F3 with Blue Ridge - Modifications to help with turbulence

[pludn]

Howdy,

I've been researching how folks have handled the turbulence from the blue ridge windshield online. From what I've seen you can get the windshield extender or drill holes. My question is about the results of drilling holes. I would rather just modify the shield and not put an extender in my sight line, but I'm not sure if that is actually fixing the issue.

The issue is defined as severe amounts of wind ramping up and landing directly where my eyes are. This causes the helmet (Shoei Neotec) to vibrate at 60+ mph, which in turn affect vision.

I have a 2015 F3-s and am 6'.

Thanks

 

[Slagiatt]

I gave up...

This doesn't directly address your question, but I looked into all of those "extenders," etc. and just wasn't convinced.

Gave up on the BR. My dealer was nice enough to buy it back from me at wholesale and I got the Madstad...which i LOVE.

I pretty much love all things spyder, but BRP should be just as ashamed of the wind direction from a BR as they also should be of the stock F3 rear shock.

However, that having been said, I've been riding for over 40 years, and the F3 is the "ultimate" riding experience I've ever had...did I say I love it?
:yes:

 

[SpyderF3-s]

Holes in Windsheild

I was the one who experimented with drilling two holes in the windshield. I am 5'8". My eye level is about 6 inches above the BR windshield. The holes DID NOT totally eliminate the turbulence around the helmet. :banghead: It is better but not totally gone. If I duck down 4", the turbulence is gone completely. It did reduce some of the back side pressure.

The best affect that it had was that it directed more air down through the top vents down onto the engine. This keeps the engine cooler when moving.

Hindsight, I would have not drilled the holes and got a Laminar Lip. Will be getting a Laminar Lip shortly.ray:

 

[Steamer]

Wind buffeting

I put the Touring MRA x-creen on the 17 inch Gufstasson. I am able to adjust the x-creen to direct wind smoothly over my helmet, quiet and no buffeting. I can also direct the wind more to the vents on my helmet when I need air in my helmet.
i am 5'9" and have a seat cushion that increases my my height by about an inch. I look right over the lip,of the x-creen
My wife has the BR and use the same MRA x-creen and she is 5'6". No turburlance and no complaint from her.
Not really fond of the "look", but I need smooth-quiet wind.
I have had numerous bikes over the years and the wind management on the F3 is poor by comparison. I believe that is has a lot to do with the design of the fairing(s).
I have heard that the 2016 directs the wind better, but real sure about this.

 

[pludn]

Thanks for the replies. I've considered replacing the windshield, but the BR was so expensive it's a big loss to write off.
Perhaps there is a market for used ones.

The x-creen, did you use the temporary or permanent install? Does it seem like it will last and stay clear and scratch free?

 

[vondalyn]

Thanks for the replies. I've considered replacing the windshield, but the BR was so expensive it's a big loss to write off.
Perhaps there is a market for used ones.

The x-creen, did you use the temporary or permanent install? Does it seem like it will last and stay clear and scratch free?

I started with the temporary install, but the permanent install looks so much better that I ended up drilling the holes and installing it. I'd say you might want to save yourself the money and just go permanent. Or I can sell you some clamps for cheap

We both went with the tour because it's wider and seems to fit the BR better. I've had it on for about a year and it's held up very well.

 

[pludn]

I started with the temporary install, but the permanent install looks so much better that I ended up drilling the holes and installing it. I'd say you might want to save yourself the money and just go permanent. Or I can sell you some clamps for cheap

We both went with the tour because it's wider and seems to fit the BR better. I've had it on for about a year and it's held up very well.

Thanks!

 

[Nyparrothead]

The best and only modification that will absolutely cure the buffeting is to carefully remove the Blue ridge place it on a flat level working surface, take a 20 oz hammer and smash it to little bits and then install an F4......


mark

 

[SpyD59]

Possible $$$ saving alternative

pludn,

You might look at this post by Machinegunner: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/showthread.php?82620-Blue-Ridge-fix&highlight=blue+ridge from some time ago. Based on that idea I did add some spacers under the back of my Blue Ridge to tilt the windshield forward. It did help me but I am a few inches shorter that you indicated. It still did not put the air over my passenger so I just installed an F4 windshield.

