Road King - solving the head buffeting problem

  • Moss
    Moss
    4 years ago
    I'm 6"3" and the standard 20" windscreen was causing significant head buffeting at > 90kph
    Harley make a 22" screen , their tallest, and it improved the problem significantly, but not totally. The reading I'd done suggested that the buffeting was in part caused by the air rushing up and in  to fill the void behind the screen. So I put a pair of fangs on the upper part of the front forks, concave side forward . This improved the problem even further, and was well worth the purchase. I have reduced the head buffeting down by about 90%, and if I close my full face helmet there is zero buffeting now. I can read the number plates of cars in front, and the head aches are gone.
    As comfort is a primary goal on the long haul, I wanted to see if I could improve it further so I ordered a Clearview Shield from the US 
    https://www.clearviewshields.com/motorcycle-windshield/harley-davidson/touring/road-king-shields-5-hole-pattern/

    They use a recursive top, and a mid shield vent with 5 settings on the vent. The recursive top they claim adds the equivalent protection of 2" , and the vent has the dual effect of allowing air to flow to your chest, and fill the vacuum behind the shield to reduce buffeting. I also got the GT width screen which is an extra inch and a quarter on either side
    There were two sizes I had to decide between 21" and 24". I would have preferred a 22" recursive giving an effective protection of a 24" screen. The 24"recursive would have been the equivalent protection of a 26" screen. More than I needed. and besides I thought it was too tall and would require me to look through it. I do not like to look through the shield. The perfect height is when you can see 50' in front of the bike without looking through the screen.

    So i went with the 21". I paid as much in freight as a I did for the screen and all up cost me around $500 AUD. The final result was exactly the same as the 22" screen for head buffeting. The only advantage was the air protection was wider, good for hands, and I could control the flow of air into the space and onto my chest. Good on warm days. 

    Overall It was a waste of money, and I'm sitting here with two spare screens, and my wife is now starting to doubt my fiscal responsibilities. I've owned the bike for two months, and I have 1 spare seat, two extra windshields, four spare helmets (It's a long story) one unopened and still in box ( wrong size from Revzilla) I have learned I have a 3XL head in full face and a 2XL head in Open face. Most Australian helmet stock stop at XL, so I order from the US, and its hit and miss.
  • Wideglider
    Wideglider
    4 years ago
    and my wife is now starting to doubt my fiscal responsibilities....
    Hey Moss, the line above you used made me laugh! (I can relate to this).
  • Timmy
    Timmy
    4 years ago
    Moss, you said you have reduced buffeting down by 90% and no buffeting with face shield down... well that’s bloody brilliant!!!!
    What a great result, you must be happy with that. 
  • Timmy
    Timmy
    4 years ago
    You said you wanted to improve this further so ordered another screen.  I don’t get you?!?! You had achieved zero buffeting but wanted to spend $500 on another screen?!?!  You sound like you want a car 
  • Wideglider
    Wideglider
    4 years ago
    Haha, hence the reason for my comment above.
  • boxa
    boxa
    4 years ago
    Spare parts , bits and peices  everywhere ,  more helmits than you need , alls i can say is welcome to the world of motorbikes LOL ,, its when you start collecting bikes , you relize you have a problem LOL
  • Moss
    Moss
    4 years ago
    Quoting Timmy on 05 May 2019 12:26 PM

    You said you wanted to improve this further so ordered another screen.  I don’t get you?!?! You had achieved zero buffeting but wanted to spend $500 on another screen?!?!  You sound like you want a car 

    Thanks for the comment Timmy
    I wanted to reduce the buffeting so I could wear an open face helmet. I haven't achieved that goal yet. But you are correct I have reduced it completely with a closed full face helmet. So that is something, and enables me to enjoy my riding. Buffeting is not something any long haul rider need tolerate. It's negative effects are , poor vision, headaches, and lack of libido to ride. It has nothing to do with wanting a car
  • Moss
    Moss
    4 years ago
    Quoting boxa on 05 May 2019 01:17 PM

    Spare parts , bits and peices  everywhere ,  more helmits than you need , alls i can say is welcome to the world of motorbikes LOL ,, its when you start collecting bikes , you relize you have a problem LOL

    +1
    hahaha. Just the thought of collecting bikes warms my soul. We all need a reason to live, something to look forward to , and the thought of a very large shed has been sustaining me for sometime now. 

