The Buffeting is getting on my nerves!!!

[Poucher56]

Had the bike about two months now and I seem to be noticing the buffeting even more now, it is very noticeable to me now and its getting to the stage where its almost giving me headaches

Done a lot of miles this weekend in all weathers and the buffeting has almost spoiled the rides, I've got to get it sorted or I'm going to consider selling the bike, don't really want to as I love everything else about it

Has anyone done anything with the standard screen like cut it down or change the shape, I tried the bike today with no screen or handguards and it was brilliant up to about 60 - 70 mph then the windblast got too much, but no buffeting so it was a lot quieter sitting in clean non turbulent air.

I think the problem with the original screen is that it is at too steep an angle and doesn't cut through the air very well.

Don't want to go the touring screen route as they look too big to me, I think I'll end up chopping away at this screen to try and reduce the buffeting and see what I end up with, unless anybody else has any ideas

HELP ITS DRIVING ME NUTS

[SUB]

I think the problem with the original screen is that it is at too steep an angle and doesn't cut through the air very well.

I'll agree with that mate I've actually cut the top section off mine and I like it Gets a bit like hard work at about 100mph but for normal road riding it's fine.
They don't cost a lot so it's worth a try even if you bugger it up. (certainly cheaper than changing your bike)
I'll see if I can find a pic of my effort.

[Poucher56]

Hi Sub,

Like you I've already cut 60 mm off the top of it and it doesn't seem much better to me.

If you stand up on the footpegs at about 70 - 80 mph its amazing how much quieter it is just in the clean non turbulent air.

I might have another go at the screen and shape it like the ones they have on the Triumph Speed Triples where instead of being a convex shape at the top, they seem to slice it straight across.

I see you have ditched the handguards as well??

[SUB]

Hi Poucher, the hand guards will go back on in winter or for any lengthy tours.
The screen does need to be more tilted back somehow then it would be perfect but this is all dependant on your height and riding position off course. I'm 6 foot in my boots and do tend to get forward a bit.
Funny enough I'd thought about cutting it straight across

[Snopes]

Poucher56,

How tall are you? Your height will definitely affect the buffeting.

Michael

[Poucher56]

Hi Snopes,

I'm about 5' 11" , even invested in a new lid, gone from an Arai astro J to a new Shoei XR1100, although the Shoei is quieter than the Arai ( not to mention the visor change mechanism that is light years ahead of the Arai ! ) the problems not actually the helmet, its the turbulent air coming off the screen.
And I don't want to start a war about which helmet is better, Arai or Shoei cos I've had 4 or 5 of each of them, I just buy what takes my fancy at the time

Sub, I actually managed to tilt the screen back a little as a test, I made a 20mm strap for the front screw fixing of the screen, took the two middle screws out altogether and let the screen tilt backwards on the two back screws.
This dropped the top edge of the screen by about 30 mm and made it a slightly shallower angle, but didn't seem to make much difference to the buffeting, I think one problem may have been that it opened up the gap slightly between the bottom of the screen and the bodywork of the bike allowing more air to "whistle" through the gap, I might try this again but with the gap sealed with foam or insulating tape to see if it quietens it down any.

I'm going to try and replicate some airflow tests by sticking on 250 mm lengths of cotton or wool or something around the leading edge of the screen at 50 mm intervals then take the bike for a ride, this should help me figure out which area or feature of the screen is causing the turbulence by seeing which ones flap the most.
I know all this sounds a bit "anal" but if I can sort this buffeting I will be totally happy with the bike then.

Will keep you posted if I make any progress

[phanson]

I just use the KTM touring screen (I actually like the way it looks) and don't have any buffeting problems. I'm 5' 11" 'ish too (and have Shoei, Arai and Schuberth lids - so agree it isn't a lid issue) and it's great up to three figures - when pressure on the shoulders increases somewhat.

Another geezer on here was on about putting slots in the screen to reduce turbulance - I'm thinking old ST1100 screns here?

Maybe that would be a better option?

[pvdbogaard]

I am 175cm (think this is 5 feet, 10 inch). 87kg, leglength 32"
Standard screen: too much turbulence
KTM Tourscreen: less, but still too much turbulence
Givi D750S: better than KTM touring screen, but a bit stll there. I have the impression that a significant portion of the turbulence comes from the side of the screen. Seeking with your hand for turbulence patterns while driving 100km/hour gives an impression.
Some folks believe that the vacuum behind the screen is the cause of the turbulence. By drilling not too small holes they reduce this and report significant improvements.
However I am still too afraid to go this route ....

Another helpfull --allthough some might find it ugly-- solution could be with a spoiler. See http://shop.heroblobs.co.uk/products/aero-trim. However I never tried it.

My previous bike was a Suzuki DL1000. Had the same short commings. I had a Madstad like (http://www.madstad.com/) adjustable windshield system. Unfortunately this is not available for the SMT. together with a MRA screen this combination worked miracles. It took some tuning, but in the end it was very nice indeed.

A similar solution exists for the Triumph Tiger 1050. On that forum people are positive about this solution too.
(http://palmerproducts.co.uk/ the windshield mounting kit) Again not for the SMT

[Snopes]

Not sure if these can be purchased outside the US, but there is a screen from Calsci in CA that has venting to address buffeting. It's much wider than the stock and touring screens.

http://motorcycleinfo.calsci.com/KTMSMTprod.html

Has anyone tried it?

[Poucher56]

Thanks for the info Guys,

But I'm not looking to put a bigger ( uglier! ) screen on the bike.

My aim is to find a compomise between the standard screen ( buffeting ) and no screen at all ( clean air ) there must be something in the middle??
At the weekend I'll have more time to do some testing, I'll try the airflow thing I mentioned in my last post, but I think its gonna mean some more cutting to the standard screen.

What I'm looking for is enough screen just to take the windblast off my chest so I can cruise between 80 - 90 mph but leave my head in clean air.

I have a BMW roadster that has a small flyscreen fitted and I don't get any buffeting at all from that, but that screen is lower and set at a more shallow angle than the SMT's

Hoping to make some improvement this weekend.