Wanted: Your input on RT-S windshield replacement

[VaughnCat]

We've got 1300 miles on our 2010 RT-S. Riding 2-up, as the passenger, I get a lot of buffeting from the wind. We're wondering if a different windshield would make a difference. We're thinking taller, maybe with a flare?

Anyone out there have some advice and/or recommendation?
:ani29:

 

[Wheeler~]

We've got 1300 miles on our 2010 RT-S. Riding 2-up, as the passenger, I get a lot of buffeting from the wind. We're wondering if a different windshield would make a difference. We're thinking taller, maybe with a flare?

Anyone out there have some advice and/or recommendation?
:ani29:

There are some RT-S owners already complaining about the buffeting level. I would have to think a taller windshield would only add more buffeting of the bike. Maybe a flare would help but not too sure about taller. My wife mentioned it while riding in the rain, that she got a lot of the water coming off the windshield in the face, otherwise no real problem for her, thank heavens. 'Cause as we all know........when mama aint happy, aint nobody happy! I hope they come up with a solution for you.

 

[VaughnCat]

'Cause as we all know........when mama aint happy, aint nobody happy! I hope they come up with a solution for you.

You bet, you're a wise man to keep mama happy .... :clap:

:agree:

 

[bjt]

Kind of agreeing with Wheeler~, taller isn't automatically the answer to buffeting caused by the windshield. On my GS Spyder, I have ridden with 8 different windshields at various times and the tallest one did offer me great protection but windshield height alone didn't enhance a quiet air pocket. The second and third tallest windshields actually increased the helmet noise and/or buffeting over a stock windshield. I think a big key is finding a windshield that doesn't create extremely turbulent air just outside of the rider's air pocket.

Back in November, I rode pillion on the RTS (for about 5 miles) during my wife's test ride and I remember that I requested that my wife raise the windshield to full height during the ride. I recall holding my video camera at various places while riding as a passenger to see / hear at what points the real turbulent air was in relation to me. As I recall, the turbulent air seemed to be fairly well clear of me with the windshield raised. It was worse with the windshield at the lower position. Honestly though, I didn't ride long enough back there to make a decent judgement of how good or bad the passenger wind protection was.

Hopefully some of the aftermarket windshield manufacturers will come out with some options for the RT soon.

 

[Wheeler~]

You bet, you're a wise man to keep mama happy .... :clap:

:agree:

Took me 3 marriages to figure it out though. Some of us aren't fast learners!:roflblack:

 

[NancysToy]

My assessment, and that of my wife, is that most of the buffeting is coming from air from behind, that is sucked into the vacuum created by the windshield and deflectors. The large protected area makes this backlash worse, just as a truck on the highway has a lot more suction (and deposited dirt) than a Smart Car. To get rid of this air, we would have to get the air to flow straighter and farther, before being sucked into the vacuum. Flares could either help, or hurt. Without a wind tunnel, who is to know? Even something small, like the wickerbills on a race car spoiler, would require either wind tunnel work, or trial-and-error experimentation. You might want to speak with someone with experience in this arena, like Cee Bailey's or one of the aerodynamic windshield manufacturers, to see if they have any good ideas...or products in development.

 

[Dwight]

Scotty is right again! On our recent ride down to Arkansas we rode through about 25 - 30 miles of medium rainfall. Wife complained about the back of her neck, actually her hair, being wet. Also the back of her jacket above where the backrest ends was dirty. The RT sucks up the rain and mud from behind and rolls it up and over the rear trunk. The back of the RT seems to always be dirty! I'm hoping someone can design a small spoiler that would take care of this problem. Front wind protection is the best I've ever rode with. She hasn't complained about any buffeting yet so it must be ok.

Dwight

 

[Magic Man]

Hopefully some of the aftermarket windshield manufacturers will come out with some options for the RT soon.

You should opcorn:



MM

 

[Lamonster]

As a driver I notice some wind from behind. This is the reason I've gone all these years with no windshield on any of my bikes, if I'm going to have wind I want it from in front of be where it should be.

The Spyder is the first bike/ride that I've ever had that I kept a windshield on mainly because you have to have some sort of shield. The Chad works pretty good on my RS and the stock shield is even better on my RT. One of the first things I did notice when I got caught in the rain was the back of my neck was getting wet but that was about it. My son however had his first ride on the back and he didn't seem to have any problem with the wind. :dontknow:

 

[patches]

Exact reason I don't ride with a shield but coming from sport bikes, I am just used to it and always have a full shield on. I have tried other shields but use the sport shield on there now and love it. I don't drive the hours on the HW like some so it is not bad at all.

 

[Firefly]

Perhaps a Laminar Lip would help???

http://www.laminarlip.com/caspyder.php

 

[Smylinacha]

Maybe you can take a saw and cut it down some? I've always cut down my windshields but then again I am very short

 

[VaughnCat]

My assessment, and that of my wife, is that most of the buffeting is coming from air from behind, that is sucked into the vacuum created by the windshield and deflectors. The large protected area makes this backlash worse, just as a truck on the highway has a lot more suction (and deposited dirt) than a Smart Car. To get rid of this air, we would have to get the air to flow straighter and farther, before being sucked into the vacuum.

Thanks for the input! That makes sense..... we ride with the windshield all the way up, and it's true, the wind is coming UP from behind, not from the front/sides (unless the front windshield is in down position). I've been complaining to my husband about the wind coming up inside my helmet, freezing the back of my head and neck. (At warm temps, it's okay, but less than 50, it is really uncomfortable... )

My husband mentioned adjustments to the side wings.... any thoughts????

 

[VaughnCat]

Scotty is right again! On our recent ride down to Arkansas we rode through about 25 - 30 miles of medium rainfall. Wife complained about the back of her neck, actually her hair, being wet. Also the back of her jacket above where the backrest ends was dirty. The RT sucks up the rain and mud from behind and rolls it up and over the rear trunk. The back of the RT seems to always be dirty! I'm hoping someone can design a small spoiler that would take care of this problem. Front wind protection is the best I've ever rode with. She hasn't complained about any buffeting yet so it must be ok.

Dwight

:agree:
I'm thinkin' you're on to something here . .. yep! the back of our Spyder is always really dirty....

I don't think the RS ryders have the wind problem. We're keeping an eye on the after market stuff for the RT-S . . . .

And hey, we're not complaining at all! We're lovin' our RT-S ! ! ! !
:yes: :yes:

 

[westgl]

Taller windshield

I am thinking our windshield is a cause poor aerodynamics wind buffeting, the spyder has to over come a shield that stands almost straight up.

Once the shield is more laid down it would probably need to be longer to make up for it being laid down

The windshield needs to be at a different angle to get rid of the large pocket of swirling air behind the shield, low pressure behind the shield a vent or by laying the shield down more and letting only Some air come up from under the shield you would get rid of some of the frontal buffeting.

The rear is also a problem, maybe tape a few streamers to the back of the bike shorter ones longer ones attach a camera in the back and ride at different speeds then go over your findings.

just my 2cents

Westgl