  • gidgi
    gidgi
    4 years ago
    Quoting Timmy on 05 May 2019 12:26 PM

    You said you wanted to improve this further so ordered another screen.  I don’t get you?!?! You had achieved zero buffeting but wanted to spend $500 on another screen?!?!  You sound like you want a car 

    Hahaha 
  • Moss
    Moss
    4 years ago
    Quoting Wideglider on 05 May 2019 11:56 AM

    and my wife is now starting to doubt my fiscal responsibilities....

    Hey Moss, the line above you used made me laugh! (I can relate to this).

    +1 
    LOL
    WG, we seem to be going through quite a number of separations among our friends and family at the moment. Disappointing to say the least. That 25 year mark seems to be a big hurdle for some. Most of the reasons are financial expectations and control of finances. Rising costs, especially school fees and low wage growth, unless you are a public sector union. My advice to anyone employed full time is at work be as conscientious as possible and as disagreeable as possible. Never stop asking for a pay increase. At home be empathetic as possible.
    My wife is a good stick, and the bike expenses and over stocking of parts is becoming a source of entertainment for her with friends. I make sure I always laugh along :)

  • Nutty
    Nutty
    4 years ago
    6'3" with a XXXL melon...
    That's always going to need some pretty heavy-duty fairings. 

    I solved my RKs wind issues in 2secs, bought a Street Glide...10" recurve screen, perfect for me @ 6'.

    A set of heated grips and some liner gloves for winter and you're good to go. Well done.

  • Moss
    Moss
    4 years ago
    Quoting Nutty on 05 May 2019 11:37 PM

    6'3" with a XXXL melon...

    That's always going to need some pretty heavy-duty fairings. 

    I solved my RKs wind issues in 2secs, bought a Street Glide...10" recurve screen, perfect for me @ 6'.

    A set of heated grips and some liner gloves for winter and you're good to go. Well done.

    Thanks for the feedback Nutty
    There is a lot of melon wobble to control for a comfortable ride.
    The Street Glide faring is a beauty, I hired one in  FN Qld for four days and did 1200kms. It also slightly better handling than the RK.  That front wheel radius makes it easier to manoevre even with the faring. But the RK has full size front wheel, (an inch smaller), good for ride feel at speed, even though it is a little harder to throw around in the turns. And it has a slightly more generous lean angle, and more give in the rear shocks. Horses for courses.
    The reason I chose an RK apart from always loving the look of it, was when the bloke at Eagle Rider told me he ran over a roo doing 110kph and there was barely a wobble. That impeller front wheel is rock solid.
    Winter is going to be interesting. I think I'll need the glove liners. 
  • Nutty
    Nutty
    4 years ago
    I keep a set of tight silicon mechanics  gloves in my bags. Pop them under your gloves on wet/cold days. Cheap and works perfect. Old wet-day MX trick. 
  • Timmy
    Timmy
    4 years ago
    Quoting Timmy on 05 May 2019 12:26 PM

    You said you wanted to improve this further so ordered another screen.  I don’t get you?!?! You had achieved zero buffeting but wanted to spend $500 on another screen?!?!  You sound like you want a car 

    Quoting Moss on 05 May 2019 09:41 PMedited: 05 May 2019 09:43 PM

    Thanks for the comment Timmy
    I wanted to reduce the buffeting so I could wear an open face helmet. I haven't achieved that goal yet. But you are correct I have reduced it completely with a closed full face helmet. So that is something, and enables me to enjoy my riding. Buffeting is not something any long haul rider need tolerate. It's negative effects are , poor vision, headaches, and lack of libido to ride. It has nothing to do with wanting a car

