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Cruiser
Posts: 193
Buford, GA United States | Good Evening,
My question is about the wind noise around your ears with the Vision.
This is my fourth bike since I started riding again and here is my history:
Suzuki Intruder 1400, 9,000 miles in 9 months, great bike but I didn't know that my wife would want to ride with me most of the time and it is not a good 2 up bike.
Suzuke Intruder 1500, again a great bike but a little cramped for my wife with the twin pipes on one side as she is about 5'10" and her legs were cramped with the high pegs beause of the twin pipes on the right so after 30,000 miles I went with a Nomad.
Kawasaki Nomad 1500 and I put 30,000 miles on it until I saw a picture of the 08 Vision.
However, I did go through an evaluation process before I spent the big bucks for a Vision. I tested a BMW 1200 LT, Honda Goldwing, Harley Ultra with a $5k upgrade to the motor and the Vision. THe Vision came out first, the BMW second, the Harley #3 and you could not give me a Goldwing after my test drive. (Actually you couldn't give me a Harley either)
Here is my major complaint with the Vision-wind noise around my head. I have always used a shorty helment with no problems and I have never used earplugs and I have sensitive ears such as I always have to have plugs when I am at a rock concert. I have installed the tall windscreen but up or down it doesn't seem to matter to the wind noise. My head is not being buffeted by the wind it is just the noise that bothers me. Has anyone else noticed this or is it just me? It is absoluty the best handling bike I have ever ridden and I love it. Right now it is not a problem as I have gotten a winter liner for my helment which covers my ears and I don't even have the slighest hint of any wind but in the warmer weather it is a problem that I have never had before. What types of ear plugs do you guys recommend as the ones I have tried so far make me deaf and I don't think that is the way to go. I thought about ordering a CeeBaily windshield but if it is only a half inch wider I can't believe that would make much of a difference.
Sorry for the long post but all or some of you seem to have the answer to anything!!!
Thanks,
Mitch
08 Black Tour Premium |
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Tourer
Posts: 447
Northeastern Penna. | Hey Joker, what didn't you like about the Gold Wing? I rode one for some miles a few months before I bought my Vision. I couldn't stand the little pegs for your feet.What's worse,was that my legs were so cramped,being that my feet could not extend forward. That's because of the engine design.. As far as the wind noise,I have the tall stock windshield and I don't think the wind noise
is evident at all,however,I think you feel some wind buffeting though. I am thinking about getting the tall windshield from CeeBaileys,that has been talked about on these forums.It is taller and wider. |
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Tourer
Posts: 506
Woodland Hills, CA | The Cee Bailieys windshield is 5 inches wider (2 1/2 inches on each side), and there is a difference in the wind and wind noise. But too be honest, I have never had a problem with the wind noise, nor has my SO. We have been on a Road King for the last 10 years or so, and by comparison the Vision is much quieter, at least to me.
Anyway, you might want to try the Cee Balieys. Its a much better windshield, with better wind protection and much better optics, but I don't know if it will bring the wind noise down enough for you.
Good luck. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 193
Buford, GA United States | The Goldwing was the most dispointing bike I have ever ridden and I COULDN'T wait to get off. I felt like I was sliding forward and when I put the brakes on due to the pegs I couldn't stop myself from sliding forward. Now my wife liked the Goldwing the best as the padding was a lot more plush than what the Vision provides but since she doesn't want to drive her own bike she has learned to love the Vision (she would like some armrests, a cupholder and a seatbelt for naptime...). The Goldwing did have incredible power and torque but it is no fun when you are riding on the gas tank. The Ultra felt like I was on a kiddie bike, plenty of power with all of the engine upgrades but we are not large people maybe a little taller than average as I am a little over 6 foot and my wife is 5'10 but we were cramped on the Harley. In fact I have ridden just about any and every Harley and I still can't find one I want to ride more than a couple of miles. My brother has a Fat Boy and how it is the best selling Harley I have yet to figure out. The BMW felt a little top heavy and a little sluggish at low speeds but when you got the RPM's up it was one smooth and powerfull bike and in fact I got outrun by my friends yesterday with a rolling start. I think I can out pull him from a standing start but if he is rolling he can pull away from me. However, I don't think I could go long distance on the BMW as like the Goldwing they only come with pegs and during my test drive I got a cramp in my right let and there was no where to shift my leg except to hang it out in the wind. Nothing compares to the Vision and its massive floorboards and I added the cruiser pegs to get my feet away from the engine heat in the summer. However, it just gets down to what is best for you and your abilities, yesterday's ride was with 2 BMW 1200 LT's and a Suzuke M 109 and I am pretty sure that we all had a good time with 64 degree weather on Thanksgiving!!! And now with the Utopia backrest I am going to have to get that autopilot option as my ride is way to comfortable...
Mitch |
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Visionary
Posts: 3204
Memphis | Joker, If it's what I'm hearing it sounds like a low frequency roar like when you are driving in a car with windows down. It's more of a "pressure" than a "noise". It's actually louder with a full face helmet on. I had the same thing on my Councours but with a ton of head buffetting. I use Hearos ear plugs and can set the stereo at 11-12 and be perfectly comfortable all day. |
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Tourer
Posts: 506
Woodland Hills, CA | SongFan brings up a really good point. I use ear plugs as well (and have for a few years now), and the ride is always really enjoyable with respect to the wind noise level. I too can set the stereo between 10 and 12 and hear perfectly. In fact, for me the sound is actually better with the ear plugs in. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | My wife always uses ear plugs, thanks to my HD days. I dont notice much as far as wind noise around the ears. She wont try the Vision without them. (cant blame her, Cant fix it after its too late). I do notice a cold draft up my back when riding solo. I also notice the low moan of the air being sucked into the throttlebody at cruising speeds. |
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Visionary
Posts: 3006
San Antonio, TX | If I am going more then 20 miles I use ear plugs. |
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Wind Noise