BUFFETING - Understand & Fix!

[@mrbjay5443]

First time in two years I understand buffeting. Thank you. Perfect examples and explanations!

[@paulwood7798]

When I worked for racing teams we had access to wind tunnels and we used road bikes for base settings as most bikes had to be in part available to the public. Though the Sport bikes do not really come into this area of interest here we did a lot of work with the Africa Twin which would give us some pointers. All sorts of info came to light and here in no particular order are things we found. Rider height rider width total weight of bike and rider speed shape of helmet angle of screen shape of screen shape of angle of screen like the newish centre spine screens reduced impact and of course as Mark explained how close you are to the vehicle in front and the speed you are travelling. Even the shape of your helmet impacts your flow of air. We found over quite a few trips to the air tunnel the nature of the beast of the fast projectile bike slicing through the air it impossible to eliminate totally the issue. Actually pretty well explained Mak. Good vid

[@gogathome]

Thanks Mark. It's something that I need to look into myself. I also find the buffeting / buffering thing can be very noisy, so good ear plugs are helpful. Apparently wind noise on a motorbike can cause long term damage to your hearing. What ? I SAID WIND NOISE CAN CAUSE LONG TERM DAMAGE TO YOUR HEARING :) Keep on keeping on, love the vids.

[@alinmuresan8374]

😂

[@andyweekes497]

Mark, Mark, Mark.... Love your videos, but you really don't understand the aerodynamics, do you? Think it through - where are the high and low pressures going to be on the screen? The bike moves forward and pushes the air ahead of it (so high pressure in front of the screen), which causes air pressure behind the screen to be relatively low. You have the high and low pressures arse about! What happens is that the screen pushes forward, increasing the air pressure in front of the screen and decreasing it behind. The high pressure air in front of the screen flows past the edges where the pressure is lower - sides, top mainly - and there is an even lower pressure area behind the screen, so the air flow turns and heads into the low pressure area. Where the flows from the sides and top meet, turbulence (buffeting) occurs. As you say, you can reduce the effect considerably by adding a scoop to the front or bottom of the screen to let air by and thus reduce the low pressure behind the screen. You can also change the angle of the screen, size of the screen, and add spoilers to the screen to smooth the air flow. A proper aerodynamicist is going to hate my simplistic expanation, but hey, I'm only a simple aviation navigator, not a pilot, what would I know? Keep up the great videos, love 'em.

[@thisiserich]

I try to explain this to people all the time and no one ever believes me when I talk about the pressure differences. Most people think the bigger the windshield the less buffeting you’ll have which is so wrong. I tell them to get a vented windshield that allows the air to meet in the middle as you said.

[@djones6543]

I had been using a taller touring type windscreen on an RE Continental GT 650 but have recently gone back to the cafe style flyscreen precisely for the reason you stated at the beginning: short screens don't cause helmet buffeting. I think I can tolerate the wind on my upper body more than that wind stream hitting my helmet with a touring windscreen. Also, I have found that the type of helmet does not seem to make much difference, as long as you have a face shield. Most importantly for me anyway is to get my earplugs in so that they are "sealed" in the ear canals. Well fitted earplugs reduce a lot of noise. They don't stop that shaking though. Finally, what you said at the end is so true. There are so many variables in a given riding situation that it's impossible to eliminate wind turbulence completely. But at this point I'm leaning toward the flyscreen as the best compromise.

[@PotterOnTheWater]

Hey Mark - This along with your other videos on the subject have been very helpful. I had a lot of buffeting above 80km/h on my Virago 250 - moved the windshield out a bit at the bottom to create some airflow on the inside of the windshield. Got rid of 90% of the buffeting!! Like night and day - thanks!! Kelly

[@LifeWorkRestPlay]

Was I the only person to smile EVERY time the word 'Buffeting' came up on the screen after an incorrect buffering 8-))

[@brontarlabta.k.a.briantayl3484]

Nah mate. It had me going too 😂

[@fuglbird]

It wasn't even necessary. We all understood the meaning.

[@s3hooligan]

Brilliant presentation. I’ve been riding for decades and I learned something new. Thanks for sharing!