    Hey at least you have a spare screen now.
  • Moss
    Moss
    4 years ago
    Quoting Timmy on 05 May 2019 12:26 PM

    You said you wanted to improve this further so ordered another screen.  I don’t get you?!?! You had achieved zero buffeting but wanted to spend $500 on another screen?!?!  You sound like you want a car 

    Quoting Moss on 05 May 2019 09:41 PMedited: 05 May 2019 09:43 PM

    Thanks for the comment Timmy
    I wanted to reduce the buffeting so I could wear an open face helmet. I haven't achieved that goal yet. But you are correct I have reduced it completely with a closed full face helmet. So that is something, and enables me to enjoy my riding. Buffeting is not something any long haul rider need tolerate. It's negative effects are , poor vision, headaches, and lack of libido to ride. It has nothing to do with wanting a car

    Quoting Timmy on 06 May 2019 06:33 AM

    Hey at least you have a spare screen now.

    Nothing ventured , nothing gained
  • Timmy
    Timmy
    4 years ago
    Quoting Moss on 05 May 2019 09:41 PMedited: 05 May 2019 09:43 PM

    Thanks for the comment Timmy
    I wanted to reduce the buffeting so I could wear an open face helmet. I haven't achieved that goal yet. But you are correct I have reduced it completely with a closed full face helmet. So that is something, and enables me to enjoy my riding. Buffeting is not something any long haul rider need tolerate. It's negative effects are , poor vision, headaches, and lack of libido to ride. It has nothing to do with wanting a car

    Quoting Timmy on 06 May 2019 06:33 AM

    Hey at least you have a spare screen now.

    Quoting Moss on 06 May 2019 07:19 AM

    Nothing ventured , nothing gained

    In all honesty Ive done the same thing numerous times.  Its trial and error.  Would be great if we could test the windshields before importing them!!!  Same with seats.  ETC ETC
  • boxa
    boxa
    4 years ago
    Go get yourself one more  expensive accessorie ,  a riders backrest , screens are great for taking the  wind of the chest , but a riders backrest it don't matter , , take the screen off , and presto problem fixed , for around town with open face you need a good pair of glassees , long journeys , who wants open face anyway ,  wind in the eyes at over 100  makes the eyes water ,  bee stings , you can do without , so simply put  riders backrest , open face if you want on short rides , long rides full face or   open with  a visor , and problem fixed , better riding experience has well , , Although  with saying that  if i were to go on a long journey tomoro  i would put the screen on my lowrider , but then again , i don't get buffeting and i don't have a riders backrest for this bike , . for the last 10 years the rocket tourer was my touring , long distance bike , it had the rider backrest so the screen got left at home mostly
  • Moss
    Moss
    4 years ago
    Quoting boxa on 06 May 2019 09:22 PM

    Go get yourself one more  expensive accessorie ,  a riders backrest , screens are great for taking the  wind of the chest , but a riders backrest it don't matter , , take the screen off , and presto problem fixed , for around town with open face you need a good pair of glassees , long journeys , who wants open face anyway ,  wind in the eyes at over 100  makes the eyes water ,  bee stings , you can do without , so simply put  riders backrest , open face if you want on short rides , long rides full face or   open with  a visor , and problem fixed , better riding experience has well , , Although  with saying that  if i were to go on a long journey tomoro  i would put the screen on my lowrider , but then again , i don't get buffeting and i don't have a riders backrest for this bike , . for the last 10 years the rocket tourer was my touring , long distance bike , it had the rider backrest so the screen got left at home mostly

    +1
    Good advice. I recently purchased one because I take pillion passengers. But have not tried that combination on the highways
  • Timmy
    Timmy
    4 years ago
    +1 on the backrest.  Takes strain off hands too.  You don’t need to hang on 
  • Wideglider
    Wideglider
    4 years ago
    Quoting Timmy on 08 May 2019 06:54 AM

    +1 on the backrest.  Takes strain off hands too.  You don’t need to hang on 

    I would still advise to hang on!