Enjoy the Ryde hyea:,
Lee

 

[sg2848775]

This Is What I Did To My Blueridge

And it helped a lot.

 

[BikerDoc]

I sold my Blue Ridge on here and got the Madstad, that I truly love.....

 

[Motorcycledave]

Go check out the Laminar Lip they are good and work well
on any windshield I think it's www.laminarlip.com

Howdy,

I've been researching how folks have handled the turbulence from the blue ridge windshield online. From what I've seen you can get the windshield extender or drill holes. My question is about the results of drilling holes. I would rather just modify the shield and not put an extender in my sight line, but I'm not sure if that is actually fixing the issue.

The issue is defined as severe amounts of wind ramping up and landing directly where my eyes are. This causes the helmet (Shoei Neotec) to vibrate at 60+ mph, which in turn affect vision.

I have a 2015 F3-s and am 6'.

Thanks

 

[Bruce B]

sg2848775 Now do this to your screen cut the bottom to allow compensated air to get under the lower front it will work even better now you have packers. I went to a plastic screen maker and got him to cut it on his band saw.

 

[stebrock]

The best and only modification that will absolutely cure the buffeting is to carefully remove the Blue ridge place it on a flat level working surface, take a 20 oz hammer and smash it to little bits and then install an F4......


mark

The X-creen Tour model completely eliminates the buffeting on the blue ridge. AND it's your cheapest option.
rick

 

[Nyparrothead]

The X-creen Tour model completely eliminates the buffeting on the blue ridge. AND it's your cheapest option.
rick

I have to disagree.. Mine still buffeted so bad it would activate my Sena headset....... It was money that I should have used towards my F4 shield that will eliminate the head banging

mark

 

[jcthorne]

If you already have the Blue Ridge, you might try the Gustafsson replacement shield for it. To me its the best of all the options. The brackets look and work as OEM and the shield actually does what you think it should.

I liked the F4 shield but their brackets look like an erector set hodge podge. Just could not have that on my bike.

 

[ca8920]

Blue Ridge Option

I agree with JC... I have the Gustafsson windshield as well and love it.... If you already have the BR, it's the best and cheapest option. :doorag::spyder2:

 

[pludn]

Thanks for all the alternatives folks. It's much appreciated.

I am slightly intrigued by the spacers and cutting a slot in the bottom. That seems to be a 20$ fix if it works. The spacers create a better deflection and the cut allows more air to hit you and the engine for cooling while also cutting down the top current?

 

[Trevor G]

Disappointed with F3 Madstad turbulence

Gave up on the BR. My dealer was nice enough to buy it back from me at wholesale and I got the Madstad...which i LOVE.

We have a Madstad on our 2009 RS and it has been good.

I have just fitted a Madstad to our F3 and I don't feel that it works as well, especially for the pillion rider. I often ride pillion and the vicious turbulence shakes my head so badly at any sort of speed above 45mph that my vision is blurred, much like looking in a vibrating mirror.

Windscreen adjustments do not help. I am emailing Madstad to see if they have a solution, otherwise we will exercise their 60 day guarantee.

I still have the BR we bought while waiting for the madstad, so might even try a screen option for that. It is noticeably better around town.

 

[Trevor G]

What speeds do you ride at?

If you already have the Blue Ridge, you might try the Gustafsson replacement shield for it. To me its the best of all the options. The brackets look and work as OEM and the shield actually does what you think it should.

What speeds do you normally ride? We do 75mph to 85mph two up.

Do you carry a pillion - what is it like for the pillion? I regularly ride behind my wife at those speeds, and with the Madstad at anything over 45mph my vision is blurred.

The Madstad on our RS is much better.

I liked the F4 shield but their brackets look like an erector set hodge podge. Just could not have that on my bike.

Agreed. Or, as someone just said over the phone, it looks like sailing a boat down the highway.

However, if it's the only thing that works, we might have to do it!