Many moons ago I tried the micro swerl edge on a motercycle shield. It did not work. But I've used vents ( Gold Wing style ) on two vehicals----- they work.
Lew L
Kaos----- Gone but not forgotten.
2014 RTS in Circuit Yellow, farkle-ing addiction down to once every few months. ECU FLASH IS GREAT.
Many moons ago I tried the micro swerl edge on a motercycle shield. It did not work. But I've used vents ( Gold Wing style ) on two vehicals----- they work.
Lew L
It worked for me on my VStar. I'm going to give it a go
But I've used vents ( Gold Wing style ) on two vehicals----- they work.
They work to reduce the back pressure behind the windshield but don't do anything that I can see in reducing the backward air flow at the rear of the bike. And when the weather is clammy and the road wet I have the vent closed so the wet spray comes forward to the backside of the windshield!
2014 Copper RTS
Tri-Axis bars, CB, BajaRon sway bar & shock adjusters, SpyderPop's Bumpskid, NBV peg brackets, LED headlights and modulator, Wolo trumpet air horns, trailer hitch, custom trailer harness, high mount turn signals, Custom Dynamics brake light, LED turn signal lights on mirrors, LED strip light for a dash light, garage door opener, LED lights in frunk, trunk, and saddlebags, RAM mounts and cradles for tablet (for GPS) and phone (for music), and Smooth Spyder belt tensioner.
^^ That's where the 'whale tail' type rack can help - even open like the one shown, it helps keep the low pressure area down & behind the panniers & trunk on the RT, & stops the turbulence carrying wind, spray, & dust, etc up onto the back of the ryder & pillion. Here's the rack I run; if I'm not carrying anything there but intend travelling a bit of distance, I strap a 'cut to size' piece of 1/8th inch marine ply on top so it really acts like a 'whale tail' spoiler!
I'm going to buy one of these next month. Look on Amazon or Revzilla.
This item MRA 4025066125036 X-Creen Clear Bolt-On/Add-On Variable Windscreen Spoiler Blade
I own one of these and love it. My wife used to complain when I lowered my windshield, but I use the really short windshield in combination with this and she doesn't have any problems (and I get to have the wind in my face).
I now can't imagine not having one of these. When I borrowed a different RT from the dealership while mine was in the for day, the stock windshield made it so hot I didn't even bother to ride.
2020 RT Limited in the ultra cool Deep Marsala Dark edition.
Baja Ron Anti-Sway Bar, LED reflectors, Lamonster USB Charger (and phone mount), Can-Am Low Windshield, X-Creen Tour Variable Windscreen Spoiler Blade, Power Commander, Dilithium powered Flux Capacitor (not yet fully functional). Maintained by Lou at Pirate Powersports.
A VENT will fill the low pressure and then---- no turbelence.
Lew L
Maybe. IF that's where the offending air is coming from.
The rider also can create a low pressure area behind him.
I have a vented windshield and really like it........but my back still feels the cold breeze if I go out too early in the morning.
I also have the adjustable replacement lower side wings but haven't decided how much good they do.
How tall are each rider, and what type helmets if any are worn.
Kind of an ironic topic. Just a few days ago I started a technical discussion on FB regarding windscreen airflow.
Before getting convinced a vent will help or solve the concern, realize the 2014 Spyder RTS with a stock windscreen already has two fairly large vent holes cut through it at the base.
Additionally, since the RT series windscreen is “post” mounted there is a huge gap at the base that allows airflow to bleed onto the windscreens backside. These two oem features aerodynamically enhance windscreen backside airflow.
If the windscreen were fastened tightly against the bodywork, with no slot or vents, this bubble that others mention would be a very real concern.
^^ That's where the 'whale tail' type rack can help - even open like the one shown, it helps keep the low pressure area down & behind the panniers & trunk on the RT, & stops the turbulence carrying wind, spray, & dust, etc up onto the back of the ryder & pillion. Here's the rack I run; if I'm not carrying anything there but intend travelling a bit of distance, I strap a 'cut to size' piece of 1/8th inch marine ply on top so it really acts like a 'whale tail' spoiler!
I have an extra "Whale Tail" that was on a boat motor to help get the boat 'on plane'. Perhaps I'll try to incorporate on the Spyder.
Thanks to Peter Aawen explanation I Just ordered this rack. Probably be a few weeks to get it here and then we have to get some decent wheather. Still have 8 ft snow bank and 4ft infront of my shop door. Getting very anxious for spring.
Now admittedly, my RT is a 2013 Ltd with the 998cc motor, but I think this issue is related to the RT Shape rather than anything motor size related!
Anyhow, We used to have the same problem when my Missus rode pillion on my RT, especially that 'wet back from wet roads' thing!! She'd get soaked from water hitting the back of her helmet/jacket & running down her back, plus she'd often complain of the strong fuel/exhaust smell too! Since my RT Ltd came with the 2 largeish vents in the lower section of the screen, I didn't go down the path of adding further vents in that. Instead, I played with a few ideas aimed at cleaning up the airflow behind the panniers & trunk thru adding fairings or 'wings' on the tupperware instead, but, none worked well until I hit upon fitting an extendable trunk lid rack. Fitted that & problem solved! It works very well with the 1/2 cover on the rack, & I added a flat filler of 1/8th inch ply when the rack isn't in use; result is that all the problems associated with that 'air turbulence' thing, the helmet lifting off, the buffeting, the exhaust smell, and the wet back issues et al are all gone!!
