Windscreen and Buffeting Thread for the 2012+ DL650... The only one!!!

[wood62]

I just bought a V Stream off EBay, solved the buffeting and wind noise problem. I got the new design without the notches in the side. It looks good and works great I paid $153.00 shipped.


Note: This poster's profile lists a DL1000. Chances are the post is in the wrong forum.

[liketoride2]

Wood62, is the V-stream shield for the 2012 or the earlier model years? I couldn't find a listing on National Cycle's website for a V-stream for the 2012. Could you post pictures of it on your bike please?

Thanks.

Mike
Idaho
www.rtwrider.net

[D.T.]

Can you guys describe the buffeting and what it feels like?

I'm not sure what you guys mean by buffeting.

Is it like following a semi where you are getting tossed back and fourth in the dirty air?

I noticed a vibrating like wind somtimes, not sure where it's from.

[ozart]

Originally Posted by D.T.

Can you guys describe the buffeting and what it feels like?

I'm not sure what you guys mean by buffeting.

Is it like following a semi where you are getting tossed back and fourth in the dirty air?

I noticed a vibrating like wind somtimes, not sure where it's from.

You described it fairly well.

[jb1950]

Thought I would chime in with an update on the ongoing challenge of wind management on the '12 VStrom 650. I have the Madstad bracket with a Givi 260 pre-2012 shield. I have tried it in every one of the three Madstad mounting positions - I currently have it in the top position. With the shield slid nearly all the way up, and tilted back as far as possible (without scratching the shield, which I already did I get the best protection - although, I am still getting quite a bit of air around my chin area, and slight buffeting above about 63 mph. I have the Noj "Quiet Rider" helmet skirt -

store.nojgear.com/noj-quiet-rider-standard.htmland

with a felt balaclava, it is better, though certainly not what I am accustomed to with the 2009 Concours 14 I had previous to the 'Strom. BTW, I like the Noj device - a pain to get my helmet on and off, but a good idea and design for these concerns.

I hate to rain on the '12 Strom parade, but I am beginning to think, especially for certain body types - (me - 5'10" long torso, XL helmet) the new bike is just not that good at wind protection regardless of what after market fixes are used. I had a 2009 650, and from what I recall, it was noticeably better with air protection.

The good news, I think - at least so far, is it appears the new 'Strom does not get blown around as much as the pre-12, although it appears quite a bit lighter in the front (with a bit of a "chudder", if I could coin a word.) I have Richland Rick's fork brace - it is possible the front suspension needs tuning, although I think I am in the body weight range (180 lbs.) that the suspension is set for at the factory. Again, it is just a lighter bike.

All in all, so far it is a keeper - and over all, again, so far, I don't think I have ever had so much fun riding a motorcycle as on the new 'Strom. The true test of road manners is coming up this week - we are doing a 5 day trip around the Washington coast through the Olympics, and then across on Highway 20 - the north Cascades Highway... I will report back after the trip...

Thanks,

John

[stoked steve]

In my wind management quest I have now added the MRA Vario Touring Windshield in the 20.3" length.

I have had the same screen in the 16.3" length and although it was an improvement over the stock, it wan't quite tall enough.

I should mention that I also have the Madstadt bracket for the '12 that only works with pre-'12 windshields.

I think this new one will be the right size. I'm 6'0 and I'm trying to get the air flow up over my helmet, the 16" didn't quite get it there.

I'll report back after some rides. This is in the middle postion on the Madstad and with the Madstadt in the upper holes on the fairing. It could be set up several inches lower (and will go 2" higher!).





The now older shorter screen....

[liketoride2]

Regarding the post about the Vstream windscreen for the 2012 650, I called National Cycle and, although there is a reference on their website to a new product for the 2004-2012 V-strom, that is a misprint. They only have this windshield for the 2011 and earlier models. Too bad.

