Mirror induced turbulence - solutions?

[nwrider]

I've been trying two windshield systems. 1. Madstad bracket with MRA touring shield w/wing and 2. Givi Airflow adjustable. There's not a lot of difference between the two. #1 lets a bit more air to the sides but the flow around the mirrors is less turbulent. #2 lifts the airflow just to the top of my helmet but there's more turbulence from the mirrors hitting the sides of my helmet.

I'm wondering if there's a solution to this mirror induced turbulence. I had similar issues with my FJR and solved it by removing the stock mirrors and installing FZ 1 mirrors that had much longer stalks. The FJR mirrors are fairing mounted unlike the Tenere. Has anyone tried bar end mirrors that would have to work with handguards and bar end weights?

 

[EricV]

Mirror extenders make a difference. Luckybike You need one left hand and one right hand. I'm pretty sure it's 10mm, but it's been years since I got mine. $20 well spent. A lot cheaper than bar end mirrors.

 

[nwrider]

Thanks for the tip. I'll give them a try.

 

[jbrown]

https://www.yamahasupertenere.com/index.php?threads/mirror-wideners.14575/post-227896

 

[steve68steve]

Not sure this is relevant, but your post brought it to mind:

Vortex generators.

Sunroofs have a castellated plastic shroud that pops up at the front edge of the opening when the panel slides open. This is a vortex generator. Without this piece (or if you reach up and squeeze it down with the roof open while at speed), the airflow is slowed down by the opening and becomes turbulent. The vortex generator creates spirals in the airflow, which adds enough energy for the airflow to maintain speed over the opening and flow past without buffeting.

I read a post once about a guy who put a plastic spiral backing coil from an owner's manual on the top edge of his windshield and the buffeting disappeared. It was acting as a vortex generator.

I had an old VStrom with horrific, headache-inducing buffeting. I noticed that when I rested my fingers on the to edge of the windshield, the buffeting immediately stopped.

In my half-assed research about it, I came across vortex generators commercially available for airplane wings, RVs, trailers, etc.

Point of all this: it doesn't take much to change the airflow. A putterer could probably easy bodge something quick/cheap/simple to make a big difference.

 

[cyclemike4]

hello nwrider. Not sure my situation is the same as yours because I don't have much issue with buffeting even with the stock wind shield but I did have air flow problems off the mirrors especially in winter or rain. the position of the mirrors forced rain cold air and hot air in summer right down on my hands. I got the mirror extenders and moved my mirrors forward not out. Problem solved. So they may work for you just by moving them from the stock position. One thing that I find is the best feature of this bike it is so easy to change things on and although it is the same bike for everybody it will easily become very personal and a bike you just love to throw a leg over.