Pillion turbulance

[Hugo Magnus]

A stated in the intro. section I have just returned to biking after a very long break.
Having bought a new V-strom and broken it in, I have reintroduced my wife to riding pillion.
All is fine until we get to over 65mph and then she (my wife) is buffeted from side to side-especially her head.
As we intend to take a trip across the channel where the speed limit is 130kph (81mph) what can I do, if anything to rectify this?

[Juvecu]

It's a process of trail and error really. If you don't have the time or money to try a lot of different screens then buy a Madstad bracket. It will give you a lot of adjustability and it's quick to adjust (no tools needed) so you should get a good improvement with it. Different things works for different people, but the Madstad is a common winner for just about everyone that has one. If you don't get on with it, there will be plenty of people that will buy it off you so your 'research' would be cheap.

[Hugo Magnus]

Thank you I have just checked it out and....

*PLEASE NOTE: The Madstad bracket is not compatible with the standard screen and requires the screen from (or produced for) an earlier 2004-2011 model, such as the MRA original shaped screen (listed below)..

So I will have to try adjusting my screen or failing that go for a different screen with Madstad brackets?

[UK_Vstrom650]

A few people have had success with the Givi Airflow - hopefully one of them can tell you how it works for pillions

[Juvecu]

Figured you had a Wee, Hugo

Givi Airflow screen is a good alternative to a Madstad for the Glee.

[MartinW]

Stick the bike year in your profile Hugo, then the advice can be tailored more specifically to your model number.

[10tenmen]

Last weekend I took the wife to Bridlington on my 2013 Vstrom, I had fitted the Givi Airflow screen which I bought using the discount from here for £108. My good lady thought it a very comfortable ride with both of us having our visors up on the motorway at 75+ mph, no buffeting either but having looked at the american stormtrooper forum it does not work for everybody I am 6' tall my wife is 5',8", For me its perfect compared with several other bikes pillion scenarios.
Regards Gary

[Oop North John]

I had fitted the Givi Airflow screen which I bought using the discount from here for £108.

If only it didn't look so ugly, compared to the stock Glee screen.

[Hugo Magnus]

Last weekend I took the wife to Bridlington on my 2013 Vstrom, I had fitted the Givi Airflow screen which I bought using the discount from here for £108. My good lady thought it a very comfortable ride with both of us having our visors up on the motorway at 75+ mph, no buffeting either but having looked at the american stormtrooper forum it does not work for everybody I am 6' tall my wife is 5',8", For me its perfect compared with several other bikes pillion scenarios.
Regards Gary

Thank you Gary.
You refer to discount, was that direct from Givi or through a dealer?

[UK_Vstrom650]

Check out the members benefits section for discount codes: viewforum.php?f=54

Motorbikesandparts sell them and give 10% off

[WLR]

Do you have a topbox?

[Jacko]

Cheap experiments:

Remove the mirrors, ride. If far better without the mirrors fit Aprillia* ones (do a search on here and watch the results page light up, £23 off eBay)

Remove the screen, ride. If better your screen setting is causing some of the turbulence (I say some because the mirrors are the main culprit). Experiment with screen settings (either with the stock mirrors off or with your bargain Aprillia Tuono ones fitted), I have mine on the lowest mount point with 2 x 4mm rubber tap washers under each of the bottom two mounts (again, search 'tap washers' here, pennies at Wilcos etc.), this slightly altered the screen angle enough to let more airflow in under the screen and eliminates most of the screen related buffeting.

*new BMW Adventure bikes have the exact sane mirrors fitted.

[10tenmen]

Hi Yes I have the supplied Adventure top box and I have fitted Aprilla mirrors which are very good
the site is http://www.motorbikesandparts.co.uk/ the code is for 10% off, the coupon code is V-strom92.

I don't find it ugly at all and its been the best mod I have done, I tried the stock screen and the Adventure one with the lip spoiler also a combination of spacers and longer screws to various effect on the buffeting problem. I would have probably sold the bike because it was a big problem until I bought the Airflow.

Regards Gary

[Hugo Magnus]

Do you have a topbox?

Yes!    It is a Suzuki one.