Question

[ABQSpyder]

I've several demo rides on the F3 freeway included up to 85 no windshield. So all the people talking about buffeting. My question is what type of helmet do you wear?
Thanks just wondering I've had no problem on my Demo rides.

[RPM]

The buffeting is WITH the windshield.

I was using a Shoei Multitec but just got the Schuberth C3 Pro. Less buffeting and quieter with the Schuberth. In the end, the windshield will make the biggest difference.

[Chupaca]

Just want to know what we wear or specific to the F3 with no windshield..?? We use the modular helmets. Buffetting is more of a windshield/helmet problem anyway finding the combination can be tricky. Open face tend to get more of the buffetting than the full face...

[LV2RYDE]

I've several demo rides on the F3 freeway included up to 85 no windshield. So all the people talking about buffeting. My question is what type of helmet do you wear?
Thanks just wondering I've had no problem on my Demo rides.

I have BR windshield, if my full face is open, I don't have that buffeting if it is closed (because of cold weather) I have it and a loud noise inside. Mine is Schuberth C pro

[SpyderAnn01]

I wore a Shoei Multi-Tec when I test drove the F3 and it isn't so much buffeting as the feeling that I would fly off the back of the bike. The pressure on my body was such that my hands fell asleep trying to not fly off it.

[ABQSpyder]

Yes I wear a full face no buffetting just wind hitting my chest. I had a tinted shorty on my RT. Probably would only put a shield on for long trip on the slab. Thanks for your input so far.

[den1953]

On my demo ride I wore a full face and yes there was no buffeting, just direct wind blast which was strong above 60 mph. At higher speeds above 70 mph (which I didn't do), I would think it would get tiring to be fighting against it sitting upright. I prefer to wear my half helmet and I know from doing past demo rides on open bikes without windshields how my shorty lid gets pulled. I guess you'd say I'm spoiled for having a windshield, kind of an "old man thing". For me a windshield has to come up to at least the height of my chin and at most the height of my nose to be able to see over yet not get blasted in the face.

[dlby]

After I turned 30 a windshield became a must

For me anyhow it makes the ride so much simpler

I have a friend who at 60 still says no need
He is 60 going on 18 & claims to like it
Dunno --

[vondalyn]

It probably depends on how long you're on the highway also. I have a gauge spoiler and that works for me most of the time. I wear a full-face Shoei helmet. I notice when I go high speeds, the helmet is pushed back on my face and if there is any other wind (cross/whatever), I'll get some gusts that feel like my head will get ripped off. The first day I rode at high speeds, I felt like I was fighting the backwards pressure and had the death grip that was mentioned already in this thread. Day 2 I tried leaning forward slightly at the waist so that my shoulders and hands could relax and I lost the death grip. It's pretty comfortable with the full face helmet for most of my rides. I notice that I get a stiff neck at the end of a longer ride at higher speeds, so could I do it all day long every day on a road trip? No. I ended up getting the BR windshields for the all-day highway-speed rides. I did try my half-helmet with that and it's fine. I will have to try the half-helmet with just the gauge spoiler but we're just now getting to some "half helmet weather" days here in CO for me.

[fireplug98]

I'm wondering if the windshield with the adjustable vent in it (like the RT windshield) would take care of the buffeting issues ?
I, like others, am at a crossroad, F3 or another RT.

Tommy J.

[bullant12]

When I test rode the F3 the first time, I did not go more than 50mph so I really did not feel any wind issues. Since it was colder, I was wearing my Nolan modular helmet.
The second time I test rode the F3 with the demo rides, I went over 60 with the same helmet and felt my chest being hit hard with the winds on high speeds so I knew I needed a windshield.
I am now riding my F3 with a Blue Ridge windshield and with a 3/4 helmet with no issues!

[ABQSpyder]

Well I will have hands on experience with wind in a couple weeks. I just bought a F3 and will be riding it home from MO. to AZ.

[Followme2DQ]

Well I will have hands on experience with wind in a couple weeks. I just bought a F3 and will be riding it home from MO. to AZ.

Congrats!!!! You will love it. I too went RT to F3....no regrets!!

[ABQSpyder]

Congrats!!!! You will love it. I too went RT to F3....no regrets!!

