After Information/feedback on the Freedom Windshield for 2020+ Spyder RT's - will it reduce pillion wind buffetting?

Do you have the stock shield raised fully?
There is a touring Spyder shield you might want to look into that should solve this.

gmccabejr said:

I’m looking for information from people who have the Freedom Shield on their Spyder.

I have a 2023 RTL and when riding with my Wife on the back, she experiences a lot of helmet buffeting, giving her a sore neck above 55 mph. We usually try to stay slower when we can, but this isn't always practical when we're riding with a group of people or need to take the Expressway. She says the wind seems to be coming from around my helmet causing her the issue. I have found that if I sit very erect with the windshield all the way up, it reduces the buffeting some, but it is still present.

I see the Freedom Shield can be ordered wider and has the reverse curve at the top.

Does anyone have a Freedom Shield on their Spyder and what's your opinion of it? Has anyone else had this issue? Will the Freedom Shield eliminate this? I don't have any wind issues myself, it's for my Wife and I'm trying to make her as comfortable as possible so she can enjoy riding as much as I do.

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I was getting ready to post a question and saw this post first. I've been looking to replace my windshield also. I generally ride just looking over the top edge of the windshield. Looking through it doesn't work for me especially when it's filthy from riding all day into the evening. Also, you get some distortion looking through it at night. I don't like the wind buffeting from my curent windshield and it’s pretty bad.

I'm looking for a windshield that's 25" tall and is at least 3" wider on each side. My friend has a Show Chrome Wide Clear Touring Windshield for the Can-Am Spyder RT on his bike. I rode it and really liked the fact that it had reduced wind buffeting. I was going to pull the trigger on it, but Show Chrome has stopped production on them for now.I looked at the F4, which is really pricey, and I found GP Cycleworks, who make a really nice windshield that won't break the bank. They are custom made and have a few different sizes and colors to choose from. It's made from high grade Acrylic G and unlike conventional windshields, you can remove scratches and swirl marks on these. The prices for windshields are all over the place from $250 (on sale) up to $500 US. Unless Slingmods gets the Show Chrome windshield in (which I doubt, after talking to them) I'll probably roll with the GP Cycleworks. I also like the fact that it comes in different shades/colors.

Is a taller/wider windshield going to totally get rid of the wind buffeting and the answer is no. Throughout the years trying different types/heights of windshields on Harleys, I found that taller/wider windshields do reduce it a lot.

Hope this helped. Regarding they passenger, my wife said the wind is pretty bad where she sits. I'm hoping the 25" and wider windshield will make it more tolerable for her. A 28" windshield doesn't buy me anything since I'm looking over the windshield and the extra 3"at the bottom buys me nothing since the buffeting comes from the top and sides. The wider windshield is going to give you a more comfort.

I have the tallest version of the Freedom Shield and I really like it. My helmet is open faced as I took off the pull down clear shield and just left the sunshield pull down if I need it for some reason. I wear glasses full time and they are transition lenses so I doubt I ever would but it's hidden. I like the helmet because it has my Cardo Edge mounted to it and 45mm JBL speakers inside so good tunes for the road. That combo gives me a little more open air feeling for the ride. I can't tell you about buffeting for passenger because for me that's rare. My wife rides her Ryker 99% of the time, but for the rider it's great.

A well VENTED, fully raised windshield should have little to no passenger buffeting. My 2014 vented windshield (the one with an extra, central, adjustable vent) has NO passenger buffeting.

A rack with a bag (for cover and 2 rainwear) will also help. I found this out before I learned about the aerodynamics of a big, UNVENTED, windshield.

Lew L said:

A well VENTED, fully raised windshield should have little to no passenger buffeting. My 2014 vented windshield (the one with an extra, central, adjustable vent) has NO passenger buffeting.

A rack with a bag (for cover and 2 rainwear) will also help. I found this out before I learned about the aerodynamics of a big, UNVENTED, windshield.

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Not being a jerk, but...

Even with a well-vented, fully raised windshield, completely eliminating passenger buffeting entirely is rare; and raising a windshield to its maximum height can sometimes make the problem worse for the person in the back. While venting a windshield is highly effective at reducing the low-pressure pocket directly behind the screen (which minimizes rider head-buffeting), passenger dynamics are much more complex. Remember, the passenger sits up higher than the rider.

As air travels up and over a fully raised windshield, it breaks clean from the top edge and begins to tumble. This creates a collapsing pocket of turbulent air (vortices) behind the rider. Because the passenger sits higher up and further back than the rider, their helmet is often positioned exactly where this tumbling air collapses and rolls back down, resulting in severe buffeting. A fully raised windshield creates a larger aerodynamic obstacle. This pushes a larger volume of air out and around the bike. When this massive pocket of air crashes back together behind the motorcycle, it creates a highly turbulent zone right where the passenger sits.