[@deangreenhouse458]

Mark I’m a pom on the other side of the globe. Brother your channel is up my street. Good one !

[@johngrant7979]

Thanks a million Mark .. that was a great tip about raising the windscreen with pvc spacers to allow better even air flow dynamics 👍

[@BikerBits]

My pleasure John! 👍

[@keithandrews1069]

Hi John, we will have to do our own biker rides. Cheers Albany

[@CRFLAus]

Good explanation Mark. I use ear plugs on highways. I also use earplugs when using helmet speakers because the amount of volume you need to hear music at highway speed is super loud at standstill. Deafness is something close to my family and hearing is important. Buffeting is part of motorcycling for me, I just like riding!

[@raypayne1979]

Very interesting, I'm actually trying to sort out simular buffering problems on my Royal Enfield 650 super meteor. What I discovered firstly was not using my full face helmet and falling back to my open face with goggles removed most buffering. I then got a screen extension for about £12 which removed it further. I'm now almost there.

[@AfricaTwin-Stuff]

Excellent point about SO MANY VARIABLES. The biggest problem I’ve come across are people thinking there is one solution for a given bike. One obvious variable (amongst the many) is the height of the rider from seat to head. Even the same height blokes can have a different seat to head height. Soooo in the end it’s just trial and error - but using the base principles you have explained 🥰

[@n4zou]

Starting in the 1960's Craig Vetter started making motorcycle fairings. He went so far as to design them using a wind tunnel. The result was the Windjammer fairing with specialy designed saddle bags and trunk that worked with the fairing to eliminate drag and wind buffeting that goes along with it. He sold over a million of them in the 1970's. No one has produced anything better since. You say you will always have buffeting but that's not true. Without the matching bag's and trunk to draw air behind the bike that air comes forward and creates buffeting even with the Windjammer fairing. Combining the fairing with the bag's and trunk places the driver and passenger in a dead air zone. So much so that vents typically used for Aircraft cabin's as fresh air vents were placed in the air stream across the windscreen so the driver and passenger received much needed fresh air. One aspect of that was as long as the motorcycle was moving forward the driver and passenger would remain dry despite a even a heavy rain storm. I had a Windjammer, bag's, and trunk on a Honda CX500 back in the late 70's and loved it. Several years ago I purchased a 2006 Honda VLX Shadow which is one of only a few modern bike's that old 70's era Vetter touring can be mounted and did so. I found an old Kawasaki touring bike with all that stuff on it and for $100 USD it was mine. Everyone that knows me and my bike calls it the Shadow Wing.

[@karlbishop7481]

I agree with you 100%. Back in 1970 I had a R75/5. I put a full Avon fairing on it. Perfectly calm air behind it. I am now trying to achieve the same thing now with absolutely no positive results. I have tried everything I can think of on four different bikes. I even got a Long Ride Shield and got good results around town. It was winter so I didn't get over 50 mph. Then when I got on the highway the buffeting was so bad I thought the new tire hadn't been balanced. I've gotten new ideas from this video so I have new things to try.

[@magnusconsul]

Second, Thanks Mark more helpful information, sharing experiences is fantastic ! Keep warm and dry....I washed my hands...

[@waynettarin]

I think the high pressure would be the air hitting and flowing over the visor, low pressure would be behind it.

[@BikerBits]

That's what I thought but I'm pretty sure it's the other way round! 😳

[@geoffreymonk2843]

The fast moving air is lower pressure , slower moving air is higher pressure like an aeroplane wing

[@1962clarky]

Pete should be able to set us straight on this one...

[@waynettarin]

Interesting topic this, and worth investigating it more.

[@JonibarTeam]

Same principle as an aerofoil. High Speed Air=Low pressure --- Low Speed Air=Higher pressure RELATIVE to the high speed Air passing over the aerofoil, in this case the air going around the biker due to the windscreen deflection. The Slip stream behind a vehicle is a HIGH pressure zone. Air flows from High pressure to Low pressure. Hope it helps.