So I reckon the issues many experience are mainly due to the std RT &/or larger screens creating a fairly big low pressure area behind them & where the rider/passenger sit, so that the low pressure area behind the panniers & trunk merges with the screen low pressure area & together the problems are worse, basically sucking all the turbulence & road spray, exhaust smell etc into what's meant to be the rider/passenger 'still air' zone!! Adding vents to the screen (if you don't have one already) might help, or as we've found, by simply by fitting a 'whale-tail' type trunk lid carrier or airfoil on the top of the trunk, you can iron out the air flow over & around the bike, moving the lowest air pressure into the area behind the trunk & so helping to keep the pillion in the largely 'still air' bubble formed by the screen that the rider usually enjoys! I'll try to put up a pic....
Peter do you have a pic of your set up?
2015 Pearl White RTL
Baja Ron Sway Bar
Russell Day Long Seat
Strobe Brake Light
Mirror Mount Turn Signal Indicator
2014 Copper RTS
Tri-Axis bars, CB, BajaRon sway bar & shock adjusters, SpyderPop's Bumpskid, NBV peg brackets, LED headlights and modulator, Wolo trumpet air horns, trailer hitch, custom trailer harness, high mount turn signals, Custom Dynamics brake light, LED turn signal lights on mirrors, LED strip light for a dash light, garage door opener, LED lights in frunk, trunk, and saddlebags, RAM mounts and cradles for tablet (for GPS) and phone (for music), and Smooth Spyder belt tensioner.
They come in chrome if you want the bling, and I've also seen them sold just as a spoiler, without the extendable bit or the cut-outs in the deck top, but I figured if I'm going to fit it, why not make use of it as & when needed! And despite it being sold as a rack not a spoiler, mine very works well when it's got something on it, usually the travel 1/2 cover in its bag & often a camel-back hydration pack too; and it works even better when I'm not carrying anything & I've fitted the 'cut to size/shape' piece of finished 1/8th" marine ply that I made to sit on top - it sits flat on the deck, held down with a bungee strap crossed over it, and works bloody brilliantly in keeping the water/dust/exhaust fumes off the rider/pillion; and it fits comfortably when it's slid vertically down across the front of the frunk when it's not in use on the rack.
They work to reduce the back pressure behind the windshield but don't do anything that I can see in reducing the backward air flow at the rear of the bike. And when the weather is clammy and the road wet I have the vent closed so the wet spray comes forward to the backside of the windshield!
I checked around a few other touring web sights and the major consensus is a vented windshield will:
1. stop or reduce the back draft felt at speed.
2. stop or reduce turbulence (buffetting )
3. add cool air behind the shield in hot weather.
But to each his own, I just know it works for me.
Lew L
PS: I also close down ( but not completely closed) the vent in the rain. Just enough to keep the water from coming back to the inside of the shield. Of course, slowing down in the rain and wet roads helps alot.
Last edited by Lew L; 03-13-2019 at 10:37 AM.
Reason: post script.
Kaos----- Gone but not forgotten.
2014 RTS in Circuit Yellow, farkle-ing addiction down to once every few months. ECU FLASH IS GREAT.
When I got my spyder it came with the vented ws . For myself I was was happy with it. The original owner that I got it from added quit a few things before he picked it up and the ws was one. He threw all of the new unused parts in with the deal. Trying to make things better for my wife changed to the larger ws. She says it helped a little but still not comfortable. Then added chin piece to moduler helmet helped some again but she says could be better. Hopefully with the addition of the luggage rack/whale tail we will get her in a comfortable position.
Our Air Wings should help greatly for the problems you are experiencing. Talk around and hear what they say but you won't regret adding the wings to your Spyder. Once you add them you will never ride without them again. If you have questions feel free to send us an email at info@bakerbuilt.com.
I checked around a few other touring web sights and the major consensus is a vented windshield will:
All of that applies to the rider/pilot only.
All bets are off for the passenger.
Especially if "her" head sticks up about a foot higher than the driver, like it does on most machines.
All of that applies to the rider/pilot only.
All bets are off for the passenger.
Especially if "her" head sticks up about a foot higher than the driver, like it does on most machines.
I just asked my wife---- there is no buffeting------- she is not tall though. I should have bet ya. Like others here,we have a Rivco rack (in safety chrome) and on trips it has a bag on it with our rain suits and bike cover. The vent make a huge difference. Check out some motercycle touring sights or even Google .
Lew L
Kaos----- Gone but not forgotten.
2014 RTS in Circuit Yellow, farkle-ing addiction down to once every few months. ECU FLASH IS GREAT.
The F4 Customs Plus 3 is not only 3" taller but 5" wider and this is a major factor in giving the co rider less turbulence. Also we offer a vented model which we recommend on this shield to cut back on the back pressure. This is the shield of choice for Kim and I as it really does the job going down the highway.
Hope this helps
Don Frank
330-968-4644
F4 Customs, Inc.
"The Motorcycle Windshield Folks"
941-347-7496 sales@f4customs.com
<a href='http://www.spyderlovers.com/adserver/www/delivery/ck.php?zoneid=22' target='_blank'><img src='http://www.spyderlovers.com/adserver/www/delivery/avw.php?zoneid=22&cb=567846784' border='0' alt='' /></a>
I own one of these and love it. My wife used to complain when I lowered my windshield, but I use the really short windshield in combination with this and she doesn't have any problems (and I get to have the wind in my face).
I now can't imagine not having one of these. When I borrowed a different RT from the dealership while mine was in the for day, the stock windshield made it so hot I didn't even bother to ride.
I bought one and installed it Monday. I thought it would come with both the clamp-on and the bolt-on versions. NOT! Mine is bolt-on, so rather wait for the clamp-on part, I drilled the windscreen. Looks pretty darn good. Haven't ridden with it yet. I'm 6'-6" tall so it should help with the wind blast. I'll let ya'll know.
Edit: the new wing works great, no more wind in my face. I lowered the windshield to see if it made a difference, IT DID. It is adjustable and I'll play with angles/height when Management isn't on board.