Wind Buffeting

[sidecars]

I've just completed my first ever trike trek on my 2015 RT, and had a wonderful time. http://triketrek.com/?p=220




But....

I hated being on the freeways. I was being thrown about by every gust of wind. Even a passing VW bug, yes, I drive like an old man, threw me about. At about 55 is was fine, except for all the trucks that had to keep passing me. At 60 and above, I simply hated it.

So... my Special Series has that cut down windshield and a large proportion of my 6 feet is in my torso. My head and shoulders were well above the windshield.

That's it, isn't it? THese Spyders don't suffer from wind buffeting issues, do they? It was just my upper body being well within the blast zone... right?

[webweaver]

Baja Ron's sway bars took care of that issue for me. Nice pictures! Penny

[Pirate looks at --]

Baja Ron's sway bars took care of that issue for me. Nice pictures! Penny

Made all of the difference in the world. Now I don't drive like an old man, but wind and Semis don't blow me around anymore even whir we meet on a two lane highway

[happyspyder2039]

Baja Ron's sway bars took care of that issue for me. Nice pictures! Penny

sounds like you need a taller shield

[Bob Denman]

While that the Anti-Swaybar will help; try tucking your knees in against the tank...
If you're getting blown around in the saddle; you might be adding some unwanted steering inputs.
The handlebars on the Spyder are like the steering wheel in your car: They're not designed for holding you in place!

[JayBros]

I agree with both Penny and happyspyder.

[Lew L]

With a vent!!!

Kaos

[finless]

Bob

[Chupaca]

we see a lot of posts on this subject. I get confused if one is talking about the body or the bike. The BajaRon sway bar is great to cure the spyder but I think most are talking about the body. We have a lot of high wind (roads are closed to truckers when the winds blow) and I gotta tell you there is little you can do for that other than get an elio... I learned to just have fun with it like a flag blowing in the wind. The spyder will track well you just have to do some extra leaning. Keep your eyes on the approaching traffic so your ready. Forward wind hitting you on the upper body you can handle with windshields..

[bluestratos]

I had very little wind buffeting before I added the sway bar upgrade and have none at all now. When I first bought the Spyder in 2011 and again in 2014 I did notice buffeting but it turned out to be bad front alignments. Once I had it setup properly it was gone. My tires were toed out if I recall, and it made steering overly sensitive.

[MouthPiece]

I had very little wind buffeting before I added the sway bar upgrade and have none at all now. When I first bought the Spyder in 2011 and again in 2014 I did notice buffeting but it turned out to be bad front alignments. Once I had it setup properly it was gone. My tires were toed out if I recall, and it made steering overly sensitive.

I agree. My first question was gonna be whether the "op" had a laser alignment performed. I noticed a significant difference with respect to semi's, buses and car haulers after having my laser alignment. I'm sure the sway bar helps as well.

Chris

[KJWEB]

Sidecar, I believe there could be several things that can be done to limit the buffeting

No Mechanical Modification Needed:
- Riding technique - as mentioned, using you knees to keep your upper body still during the buffeting
- relax your hands on the grips

Modifications:
- taller shield
- after market sway bar
- Laser alignment (or if done recheck)
- aftermarket shocks or adjusters


You can come by anytime if you would like to check out the taller shield that I have on my Limited. I'm 6'
and raise the shield on the major highways to limit the buffeting.

[JayBros]

Chupaca makes a very good point, is it body or machine buffeting we're talking about, or both? Thanks to my research hereon before buying my Spyder, a Baja Ron sway bar and laser alignment were part of the OTD package so I don't know how my Spyder would handle without them. What I do know is that with the two mods and with my windshield just off the bottom stop but not really raised I do feel some buffeting on my body but it has no effect on the handling or movement on the road of the Spyder. I feel no helmet buffeting because the stock windshield forces the wind up and over my head. In serious crosswind situations, ones where I've seen two wheel riders get pushed to the side so strongly they must make a significant steering correction to maintain their line on the road, I too feel the wind against my torso but the Spyder tracks straight as an arrow. I also do not need to tighten my grip on the bars. They are my two best farkles.

When you're pushing a big machine through the wind without a cage around you to shield your body there are situations where you're going to feel torso buffeting but, that's part of life in the open air and the fun of being out there -- just like sailboating. Yes, it will over time contribute to fatigue but that's what periodic break stops are for. YMMV.

[Pampurrs]

I've just completed my first ever trike trek on my 2015 RT, and had a wonderful time. http://triketrek.com/?p=220




But....

I hated being on the freeways. I was being thrown about by every gust of wind. Even a passing VW bug, yes, I drive like an old man, threw me about. At about 55 is was fine, except for all the trucks that had to keep passing me. At 60 and above, I simply hated it.

