I upgraded from a CB300F to a CB500F and the buffeting is far more severe on the 500F under the same conditions (wind speed, temperature, motorcycle speed, gear). I believe it is partly because the 300F's radiator mounting point directs air downwards whereas the 500F's radiator mounting point has two vertical half-cones above it; I believe that this causes some air to go up and some to go down in a less than smooth manner as the air would collide with the half-cones and then create turbulence as air is forced one way or the other.
500X wind noise/buffeting discussion
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I took my CBR500R on a nice holiday trip and have to say that the clip-ons feel perfectly placed when going fast and tucking in a bit. Wind blast at 150km/h is not a problem, even for long distance.
I test-rode a 500X for sale and noticed the turbulence at slower speeds (up to 80km/h) right away. I put my left hand on top of the screen, the little finger on the tip of the screen, the other fingers straight up, and it made a huge difference. Just a small "lip" at the right angle would do, at least at speeds of up to 100km/h.
I also test-rode the 500F of a friend and liked the seating position the best. The X is too upright, the handle bar to high for my taste, the R is too forward for short distances.
Had the idea of installing the F bar onto my R, the parts are not expensive here, about $220, incl triple clamp, new switch clusters and brake hose. I'd have to cut the screen a bit but I guess it would be worth it.
I test-rode a 500X for sale and noticed the turbulence at slower speeds (up to 80km/h) right away. I put my left hand on top of the screen, the little finger on the tip of the screen, the other fingers straight up, and it made a huge difference. Just a small "lip" at the right angle would do, at least at speeds of up to 100km/h.
I also test-rode the 500F of a friend and liked the seating position the best. The X is too upright, the handle bar to high for my taste, the R is too forward for short distances.
Had the idea of installing the F bar onto my R, the parts are not expensive here, about $220, incl triple clamp, new switch clusters and brake hose. I'd have to cut the screen a bit but I guess it would be worth it.
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Laminer Lip
Just installed the "Laminar Lip" on my CBR500r about three days ago. I was not happy with all the chest and helmet wind buffeting above about 45 mph with the standard screen. Paid the std. $84 plus shipping for the Lip and installed it the same hour I received it. I have been on three or four rides with speeds up to (shhhh....98 mph) and the Lip performed wonderful at all speeds. It is unobtrusive but eliminates all the chest buffeting and a significant amount of the helmet buffeting. Anyway I am really glad I made the purchase and am very happy so far.
Just installed the "Laminar Lip" on my CBR500r about three days ago. I was not happy with all the chest and helmet wind buffeting above about 45 mph with the standard screen. Paid the std. $84 plus shipping for the Lip and installed it the same hour I received it. I have been on three or four rides with speeds up to (shhhh....98 mph) and the Lip performed wonderful at all speeds. It is unobtrusive but eliminates all the chest buffeting and a significant amount of the helmet buffeting. Anyway I am really glad I made the purchase and am very happy so far.
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^ I think my hand on the fairing top acted like the laminar tip, and from what I've read (I didn't read all 21 pages!) it is very effective.
It is also small, the stock shield doesn't have to be replaced with a big, weird-looking window, and the price sounds good, too.
Could you post a picture?
It is also small, the stock shield doesn't have to be replaced with a big, weird-looking window, and the price sounds good, too.
Could you post a picture?
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I have a Laminar Lip on my cbr500R and I agree that it is very effective. It makes a huge difference on those long tour days. Many riders (especially "500R" version) detest the appearance of such add-ons but I value performance over looks. You will see similar add-ons and raised screens on the fastest road race bikes like in the Isle of Man TT.
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Long time no post, but here it goes...
So a while back I added a Puig windscreen and have just been riding through the buffeting wind noise. The Puig makes a different type of noise compared to the stocker. Recently on a long ride I discovered that if I cupped a hand over the rear of my helmet visor where it mounts to the helmet, that all my noise went away. This would seem to indicate that if I were to simply seal/tape that area of the visor that it should kill all my noise. FYI, I wear a full face HJC. Anyways, I can't tape my visor shut because I wear glasses, if I did I would not be able to put my helmet on or take if off. With that in mind, it made sense to me that if I block the air from hitting that area of my helmet the way it currently does, it should help with the problem. While riding I made the number "1" with my hand and placed it at different spots on the visor while at speed. I found that if I simply put my index finger vertically against my visor about 2-3" in front of the visor pivot that voila, my buffeting noise was 100% gone.
So... I got home, grabbed some thin Lexan, and proceeded to mount it to my helmet visor with double sided tape. This actually worked for me, better than any amount of windscreen tweaking I've done. It did take some tweaking of where I mount the Lexan at, and right now it is still not 100% perfect at eliminating the noise, but OMG is it better than without. The crude Lexan pieces I formed don't look good, but I will keep experimenting with their size and mounting location until I get them dialed in. Also, where I mount them falls directly in line where my eyes see the frame of my glasses, so they aren't really blocking my vision in a way that wasn't already being blocked by my glasses frame. Anywhos, I am posting this for you guys that might still be hunting a method of getting rid of your buffeting noise and are looking for something easily done that is dirt cheap. I don't know if it will work with the stock windscreen, but if you can disrupt the flow of air across your helmet and get rid of the noise, this might work for you as well.
So a while back I added a Puig windscreen and have just been riding through the buffeting wind noise. The Puig makes a different type of noise compared to the stocker. Recently on a long ride I discovered that if I cupped a hand over the rear of my helmet visor where it mounts to the helmet, that all my noise went away. This would seem to indicate that if I were to simply seal/tape that area of the visor that it should kill all my noise. FYI, I wear a full face HJC. Anyways, I can't tape my visor shut because I wear glasses, if I did I would not be able to put my helmet on or take if off. With that in mind, it made sense to me that if I block the air from hitting that area of my helmet the way it currently does, it should help with the problem. While riding I made the number "1" with my hand and placed it at different spots on the visor while at speed. I found that if I simply put my index finger vertically against my visor about 2-3" in front of the visor pivot that voila, my buffeting noise was 100% gone.
