Hey There! 👋 Is wind buffeting and wind noise driving you crazy? It sure was a problem for me.
I tried many aftermarket windshields on my Africa Twin and CB500X and what I learned is that most aftermarket windshield manufacturers don’t know what they are doing. They just make bigger windshields that worsen aerodynamics and increase turbulence.
The thing is that a low-pressure zone emerges behind a windshield as you ride, causing the surrounding air to be sucked into this zone, resulting in a turbulent wind that vigorously shakes your helmet, leading to headaches and fatigue.
To address this problem, manufacturers often incorporate strategically placed holes in stock windshields. These openings allow a controlled amount of air to pass through, effectively filling the low-pressure area and mitigating wind turbulence.
The second point is that you cant simply make a windshield taller and call it a day. Air will find the shortest way around an object. So making a taller windshield will simply result in more air going around it on the sides.
The main point is that stock windshield design typically considers numerous factors that aftermarket manufacturers fail to account for.
In most cases, a stock windshield with a simple screen extension, deflector, or spoiler will do a better job than an aftermarket windscreen. Why – will you ask? Because there will be a gap at the bottom that allows a certain amount of air to pass due to its design. It basically calms down the air flow without creating low-pressure zones that lead to turbulence.
So if you want to reduce wind noise and buffeting and make your ride more comfortable – the first thing to try is a wind deflector bolted on top of your existing windshield.
Contents
What to consider when choosing a motorcycle wind deflector?
- Line of sight – the top of the wind deflector should not alter the line of sight. You should look above it. Ideally, the upper side of the wind deflector (or windshield) should be at a height between your lips and nose. Look for a deflector that is vertically adjustable.
- Transparency – I recommend choosing a transparent wind deflector so it would not decrease road visibility, especially in the evening or at night.
- Mounting System – I prefer the squeeze-bolt attachment. There is a rubber insert between your windshield and wind deflector base that is squeezed by turning a bolt. This way I can quickly install and adjust the wind deflector without drilling or gluing anything.
- Angle adjustment – The ability to adjust the wind deflector angle is also important as it allows to better control the airflow and make it more stable.
- Material and Durability – I prefer the attachment base to be made of aluminum and wind deflector from polycarbonate or acrylic, which are durable materials and can withstand weather and impact.
Do you really need a wind deflector?
If you currently get a wind blast directed into your helmet chin or visor area – yes, the wind deflector will move the airflow above your helmet while calming it and removing turbulence.
If you ride a naked bike and a wind blast mainly hits your chest area – a wind deflector won’t lift the airflow high enough to get the main blast over your helmet.
Motorcycle Wind Deflectors
Best Overall
#1 Givi
Height/Width: 105/205mm (approx.)
Vertically adjustable: ✅ (60mm approx.)
Angle adjustability: ✅ Yes
Attachment type: ✅ Clip-on
Transparency: ✅ Clear
Benefits & Features
✅ Quick and easy installation. Will take less than 5 minutes to install and adjust. note that you will need a size 6 allen key that should be included.
✅ Has rubber inserts/boots that slide between the wind deflector base and your windshield to avoid scratching the windshield. Note that after some time as your windshield fades due to time and exposure to UV rays – the windshield part under these boots will become visible since these places won’t get affected.
✅ Givi’s height and angle can be quickly adjusted with your hands and without any additional tools.
✅ Well built and will serve you a lifetime. Don’t give it away with your bike when you sell it. Just take it off and install it on your next bike.
⚠️ It is pricey for what it is. Especially compared to other brands with less recognition or to Chinese copy-cat analogs.
Runner Up
#2 KEMIMOTO
Height/Width: 120/270mm
Vertically adjustable: ✅ Yes
Angle adjustability: ✅ Yes
Attachment type: ✅ Clip-on
Transparency: ✅ Yes
Benefits & Features
✅ Has additional pivot arms that allow for installation on complex shape windshields. For example, will fit BMW GS1250 and any other complex shape windshields.
✅ Quality materials that are scratch and vibration resistant and will serve a long time. Aluminum mounts are stiff and durable and will hold in place at higher speeds with lots of air pressure.
⚠️ While adjusting the height – the gap between the windshield and deflector will change due to the design allowing for more or less air through this gap.
Honorable Mention
#3 Puig
Height/Width: 90/230mm
Vertically adjustable: ⚠️Little
Angle adjustability: ✅ Yes
Attachment type: ✅ Clip-on
Transparency: ✅ Yes
Benefits & Features
✅ A good quality product. Sturdy and built with scratch-resistant material. Won’t scratch as easily as cheaper copies.
✅ More stylish and fits the design of sport touring bikes more compared to larger deflectors. Has low-profile looks and may be mistaken for a stock part sometimes.
⚠️ This deflector is vertically smaller compared to others on this list. It should work effectively if you currently experience air blast hitting your visor. However, if the air blast reaches your chin or neck area, consider deflectors with a greater height.
⚠️ Little vertical adjustment compared to Givi and replicas.
Worth Mentioning
#4 Goldfire
Height/Width: 130/230mm (approx.)
Vertically adjustable: ✅ Yes
Angle adjustability: ✅ Yes
Attachment type: ✅ Clip-on
Transparency: ✅ Clear
Benefits & Features
✅ Affordable copy of Givi. The build quality is worse but the price is 5 times cheaper. The question that I ask myself – if a product is 2 times worse but costs 2 times less – is it a good product?
✅ Sligyly bigger size than Givi. Note that it does not mean that it works better.
⚠️ No rubber boots included. These are rubbers that slide between the windshield and mount base.
Worth Mentioning
#5 Yosoo
Height/Width: 120/270mm (approx.)
Vertically adjustable: ✅ Yes
Angle adjustability: ✅ Yes
Attachment type: ✅ Clip-on
Transparency: ✅ Clear
Benefits & Features
✅ Affordable Givi clone. The main features are the same as with Givi.
⚠️ Materials are of lower quality. The screen will fade in the sun with time.
Worth Mentioning
#6 DUILU
Height/Width: 134/285mm
Vertically adjustable: ✅ Yes
Angle adjustability: ⚠️ Somewhat
Attachment type: ✅ Clip-on
Transparency: ✅ Yes
Benefits & Features
✅ Low Price and good value
⚠️ Scratches easily due to cheap plastics used.
⚠️ Creates distortion of you look through it. Adjust it so the upper side is below your nose area.
⚠️ Adjustability mechanism is not as convenient and precise as with the GIVI approach.
⚠️ The gap between the windshield and deflector is on the bigger side and lets too much air through. While adjusting the height – this gap will either increase or decrease.
⚠️ Angle is not as adjustable as with Givi.
The Bottom Line
To sum up – windshield extensions offer an efficient method to increase airflow above your helmet, effectively eliminating wind buffeting and reducing wind noise.
They work best if your existing windshield directs airflow into your neck and head region, and your goal is to channel it higher above your helmet while calming the airflow.
When selecting a windshield deflector, make sure it is transparent for unobstructed visibility, adjustable to accommodate your height and stock windshield angle, easily mountable for quick setup, and crafted from sturdy materials to guarantee durability.
Crucially, it should not obstruct your view of the road; ideally, it should be adjustable to a height where you’re looking over it, not through it.
Kemimoto and Givi are the best you can get for long-term use, there are many Chinese copies but usually, they tend to loosen or deform at higher speeds under wind pressure.
