The CB1100 Community Forum

Today, I had my first opportunity to test the handling of my new-ish 2014 CB1100 standard at 60-70 mph speeds. As expected, I get significant wind which wants to lift my helmet from under the chin guard.

Even though I really like the looks of the Road Comet fairings, I have my doubts that they will help much (if at all) with this problem. I am wondering if the addition of the "touring" wind screen on the Road Comet will make enough of a difference to negate this wind lift.

Any ideas or comments?

(The bike handled great, otherwise!)

It's really difficult to predict how something would work for someone else. Kind of like giving advice as to what seat would be a good comfortable fit for someone else.

I can give you my experience. I am 6' tall. On the naked CB, at highway speed I felt like I was struggling to stay on the seat, I was being pushed backward, feeling the force of the air from my stomach to my chest. I put the Road Comet on and I'm still feeling the air, now its up along my collarbone area bit it's greatly spread out and I think that's why it also feels weaker. I do not feel it under my helmet at all.

I think a lot depends on your height and how you sit on the bike. I do not envision a Road Comet's windshield lifting the air high enough that you will be completely in calm air. For that, I believe a much larger windshield is required.

I installed my road comet 1 for looks, but it made a dramatic difference in terms of moving the wind from my chest to my helmet. It was much more comfortable to ride on the highway after I did.

I have a touring shield for my RC but haven't tried it. There is at least one member that has one and has posted pics of it. Hopefully he will chime in with his impressions.

I like riding naked bikes, but also like riding a fully faired bike. The electric windshield on the Honda ST moves over a 7" sweep adjustable with a button on the left switch. It is the cats meow for wind management. Right now I am running a stock shield that has had 5 1/2" cut off it run in the lowest position, because I like the wind. Were I to roll out to the freeway I would raise it until the wind was manageable. There are times when I will be rolling Long, and raise or lower it 1/2" to get it in the sweet spot. That's how critical wind management is.

The only way to have a quiet still air pocket is to have a shield tall enough that you can look through it.

My personal ground speed point above which I like some wind protection is a sustained 70 mph or above, however except on a trip that involves freeway travel, I am rarely traveling at that speed on the CB, hence I rarely have a shield on mine. Below a sustained 70, I have no use for a shield of any kind. Any fairing or shield that is the wrong height will cause noise and turbulence if it directs the wind into onto your helmet/ face shield.

Want to see where the wind is going on your shield tape a couple 8" pieces of yard to the upper edge and watch them dance when you ride

Tough proposition managing wind.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=r166Lbygbc4

https://youtube.com/watch?v=G7eSiIOQ02g

Have the taller windscreen on mine, an improvement but not perfect.
Noticed that my choice of helmets on a given day made significant differences - to a very large degree. I was surprised by how much.

At 5' 6" and having originally fitted a Puig screen, I now find I'm most comfortable without the screen. I usually ride with a Triumph branded tank bag and it seems to deflect enough wind off my chest to make speeds nearing 80 mph comfortable. I may put the Puig back on this winter.

(08-21-2015, 10:01 PM)The ferret_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I like riding naked bikes, but also like riding a fully faired bike. The electric windshield on the Honda ST moves over a 7" sweep adjustable with a button on the left switch. It is the cats meow for wind management. Right now I am running a stock shield that has had 5 1/2" cut off it run in the lowest position, because I like the wind. Were I to roll out to the freeway I would raise it until the wind was manageable. There are times when I will be rolling Long, and raise or lower it 1/2" to get it in the sweet spot. That's how critical wind management is.

The only way to have a quiet still air pocket is to have a shield tall enough that you can look through it.

My personal ground speed point above which I like some wind protection is a sustained 70 mph or above, however except on a trip that involves freeway travel, I am rarely traveling at that speed on the CB, hence I rarely have a shield on mine. Below a sustained 70, I have no use for a shield of any kind. Any fairing or shield that is the wrong height will cause noise and turbulence if it directs the wind into onto your helmet/ face shield.

Want to see where the wind is going on your shield tape a couple 8" pieces of yard to the upper edge and watch them dance when you ride

Tough proposition managing wind.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=r166Lbygbc4

https://youtube.com/watch?v=G7eSiIOQ02g

I fully understand this concept. I recently sold my 2005 BMW R1200RT with an electronically adjustable windshield. Being able to raise and/or lower it "on the fly" was great.


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[url=http://s4.photobucket.com/user/Catbird1/media/100_0193_zpsd3f3a795.jpg.html]

(08-21-2015, 09:22 PM)Lord Popgun_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I have a touring shield for my RC but haven't tried it. There is at least one member that has one and has posted pics of it. Hopefully he will chime in with his impressions.

I believe I've seen that picture - or one like it. I hope he does share his opinion.

(08-21-2015, 11:43 AM)Catbird_imp Wrote: [ -> ]Today, I had my first opportunity to test the handling of my new-ish 2014 CB1100 standard at 60-70 mph speeds. As expected, I get significant wind which wants to lift my helmet from under the chin guard.

Even though I really like the looks of the Road Comet fairings, I have my doubts that they will help much (if at all) with this problem. I am wondering if the addition of the "touring" wind screen on the Road Comet will make enough of a difference to negate this wind lift.

Any ideas or comments?

(The bike handled great, otherwise!)

My first freeway stint on my '14 DLX was similar to what you describe; helmet lift, my body getting pulled to and fro...it freaked me out a little. I had just ridden a naked Bonnie (ok, with just the tiny OEM flyscreen) across the U.S. and back prior to buying the CB and had no such wind problems. Fast forward to last week -- my Road Comet II delivered (regular height screen, not touring height). I installed it on the CB and right away took two long day trips in a row, plenty of freeway work, and even goosed her up to 95mph or so when the coast was clear, just to really test it. Significant difference with the Road Comet. SIGNIFICANT, I say! Helmet lift: 100% gone. Pulling/swaying at the chest and shoulders: 90% reduction at least...almost unnoticeable now. Just smooth air that feels like it hits me right on the chin bar on my full face Shoei, but again, no air get underneath it, no lifting at all. Better yet, when I tuck even just a bit -- don't have to lay on the tank or anything -- the air nearly disappears completely and it's almost eerily silent at speed.
For me, it was the last piece of the puzzle to get the CB ready for long touring, which I love to do. (BTW, I'm about 5'9", stock seat, handlebars & foot controls...haven't changed the ergonomics at all except for foam grips...which I also love).
Hope that all helps. The Road Comet was an expense for sure, but for what it does and how good it looks, it was more than worth it in my opinion. - K

The best info from this thread is finding what works for you. Thankfully, we have many fine options to select to get our CB's right for us.

The Road Comet looks so perfect on the CB. I may give it a try.