Buffeting and Wind Noise

bstig60

bstig60

Joined
Nov 4, 2018
Messages
830
Age
79
Location
Sharpes, Florida , formally, Nevada City, CA
Bike
GL1800, ST1300
I notice I am experiencing a lot of buffeting and wind noise when the windshield is up. I have a stock shield. Never thought a lot about it until I rode my Goldwing the other day for a short 100 mile run. There was nothing, no buffeting and no wind noise to speak of. Is there something than can be done tor reduce both the noise and the buffeting on the rider?
 
Windscreens are a very personal choice.
Depending on your height, a different windscreen may be the solution.
I like the Clearview with the GW vent in medium size. YMMV
 
I think that the rider's height, coupled with the windscreen max height are the two basic factors. Stock handlebar height vs risers will also give a different helmet/windscreen interaction. My ST1300, with the stock windscreen all the way up is buffet, noise free...the windstream blows just over the top of my helmet. I added a 20" screen to my ST1100 and got the same effect...comfortable and quiet.
Sounds like you may need a few additional inches on your windscreen.
 
Thanks, I will check Clearview out! I like the idea of the GW style adjustable vent... Does the vent restrict the shield when you put it all the way down? OBF: I definitely need some more height. I am 6.2" Tall. The buffeting and wind noise with the stock shield is very annoying to say the least....
 
bstig60 said:
Thanks, I will check Clearview out! I like the idea of the GW style adjustable vent... Does the vent restrict the shield when you put it all the way down? OBF: I definitely need some more height. I am 6.2" Tall. The buffeting and wind noise with the stock shield is very annoying to say the least....
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The GW vent will not restrict the shield when it's down.
My height is 5'11" so you may need the Clearview tall.
 
I have a GIVI windscreen on my bike. It is the same height at the bottom adjustment as the stock was at the top. And it is wider.
My bike is a 2003 that did not have the adjustable windscreen. Better wind and rain coverage and clearer as well.
I'm 6 foot tall and have bar risers.
 
bstig60 said:
I notice I am experiencing a lot of buffeting and wind noise when the windshield is up. I have a stock shield. Never thought a lot about it until I rode my Goldwing the other day for a short 100 mile run. There was nothing, no buffeting and no wind noise to speak of. Is there something than can be done tor reduce both the noise and the buffeting on the rider?
Click to expand...
I ran into this also when I first got the bike.
Before you run out and buy a new windshield, give the Laminar Lip a try:

https://www.laminarlip.com/st1300.php

I use it, with stock screen, and have had it on for the last six years. Wouldn't be without it.
With the lip on, I ride with the windshield all the way down - all the time (except in heavy rain).
The lip sends the air up and over your helmet - none gets at your face. And I much prefer looking over the windshield- rather than through.
It also lessens wind resistance, meaning less buffeting and perhaps a (slightly) improved gas mileage.
EDIT: The Bike Quip screen, mentioned by JF Heath above, looks like it has a "lip" very similar to what the Laminar does.
 
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Try riding with the screen only part way up. All the way up, it is like a sail. Full face helmet, screen 1/2 way up. I am 6'2". Just my 2 cents.....
 
I'm 6 foot and on my ST13 I just did the lower windshield kick out. That fixed all the buffet and cost nothing. I rarely even used the windw all the way up. I'm sorry but don't remember what I did to make this happen.. I just remember doing it. It was a posted mod for the windshield.... 11 years ago...
 
jfheath said:
I like to look over the top of the screen, but the original screen directs the airflow straight into my eyes if my visor isn't down, and onto my helmet if it is.
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I have the same experience so I generally look through the screen. This is fine when it's sparkly clean (which isn't very often). At low speeds I often drop in down a lot. The directed buffeting is less but that doesn't work well when the speed picks up.

scrflipup-side-jpg.128209


jfheath said:
my flip up does what I needed it to do, and I haven't bothered trying anything else. And it looks prettier!
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I have to say that last bit impresses me as much as the first. Besides doing the job it looks great doing it. I've been thinking about getting one for awhile now.

John - is your B-Q screen the 20 or 21"?
 
ST Gui said:
I have the same experience so I generally look through the screen. This is fine when it's sparkly clean (which isn't very often). At low speeds I often drop in down a lot. The directed buffeting is less but that doesn't work well when the speed picks up.
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The Laminar isn't pretty, but it works:
I ride with the screen down - up to 80+, and there's no wind in my face.
 
I put a Calsci windshield on my bike (read my review by doing a search for Calsci review). It made a noticeable difference but not an earth shaking one. I like to ride looking thru the screen, and all the way up is the quietest for me. However, at lower than freeway speeds, a couple of inches down from full up makes the bubble of air even smoother and quieter. You might try one or more of those clip on air deflectors (aka laminar lip), and experiment. If you can find a used, damaged aftermarket screen cheap, this might give you an idea of the performance you can expect w that windshield. I also always ride w/ earplugs - they make a big difference in noise and your tolerance for buffeting.
 
I run a V-Stream windshield, adjusted so that the top of the shield is at lip level. No problem with buffeting. I always wear earplugs on the highway, so I can't assess the noise (although I don't think it's excessive.) The V-Stream also provides better wind protection than the stock windshield, without affecting the handling (as my Cee Bailey did.) I've never liked looking through a windshield, except in my car...
 
I'm 6' 3", with a seat riser and handlebar risers. The screen itself has two mounting points on the windshield mounts. I have mine in the higher position and hardly ever raise my screen at all. I prefer to look over it. I only occasionally get buffeting enough to be annoyed. Maybe I am just used to it.
 
6' here, and the PO changed the screen, not sure what but it isn't stock.

30-70mph, screen fully up, and there's so little wind that I usually have either my visor full up, or the chin bar up (flip helmet). I can still talk on the phone without folk even knowing I'm riding.

Below 30, I tend to put the screen down, but that's because it's a lightly smoked screen, and seeing through it close to the bike is a PITA.

Motorways, the screen is usually half way, because the wind from large vehicles bounces the bike around, and I don't want to have to deal with wind catching the screen at the same time.

At some point I'll look to change the screen, but mostly because it's lightly smoked, and terrible to see through when slightly dirty (and before the "clean your bike then" comments... I commute, it can be clean in a morning, and have splash marks etc all over it by the evening).
 
jfheath said:
the 21" was quoted as having a more pronounced flip-up than the 20" I don't know if that is still the case.
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It appears to the case according to the site. I was looking at the 21" because of the flip. Thanks!
 
Thanks for all the reply's, people. I will need to get a new shield since mine is getting a little blurry, or maybe its just my eyes.... I may do some research on the kicking out the bottom of the shield and try that to see if it helps before going to the expense of a new shield.
 
I looked into that. You have to be brave enough to drill new holes in the windshield. Our local hardware store has a good selection of aluminum spacers. That would be a good project for a garage/tech event. It takes more than 2 hands to get it set up and drill the holes.
 
ST Gui said:
It appears to the case according to the site. I was looking at the 21" because of the flip. Thanks!
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If ya get one, I'd be real curious as to how well the overseas shipping goes :) Cuz this is the only tinted shield I've found that I really like
 
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