrJohn]

Did it work?

I'm still waiting for the rain to stop to test it. It has been raining non-stop for a week now.

John

[Tazzel]

I have the Bell Mag 9 helmet. After reading your post Ron, I think the sun visor may cause some buffeting. It is removable. But, before doing that I want to test the X-creen that I just spent $160 for.

John

Awwwwww it should not have cost you that much!!!

http://www.amazon.com/MRA-4025066125.../dp/B00CG43ENI

[DrJohn]

Awwwwww it should not have cost you that much!!!

http://www.amazon.com/MRA-4025066125.../dp/B00CG43ENI

What you are showing is without the clamp kit. The total for both is $161.90

John

[vondalyn]

What you are showing is without the clamp kit. The total for both is $161.90

John

I've also noticed that the price has gone up since I bought mine last year. I paid about $135 for both and then switched to NOT use the clamp because it looks nicer and I wasn't going to take it off. I'll only take the entire windshield off and switch to the cowl. So... I have a clamp kit hanging out somewhere that I should have offered you.

[hollylmh]

[QUOTE=vondalyn;1125651]I've also noticed that the price has gone up since I bought mine last year. I paid about $135 for both and then switched to NOT use the clamp because it looks nicer and I wasn't going to take it off. I'll only take the entire windshield off and switch to the cowl. So... I have a clamp kit hanging out somewhere that I should have offered you.[/QUOTE


I went with the CALSCI Max high & wide and am very happy with it. It compares to my RT with the shield in the high position.

[DrJohn]

[QUOTE=hollylmh;1126094]

I've also noticed that the price has gone up since I bought mine last year. I paid about $135 for both and then switched to NOT use the clamp because it looks nicer and I wasn't going to take it off. I'll only take the entire windshield off and switch to the cowl. So... I have a clamp kit hanging out somewhere that I should have offered you.[/QUOTE


I went with the CALSCI Max high & wide and am very happy with it. It compares to my RT with the shield in the high position.

I'm sitting here at my computer listening to the rain once again. They are predicting rain for next weekend too. I should have bought an Ark, not a motorcycle...

John

[DrJohn]

I tried the X-creen several times in several positions on the Blue Ridge Windshield. I cannot say it is effective in reducing wind. It makes only a small difference. I think one of the problems is that a person sits far away from the windshield on the F3.

However, I can live with the wind...

John

[robertl]

The buffeting comes from wind turbulence. In all my testing, the result is either go big or small, but anything in the middle usually just makes things worse.

Well fitting helmet will help but depending on the type and amount of turbulence this is likely minimal. For safety, helmet should fit correctly and the rest is a bonus.
Schuberth makes some of the quietest helmets. The modular is actually the quietest helmet made b/c they can make the neck roll tighter since the helmet opens. I ended up with an Arai because of my head shape. Wife has a Shoei.

A split shield, or the clip/bolt on visor, virtually adds height to the shield by accelerating the air passing between the pieces to push air higher over your head.
Seat position, rider height from the seat, and distance to the shield does play an important role. This is why just about everyone has a different opinion and experience. What works for 1 does not work for another, usually because something else is different.
Some end up with a shorter shield because they prefer the "clean air" at their helmet.

Often, the clip on visor works better when it is in a lower position so it accelerates the better.
Higher is not always better. For example, my Madstad 24" on my RS just did not work, no mater where I put it with 3" of adjustment in height or angle. Went to a 26" shield and it was night and day difference. I run it 1" above minimum and very close to the 60 degrees they recommended.
I use clip on visor for my Buell and it is just enough to move the air from my gut to chest/shoulders. I tried 2 taller shields and both created horrible turbulence. Might talk to Madstad about adapting or building something custom.

Super tall shields often do fix the issue because they get the turbulent air above your head.
On the F3T, I found the shield had no turbulence; however, the wind noise was deafening. Split shield does accelerate the air so more noise is common but it should be smooth.

For those that are testing equipment, wrap the shields in plastic wrap and packing tape to protect so you can return during the allowed period without any damage. There were a few cheaper options but I went to Madstad because of their 60 day return policy.

Hope that helps.

