I/S fairing vent

[Hellcat]

When I picked up my new I/S a couple months ago I had a 1,000 mile ride home. Almost immediately I had to stop and remove the windshield - the buffeting  was so bad my vision was blurred above 55 mph. Rode it home without a windshield and haven't tried another size yet.

But yesterday I noticed that the PO had actually plugged up the fairing vent under the windshield. It had a length of pipe insulation stuffed in it.

What impact does the fairing vent have for you guys and why would you block it up? Most importantly of course I expect it affects airflow to the helmet??

[R J]

I have heard of a whistle, rain coming into the cabin, wind buffeting.

Take your pick and go from there.

[Steve K (IA)]

Plugging that vent upsets the design of things.  One, it equalizes the air pressure behind the fairing.  With it plugged you create a vacuum going down the highway.  With it open, the wind moving upwards behind the windshield from the vent is moving faster than the air in front.  It pushes the air higher as it comes over the windshield making for less turbulence.
This past Sunday I rode through a lot of light rain coming home from the CBR.  At one stop, I put a rag in the vent scoop.  A few miles down the road, I pulled over and took it out.  Dealing with the rain coming through that vent was better than the alternative.

So, pull the plug and put the shield back on.  If you don't already have a pair of fork deflectors, they help a bunch with all the wind coming up in front of the tank.

http://www.bigbikethings.com/winddeflectors.html

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I plug mine in the winter it helps keep the shield from fogging and cuts wind on me.

[shortleg]

  I have one of honda,s fairing bras.
When it starts to rain I flip the flap that goes
into the vent up.
   This stops the rain and will not cause any
of the buffeting you talk of.
             Shortleg[Dave]