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Windshield Buffeting

9867 Views 11 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  chuck75, 
C
My VS 1300 came from the dealer set up with a Memphis shades quick release, 17 in. windshield and the buffeting is killing me. Really, after 30 mins at highway speeds, the headache forces me home. Memphis Shades says add lowers and the windshield is otherwise not adjustable. I'm thinking replace with something that works for certain. Any ideas, suggestions???
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linerdave
Buffeting

Chuck,

I think Memphis Shades is correct. I have had two bikes with windshields, an 1100 v star and a Stratoliner. Both had enough buffeting behind the windshield to move my glasses or helmet at highway speed. I could move my feet and make some difference and hold my hand down by my knee and feel the air.

Doesn't take much Some plastic lowers just below the windshield should do the trick. I believe thee is a low pressure behind the windshield and air rushes in under it to fill the void. Then swirls around. I have Bucks Lowers but I don't think he makes lowers for 1300.

Dave
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C
I hate re-inventing the wheel on my nickel and I have tech support at Memphis Shades distributors telling me that lowers fixing buffeting is nutz. It would sure be nice if we could work out a solution to such a common problem.
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Windshield buffetting

I guess it depends on how much breeze you like to get while riding along. I rode a friend's bike with a two-up national switchblade, and it felt like riding in a vacuum, and also very warm in summer, and I did not like it. I have just fitted a 16" Windvest screen to my VSTAR 1100, which required a bit of experimentation to find the sweet spot. Now, all I get is a nice little breeze around the front of my body, but not the high pressure blast that really wears you out after riding for a while.
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linerdave
Buffeting

Try holding your hand to see where the wind is comming from. I can only tell you it worked on my Stratoliner. I did find a post on another site saying the same thing. I don't know if Bucks Lowers will mount with your windshield. I think Memphis Shades makes a set that mount on the forks. I use Bucks lowers, they work well. No bike will work for everyone out of the box.

This from another 1300 site.
Dave


Windshields


The stock windshield is generally a bit tall for most people. Many, if not most, riders also complain about the amount of wind buffetting that occurs around the head/helmet area. One solution to that is to add lowers to deflect more of the wind coming up from around the gas tank.



Bucks Lowers
Bucks Lowers (www.buckslowers.com) is one of the favorites across the group. These lowers are specially designed for the V Star 1300 and do an excellent job of reducing the wind buffetting. Be warned, Buck only takes checks (no credit card or paypal).



Harley Davidson
Harley Davidson part number 58121-85B. This is a chrome unit and DOES require you to drill new lower holes to line up with the OEM windshield mounting brackets. These lowers extend several inches further down the fork leg than others available. The MSRP for these is approx

$69.99.
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Caper
I had a Memphis Shades w/s on my V*1100 as well, and it was bad for buffeting until I adjusted the mounting angle slightly forward. Not that there was much play in the set up, but it really helped a lot. Of course, w/s height vis. a vis. your own torso and general bike and w/s design are also factors. I have an OEM w/s on my Roadliner that I cut to 18" (from 21", which Yamaha calls "medium") and it doesn't need lowers, very little to no buffeting, though many riders of this model complain of buffeting and install Bucks to resolve. Severe buffeting is just not on and can be corrected with patience and sometimes hard cash. I agree with Linerdave's assertion that you have to customize the bike set up to address these problems, as much of a PITA as it is. I bought a spare w/s just in case as I changed the seat to an Ultimate which will change my sitting height (not quite warm enough for me to try it out yet). Make sure you finalize those types of decision before you make any radical changes, though I would go with the lowers as they can't hurt and may well solve the problem.
Good luck with it.

-Caper
3rd Officer, Road Captain
All Canadian Riders Club
Durham Chapter 001
http://www.allcanadianridersclub.ca
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linerdave
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Caper is right about shifting the windshield. I have seen others solve the problem that way.

This will be of little value but, some manufacturers solve the problem by letting a little air in between the windshield and fairing, directing it up. Alowing it to fill the void behind the windshield. BMW 1200 LT and Yamaha FJR are a couple of examples. Some Goldwings have a vent in the windshield, I assume that is for the same reason. If we could somehow direct air from above the light up behind the windshield without looking Mickey Mouse it might solve the problem.

Dave
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C
My windshield is mounted on a quick release mount. Memphis shades didn't seem to think adjustment was needed.
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Caper
I think mine was the same- is there any room at all to change the angle of the w/s by adjusting where the solid mounting knob (on the forks) sits in the channel/slot in the w/s. i.e., a little deeper into the slot or a little more shallow? It really didn't take much in my case to reduce the head buffeting by about 75%. Of course, this can be an elusive problem to fix.
Frankly, I was amazed at how loose the Memphis Shades was, and I installed it myself, ensuring the headlight-mount and all other mounts were tight. The OEM windshield on my Liner is a much more solid install. Just an observation, I know others swear by that make.

-Caper
3rd Officer, Road Captain
All Canadian Riders Club
Durham Chapter 001
http://www.allcanadianridersclub.ca
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C
windshield buffeting

It was on the 2007 that I bought used. I wouldn't have the Memphis Shades Quick Release tombstone windshield. Not fond of their customer service either:

I have buffeting.

Buy our Memphis Shades wonderful lowers.

Will they work?

We hope so.

I then called some of their distributors and asked if lowers will help my buffeting all the technical service I talked to replied: "lowers won't help that."
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chuck75 said:
It was on the 2007 that I bought used. I wouldn't have the Memphis Shades Quick Release tombstone windshield. Not fond of their customer service either:

I have buffeting.

Buy our Memphis Shades wonderful lowers.

Will they work?

We hope so.

I then called some of their distributors and asked if lowers will help my buffeting all the technical service I talked to replied: "lowers won't help that."
Click to expand...
My snl got me a set of Memphis Shades lowers for my 1100 v-star, put them on and FINALLY got to ride yesterday, I wore my ball cap to see if I could tell much( please no firestorm about helmet), before it would blow off, if not turned around, the first few yards. I rode several miles and did not blow off at all, yes the lowers done a great job for me. BUT as they says on TV, results may vary.;)
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C
I switched from the 17" shield to a 21" and the buffeting only affects the very top of my helmet. Much better; but, I'm looking for the perfection I had on my beemer. I don't quite see over the taller shield; so, don't know what rain will be like?
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