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Triumph Tiger 800XC: what screen to reduce buffeting?
Hi, everyone
I bought my Tiger 800XC in Jan. 2013. In May 2013 I went on a solo trip around South Africa. I replaced the standard screen with a Puig screen (pic attached). Not travelling faster than about 110 km/h, I was very happy with the screen.
Some time later I thought that the time had come to turn my back on adventure motorcycling (big mistake!) and started selling of bits and pieces, amongst them the Puig screen.
It took me another month to realise that I wasn't going to go through with the idea and started getting things together again (expensive lesson). This time round I decided to try the Givi screen (pic also attached). However, for some or other reason the screen causes me great discomfort at speeds over 100 km/h. I've discovered that the almost unbearable roar of the wind on the left of my helmet (Arai Tour - X 4) is gone when I hold my open (left) hand next to the handlebar where the mirror is affixed. Obviously I can't do the same to the right hand side, but I'm convinced it'll be the same. It seems as if the screen is too narrow at the bottom. Am I correct in my thinking?
Buying a screen that seems to be ok and then isn't can become an expensive exercise. Is there any screen available that will solve my (and possibly for some of you as well) a problem?
I really look forward to sincere replies. The roaring of the wind in my ears (I do wear ear plugs) is destroying the joy of riding for me.
I have a Madstadt 20" screen on my Tiger 800 and it is amazingly quiet at highway speeds with no buffeting at all. I'm in Southern California and wth the warm summer we've had I actually went back to the stock Triumph screen to get more airflow in the heat. I am putting the Madstadt back on for a trip to the HU yosemite event later this month.
I have been wrestling with the same problem. I bought an XC in July & it came with the free touring screen (plus the standard) ... standard I already knew was too noisy from test rides, was hoping the adjustable touring screen would be better.
It is a little, but only because you can tilt it ... I found the best position was down as far as it will go so more of your head is in relatively clean air ... but it is still too noisy and above 65mph unbearable without earplugs (which I dont normall wear).
I researched and found that the Madstad seems to get the most positive "problem gone" comments, but worried a little that it might remove too much airflow. (I am moving off a bonneville & hence am used to the wind in my sails!)
I was thinking of buying the rather expensive Madstad but thought I would try a different helmet first.
My old helmet is a Roof Desmo, a great flip up for the hot weather riding I do in Thailand, but not exactly quiet. I have just bought a Schuberth C3 Pro and found this very different .
It clearly has'nt stopped the buffeting but it has significantly reduced the noise, to the extent that I have been able to ride without ear plugs again. The noise is roughly the same with this on the Tiger as it was with the Roof on the naked bonneville.
So my screen purchase is on hold and I'll see how I get on with the c3 pro for while (only about 500 miles so far). My thoughts currently are that the noise is now OK but the buffeting is still an issue at high speeds, simply because I dont like my head being bounced around lile a flag in a gale!
Below 65mph its fine.
I have been looking at one of these for my Tbird. They seem to do a range so maybe something you fancy. Not had any dealings with the company yet, or seen anything of theirs in the flesh. FAIRING - VOYAGER - Powerbronze UK International
My frustration lies with the company as well. I love my Triumph and have bought the Navigator gear as well (superb!), but I cannot accept the fact that Triumph hasn't researched the options available to riders of different dimensions. I'm not saying the Company should have a variety of screens available, but at least do the research and point riders with "unusual" (read: not the norm) dimensions in the right direction, i.e. have information regarding different screen options available.
I'm not the only rider experiencing difficulties with noise (I have stated in my original post that I wear No Noise earplugs) and buffeting, hence my "impertinence" and Dutch courage at voicing my dissatisfaction regarding an otherwise super motorcycle.
I tried all sorts of stuff with DIY brackets, drilling holes at the bottom of the standard screen and lifting the screens mounting position, tilting the screen forwards and backwards, some results better than others, none of them what I would consider any good.
In the end out of sheer frustration I bought the 20" Madstad, I didn't want one, I didn't like the look of them, and I didn't want a screen that tall - and then I fitted it.
It has genuinely revolutionised the bike, no more buffeting, no more finishing long rides with a headache, no need for sound proof ear plugs just to allow me to ride the bike at all.
I'm no soft touch, I like wind blast on a bike, I've travelled on an Aprilia Tuono V4 (the most inappropriate and uncomfortable bike to travel anywhere on) but the shape and design of the screen on the Tiger creates a turbulence I've never encountered before, it seems to buffet your helmet and no amount of changing creates smooth air flow.
My first longer trip is next month, thank goodness I bought the Madstad !
I've got the Givi Air Flow screen on my Tiger 800 and it is the best. Easily ajustable for any kind of weather. You can even remove the top-most screen if you want. I'm 5'10'' and have no problem with buffeting.
Update to my earlier post - I bought the Madstad 18". As many have said, it revolutionises the bike, no buffeting at all.
I recently completed a UK to Thailand trip on the bike, I actually drilled a couple more holes lower down the mounting plate before I went so that I could drop the screen a little lower to increase the airflow for the hot countries - worked perfectly. When its raining (or even hail & snow at 4000m just slide the screen up to the highest setting and your front hardly gets any weather..
has anyone tried these? (Triumph Adjustable High Screen / Eagle Ext Touring T32)
Hi, just got my 2017 800 XCA. Have done about 6,000 k's, and like others find the buffeting from the standard screen pretty bad - kicks in around 85 kph, gets worse as I get faster.
Research tells me Triumph have a touring screen - part # A9708248, from this page Triumph Configurator. This is 53mm taller / 55ml wider, and has angle adjustment.
Also, Eagle Screens (Western Australia) have an extended touring screen (T32 in attachement).(approx 100ml taller).
Wondering if anyone has tried these (local to me in Australia) before I import anything.
My first Triumph was (and still is) a 2013 Explorer and my latest one is a 2017 Tiger. The screen on the Explorer isn´t as bad as the one on the Tiger, but neither is good. Having fitted Madstad screens on both of them, I would say that a Madstad screen is the singlemost important improvement to these bikes (for road use at least).
No matter how short or tall you are, you can stop looking for solutions to the buffeting problem, Madstad works! Open up you visor and enjoy the calm - at any speed!
If you don´t want to chance it, wasting half a season trying a screen that doesn´t work anyway, go for the sure thing. After many thousands of miles with these screens on the XC and XCX models, I have learned that they work wonders, but that they should be removed before going off road.
Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's thelist of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
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Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
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