Buffeting woes

[Stefano]

Hi all,

I have a standard GS, and found the standard screen ok regarding helmet buffeting, but at high speed (70 +) wind hitting my forearms/shoulders would cause the handle bars to oscillate back and forth. This was more pronounced driving in turbulent air, but was also present when riding in clean air.

In order to solve this, I fitted a Givi AF330 screen. This solved my original problem, the bike is rock stable at 70+ now as no turbulent air is hitting my forearms, but has introduced a new problem. The buffeting on my helmet is unbearable, at any setting of the adjustable screen. Wind noise is greatly reduced, but the air going over the top of my helmet is causing the helmet to experience server buffeting, enough to give me a headache. This happens at speeds of 60 onwards. I've tried different helmets, all having the same effect. I'm 6ft, but I know of taller people using this screen and having no problems. I've removed the second adjustable screen altogether, this improved the situation, but the buffeting is still quite bad.

I'm starting to think I'll need to get creative regarding solving this problem. I can't help but think that the screen needs to be angled more towards me, in order for the air to hit my helmet in a more laminar fashion. Another option is to fit the standard screen again and through on some winglets at the sides. Anyone got any suggestions?

 

[OldCroc]

I have the same setup but also use Tobinators. I recently also added the wind deflectors (just to keep my arms warmer as I rode through winter) and find this fine. I am also 6ft and have the screen slanted quite far back as I like the wind on the helmet to keep blowing rain away etc. The upper screen is only half way out.
If you have the whole setup too high and too upright you will get turbulence.
I have always found that it is better to have the wind hitting half the helmet - you can test this by holding your hand in front of the helmet when doing about 60.
Dont give up - there is a setting that will suit.
OldCroc

 

[Stefano]

Tobinators sound interesting. Will they allow me to tilt the screen more towards me. I already have the screen as tilted towards me as it will go, although it is still fairly upright.

Interestingly, no matter what the setting of the second screen (all the way up, all the way down, and just about every bit in between) I still get the buffeting. It's not normal buffeting either. Its a weird sensation, causing extreme vibration of the helmet (and other makes of hemets I've tried). Goes away if I duck down, but of course, this is not comfortable

 

[JayC]

Try a different jacket. I was amazed at the different air flow results, and therefore wind noise, by simply trying a different jacket last year. The shoulders are very exposed, as you have found, and the heavier the jacket the more pronounced the wind noise and buffeting is likely to be. It's not always the helmet that needs to be looked at.

Of course, if it's a twat jacket you wear then the fault will almost certainly be with the helmet.