I just bought a 2006 ST1300. I love it! When I get up to about 70 mph I get a lot of wind noise. When I raise the wind shield it subsides but I get buffting form the back. It came with the original wind shield. I am thingking about buying an aftermarket wind sheild. Any advice?
Wind noise
- Thread starter Raven10/2
- Start date
Here's what I use. It's got the little flip on top which helps elevate the airflow. I keep it on the lower position most of the time, however, so the airstream still hits my faceshield, But it can be raised a little to get a smoother flow. It still catches bugs, though, and comes from the UK, so tariffs may affect the price.
Don’t adjust it while moving at speed.
This is a diagram that used to be for the now defunct Madstad Windshield makers. The principle is the important part. By getting a small amount of air under the windshield and the main amount of air going over the outside, it eliminates the backpressure you find on traditional windshields.
Madstad is out of business, but the physics remains the same. I bought a MRA Touring windshield for my XR. It does a decent job of eliminating the windnoise. The "secret" for the MRA is a wing mounted at the top that can be adjusted upwards. And when you look at it, you'll notice it too has a small portion of the air flowing under it like the Madstad.
You don't mention if you use earplugs, or not. They're essential. Not all are the same. You'll want the highest NRR rating.
Chris
The brackets does exact the same job.
I am on my third ST1300 and have tries various alternative windscreens. What works best for me is Seang anti-swirl screen edging. https://saeng.com/product/wind-deflector-edging/
This is my second st1300 and the brackets are the best solution. Not another windscreen.
The brackets are worth a try but they did nothing for me. We have a thread that includes many riders and changing the rake and slot opening worked for some and not for others.
I'm short and the best windshield for me was stock and to raise it no more than 2".
Larry Fine brings up an important point. Raising and lowering the windshield at high speeds is very hard on the power mechanism. I would slow to less than 55 mph to use it. My original mechanism was still working when I sold my ST at 180,000 miles and was still working past 200,000 miles with guy that bought it.
@Raven10/2 how tall are you?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution, actually.
At 6ft tall, as an exa.ple, the stock shield is wonderful for me. Up or down, but I normally ride with it in its lowest position, where the wind just hits the top of my helmet.
And I always wear earbuds or earplugs.
You might consider one of those clamp-on, adjustable wind reflectors that go on the top of the windscreen.
Clamps and quality will vary between manufacturers, and I've never used one.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution, actually.
At 6ft tall, as an exa.ple, the stock shield is wonderful for me. Up or down, but I normally ride with it in its lowest position, where the wind just hits the top of my helmet.
And I always wear earbuds or earplugs.
You might consider one of those clamp-on, adjustable wind reflectors that go on the top of the windscreen.
Clamps and quality will vary between manufacturers, and I've never used one.
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I'm 5-10 and have no issues with the windscreens, I just adjust the height to my riding speeds. Possibly just my pre-ST 40+ year experience with no windscreens...just airstream and bugs in the face.
Bike Quip is the way to go, that little curve at the top makes all the difference.
Thanks, I will look into it.Here's what I use. It's got the little flip on top which helps elevate the airflow. I keep it on the lower position most of the time, however, so the airstream still hits my faceshield, But it can be raised a little to get a smoother flow. It still catches bugs, though, and comes from the UK, so tariffs may affect the price.
I am 5'11 its not the buffeting but the wind noise. I switched earplugs and that helped a little.
Thanks that is defiantly worth a try.
Thanks for the info!
This is a diagram that used to be for the now defunct Madstad Windshield makers. The principle is the important part. By getting a small amount of air under the windshield and the main amount of air going over the outside, it eliminates the backpressure you find on traditional windshields.
Madstad is out of business, but the physics remains the same. I bought a MRA Touring windshield for my XR. It does a decent job of eliminating the windnoise. The "secret" for the MRA is a wing mounted at the top that can be adjusted upwards. And when you look at it, you'll notice it too has a small portion of the air flowing under it like the Madstad.
You don't mention if you use earplugs, or not. They're essential. Not all are the same. You'll want the highest NRR rating.
Chris
The other trick I use for wind noise, and I'm not sure others do this also, is to put a little cream or gel in my ear canals before inserting the foam ear plugs. I feel this seals it better. I've used hand/skin creams and KY and they all work.
I am still using my nearly 20 year old custom molded soft silicone ear plugs,,, that Dana paid about $200/employee for, every 2 years. I don't think that I could enjoy riding without them now. A guy in our local ride group sells something similar,,, and with BT,, they now cost $1000 plus taxes. CAt'
ps: without BT they are about $500.cdn,,, I believe.
ps: without BT they are about $500.cdn,,, I believe.