[@sippydumdum]

Well explained Mark.I don't get buffering as such, but with the medium sized screen on my NC750X, there is a lot of noise. I tried a lager screen with extension and that worked but was very hot even on a warm day and was looking through the screen. I now run with no screen and seems the best comprmise. I am going to make up some extensions and space out the standard screen as you have sugested and we'll see how we go. Thanks for the info. Cheers

[@sg7392]

I used to be a bit perplexed about buffeting before watching this now I am struggling to get back up to that. I will give your ideas a go. Cheers Steve.

[@brucefleming1743]

Great video Mark with a layman’s explanation 👍🇦🇺

[@davidbalman638]

well explained. I will try some of those tips and try some spacers.

[@bigred2455]

1st: the Ryobi tools for thewin! 2nd: I like your shelving and home made organizers... 3rd and probably most important: Great Breakdown! Windshields should still give you wind at the proper rate. I'm a new 6'6" rider on pavement (prefer dirt for multiple reasons) but I wanna go farther! Going to purchase a Tenere 700 and thought I would do some research on this invisible problem. *cheers* i'd buy your next few rounds!

[@bigred2455]

Oh my Name's Mark, so that's a bonus!

[@ae70gts]

you are 100% spot on everything about buffering * buffeting 😁 very helpful video . cheers nicholas greece

[@baristuncer7597]

I am in love with this guy, he puts a smile on your face with his honest explanations and desire to help you :) Not like the others who simply want your likes and talk boolshit. I'll try your hints in this video Mark. With the help of the other video, I started moto camping :)

[@billerker]

Our weaknesses give the glory to the Father. Your willingness to share your nicks with the rest of us is a wonderful example. We get helpful information and a real sense of goodness. Thank you very much.

[@christophermcreynolds6001]

Keeping real, great stuff Mark.

[@CamperKev]

I'm a motorbike buff, so I don't care what you call it. Buffering, buffeting, take your pick. It's all good............... 👍🏼🍺😁

[@2wheeltommy996]

I am in the process of modifying my windshield with a small vent to equalize the pressure. I’m about to cut into it. 🤞🏻

[@tamar5261]

I drilled some 10 mm holes at the bottom of my screen on my Honda pan to get rid of the vacuum, it worked. It's the vacuum that sucks air in. I have been trying to get a quiet ride for over 50 years. My current bike is a Royal Enfield and the touring screen is useless. The little foil things help as does a decent shaped helmet. But I guess if you want a nice quiet ride get a car 😊.

[@Richard-dh8ny]

I know this is an old post, but I'm very intrigued by your drilling holes in the windscreen to avoid buffeting, Any chance of seeing a photo of what your modified screen looks like?

[@tamar5261]

@@Richard-dh8ny hi Richard, I sold the bike two years ago. Just ordinary 10mm holes along the screen just above the clock's

[@Richard-dh8ny]

Thanks! By clocks do you mean mounting brackets? How many holes did you drill? About how far apart were the holes? A little nervous as I'm about to kiss my windscreen warranty good-by. LOL!

[@neilgibson1243]

Good video as usual mate. Good description of airflow for motorcycles. Low pressure is on the back of the screen though, not that it really matters. Ask Pilot Pete all about lift vectors and Bernoulli’s theorem when you’ve got an hour spare. It’s generally all about the size of your wing (fairing), the angle it hits the wind and the speed that the wind (airflow) is hitting it. Simple🤯. Biker Bits is a breath of fresh air either way. 👍🏻

[@bhagat6127]

Ahhh thank you. Now I only have to figure out a custom windshield for my Gixxer 250.

[@Arachnoid_of_the_underverse]

I found the problem with the small perspex clip on screen is the same as having a large screen in that they obscured my view, especially those with only one central clip. With large bikes and larger screen, I have the screen around 3-4" below eye level so the airflow passes over my helmet. With a smaller bike like my DR as with your example a smaller screen needs a gap so the air gets guided upwards like a wing, by the different speed of the air coming under the screen. It's not a perfect science and I had to play around to get what was optimal to me , so some trial and error is the name of the game.

[@kgphxaz]

Pretty sweet garage

[@charlesbarnett2724]

Love this. Bloody hilarious. Ive moved to fibre broadband. That helps😂 Hey. It's a very helpful video. Loads to chew over there. Cheers mate.

