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Wind Buffering/Cut windshield

thaidave

Finally made it
Location
thailand
I have been trying to solve the problem wind buffeting riding my Himalayan. i did a 500 kilometer trip the other day for my first service and was overwhelmed by the amount of noise riding the bike even at low speeds. I keep comparing the noise while riding my honda scooter at the same speed and even faster and noticed no buffeting on the scooter due to how low the bike is. on to my solutions.
First I removed the windshield, problem solved except the mess left by enfield in back of the speedometer. I also wanted some protection back there from the elements. Next I changed the mirorrs for better sight and aesthetic and still did not reduse the noise. I then took a suggestion from another memeber and started to cut about an inch at a time off the windshield at a time. It took about 5 cuts and getting down below the side wings before finally eliminating about 90% of the noise. After I get my seat recovered raised a little bit all the buffeting will be gone. The way I kept testing the buffeting was to keep standing while riding and see where the buffeting stoped. About every inch I cut off was another inch I could sit down in quiet. The work went fast and I have show the tools I used except my final sanding for polish. Also i ditched the front fender for looksCGjyY.jpegIMG_6453.JPGIMG_6455.JPGCGjyY.jpegIMG_6453.JPGIMG_6455.JPGIMG_6458.JPGIMG_6459.JPGIMG_6464.JPG. I may be doing some minimal off road but nothing hard core.
 

TN_twowheeladdict

Well travelled
Location
Tennessee
Like I said in my other post, now paint the inside of the screen black or the red on the tank, or a combination of the two if you have the skill and it will look like a nice "fly screen" on the bike.
 

Trad

Getting there...
Location
Australia
It’s summer here in Australia and I’ve removed the windshield for now. Cleaner air stream for sure, like ThaiDave, I also removed the upper front fender at the same time, that may also have helped with noise and buffeting. I sealed the instrument cluster connector with a couple of wraps of silicon tape and like the feel and look of the bike in this configuration. All easily replaced when it gets colder and wetter again. I’m eagerly awaiting my Airhawk cushion, I found the stock seat pretty uncomfortable when it gets warmer. But then my backside is so used to 4 to 5 hours on the job on the Honda 110 postie bikes slab of a seat by comparison...
 

ThinkMud

Getting there...
Location
Buchanan VA
I bought the taller windshield from Hitchcock, but I think I want to try trimming the stock one too. Haven't tried riding without one yet, but the wind noise is terrible even with the taller one. Not as much turbulence, but still not as good as I'd like.
 

Trad

Getting there...
Location
Australia
Still enjoying no windshield (clean air stream) as it’s summer here in Oz. But have ordered the lower slightly tinted shield from Hitchcock’s having seen it in this review
It’s as much about buffet and noise as about protecting the instrument cluster and I’ll report once I get it and take it out.
 

very_speedy

Total noob
Location
Sydney
Still enjoying no windshield (clean air stream) as it’s summer here in Oz. But have ordered the lower slightly tinted shield from Hitchcock’s having seen it in this review
It’s as much about buffet and noise as about protecting the instrument cluster and I’ll report once I get it and take it out.
Hey Trad, have you installed the shorter windshield? I've just bought my Himalayan and m finding the turbulence really messes me up. I'm trying to make a decision between the shorter windshield vs he taller one, and I'm looking for some practical wisdom!

Cheers!
 

Trad

Getting there...
Location
Australia
Hey Trad, have you installed the shorter windshield? I've just bought my Himalayan and m finding the turbulence really messes me up. I'm trying to make a decision between the shorter windshield vs he taller one, and I'm looking for some practical wisdom!

