Not another wind buffeting thread?!

I know a LOT has been posted on this. I have a 6th Gen and have been plagued by wind buffeting since new. I recently added the Vario Touring screen..... limited help - the best setting was with the shield all the way flat.

So I removed the screen entirely and tried it - WHAT A DIFFERENCE!!!! Smooth, quiet air stream (I could even ride without ear plugs!!).

Next step is to cut down the stock screen. Given how smooth it ran with no screen at all, its not clear I could cut it too much.... maybe just offering the instruments a little protection.

And put my brand new Vario up for sale (dang... $150 down the tube on that one)

Really surprising to me just how severe the wind buffeting really is with the stock screen, essentially ruining the enjoyment of riding. The aftermarket screen very marginal improvement.

Anyone considering trying a new screen - TRY IT WITHOUT A SCREEN FIRST! Might save you the expense of iteration.

Makes sense to me. I'm always amazed at how quiet my helmet gets when I stand up and stretch - all that clean air. Let us know how far you have to cut for a good result.

Did you test everything?

Like 130 mph

going against a 10 mph headwind

being around multiple vehicles in turbulent wind

_________________

Many different set ups accel at one, but fail at the others The stock screen is good normally by a few inches, Normally if you raise up a couple inches the air is quiter , but go too high you get dirty air again.

I tried this laminar lip standard version, it was fantastic in clean air, but far more noise. and if you got around vehicles in turbulent wind it would buffet and rock like crazy. Stock shield over all with taller seat worked well for me, plus the leg room

double bonus

They do have puig or mra racing screens that are lower, ever thought of those ?

I have screwed around with different screens on different bikes (I hate turbulence) and the main thing I can conclude from all these gyrations is that there is an optimum speed zone where a certain set up works best and its then a compromise in other areas. So you have to choose what you are looking for and semi tune for that, and then see if the other speeds are ok for you to live with.

That's why a DB is the bomb for one guy and garbage for another rider. - Just my 2 cents....

Cut It!!!!!! You won't be sorry!!!!! I've had mine cut for about a year and a half with no regrets

Just ditch all the plastic. I've got very little buffeting up to . . . well, 90 or so. I won't talk about any more than that because I haven't been on a track. All my bike has is a single round headlight.

I had a jacket that caused a lot of buffeting for a while. I used to think it was that bike, but it was definitely the jacket.

I think I read some helmet reviews somewhere that said they were usually quiter on unfaired bikes. . .

I guess a lot of it depends on your riding position and where the windstream is getting you in the first place. I recently stuck on the MRA screen as well and it is doing the job nicely. I used to get almost all clean air to my helmet except for the lower chin. Now I get wind all over but much slower. Zero wind to the upper body now too which is where the most comfort is at. I can see that being in all clean air may be nice but will it still be good after 400miles.

Thanks for the comments and feedback!

The stock screen isnt cutting it (no pun intended.....)

The MRA screen is improved, but only slighty.

My jacket and helmet could very well may be part of the problem - do note that it is the same jacket and helmet I used when I had my 2000 VFR, and I never recall it being a problem (note that it has been a few years, my mind has failed, and I may not remember things all that well).

No downside to continue to experiment before cutting:

I have a different helmet I can try. My primary is an Arai, the second is a kbh. I have read various helmet threads and am up for getting a new helmet if this helps... just not ready to start experimenting on $600 tests.

I DO believe a helmet skirt would help, since with the stock screen I can scruntch my shoulders up around the neckline of the helmet - shutting down the gap, and improving the wind noise dramatically. Using a helmet skirt full time would be a little bit of a pain (but would do this if that is what it took)

I can try with, and without a jacket. Heck, I could try a test shirtless with ky jelly slathered all over me (its not obvious to me why I would want to do this.....)

I can try different riding conditions (traffic, etc) - but - if its not a comfortable ride when cruising along in clean air, Im not sure optimizing for traffic and other situations is worthwhile.

I can try the above at different speeds (I have already tried up to about 100 mph.. or more.... will leave it at that). Do note that the MRA is an improvement over the stock screen up to about 50/60 mph.

Of everything I have tried to date, removing the screen entirely has had the most dramatic effect

Stay tuned.......

My Cardo Scala Rider intercom causes a tiny bit of helmet buffeting, but not enough to cause me to remove it from my helmet.