[@dougwilson6324]

Most buffet is caused by a vacuum your position on a motorcycle is right on the cusp of prssure and vacuum border if you lean forward most of this will stop as you enter the vacuum behind the shield. when you move forward you fill the void with mass. you can either raise the shield height or try pack a small bag behind the shield above the gauges/ lower your seat height behind the shield/shorten the shield so your helmet is in full flow so it's a constant pressure all over your head and neck.

[@Dirk1961-l7y]

I had a detachable windscreen on a FatBob. This thing also buffers as he*ll! I drilled 3 big holes in it from 5cm each. At the lower part because it looks weird otherwise. It reduces the buffeting with 60% i think👍🏼👍🏼

[@BikerBits]

Great stuff! 👍

[@supergrizzidentity]

I just put a fairing and windshield on my cruiser, and the only thing I’m getting is loud wind noise. The air hits my visor halfway up, but doesn’t shake my head. It just makes an annoying tone

[@billcotton1551]

Mark ,the only 100% cure is a car. You are correct ,goes with the territory.

[@davidrosario1]

Thank for the info, by the way I like your cave!

[@JumpingWatermelons]

I had "buffeting".. Took off the windscreen. No problem now.

[@AH-cx4ur]

Can I ask what phone do you run with your cardo I'm looking for someone who has had success with a Samsung using goggle voice assistant. Top channel too.

[@kevencyrpoirier3968]

Hey thanks good tips, what is the brand of the windscreen on your DR650?

[@BikerBits]

Screens for bikes!

[@roderickneven1844]

Hi Mark, I have been looking online at all the different windscreens for the DR650. Screensforbikes doesnt respond to messages, Vince Strang doest respand to my request to send me one either. Now i`m leaning towards the Safari Rally Fairing. My question to you is. have you ever come across or plan on doing a review on different windscreens that are now available? i can`t seem to find a good comparison video. I hope you will use your years of experience and help a guy out. Keep on ridin'!!!!

[@BikerBits]

Only just got a new screen for MAX recently! Screenfirbikes just had to spray it as they didn't have the dark tint in stock.

[@roderickneven1844]

@@BikerBits i cant seem to get in contact with them. They dont respond. I only see the reached manufacturing quota etc.

[@wallyginger7041]

I own a cruiser and I used lowers didn’t make a difference at all so now I’ve got a windshield I don’t use I’m very disappointed because I like doing long distance riding,so I’m going naked any other ideas😂😂😂

[@XenaTheQuadCamBikah]

So many do not know the difference between just wind hitting you and buffeting.

[@edwardhowardhockey7623]

Very sensible. Thanks

[@shanerobson3195]

What is ‘buffering’?

[@rushiiiop]

i found out that i can only ride my 990 adv with an mx helmet with my shark road helmet i get a very annoying buffeting. On my mt07 no problems with both of my helmets

[@jorge_stef9151]

Isnt dangerous to have awindshield on dr650?, because its mounted on the fairing that turns while steering. Im having an xt600 and want to add windshield but im afraid the wind hitting from the sides making the bike unstable

[@BikerBits]

I've been running this for 10 years and never had an issue! 👍

[@judge831]

Can't you almost eliminate buffeting by having no windshield or fairing? I don't think I have any buffeting on my Kawasaki KLX300SM, and I don't have a windshield.

[@BikerBits]

Correct! 👍

[@rick.nipper]

My ktm 1290 sas I toke my shield off totally. Wow I couldn’t go over 60/70khm so strong buffering

[@isaakmclean1340]

Seems you've mixed high pressure and low pressure areas the wrong way round. The air that compresses on the wind shield and is pushed up over top is compressed... high pressure area. The area behind the wind screen is low pressure. There is rotor around the edges of the wind shield. The vents let the pressure behind the windscreen equalise with the air outside. Reducing rotor and thus buffeting

[@EricBanner571]

The best way to reduce buffering is to have no screen and keep the speed to 100km or lower.

