What to do for head buffeting

I don't think a helmet is going to have as much of a change on head buffeting as a windscreen would. I would look into windscreens instead. Basically made dealing with the wind a lot easier when I got a better windscreen.

As a big guy, yes absolutely suspension and even tire pressure are going to be a big deal for you. Most sportbikes are setup for like 160 LB people.

At 225-230lbs, I don't notice any kind high speed unsettling. I asked in your other thread, where are you in socal? I can hook you up with a really good suspension tuner if you don't want to tackle it yourself. It will only cost $50. Unless he suggests replacing components. At your weight setting sag correctly might require stiffer springs. After he set mine up, the bike feels night and day different, suspension is much stiffer than before as well. 

Just replied to your other thread. Here's his website www.sportbikesuspensiontuning.net He's probably about 100 miles from you. I would hit him up.

As far as tire pressures, at your size I'd keep them at recommended pressures for every day riding. 36 front 42 rear.

Hey Bigkurka, first of all, please define head buffeting. If you don't have any aftermarket or accessory windscreen on your FZ/MT-10, head buffeting should be non-existent. I'm afraid what you're describing is simply wind resistance. You only get head buffeting with windscreens, which is your helmet getting whipped by the wind in every direction; very annoying. That's exactly why I now chose a naked bike with no wind protection anymore. After owning dozens of bikes, I never found a windscreen without buffeting; just some worse than others. If you don't want any buffeting with a windscreen, you'd need a HUGE one... and that defeats the purpose of riding, at least for me. Of all my bikes, only my GL1800 with the windscreen all the way up didn't have any buffeting, but it was a barn door. Anyway, a very easy way to know if you have buffeting or not is to stand on the pegs. Try that. If you don't feel any difference, like I certainly don't, then you have no buffeting. Finally, with a naked bike, you have to certainly slow down compared to a faired bike, which I'm ready to do. I'm going on my first trip tomorrow, and will also play with speeds to see what is sustainable without fatigue. Just like you mentioned, should be around 80 mph, which is more than enough. I used to cruise at 100 on my previous bikes, but much rather cruise at 80 and feel faster, and don't risk getting a ticket (still have a perfect driving record). Since I'm still breaking my bike in (97 miles at the moment), won't go faster than that this time, but in the future, it'll have to be in short bursts only. And I MUCH prefer that than a freaking windscreen. My challenge tomorrow will be to get 130 miles out of a tank, or risk not making it back. Ha ha. So won't certainly speed on the way to Gila. Will take all back roads, to finish the break-in. Oh, and with your weight, you need the recommended 36/42, or something very close to it. I set mine to 33/36, but I'm 160, never a passenger, and only a small tailbag on the pillion. Good luck.

Hi there elptxjc, I would describe what I'm sensation that I'm feeling is like my head is slightly bouncing side to side. No I do not have a windshield or any aftermarket screen and I don't want one do personal tastes. It's not a super bad thing it's more of an annoying thing. Also I don't feel the wind getting under my helmet and trying to lift it either. I rode a soft tail Harley for many years with open handle bars at speeds at and above 80 and never had this sensation on my head/helmet. I know on the Harley I sat lower in the saddle but the wind still hit me right in the face. This is why I was kinda thinking it could possibly be a helmet issue. I see all these different style helmets with different shapes and rudders on them and stuff. Also to throw out there I'm 6' tall.

Thank elptxjc I will definitely check that out.

Sounds like something is wrong, even at 130-140mph I don’t get any buffering and it’s as planted as a rock, I guess it depends what you are used to. I had a cross tourer that did what you describe and it was horrendous your vision would go so you could not see because of the head movement just horrible from a bike that is built as a tourer. it turned out to be air pressure coming up around the forks and screen took the screen of and no problems just bad design and depending on the height of the rider if you hit the sweet spot then you were in for a crap ride. I know it is a simple one but have you checked Tyre pressure for the vague feeling?

Yeah, racing helmets will always be the best... if you can stand the noise. The main reason for that is they're designed to also be aerodynamic when rotating your head, which is not the case on most others. Or at least at a lesser degree. And THAT is the reason 'lesser' helmets might buffet a little with strong side winds. I really like my Shoei GT. Haven't ridden this bike above 95 or so due to break-in, but without strong side winds, it's super stable and very quiet compared to my ex-X12. And only very mildly annoying with strong headwinds, like I experienced on my last trip, and only above 80, so not a big deal at all. It was waaaay worse with windscreens, so not pleasant in any condition, really. I have to mention something more about aerodynamics of a helmet: You have to have your head in the proper position for it to be effective, and you can easily test that by moving your head up and down, and feeling/hearing the difference. If you're holding your head more upright than normal, then helmet is not going to work the same. Worth checking that out too. Like I mentioned before, the best test to make sure you have no part of the bike that is contributing to buffeting is to stand on the pegs, where you for sure will have clean air. Yamaha did a great job with that micro fairing, making sure no turbulent air would come out of hitting headlights, and other parts in front, to your head/neck. So basically if your bike is stock, your problem is with your helmet, period. Finally, looks like Fastback89 also misinterpreted the OP, like I did. He wasn't complaining about the bike, but his helmet.

That is one of the few helmets that fits my long oval xxl head pretty good. It just doesn't have a drop down visor or self tinting shield. I will try the GT Air next when I can find a xxl.