Mike
Idaho
www.rtwrider.net

[stoked steve]

A post ride follow up to my post above about the MRA Vario Touring in the 20.3" height. (Only fits the '12 with a Madstad bracket for the '12 or earlier gen Strom's w/w-o the Madstad)

Well, no magic cure but better than the 16.3". I can raise it up high enough to divert the air up and over my helmet, but at that point, I'm looking through, rather than over it. I've come to the conclusion that no screen will ever give me the quiet helmet space I'm looking for. I might need to consider moving up the helmet quality line to Arai or some other top end helmet to achieve that.

Back to the screen, it is working out better than the 16.3" for several reasons. First it is taller so doesn't need to have the Madstad raised all the way up which results in a firmer mounting, less bouncing. Second, it can go higher, up above my field of vision. That might come in handy if I encounter some really ugly weather and need to hide behind the screen. Lastly, with it not raised so high, there is more wind deflection lower down, around the sides. which will be better in the cold weather. This screen does not widen out at the bottom, so doesn't offer as much side wind reduction some others screens might.

So, all in all I am happier with the taller screen, it's just not quite the cure I had hoped it would be.

If anyone is interested in buying my MRA Vario Touring in the 16.3" version, just send me a PM. This height is good for riders 5'10" or under. Lightly used (1,500 miles) and in like new condition.

This is the 20.3" MRA Vario Touring on the Madstad brackets (in the lowest position) mounted in the upper fairing holes. The Madstad brackets could be mounted in the lower holes, lowering the whole set up appx. 2".



I'm done for now with windshields, onto electrics and getting my Givi crash bars and Yann skid plate mounted!

[jb1950]

Well, I just returned from a 1200 mile trip from Portland through the Olympics, then over the North Cascades Highway to Republic, WA, and then back through the Columbia Gorge - very beautiful...

There is much I can say about the new 'Strom, including that is the most fun I have ever had on a motorcycle. Simply a hoot in the twisties - and plenty of power.

The down side is the wind protection. I continue to get much wind around the sides of the shield, and from below around the tank... as I have reported before, there is no buffeting and the wind and associated noise is quite manageable below 63 mph. Above that and it gets very noisy, with slight buffeting. I am beginning to think, at least for me and my measurements, including a wide, tall torso and a large head, the bike is just not meant for the Interstate. I encountered likely the strongest winds anywhere in the country, starting at Ellensberg, Washington, and continuing through the Columbia Gorge to just beyond Hood River, Oregon heading toward Portland. I believe the winds were about 35 mph sustained, with gusts much higher - probably over 50 mph. - there were a couple of times it was all I could do to keep the bike going straight. Many factors contributed to this - including height and light weight, but the lack of fairing protection and shield made the experience very challenging. I can say that the bike itself seemed to be very stable, with no noticeable fork flex or diving. ( I have Rick's fork brace, which I am sure helped.)

I will stay tuned to any other suggested fixes for wind noise and turbulence, but this trip suggested that I should not be very optimistic about significant improvement with wind management.

--Johjn

[JFP252]

Took my new Wee out on the interstate in the Southbay of San Diego today for the first time. I'm 6ft, 220 lbs; with my arm stretched straight out the top of the stock windshield in the highest position is 2 or so inches below my outstretched hand. Going E on SR-54 then N on I-805 I could go only about 5 miles before I aborted my planned trip and returned homewards - I was just getting pelted by wind from each side of the bike right into my mid-chest when riding at 70 mph. The gusts were not predictable and it made the bike fell very unstable under me. I have Rick's fork stabilizers on. I've ridden sports bikes (Ninja 500r, BMW R1150R) and cruisers (Shadow spirit, Triumph Speedmaster) and have never felt this before. On the backroads of San Diego county I just love zipping this bike through twisties and 2 and 4-laners - I still get buffeted by wind but nothing like today on the SS. After going through this thread, I not confident that a different WS is going to make much of a difference. Thoughts?