Wind Buffeting

[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

 

[jaherbst]

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

Bob, my vented shield came with the Spyder when I bought it. It was a demo with 225 miles and had the windshield, heated comfort seat, backrest etc. already installed. The vented always caused a lot of helmet buffeting and shoulder buffeting regardless of adjustable height and vent open or closed.

When at Spyderfest I mentioned this to Len at PitBull while he was putting on a vented windshield on a new Spyder. He said he had heard this from other vented customers. I asked him what he was doing with the new standard 25" he was taking off. He said he would swap it for my vented for no charge. I have been a happy camper ever after. The vented is about 1 1/2 inches narrower on each side. If you are of smaller frame this might pass. I am 5' 10" and 235# and the vented definately did not work for me.

Jack

 

[jaherbst]

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 it was the $350-450 BRP windshield with the adjustable vent. The cutouts are standard on the OEM windshield and are located toward the bottom of the OEM to relieve pressure on the backside of the W/S.

Jack

 

[finless]

Bob, my vented shield came with the Spyder when I bought it. It was a demo with 225 miles and had the windshield, heated comfort seat, backrest etc. already installed. The vented always caused a lot of helmet buffeting and shoulder buffeting regardless of adjustable height and vent open or closed.

When at Spyderfest I mentioned this to Len at PitBull while he was putting on a vented windshield on a new Spyder. He said he had heard this from other vented customers. I asked him what he was doing with the new standard 25" he was taking off. He said he would swap it for my vented for no charge. I have been a happy camper ever after. The vented is about 1 1/2 inches narrower on each side. If you are of smaller frame this might pass. I am 5' 10" and 235# and the vented definately did not work for me.

Jack

6'4" 245 lbs.
Yes the vented is a little narrower but as I said it reduced Spyder buffeting and especially that lurching feeling.. But I did not notice any extra body or helmet buffeting. Not sure what to say. Maybe my helmet gets through the wind better. If I have the shield up, I get just about no helmet buffeting and maybe a little body buffeting in gusty winds. With the stock windshield (2011 so no holes) the lurching and spyder buffeting was a lot more than with the vented. I am sure this is why BRP added the holes in 2013 and up.

Bob

 

[sidecars]

Thoughts from OP

Thanks for all the feedback... very helpful.

Though there are some varying opinions here, what I got out of this was what is bothering me the most is the buffeting of the entire bike, especially from strong winds and passing semis. Some of that is a given, but the majority here believe the BajaRon sway bar will help. I find it a bit surprising that an issue big enough for so many to think the new swaybar is such a huge fix as to be critical... hasn't just been corrected by BP. My opinion. I'll probably end up getting one.

In a related issue, somewhere between 25 and 50% of the drivers out there believe laws and safe driving apply to someone else. God forbid I should stay in the right hand lane and do the speed limit. It pisses people off, especially if they have a traditionally macho vehicle. God forbid the driver should be young and needing to show off how macho they are. Ugh. OTOH... In my experience, most semi drivers will pull up behind you and simply pass, without crazy tailgating, unless a hill is coming up... in which case I do them a favor and speed up a bit. On two lane roads I'll frequently pull over to let people pass, and there hasn't been much of an issue there.

Part of the issue is me, I'll admit. I'm still getting used to the bike, and feel a bit uncomfortable, still, at speed, especially on the tighter freeway curves. I've owned it a month and have about 1600 miles on it. (BTW... my lovely old Moto Guzzi has abut 5500 miles after three years, 90% of which is from commuting, which I will easily surpass on the Spyder.) I'll keep riding and keep getting more comfortable.

Body buffeting. I am six feet tall, but mostly from the belt line up. I am all torso. My head touches the ceiling in many, many cars. With the shorty windshield my shoulders and head are totally in the windstream. I'll probably buy a new windshield. At this point I like the price/value/idea of the CalSci XL. The majority seem to feel the vent holes are a good idea. CalSci certainly makes a good case for them.

We will each come up with our own decisions, but so far, those are mine. Thanks for the help getting there.

Final thought... I bought a low end Garmin and did the windshielf suction/ball mount. Worked fine for my Trike Trek #1. With the model I bought you have to work hard to get off road routing right, but given the price of $150 or so... I think that's fine.

Thanks

Bryan

 

[Bob Denman]

Regarding your "Related Issue"... Ride your own ride, and forget about anyone else! :thumbup:

 

[Pampurrs]

Regarding your "Related Issue"... Ride your own ride, and forget about anyone else! :thumbup:

:agree: and thank you for staying in the right lane.

Pam

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I think you will be happy with your CalSci windshield and you really should get the BajaRon bar.

