I have a 1990 FXLR Low Rider Custom with a Convertible windshield with sides that curve below the headlight and in front of the tank. Wind buffeting while wearing glasses and a half helmet has annoyed me for many years. The wind appears to come up from below my knees and into my face, also bringing up road sand and water from the front tire spray. The buffeting starts getting annoying at about 50-55 mph, but is shaking my helmet and glasses above 60 mph. I have cut the tall windshield down enough for me to look over it, and the longer Convertible windshield seems to work better than a plain one.

Does anyone have suggestions for success in reducing the wind to a reasonable amount? I would like to be more comfortable and safer, yet keep the same bike, when taking longer rides on faster roads. Thanks!

 

100's of posts on this. The windshield is likely not the problem. Use the search function above with key word buffetting and set back for an hour and read away. Fork lowers on you model will help the most.

 

Putting feet on highway bars and keeping knees against the tank works best for me. Otherwise, lowers and/or other aerodynamic mods will probably help with some experimentation.

 

If you haven't done it already, take the visor off your half helmet.

 

buy a FXD and run a QD HD compact windshield LOl

 

I'd say lowers would be best option.

 

Yep, what he said.

 

Thanks for the recommendations. I've been looking around online and it seems most of the lowers and baffles are made for the touring models, and engine guard covers (not real good looking permanently) aren't recommended for over 50 degree temperature. I did see a guy riding on I-93 with his legs on the top of the engine guard, and I wondered why he was doing that. It was probably to have his legs baffling along the tank bottom. Thanks, again!

 

Remove windshield. Roll up a jacket and tie it across the handlebars :-) maybe a sleeping bag. I have a pair of leather pants that work just right for me that I use on long rides.

 

I've had the same problem as the 100's of others on here. When the windshield is off, no buffeting, but I like the screen on long trips. I have found that the buffeting, at least on my bike, comes from my lower legs, and runs up to my chest and right up my face where it shakes the snot out of my helmet and shoots my mustache up my nose. When I hold my hand out flat just above and to the inside of my knee, it all but stops. I tried some fork lowers, but they don't go low enough, plus they look like crap. I know the angle of my leg makes a difference too. I have forward controls which puts my shin right at the right (or wrong) angle to send the wind right at my chest. I've tried different heights of shield, fork bags, different helmets, you name it. I thought about making a flap that I attach to my leg at the knee to deflect the wind, but now we are really talking propeller head! Any other ideas out there???