So... my Special Series has that cut down windshield and a large proportion of my 6 feet is in my torso. My head and shoulders were well above the windshield.

That's it, isn't it? THese Spyders don't suffer from wind buffeting issues, do they? It was just my upper body being well within the blast zone... right?

I have the exact same as you, and I don't get any wind buffeting at all from bad air. Of course, I don't let Volkswagens pass me either


The BajaRon Sway bar helps of course. If you don't have one, you should get one.

Pam

[SailnDive]

sounds like you need a taller shield

I have a 2014 RTs and I am amazed at how stable and wind free the bike is at 70+ mph. I do have the BajaRon sway bar but even before the bar change, the air flow was very small.

[ARtraveler]

No problem with wind buffeting here. I have the standard windshields on our RT 2011 and RT-S 2014. I put the windshield up on the highway (55 and higher) and leave it down at other times.

Recently had laser alignments and find there is less fighting the going down the road.

[SpyderAnn01]

I wonder if any of the problem is in the short windshield that doesn't have any cutouts in it? I am with Chupaca in that I enjoy a good windy ride every now and again.

[jaherbst]

Get the standard 25" windshield. Stay away from the vented as it is narrower and has more buffet. I had the vented and replaced with the Oem 25". Much much better.


Jack

[murphybrown]

Baja Ron's sway bars took care of that issue for me. Nice pictures! Penny

I consider the Bajaron sway bar a must have...definitely stop the wind buffeting...but when ma nature has a wind tantrum it is my body (head neck the most) that gets "trashed"....trucks no issues...enjoy your ride...luv your picks. dang I have got to learn how to post pics to SL...this being techie challenged has got to end. OLD dogs can learn new tricks!!

[finless]

Get the standard 25" windshield. Stay away from the vented as it is narrower and has more buffet. I had the vented and replaced with the Oem 25". Much much better.


Jack

That is exactly opposite of my experience but mine is a 2011 RTS and did not have the holes cut in the bottom at the bracket.

If your OEM shield does that might be the difference.

My OEM without the holes was the worst at buffeting or having that lurching feeling in the wind.

Bob

[Pampurrs]

Get the standard 25" windshield. Stay away from the vented as it is narrower and has more buffet. I had the vented and replaced with the Oem 25". Much much better.


Jack

Jack,

Just so I understand, when you say "vented" are you referring to the cutouts at the bottom of the windshield? Or was it the kind with the adjustable vent?

I'm in the market to replace my sport windshield, that's why I'm curious.

Thanks

Pam

[cohoff]

I concur with all of the above. In addition, take a look at the CalSci windshields. Their windshield design helps with buffeting.....it is wider and has a vent without louvers (more efficient to reduce buffeting). Check out the second link and it will tell you all about the science behind their windshields. Great customer service and are very helpful if you call with questions.

http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/SpyderRTprod.html


http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Fairing.html

[SpyderAnn01]

That is exactly opposite of my experience but mine is a 2011 RTS and did not have the holes cut in the bottom at the bracket.

If your OEM shield does that might be the difference.

My OEM without the holes was the worst at buffeting or having that lurching feeling in the wind.

Bob

The stock windshield on the 14 & 15 has cutouts that greatly eliminate the buffeting but the shorty SS windshield does not have these cutouts.

Jack,

Just so I understand, when you say "vented" are you referring to the cutouts at the bottom of the windshield? Or was it the kind with the adjustable vent?

I'm in the market to replace my sport windshield, that's why I'm curious.

Thanks

Pam

Pam, I believe that he is referring to the BRP Vented Windshield and not the stock one on the 14 & 15. I had the BRP Vented windhsield and found it to be ineffective. The new stock windhshield with the cutouts is really good. Or you could always have someone put cut outs in your shorty shield. I'm thinking about doing that with the shorty that I bought.

[Phyxius]

Bob

Which helmet are you using Bob? That's a super quiet ride! Thanks for the video.

[Pampurrs]

The stock windshield on the 14 & 15 has cutouts that greatly eliminate the buffeting but the shorty SS windshield does not have these cutouts.



Pam, I believe that he is referring to the BRP Vented Windshield and not the stock one on the 14 & 15. I had the BRP Vented windhsield and found it to be ineffective. The new stock windhshield with the cutouts is really good. Or you could always have someone put cut outs in your shorty shield. I'm thinking about doing that with the shorty that I bought.

I don't have one bit of buffeting with my shorty windshield, I don't understand why the OP is having that problem. My reason for wanting a taller windshield is because of winter riding. December, January, and February mornings can be quite nippy, and I'm sure the shorty would be inadequate to block the cold air from my face.

I'm leaning toward the F4 Customs windshield with the Goldwing style adjustable vent.

Pam