So... I got home, grabbed some thin Lexan, and proceeded to mount it to my helmet visor with double sided tape. This actually worked for me, better than any amount of windscreen tweaking I've done. It did take some tweaking of where I mount the Lexan at, and right now it is still not 100% perfect at eliminating the noise, but OMG is it better than without. The crude Lexan pieces I formed don't look good, but I will keep experimenting with their size and mounting location until I get them dialed in. Also, where I mount them falls directly in line where my eyes see the frame of my glasses, so they aren't really blocking my vision in a way that wasn't already being blocked by my glasses frame. Anywhos, I am posting this for you guys that might still be hunting a method of getting rid of your buffeting noise and are looking for something easily done that is dirt cheap. I don't know if it will work with the stock windscreen, but if you can disrupt the flow of air across your helmet and get rid of the noise, this might work for you as well.
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That's.... very interesting. I just may have to try that, since wind buffeting noise (low rumble) while riding is painful on my R. Thanks for the tip.
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Ya, while at speed place your hand at different spots on your helmet. If you can eliminate the noise with your hand, you might be able to do it by adding Lexan. Maybe you'll get lucky and make something that will work for the type of noise you are getting.
I am 6ft athletic build and the buffeting is not bad for me with the stock 500x shield until I get 65+ highway speeds. I got a Puig touring screen (amazon.com/dp/B00B07NTCI). The screen directs the air right to the helmet/shoulder area which gives a very smooth flow, no buffeting.
As for wind noise; I have a sena 10R for music/gps while riding. I use nonoise motorsport earplugs (amazon.com/dp/B00EDHWELY) so i can hear it without the static wind noise from my crappy helmet. They do make quite a difference if inserted correctly (ie pull your earlobe back while putting down into ear canal).
As for wind noise; I have a sena 10R for music/gps while riding. I use nonoise motorsport earplugs (amazon.com/dp/B00EDHWELY) so i can hear it without the static wind noise from my crappy helmet. They do make quite a difference if inserted correctly (ie pull your earlobe back while putting down into ear canal).
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A gps on a motorcycle ? That's cool I guess . I myself have no destination when I ride. For me the ride IS the destination. That being said I have also noticed the unpleasant wind noise on my 2013 X. I have tried both screen positions. Neither worked well and both caused the same noises at speed. I finally just said screw it and took off the screen. Noise problem solved. Now I'm wondering what to do with those big metal supports....then the holes in the fairing they came out of.....
I usually use my mounts for music, GPS is only used when I am unfamiliar with an area. Did a 400 mile trip with my tall windscreen and it was blissful. But i use ear plugs, and put sound dampening padding in the ear areas, and listen to music while riding.
So, I dont much notice noises other than horns.
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After finally riding an X model I realized right away that there's an annoying turbulence even at slow speeds.
I've never experienced anything like this before. I had several K100RS and wind blast was never an issue.
So there is an issue with this model; sorry I blamed the OP for being a whiner!
There's a great cb500X group on facebook providing some interesting input:
I'm only 5'2" and the givi screen looked great on my bike but sent the turbulence right into my shoulders and sides of my helmet. After a 300 mile ride, I ended up with a terrible headache that lasted for 2 days.
One of our friends loves his CalSci windscreen - the company offers many sizes, and will custom cut one for you - and even let's you exchange the standard sizes if needed. I am just ordering my CalSci to see how it does. I have the opposite issue as most of you, but will send an update post after I've put a few hundred miles on the CalSci windscreen.
I'm only 5'2" and the givi screen looked great on my bike but sent the turbulence right into my shoulders and sides of my helmet. After a 300 mile ride, I ended up with a terrible headache that lasted for 2 days.
One of our friends loves his CalSci windscreen - the company offers many sizes, and will custom cut one for you - and even let's you exchange the standard sizes if needed. I am just ordering my CalSci to see how it does. I have the opposite issue as most of you, but will send an update post after I've put a few hundred miles on the CalSci windscreen.
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Let us know how that works out.
My problem was turbulence at the helmet, no matter what I did with the wind screen. However, when standing on the pegs, the turbulence was gone. Hence the complete removal of the windscreen. I did a 3300 mile trip that way last summer with no problems.
My problem was turbulence at the helmet, no matter what I did with the wind screen. However, when standing on the pegs, the turbulence was gone. Hence the complete removal of the windscreen. I did a 3300 mile trip that way last summer with no problems.
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Agree. I've tried every combination on my 650 Transalp. Settled on standard small screen with a horizontal wind deflector at the top. Smooths out the airflow. All screens should have a horizontal section at the top to stop the air breaking away from the edge to fill in the low pressure behind.
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Any news about your nice and cheap solution?G'day Folks,
I've just registered on site today.
Been looking for an 'inexpensive' screen to reduce wind noise while seated in the normal upright position (yes, I use earplugs and noise is reduced if I tuck in under screen).
As I'm a bit of a 'tight arse' don't want to spend +$130.00 for an aftermarket / genuine screen.
So I spent $10.00 on a 300x40x3mm strip of alloy and a set of fairing screws. Phots show the result of 2 hours in the shed)
Brackets do two things, 1) lift screen up 60mm and 2) increase the space between headlight cowl to reduce vacuum behind screen.
Still a little untidy, will sand & paint matt black once tested.
When I'm happy with the result, I can post a template if anyone shows any interest.
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