 

[cohoff]

"....Body buffeting. I am six feet tall, but mostly from the belt line up. I am all torso. My head touches the ceiling in many, many cars. With the shorty windshield my shoulders and head are totally in the windstream. I'll probably buy a new windshield. At this point I like the price/value/idea of the CalSci XL. The majority seem to feel the vent holes are a good idea. CalSci certainly makes a good case for them....."


Sidecars----I don't think you will be disappointed in the CalSci windshield. You may indeed need/want an XL windshield, but i would suggest you give them a call and talk to them about what size you should get before committing to the XL. I did their test to determine what size I should get and it came out as a Large (I'm 5' 7"). I called them and they told me for my size and where I live, I would be happier with a medium. They were absolutely correct. I ended up talking to one of the owners of CalSci and he was so helpful ! I also concur about getting the BajaRon anti-swaybar. Once it's installed your Spyder will sit down and hug the road. I wouldn't own a Spyder w/o one!

 

[cohoff]

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

Yes Bob, what helmet do you have? I can't get over how quiet it is.

 

[F4 Customs]

Buffetting

Please consider the F4 Customs windshield to solve your buffetting problem. We manufacture shields that will reduce this greatly. Input from other F4 Customers would be great here.
F4 Shields come in Clear or Tint and with or without a GL 1800 adjustable vent.
We make them standard width and then wider which is a real help.
The largest seller is the plus 3 that is 3" taller than stock and 2" wider per side. This really helps when you have a co rider.
F4 Shields are optically perfect, shed rain, and are highly scratch resistant even when rubbed with steel wool.
Call Don at F4 Customs, we would love to earn your business.
330-968-4644

 

[2ndChildhood]

Please consider the F4 Customs windshield to solve your buffetting problem. We manufacture shields that will reduce this greatly. Input from other F4 Customers would be great here.
F4 Shields come in Clear or Tint and with or without a GL 1800 adjustable vent.
We make them standard width and then wider which is a real help.
The largest seller is the plus 3 that is 3" taller than stock and 2" wider per side. This really helps when you have a co rider.
F4 Shields are optically perfect, shed rain, and are highly scratch resistant even when rubbed with steel wool.
Call Don at F4 Customs, we would love to earn your business.
330-968-4644

I had the F4 windshield installed on my 2012 RTL at Spyderfest. I went with the standard width and wider sides, vented and tinted. This windshield is now on my new 2015 RT-SS. This is a great windshield I absolutely love it. Thanks Don.


ToM
Life is Great
Be Safe

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Pampurrs]

Please consider the F4 Customs windshield to solve your buffetting problem. We manufacture shields that will reduce this greatly. Input from other F4 Customers would be great here.
F4 Shields come in Clear or Tint and with or without a GL 1800 adjustable vent.
We make them standard width and then wider which is a real help.
The largest seller is the plus 3 that is 3" taller than stock and 2" wider per side. This really helps when you have a co rider.
F4 Shields are optically perfect, shed rain, and are highly scratch resistant even when rubbed with steel wool.
Call Don at F4 Customs, we would love to earn your business.
330-968-4644

I'm planning on ordering one in the fall to replace my shorty that I got with my :spyder2:. I'll need it for winter riding when the morning termperatures sometimes drop down to the 30s.

Pam

 

[Pampurrs]

Please consider the F4 Customs windshield to solve your buffetting problem. We manufacture shields that will reduce this greatly. Input from other F4 Customers would be great here.
F4 Shields come in Clear or Tint and with or without a GL 1800 adjustable vent.
We make them standard width and then wider which is a real help.
The largest seller is the plus 3 that is 3" taller than stock and 2" wider per side. This really helps when you have a co rider.
F4 Shields are optically perfect, shed rain, and are highly scratch resistant even when rubbed with steel wool.
Call Don at F4 Customs, we would love to earn your business.
330-968-4644

Don,

Is this the one you're referring to? -----> F4-SRT-W-C+V


Thanks

Pam

 

[finless]

Yes Bob, what helmet do you have? I can't get over how quiet it is.

It's a HJC IS-MAX. Trust me it is not quiet around the ears. It's quiet near the 20S boom MIC but not that great around the ears.

My next helmet will be the Shark Evoline.

Bob

 

[ricford]

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

I don't have an answer but do have the same question. I bought a really expensive Arai helmet and it is really noisy. I really hate it. It's where the face shield meets the helmet and does not seal. So, please, someone answer. What IS a quiet helmet. I'll order one that day. I'm tired of the noise. And I ride a lot. At speeds above.. no I didn't say that...forget I said anything...