[@corneilcorneil]

We used trucks to use the slipstream and ride 90km/h on our 50cc bikes

[@TheGravelBadger]

Science!!!!!🧪🔬

[@jimmybutler6451]

Being a simpleton I just kept adjusting mine until it worked to my liking. You guys confuse me with these physics words and fancy principals 😂. Ride stop adjust basically was my strategy.

[@buddhastaxi666]

Last September imported a F6B Goldwing from Queensland. I live north of Albany. What a Pos!!!! Extreme buffeting from 60 f....g kays an hour. 60! Not high speed. But instant head shake blurred vision. Put a higher screen on....barely fixed it. World's best tourer?? Sold it after not having one pkeasure ride other than pick it up from Perth, get it fixed twice in Albany....300kms round trip, and take to Perth to get rid of it. Buffeting was like violent hits to the helmet. My un screened 1900 Yamaha doesnt do it at all. I just rode 2000 kms on it. My double bubble screened zx14r is an island of calm. Wtf Honda.... thanks for costing me $5000 in transport fee, cost fixing the Honda Goldwing wobble , rego cost, and trade in losses..... 6 months before my retirement!!!! The bike was inoperable with undamaged stock fairing and stock screen Low mileage 17000 kms. Thought of getting a batwing screen for my Yamaha Roadliner but after my expensive experience with the F6B im not sure where to go with it besides just putting the tallest screen you can get on a Tsukayu Fairing.

[@keekwai2]

You've got it back to front. The air going over the screen is high pressure. The air behind the screen, in front of your guts is low pressure. The high pressure air rushes into the low pressure zone behind the screen and causes buffeting.

[@no1jrb]

Jumble jumble air is bad ... got it

[@oyleyhands1332]

Our local pub does a nice buffer lunch, or is it a buffet, and the price is not to high, or is it low, entertaining as usual 🤣🤣🤣 if you start to get these things the right way aound, I will unsubscribe as the the entertainment value will diminish 👍 Can you follow up with a video about laminar flow and turbulators next please ?

[@59vaughn]

Are we buffering or buffeting..??...☺️...quite sure there's a difference...😒Maybe buffering the buffeting is the key...?..🤓

[@noonr001]

BUFFETING (James May Voice)

[@59vaughn]

No...it's a low pressure...highs in front..

[@tomg6284]

You need a script. Help you focus.

[@59vaughn]

Aero.......ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.................

[@59vaughn]

And we live in a liquid state so ..NASA may have a solution ..but it's damn expensive..and my hayabusa does best..just sayin..cause I'm tryin to fix it on my others..ah life..

[@59vaughn]

🙃

[@TheLizzardlicks]

well buff that then , hehehehehehehhehehehe

[@veetwotls]

I use to make my own screens to channel the air between my shoulders & lower part helmet - through the neck area Now days use a KTM 450RR tower , screen & fairings with my own fabbed mounting kit for the 950 Super Enduro i.postimg.cc/J4G2HLX2/2021-05-20-16-35-43.jpg Never sit up ass of a semi if throws a tread or hits a roo or sheep your fucked good chance end up in a wooden box Mark gap & slits don't make sense all rally bikes don't have it think factory rally bike makers would do it if it worked what your saying ;)

[@michaelpowsey]

First

[@TerryCohen-n4s]

So boring.

[@phelanpawly2507]

People worried about their chinos getting wrinkled in the wind need to give the bike away and buy a Prius.

[@berwickcomputers]

Obviously haven't experienced buffeting.

[@phelanpawly2507]

@@berwickcomputers yes, most commonly called where I’m from “ The Washing Machine”

[@berwickcomputers]

@@phelanpawly2507 I don't understand why make silly comment such as you did, if you truly experienced severe buffeting it can make you feel extremely ill while riding and unable to read street signs.. Believe me I have and I would do anything possible to aleavaite the issue..

[@phelanpawly2507]

@@berwickcomputers this is a joke right?

[@slakk5093]

@@phelanpawly2507 probably not, I had a go on a tenere 700 and the buffeting was so bad my visor on my Sports bike helmet was vibrating and difficult to see through. Never happened before or since on any other bike. Riding a street triple and a Supermoto with no buffeting at all. But get the wrong combo of helmet and windscreen it can be terrible