Noisy Screen!

My bike has an dark Ermax screen fitted. It helps reduce wind blast, but the turbulence around my lid is deafening at motorway speeds.

With ear-plugs the audible noise isn't horrendous, but the vibration is very unpleasant and tiring. Ducking behind the screen helps, but it's not a comfortable position to sit in. Likewise sitting up very high reduces the noise. I'm around 6'.

Are there any effective, simple methods of reducing the turbulence?

Edited by MCBodge, 07 October 2009 - 07:56 am.

There 101 options & opinions, one thing that was tried was spacing the screen off the faring at the bottom using nylon washers, to allow an airflow under the screen to calm the airflow over the screen ie laminar flow.
TAM

That makes sense. There is an existing slot in the screen which is presumably there for the same reason, but obviously doesn't work too well.

I'll try that. Cheers.

Get the drill out and make it bigger !!!!

Hi MCBodge,
I cant comment on your screen directly but would like to offer my observations on this issue. Just want to clarify too that there is a difference between the "buffeting" (which is a real pain) and "wind noise" which is unavoidable when you disrupt or redirect an airflow. Its about a week since i put a touring Vario on mine. Its quickly evident that it works best in the middle positions and that it smoothes out the flow that produces "buffeting" and reduces (slightly) but not removes the "noise". The standard screen didnt produce any "buffeting" for me but might depending on your height. Me, about 5 11. It did produce the raor you refer to. So, had to go for a ride to get the tax done today and took the opportunity to try something. This "something" comes from reading other, earlier, comments about various screens and own observations that placing your hand across front of helmet below the edge cuts the noise (helmets vary). There was a comment a while back from a member who was leaving that he found the answer to the noise issue by wearing a motocross helmet (with its different shape). So, i used strong tape to attach pieces of that coarse foam that is used for appliance packing (not polystyrene) to the helmet and shaping it a little with a sharp knife. No photo unfortunately but it extended 21/2 inches or so below the edge of helmet and curved around to jawbone pivot level. Was tapering a bit toward the end (say 1 inch). The noise was reduced by 80%, i could hear the exhaust clearly (a first) and the noise that was left was coming from the end of the "attachment". Placing the hand along the end showed that if the "attachment was longer it would have been even better. I use a fairly ordinary Nolan N61 so shape is common.
I took the "attachment" off after 100 kms or so before hitting the "big smoke" as it looked a bit strange and wanted to see the difference. Chucked it in the bin. Difference was dramatic and immediately wished hadd left it on, no matter, point proven and dropped into dealer to see if anyone had anything available for this issue. They dont. So will spend some time and make up a new piece to achieve the same result. Thing to consider (and why the foam (not polystyrene) was important is that in the event of accident the "attachment" should not limit movement but deform easily.
Hope this will help you
cheers Graeme

I fitted the same screen last week and went out for a test ride. I'm 5'10 and found exactly the same, turbulence and noise reduced up to about 65, increased dramatically over that speed. The vibration at 80 was enough to blur my long distance vision!!!!!

I like the idea about spacing the screen with nylon washers, I hadn't thought of that, and I don't really want to cut it as I never think they look right after.

It might be possible to "tune" the airflow by experimenting with different heights. Next stop, a bag of washers to play with.

Bodge, let me know if anything works as I'm currently in the same boat.

Cheers

I tried raising bottom of the screen to let more air through and it made no difference. I'm 6' 1" and I think your height makes a dramatic difference to the problem. maybe three or four varios stacked on top of one-another?

As it's free and easy, I'll certainly try it.




I appear to be sat at the optimum height for turbulence. I'm slightly long in the body/shorter in the legs, so I'm probably sat at a similar height to you.

Plenty of experiments on here.

Reduce buffeting Thread

Cheers, Ivan

I posted pics of a job I did on the standard screen last year,most effective for me anyway,I had already purchased the Yamaha tall screen and also had a little airfoil one time,all no good until I drilled the holes,now a totally different bike!

I am 5'8" and found that cutting two inches off my ermax helped consderably, no more buffeting but still plenty noise.

J.

Just to be different, I cut 25mm off the top of my standard MKII screen which reduced noise and turbulence markedly. I was going to experiment with a slot across the screen also but haven't felt the need since the lower screen does it for me. I'm 6 foot.

Have looked at the link thread, have searched for your post with pics but cant find, can you point please, gather that the hole pattern actually works?
cheers

I agree with Tedeum, the way to reduce turbulence and noise on the MkII is to cut the lip of the screen

I'm 6'3" and experienced the same thing
I tried a higher screen, but it didn't cure it and made the bike look like a tourer!

I then cut the screen lip off, so that the wind blast hits me in the chest instead of the helmet and BINGO!

This is what you are aiming for (with a std Yam Screen)

Edited by GuyGraham, 15 August 2009 - 10:41 am.

Sorry guys. I just can't believe that it can possibley be a comfortable ride at 65-80 mph with cut-off screens like that.
The wind pressure on your head & body would be horrendous.
Also if 90% of your ridings done on-road then the tourer look shouldn't bother you unless you think TDM's should look like a sports bike.

Edited by TDMtoraneko, 18 August 2009 - 12:42 pm.

I get far more wind noise and buffeting on my tdm than i do on my CCM at the same speeds and that has no protection at all.

Trimming the windscreen works only for people long enough by lowering the turbulent zone and putting head into clean air. I'm 5'9" (176cm) and even without screen the turbulent area is very near to my chin, so I have to sit more upright than I like to. Turbulence in this case (without screen) is caused by front fairing, without screen there are two "ears" on both sides which direct the airflow. Spacing the screen off the fairing for 1cm didn't have noticable effect.

Totally agree. I bought a smaller 'double bubble' screen off ebay for around 30 notes. Its not really double bubble but it is a couple of inches shorter than standard.

Instantly the buffetting disappeared and the wind noise is minimal. Since helmets are pretty aerodynamic anyway, having your head in the wind is better than being behind the screen and getting buffetted.

Its bad that yamaha have never addressed this issue and made the screen adjustable, but it seems us TDM'ers are a resourceful lot

Well try it and be amazed

Yes - TDM should look like a sports bike

No need, I've already eliminated all wind pressure, turbulence & noise. Looks good as well.