Aeroflow windshield for the ST 1300 - First look

[Rob (from Hoosierville)]

I'm sure these work about as well as a Windbender (http://www.firecreekacc.com/Windbender_st.html) does on a Wing. The lamilar flow it creates softens the transition from high to low pressure and prevents the air pocket from collapsing around your helmet and causing buffeting. I had one on my old GL1800 and it was fantastic, at least as far as creating a quiet area of still air. I suppose if you ride with an open face lid and a mesh jacket that's ok. It makes a huge difference for your passenger too.

I ride ATGATT with a full face and earplugs and frankly like lots of airflow to assure top performance from the vents in my helmet and jacket. My Windbender combined with the fairing on the Wing calmed things down so much that the helmet and jacket vents were rendered pretty much non-functional.

The stock ST shield in a full lowered position gave me the airflow I was looking for, but noisy. I mounted a Cee Baileys (-2" Height, Stock Width, With Vent, Pic Attached) and now get smooth, relatively quiet airflow. All the venting systems work great.

Note: This is not intended to be a slam against the Aeroflow. From what I can tell, it performs it's intended role very well. My point is that eliminating (redirecting) airflow to solve one or more issues (noise, buffeting) may create other unforeseen complications (lack of ventilation, increased heat). It did for me and I was very surprised at the time. Summertime riding got a little warmer than I liked.

 

[MidLife]

Note: This is not intended to be a slam against the Aeroflow. From what I can tell, it performs it's intended role very well. My point is that eliminating (redirecting) airflow to solve one or more issues (noise, buffeting) may create other unforeseen complications (lack of ventilation, increased heat). It did for me and I was very surprised at the time. Summertime riding got a little warmer than I liked.

Rob,

Interesting comment. From what you write, it sounds like you tried the Aeroflow screen?

Which size Aeroflow did you try (or have)? What seat? Yr height and inseam?

Differing from your observation, doberwing, in a post above, reported he had sufficient ventilation behind his standard height Aeroflow.

May be interesting to compare his set up and yours, to find out why you do not get the same ventilation he is able to have.

 

[Rob (from Hoosierville)]

Midlife - I don't have an Aeroflow. I had a Windbender at one time that uses the same design concepts to achieve the same stated goals. I appreciate that Doberwing is satisfied with the airflow he gets from his Aeroflow screen. Perhaps the nuances of the Aeroflow design result in more air on the rider than I would expect. Perhaps Doberwing's expectations or needs for airflow are just different than mine.

To restate my earlier point, many riders (as well as myself at one time) seek a windscreen design that will eliminate wind noise, buffeting, etc. Some use the popular "Barn Door" windscreen approach and others an approach like the Aeroflow and Windbender products offer. Many of these riders achieve their intended goals using either approach. My personal experience suggests that the Aeroflow and Windbender designs are vastly superior to an oversized conventional windscreen when it comes to reducing noise and buffeting. For myself, the initial satisfaction of riding in a capsule of still, quiet air was eroded by the realization that the very air movement I eliminated was the only thing that induced airflow through my helmet and jacket venting systems.

The original intent of my post was to offer some perspective on what could be unforeseen issues with certain windscreen designs. The engineering of these products is a study in compromise and with everything there are tradeoffs. I personally hate buyer's remorse. When I discovered I traded functioning ventilation for quiet airflow with a windscreen using a similar design to the Aeroflow I questioned whether I made the right decision. Not because the product didn't perform as represented, but because the performance had side effects I wasn't expecting.