[robertl]

Looked at the pictures posted again. Try adding some space between the visor and shield to get more air flow between them.

[DrJohn]

The buffeting comes from wind turbulence. In all my testing, the result is either go big or small, but anything in the middle usually just makes things worse.

Well fitting helmet will help but depending on the type and amount of turbulence this is likely minimal. For safety, helmet should fit correctly and the rest is a bonus.
Schuberth makes some of the quietest helmets. The modular is actually the quietest helmet made b/c they can make the neck roll tighter since the helmet opens. I ended up with an Arai because of my head shape. Wife has a Shoei.

A split shield, or the clip/bolt on visor, virtually adds height to the shield by accelerating the air passing between the pieces to push air higher over your head.
Seat position, rider height from the seat, and distance to the shield does play an important role. This is why just about everyone has a different opinion and experience. What works for 1 does not work for another, usually because something else is different.
Some end up with a shorter shield because they prefer the "clean air" at their helmet.

Often, the clip on visor works better when it is in a lower position so it accelerates the better.
Higher is not always better. For example, my Madstad 24" on my RS just did not work, no mater where I put it with 3" of adjustment in height or angle. Went to a 26" shield and it was night and day difference. I run it 1" above minimum and very close to the 60 degrees they recommended.
I use clip on visor for my Buell and it is just enough to move the air from my gut to chest/shoulders. I tried 2 taller shields and both created horrible turbulence. Might talk to Madstad about adapting or building something custom.

Super tall shields often do fix the issue because they get the turbulent air above your head.
On the F3T, I found the shield had no turbulence; however, the wind noise was deafening. Split shield does accelerate the air so more noise is common but it should be smooth.

For those that are testing equipment, wrap the shields in plastic wrap and packing tape to protect so you can return during the allowed period without any damage. There were a few cheaper options but I went to Madstad because of their 60 day return policy.

Hope that helps.

I agree with what you are saying. However, I should have titled this article body buffeting. I feel turbulence coming from the top and sides of the windshield. I think the primary problem is that I'm far away from the windshield and the Blue Ridge windshield angle is very low. Originally, the bike didn't have a windshield because it was on backorder. I noticed only a little difference with the windshield above 55 mph.

John

[Nyparrothead]

I tried the X-creen several times in several positions on the Blue Ridge Windshield. I cannot say it is effective in reducing wind. It makes only a small difference. I think one of the problems is that a person sits far away from the windshield on the F3.

However, I can live with the wind...

John

I promise you that if you try the F4 shield you will have no issue with buffeting period....

mark

[DrJohn]

I promise you that if you try the F4 shield you will have no issue with buffeting period....

mark

After already spending $600, I hate to spend another $520 on a windshield. But, I'm considering it.

John

[Michaelscs]

I promise you that if you try the F4 shield you will have no issue with buffeting period....

mark

I don't think you can make that promise. It's different for everyone.
I had a F4 32" shield and I'm 6'4". At lower position I had terrible head buffeting and noise. At the higher position it was better from the front, but the buffeting from the back sucked. I also ended up looking right through the top of the windshield, which was like looking through my bifocals all the time - no fun!

[BeRight]

After already spending $600, I hate to spend another $520 on a windshield. But, I'm considering it.

John

I can relate to your financial pain in seeking right windshield for u on the F3. Not so bright me has spent $800+ - three windshields - also DIY brackets/modified windshield to try different locations for windshield mounting to no avail. Ideally I sought Form and Function.

My conclusions from all this money and a gazillion hours of research/DIY trials and errors - just my $.02 of course your results are hopefully better than mine : 1. Windshield needs to be mounted closer to rider than OEM mounting location provides 2. Windshield either needs to be short (letting full airflow/no-reduced buffeting) or it needs to be a giant sail that you look through.

I am not comfortable looking through a windshield + helmet shield + sunshades.

So I have reluctantly settled for a shorter windshield + DIY mounting for year round use - no significant wind nor buffeting to head and lots of airflow and some buffeting to body at highway speeds - I also think it looks good and fits the style of the F3.

Solution also fits my riding: 99% of my riding is local, highways mostly avoided, and 1 hour max. seat time between pitstops.

Cheers and good windshield hunting.