My five or so demo rides sealed the deal!
The kicker was when my wife saw it and said she loved it! Sold

[Ronbo]

I've several demo rides on the F3 freeway included up to 85 no windshield. So all the people talking about buffeting. My question is what type of helmet do you wear?
Thanks just wondering I've had no problem on my Demo rides.

Id describe it more as a small typhoon blast at 70 miles an hour. You are a better man than I, or a more streamlined man. Ride Safe!

Ron

[Ronbo]

I wore a Shoei Multi-Tec when I test drove the F3 and it isn't so much buffeting as the feeling that I would fly off the back of the bike. The pressure on my body was such that my hands fell asleep trying to not fly off it.

I agree with you, Ann. Blue ridge windshield solved 60% of the problem, and Sport X-Creen solves about 90%. I love my F3,but still having withdrawals from my ST.

Ron

[BikerDoc]

I wore a Shoei Multi-Tec when I test drove the F3 and it isn't so much buffeting as the feeling that I would fly off the back of the bike. The pressure on my body was such that my hands fell asleep trying to not fly off it.

[BikerDoc]

Now that I have a tall tail bag fully loaded to function as a backrest, I no longer have the problem of feeling pulled off the bike or pushed around

[ABQSpyder]

Id describe it more as a small typhoon blast at 70 miles an hour. You are a better man than I, or a more streamlined man. Ride Safe!

Ron

No just anchored well by my weight lol

[llyrad]

Which tail bag did you go with? do you have any pics with it on your F3? And did you have a backrest to mount it to, or did you just mount to the handle brackets of the F3?

Now that I have a tall tail bag fully loaded to function as a backrest, I no longer have the problem of feeling pulled off the bike or pushed around

[Tom in NM]

Well I will have hands on experience with wind in a couple weeks. I just bought a F3 and will be riding it home from MO. to AZ.

. . . . . that should be some ride! With my experience (1.5k) on a F3 and Spyders in general, I would have no concerns doing what you are planning. Are you doing it in 3 days?

Maybe you remember us meeting a few years ago. At the time I thought you and the RT were a perfect match, what got you interested in a F3?

Tom

[ABQSpyder]

Tom in NM

I'm riding with a friend of mine who also bought a F3. We were hoping to do in 2 days but always subject to change.
Interest in the F3 came from my friend Jim who just kept going on about the F3. The first time I sat on it I really liked the feel. It will never duplicate my 2 wheels R1100RT which I still miss. The RT is a fine machine and I enjoyed very much but it never had that feeling of a 2 wheeler. Handle bars and seat position of F3 at least feel like a motorcycle. I know that statement will infuriate some people just my thoughts. I have a picture of me sitting on my dads Harley 1953 can remember standing on the back seat going 70 and it was awesome. Sorry to get of subject. I'll give a report on the trip. My son still lives in Albuquerque so maybe sometime I get that way I'll give you a holler.

Ride safe
Larry

[bluestratos]

It was no different than riding a stock motorcycle without a shield but after owning an RT I was caught off guard! I did a fast blip and shifted full throttle but by the time I hit 50 I realized I was sliding back on the seat (I am a short guy at 5'8") which caused me to pull the throttle further open. I then realized I could not reach the brake anymore as it was set up for a long legged person. By the time I got it sorted out I had 100+ and was running out of road, lol. I got off the throttle and started down shifting and quickly slid foward again and could read the brake.

When I got back I found out they had to leg length version out for the test ride, I got the wrong one by mistake. Buffeting...it felt like I was being pulled off the bike by invisable hands, lol.

[Grandpaspeed]

Tom in NM

I'm riding with a friend of mine who also bought a F3. We were hoping to do in 2 days but always subject to change.
Interest in the F3 came from my friend Jim who just kept going on about the F3. The first time I sat on it I really liked the feel. It will never duplicate my 2 wheels R1100RT which I still miss. The RT is a fine machine and I enjoyed very much but it never had that feeling of a 2 wheeler. Handle bars and seat position of F3 at least feel like a motorcycle. I know that statement will infuriate some people just my thoughts. I have a picture of me sitting on my dads Harley 1953 can remember standing on the back seat going 70 and it was awesome. Sorry to get of subject. I'll give a report on the trip. My son still lives in Albuquerque so maybe sometime I get that way I'll give you a holler.

Ride safe
Larry

I also went with the F3 because it felt more like a bike which has got me back riding.