Windshield vents (like a stock Can Am vent) are designed to introduce a laminar flow of air to equalize the pressure directly behind the windshield. This stops the air from snapping violently over the top edge. However, this pressure equalization benefits the rider's pocket of air almost exclusively. By the time that vented air travels past the rider's body, it has lost its velocity and structure, doing very little to smooth out the airflow hitting the passenger. Maybe it's the dynamics of your 2014 body style and windshield, but with mine and other friends (2020+ RT) which have different windshields, it's not the case.

Well, all I can say is that it works for me and my passenger. And, when I had my Honda Valkyrie with and ADDED a vent in it's barn door of a windshield, the buffeting was not there any longer for my passenger with the vent fully open. It certainly is possible that the shape of the front of the earlier Spyders has something to do with the shape of the bubble of calm air behind its vented windshield.
I also have adjustable winglets instead of the non-adjustable factory ones. They don't seem to affect the buffeting, but they do make a difference in hot weather to get better air flow onto my legs.

Lew L said:

Well, all I can say is that it works for me and my passenger. And, when I had my Honda Valkyrie with and ADDED a vent in it's barn door of a windshield, the buffeting was not there any longer for my passenger with the vent fully open. It certainly is possible that the shape of the front of the earlier Spyders has something to do with the shape of the bubble of calm air behind its vented windshield.
I also have adjustable winglets instead of the non-adjustable factory ones. They don't seem to affect the buffeting, but they do make a difference in hot weather to get better air flow onto my legs.

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Yes, adding that vent does help and my buddies did the same on their Harleys. Do you like the adjustable winglets and really see a difference from stock? I was thinking of those also. Is it worth the bother if I get the windshield?

I wish someone made a windshield like the Clearview "Recurve" for the Harleys. I have one on my Ultra Classic Limited and it's just awesome. No buffeting at all because it has a "curve" in the top of the windshield that forces the air up and over both the rider and passenger. My wife just loves it. Memphis Shades also makes windshields similar to the Clearview, but neither make anything for the Can Am. Really Sad. I'm probably going to go with either Show Chrome (been backordered forever), the F4 Shields, or GP Cycleworks.

To be honest, the hardest thing for me has always been finding a Seat that's comfortable, an Exhaust that gives you performance and sounds good, a Windshield that truly works, and Shocks and Tires that I like...

Correction:
Just found a curved windshield at Lamonster Garage (picture below) I was so busy checking the manufacturers, I didn't check some of the vendors... DUH! Looks like this will fit the bill and I'm probably going with the 24" (the largest they sell) since I'm 6' and the stock shield is 25".
The one thing regarding the windshield air vents like I have on my stock windshield is that they will not fit the Freedom windshield and you'll have to buy theirs. I like the fact that the one I'm using, with the holes facing up, gives you some air flow on hot days. I haven't tried the holes facing down yet for winter. I'll be buying both.


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gmccabejr said:

I’m looking for information from people who have the Freedom Shield on their Spyder.

I have a 2023 RTL and when riding with my Wife on the back, she experiences a lot of helmet buffeting, giving her a sore neck above 55 mph. We usually try to stay slower when we can, but this isn't always practical when we're riding with a group of people or need to take the Expressway. She says the wind seems to be coming from around my helmet causing her the issue. I have found that if I sit very erect with the windshield all the way up, it reduces the buffeting some, but it is still present.

I see the Freedom Shield can be ordered wider and has the reverse curve at the top.

Does anyone have a Freedom Shield on their Spyder and what's your opinion of it? Has anyone else had this issue? Will the Freedom Shield eliminate this? I don't have any wind issues myself, it's for my Wife and I'm trying to make her as comfortable as possible so she can enjoy riding as much as I do.

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I went full circle on this and realized I was after the same thing... I kill myself sometimes... Sorry.
Yes, from experience with my Ultra Classic Limited, the curved top windshield does eliminate most of the wind turbulence and give your passenger some relief. I really love my windshield on the Harley and I have been riding with it on for years. I’m going to buy the same one from Lamonster Garage for the '23 RTL.

Elqueso2 said:

I went full circle on this and realized I was after the same thing... I kill myself sometimes... Sorry.
Yes, from experience with my Ultra Classic Limited, the curved top windshield does eliminate most of the wind turbulence and give your passenger some relief. I really love my windshield on the Harley and I have been riding with it on for years. I’m going to buy the same one from Lamonster Garage for the '23 RTL.

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That's the one I bought from LaMonster. I think you'll be pleased with it.

Elqueso2 said:

Yes, adding that vent does help and my buddies did the same on their Harleys. Do you like the adjustable winglets and really see a difference from stock? I was thinking of those also. Is it worth the bother if I get the windshield?

