Recently bought a 04' Midnight Silverado 1700. Previous bike was a Yamaha V-Star 1100 Classic that was a joy to ride. I felt it was under-powered for passing and the long trips I was planning. Figured a 1600 or 1700 Road Star would be just the ticket.

I just haven't enjoyed the ride since I got it and can't figure out why. I'm getting buffeted badly with the wind over the Silverado windshield. Anything over 70 mph totally sucks.

I've tried the windshield at full heighth: I either have to sit up super straight to see over and then get buffeted like hell. Or, I have to crotch a little and look through the plexiglass with all the glare and distortion that goes with that. I'm not wanting to be on a bike looking through a windshield. Too much like looking out the windshield of the car.

I've tried the windshield at the lowest setting. Great at any speed under 70, then back to the uncomfortable buffeting.

I've tried it without the windshield. No unusual buffeting but very tiring with all the wind up against my torso. My arms and wrists get tired after a couple hours so can't picture any long trips without the windshield. Plus, I don't enjoy speeds of 80+ because it feels like I'm getting pulled off the bike by the wind.

So, what gives here? Do I just grit my teeth and accept the buffeting at anything over 70. Thinking of a long trip with my vision blurred at highway speed doesn't get me too excited. Taking a long trip figuring I'll have to keep it under 70 to be enjoyable sucks.

I've tried different helmets. Using a full face HJC.

Options? Anyone else not happy with the wind flow over the Silverado windshield? I can't imaging just blindly buying some other brand with out trying it out first.

The 1100 V-Star I had came with an aftermarket windshield when I bought it. I never had a problem with turbulence with it.

Has anyone else here had a similar problem? Solutions? I really thought I was buying a bike that would be the ultimate cruiser. Highways and windy roads. I love the windy roads but really don't enjoy getting out on the highway.<br><br>Post edited by: kayakguy, at: 2007/07/10 15:14

The buffetting may not be from over the top of the windshield but from under it. Lowers will eliminate the wind. When you ride and put your arm in front of your chest or so you will notice the head buffing stop. if so you want lowers I highly recommend Bucks Lowers, I have them and the silverado windshield and it is like riding in a pocket of air very comfortable at 90+ mph. check out www.buckslowers.com if you have crash bars these are the way to go if not just purchase Yamaha's lowers.
Hope this helps.

Steven

Thats what I was going to say, lowers will get rid of the buffeting. I looked at Bucks lowers, but I liked the look of the long chrome lowers that come on a HD ultra classic, so I bought some lowers that fit a newer model ultra (60$), cut 'em up a little bit, and they mount perfect on the silverado windshield brackets. Looks good, and is very effective.

Gotto love this forum .... I have the same problem at high or should I say CRUZZZZZZZIN speed. I just check out the Buck lowers just not the look I want. I've seen smaller metal one on other sites. Has anyone tried them out. I also just added the Cobra fatty bars, so I'm a little concern about the fit.

Hmmmmmmmmm I dont have that problem .......Good luck finding your comfort zone..Coug

Hadn't thought about the buffeting coming from below! I'll try your suggestion about the &quot;arm across the chest test&quot; tomorrow. It would be very cool if just putting lowers on fixed my problem. Thanks.

Welcome aboard kayakguy. The buffeting comes from the side of the tank.
I have the Yamaha tall and wide shield and Bucks lowers and am virtually
buffeting free.Also have Yami big bar and for winter have desert dawgs to
slip over them which cuts out the cold air across the floor boards. Anyway
thats my setup.

I jumped from the V-star 650 to the Roadstar Silverado. They both have had the OEM Windscreens and Buck's Lowers, and I find the ride extremely comfortable.
Here on the plains we frequently run 75 to 80 mph and quite often have windy conditions. I haven't noticed the problem, but maybe that's because my butt hurts so bad. Wish my new seat would get here then I'd ride like a king!

kayakguy,

I can't share any experience with a fix yet, but just confirm what others have said.

I noticed a good deal of buffeting at 70 and above, too. Started feeling around the bike to check out the air flow. What I came up with was a tremendous amount of updraft along the front of my legs and around the tank. Lowers are on my wish list. In the meantime, I just keep smiling.

Earl

Just another $.02 kayakguy,

I used Yamaha lowers on my Silverado for about a year and still had head buffeting. Put on Buck's lowers and it all went away. So make of lowers is important too.

But definitely coming from below the windshield.

GRAM