Triumphrat

FriarJohn · 06-06-2002

I just installed the last of my planned accessory purchases for my Bonneville America - the Roadster Screen. I also wear a full face helmet. The buffeting on the top of the helmet is maddening. I literally cannot see straight - my eyeballs are vibrating in their sockets

. It starts to get bad over 40mph. Last night it actually gave me a headache (running 70-80mph). Is there anything I can do about it? :???: I've tried it with and without the edging that came with the kit. It seemed worse with the edging.

06-07-2002

Hi, FriarJohn. I'm not an expert on these things, but since you've not yet received a reply, I hope you won't mind some comments from me.

I have a Legend. Triumph calls it a "classic." Somet magazines classify it as a "cruiser," in more or less the same category as the Bonneville.

Triumph advertised the Legend for tooling around local twisty roads, not as a highway or touring bike (though anything is possible). Before I bought the Legend, I heard some comments that adding the full (roadster) windsreen greatly affected the aerodynamics; some went so far as to suggest that the bike became aerodynamically unstable at around 80.

I road for a month or so without a windscreen, and for close to two years with it. When I first used the windscreen, the deterioration in stability at highway speeds was pronounced. Ultimately, I got used to the windscreen. However (and I'm sure that others would disagree), I believe that the bike is aerodynamically unstable with the roadster windscreen at above 80 miles per hour).

As for wind buffeting: The roadster and similar windscreens, of course, are not farings. They are not angled to the contour of the rider or the bike, but instead are pretty much upright. Though they block/deflect some wind, I believe that their main purpose on the Bonneville and the Legend are to look cool, and to catch some bugs and debris.

Even though I'm relatively short (5'7"), I encounter an absurd level of wind buffeting on my head whenever I ride at highway speeds. If there's a wind, it gets much worse. Fortunately, I may not have been affected as much as you. I do try to use air plugs whenever I ride on the highway.

What to do? I'm not being facetious, but consider using the windscreen only for local riding. Also--and I'm not sure if this exists or if I imagined seeing somewhere--some helmets may be designed to act like "spoilers" and deflect the air around your head. If you do attach a spoiler to your bike or helmet, of course make sure that it's attached securely so as not to cause injury...Jerry

FriarJohn · 06-07-2002

Yeah, I'm not sure there *is* a solution. This morning I removed the windscreen and it is much better with "buffeting" over my entire upper body. All of the accessories I've bought so far were chosen for some specific functionality. The roadster screen was the only piece that didn't perform as well or better than expected. Perhaps a more experienced rider would have known that the roadster screen wasn't going to do what I wanted it to do (which, judging by your reply, is to act like a fairing). But this is my first bike and it is a (sometimes costly) learning experience.
Thanks, John.
P.S. Anyone wanna buy a roadster screen kit?

Ballacraine · 06-07-2002

Just caught up with this post.

Windscreens are often a matter of fine tuning. You have to mess about a bit to find the sweet spot.

It is a different setting for each rider & machine, but a good starting point is to have the upper lip of the screen set about 1-1 1/2" below eye level & about 12-14" in front of your visor, when sat in your normal riding position. This should get you somewhere near for starters.

Good luck.

Nige

FriarJohn · 06-07-2002

Interesting. Forgetting for the moment that the stock brackets offer no provision for adjustment, if what you're saying is correct the problem is not the height of the screen it's the distance from my helmet (gotta be close to 2 ft.). Makes sense, though, considering how the wind is curling over the screen and whacking me on the top of the head.

Other than fabricating new upper supports I'm not sure what to do about it.

Thanks,
John

06-07-2002

Hi, Nige. I forgot if you have a windscreen on your bike, and I'm too tired to look at your pictures. I will mention that, for me at least, no amount of movement worked. I've crouched, sat back, tucked my head down, straddled the need pads, etc., but the buffeting continues. Maybe John 'll be luckier than I was....Jerry

P.S. for John: Some folks "steer" clear of adjustable positioned windscreens for safety reasons. I've heard that it's easier for them to slip and move when you least expect (true? false?). One of the things I liked about Triumph's was that it attached in a really secure way so that I don't have to worry about it coming loose and chopping my head off.

Ballacraine · 06-07-2002

Hi Jerry & John,

Make the screen suit you & your bike. Don't make yourself uncomfortable trying to find a place without buffeting, chances are you won't!

Once you have found that sweet spot you can then think about re-inforcing the bracketry. Adjustable screens can move if not braced sufficiently. Worst that I have had, Jerry, is a screen go all loose & floppy!

I have cut down screens, added extra brackets & re-shaped flip-ups. Seldom have I had a screen which worked without a certain amount of messing about

Don't let it beat ya!

Nige.

[ This message was edited by: Ballacraine on 2002-06-07 15:52 ]

Shakey · 06-07-2002

FriarJohn,

I found that wearing my half helmet with goggles or glasses is much more comfortable on my BA when using the screen than my 3/4 with face shield. The effect of wind buffeting is greatly reduced. I tend to cruise between 65 and 75 on the interstate and have had no serious stability issues with the roadster screen. I find using it is less fatiguing on long runs. I'm not fighting the wind aginst my body near as much as I do without it. The screen definately keeps most of the bugs and gravel from reaching the rider. It's not as sleek as a fairing, but that's OK with me. I wasn't looking for fairing performance or style.

Shawn · 06-09-2002

I use a screen on my Adventurer and wear an AGV full-face helmet. Before having it put on, I had some unimpressive test rides on other Adventurers with screens and didn't like it. There was some buffeting and noticable shaking on my forks.

However, I was going on a trip to Dallas and felt it was worth trying. The mechanic spent some time with it, never really knew what he did; but I don't experience any problems.

Now if I am on a straight highway with lots of gusty wind, the fork may be less than stationary.

I feel that it takes some sort of adjustment. My roadster screen is pushed all the way down on its sliding bracket. Meaning that I have about a half-inch to work with if I wanted to move the screen up a bit.

The screen should have more adjustment options. My bike's extended rake also makes the screen lean back a bit more than it would on an Legend or T'bird. Maybe that is an advantage.

Or maybe the Triumph Roadster screen isn't really a good idea on a Bonneville America, because of its seating position the rider is probably in more of a "wind curl" than on other types. Meaning that you would either need a larger or smaller screen to have a more comfortable ride.

FriarJohn · 06-09-2002

I may try some short extenders to the existing brackets, just to lift the screen up an inch or so. If it helps then I might see what it would take to make the modifications permanent/safe. Might try tilting it back slightly, too.

But I'm still open to suggestions.

Thanks,

John