I wish someone made a windshield like the Clearview "Recurve" for the Harleys. I have one on my Ultra Classic Limited and it's just awesome. No buffeting at all because it has a "curve" in the top of the windshield that forces the air up and over both the rider and passenger. My wife just loves it. Memphis Shades also makes windshields similar to the Clearview, but neither make anything for the Can Am. Really Sad. I'm probably going to go with either Show Chrome (been backordered forever), the F4 Shields, or GP Cycleworks.

To be honest, the hardest thing for me has always been finding a Seat that's comfortable, an Exhaust that gives you performance and sounds good, a Windshield that truly works, and Shocks and Tires that I like...

Correction:
Just found a curved windshield at Lamonster Garage (picture below) I was so busy checking the manufacturers, I didn't check some of the vendors... DUH! Looks like this will fit the bill and I'm probably going with the 24" (the largest they sell) since I'm 6' and the stock shield is 25".
The one thing regarding the windshield air vents like I have on my stock windshield is that they will not fit the Freedom windshield and you'll have to buy theirs. I like the fact that the one I'm using, with the holes facing up, gives you some air flow on hot days. I haven't tried the holes facing down yet for winter. I'll be buying both.


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Yes, I like the adjustable winglets. They help bring in air on the hot days. About the Memphis Shades - I have their Bullitt fairing on my poor, old, slow V-Max. I made all the mounting hardware, because nobody else has.

I went with the Freedom recurve windshield on my 2023 RTL and I've been using it for over a week now. I'm a little disappointed with it. I guess I set my expectations a bit high since I have a recurve on my Harley Ultra (different company) and the wind turb8ulence is neglectable on it, even over 80 MPH. It works amazingly well on my Ultra classic and that’s the only thing I can base the comparison on.

On the Spyder, at speeds up to about 50 it’s noticeably better than stock. I do still get some slight buffeting, but nothing like I got before. At speeds (freeway) higher than that, I still get some buffeting. Granted, it’s not as bad as it was, but it's still annoying. I’d say it’s about 50% better than stock at the higher speeds.

The Freedom screen is only 1 ½” wider than stock on each side. One thing I did do to eliminate the buffeting a bit more was to shim the top part of the windshield (the 2 top bolts) out using hard rubber fender washers. I figured out (used AI for the calculations for wind speed, spacer thickness vs shield angle and updraft) that by tilting it forward by 2 degrees, it raised the airstream up and over my head a little higher. So, sandwiching a 1/8” thick hard rubber washer between the shield and bracket on the 2 tops bolts did the trick. This doesn't hurt the stability of the shield at all and its a little better now at higher speeds. Also the front air vents are not the same size as the stock ones, so I couldn't use the ones I have. I had to buy theirs.

To be honest, I was also looking at the GP Cycleworks shield and probably should have gone with that. It’s 1” taller & 3” wider on each side and shaped a little differently so that it creates a better air pocket for the rider and passenger. Originally, I was going to get the Show Chrome windshield which is exactly like the GP. I rode my friend’s 22 RTL with the Show Chrome screen, and the lack of air turbulence was better than the Freedom, but I didn’t have access to a Freedom to compare it with then. Show Chrome stopped carrying those shields (Slingmods have had them back ordered for over 6 months) so, I thought I’d try the Freedom. The deciding factor will be my wife, once she can get back on the Spyder again (she has just had surgery) to try it. She hated the stock shield. I will say the Freedom isbetter than stock and I'm going to roll with it, but I also need to see how my wife likes it. Hey “If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy”! LOL

I might get the GP later down the road. Here is the shield I was looking at:

https://gpcycleworks.com/products/can-am-spyder-rt?variant=50622861639959

I also wanted to thank everyone for their great input.

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I don't know if any of these aftermarket screen vendors test their screens on a Spyder in a wind tunnel with various sized riders and passengers, but I seriously doubt it. I doubt Can Am does it with a stock shield also, since Bombardier was a separate company at any rate. I'm sure that perhaps they don't eventually do computer modelling with flow dynamics either, in most cases.

This is why BMW and Moto Guzzi have done so well with their fairing designs, they have access to sophisticated modelling software and wind tunnels, but even then their fairings don't suit everyone, they just have more hits than misses.

I suspect each screen is developed by trial and error and I suspect each one suits a unique rider and passenger pair by a differing amount. I'm six foot and my wife is five foot four and the stock screen on our 2026 S2S works perfectly for us with little to no buffeting. I run it about half way up in it's range on the freeway. But I doubt anybody else's experiences with any shield, from any vendor, is necessarily even going to come close to what your experiences may be. It's all a bit of a lottery I think. It would be nice to be able to try all the different options to see which one suits your particular circumstances best, but that's not practical I know.