Cheers!
Hi, and yes I installed it and like it. Turbulence and buffeting gone, pretty much a clean air stream, especially noticeable turning head / helmet. I gather it’s quite a personal preference, based on height etc. I’m 6’ or 184cm roughly. I also feel the lower screen isn’t “pushing” an air stream as a higher screen might. I don’t set out in rain, and that may be another story. I also prefer the simple clean look of the shorter screen and it doesn’t put load through the fixtures that a higher screen might. See photo, Ps I’ve also taken off the upper fender since and like that also for similar reasonsA031E6A8-A455-443D-9FE1-2D9AA6993C2A.jpeg8AECE551-0E2C-408A-A4D6-D5C307C532E2.jpeg8E77D0C3-8A8C-4707-83CA-63047AA0602F.jpeg
 
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very_speedy

Total noob
Location
Sydney
Thanks Trad. And I agree, it look so much sleeker than a taller screen. I'm relatively short (5'7") but I'm leaning towards the shorter screen, as my street bike has a very low screen also and, while it's a different riding position, I think it might do the trick. Thanks again!

And wow, removing that fender makes such a difference. I like it!
 

petespace1

Well travelled
Location
Aus
Hi, and yes I installed it and like it. Turbulence and buffeting gone, pretty much a clean air stream, especially noticeable turning head / helmet. I gather it’s quite a personal preference, based on height etc. I’m 6’ or 184cm roughly. I also feel the lower screen isn’t “pushing” an air stream as a higher screen might. I don’t set out in rain, and that may be another story. I also prefer the simple clean look of the shorter screen and it doesn’t put load through the fixtures that a higher screen might. See photo, Ps I’ve also taken off the upper fender since and like that also for similar reasons
Love the Doubletake adventures.
 

Roy Gavin

Well travelled
Yep, just taking the high fender off seems to improve things a fair bit.
I had a Givi A210 screen which had given a good result on another bike , so with longer bolts and a few packers it was fitted to the headlamp bolts, after removing the orig screen
It is taller and wider than OEM , but looks neater , and it can be set to a much shallower angle.
Works as I hoped , smooth and silent, and, too my eyes , better looking too.
 

Yangonnerd

Well travelled
Location
Kalaw, Myanmar
I've removed the stock windshield on my 2020 Himmie also. Does not help, I'm about 1.87m, and the wind feels being directed straight in my face, plus the first thing my wife said when she saw that windshield:"why's there a grandpa screen on it" :D.. I've removed it and it looks alot nicer now.
Will tape/protect the cables a bit that go into the instrument cluster.

Would you guys think that riding in the rain without a windshield could damage the instrument cluster over time?
Only reason I'd put it back up, or might even cut it down a bit.

Thanks for all your awesome info
 

Yangonnerd

Well travelled
Location
Kalaw, Myanmar
I have been trying to solve the problem wind buffeting riding my Himalayan. i did a 500 kilometer trip the other day for my first service and was overwhelmed by the amount of noise riding the bike even at low speeds. I keep comparing the noise while riding my honda scooter at the same speed and even faster and noticed no buffeting on the scooter due to how low the bike is. on to my solutions.
First I removed the windshield, problem solved except the mess left by enfield in back of the speedometer. I also wanted some protection back there from the elements. Next I changed the mirorrs for better sight and aesthetic and still did not reduse the noise. I then took a suggestion from another memeber and started to cut about an inch at a time off the windshield at a time. It took about 5 cuts and getting down below the side wings before finally eliminating about 90% of the noise. After I get my seat recovered raised a little bit all the buffeting will be gone. The way I kept testing the buffeting was to keep standing while riding and see where the buffeting stoped. About every inch I cut off was another inch I could sit down in quiet. The work went fast and I have show the tools I used except my final sanding for polish. Also i ditched the front fender for looksView attachment 1317View attachment 1318View attachment 1319View attachment 1317View attachment 1318View attachment 1319View attachment 1320View attachment 1321View attachment 1322. I may be doing some minimal off road but nothing hard core.
Man you did a masterfull job of cutting that shield with an angle grinder!! Amazing :D
 

Old Boy

Well travelled
Location
Northern Ireland
I had the same experience as you when collecting my new Himmi in Feb this year. Having had an electra glide with a full fairing, calm air behind. The turbulence on the Himmi was a shock. I have since changed to a taller (6cm) screen that improved the buffeting somewhat, I have just ordered one of the single mount adjustable small screens to sit on the top of the bike screen. I had one on my Harley and it worked very well. As I am 6ft 4in tall and wear an open face helmet I prefer the protection from bugs, stones etc.
Ride Safe.
 
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