The other problem is what looks aerodynamic and as if it might create smoother air by directing it up and over the riders, might not do this. You only have to look at modern race cars and Moto GP bikes to realize just how complex and counter intuitive much of their aerodynamics are and how even the tiniest of changes can have a huge effect on the result. Despite all the modelling and wind tunnel testing, they often get it very wrong and have to fix things by trial, error, and experience. Sometimes, their failures can be enormous in consequence, ie. Mercedes at Le Mans back flipping, Sidecars at this year's Isle of Man TT doing the same, for instance.

Yup, agreed @mecsw500. Everyone's experiences and results are going to be different.

When riding, I'm generally looking right over the top edge of the shield. I tried lowing it and raising it up, with mixed results. I hate looking through the windshield. At night, for me looking through the windshield; there is too much distortion, and the oncoming car headlights bloom in my eyes. Looking over the shield at night, I’m fine.

I'm 6' 2", and my wife is 5' 9", so it was trial and error on the Harleys. When I had both my RoadKing and the Ultra Limited together, I had screens from the same manufacturer (Clearview) in the recurved windshield on both. The airflow was so different between the two of them, and I expected that, but the wind buffeting was minimal with both.

The Freedom is better than the stock screen hands down. Is it honestly right for both of us? I don't know yet. I'm going to give it a month or two of riding. Every 2 weeks, my friends and I get together for a ride that's generally 175+ miles for the day, and the ride is geared around our lunch stop, of course. I'll know in a few rides. Our motto is "Live to ride, Ride to eat." LOL

Elqueso2 said:

Yup, agreed @mecsw500. Everyone's experiences and results are going to be different.

When riding, I'm generally looking right over the top edge of the shield. I tried lowing it and raising it up, with mixed results. I hate looking through the windshield. At night, for me looking through the windshield; there is too much distortion, and the oncoming car headlights bloom in my eyes. Looking over the shield at night, I’m fine.

I'm 6' 2", and my wife is 5' 9", so it was trial and error on the Harleys. When I had both my RoadKing and the Ultra Limited together, I had screens from the same manufacturer (Clearview) in the recurved windshield on both. The airflow was so different between the two of them, and I expected that, but the wind buffeting was minimal with both.

The Freedom is better than the stock screen hands down. Is it honestly right for both of us? I don't know yet. I'm going to give it a month or two of riding. Every 2 weeks, my friends and I get together for a ride that's generally 175+ miles for the day, and the ride is geared around our lunch stop, of course. I'll know in a few rides. Our motto is "Live to ride, Ride to eat." LOL

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We went out for a ride today and I took more notice than usual about where I put the standard S2S screen.

Basically I set it so that I just look over it. It's below my sight line. I look through the top half of my glasses anyway as they are bifocals. This means when I look down I'm using my bifocals to read the display or my iPhone running Maps.

I set it so that I can ride with the internal sun visor down in my helmet and with my main visor up or down without buffeting. I usually have it down most of the time as the comms is clearer, but if I do open it I don't get a huge amount of wind blast through the helmet opening.

This is also the most comfortable position for my wife. She likes to lean back against the backrest and chill out. With these settings she doesn't get any buffeting to speak of.

At night, I move the screen a tad lower so I don't get any headlight reflections coming through the screen and distracting me.

Now, my wife and I might just be "Mr and Mrs Average Height" that Can Am designed the Spyder for.

The stock windshield on my 2021 Spyder RTL was too tall for me in that the top of the windshield, all the way down, still caught my eyes level with the top. I ordered the 22" with light tint, plus 1 pair of the air flow vents up from Lamonster. With the windshield all the way down the air flows over my head and I get zero wind in my face. Installation was a breeze with two people. Note to keep the windshield all the way up when you turn off the key keep the Up switch depressed.

mecsw500 said:

We went out for a ride today and I took more notice than usual about where I put the standard S2S screen.

Basically I set it so that I just look over it. It's below my sight line. I look through the top half of my glasses anyway as they are bifocals. This means when I look down I'm using my bifocals to read the display or my iPhone running Maps.

I set it so that I can ride with the internal sun visor down in my helmet and with my main visor up or down without buffeting. I usually have it down most of the time as the comms is clearer, but if I do open it I don't get a huge amount of wind blast through the helmet opening.

This is also the most comfortable position for my wife. She likes to lean back against the backrest and chill out. With these settings she doesn't get any buffeting to speak of.

At night, I move the screen a tad lower so I don't get any headlight reflections coming through the screen and distracting me.

Now, my wife and I might just be "Mr and Mrs Average Height" that Can Am designed the Spyder for.

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Thanks for getting back to me. I also wear bifocals and postition them in my helmet so I can see the distance and the dash/screens. I have a Bell Mag 9 that I use for the Spyder. It's got 2 dropdown (inner sunglass and outer visor) visors to choose from. I rarely use the outer one unless it's really cold or raining. I'm going to play with the different heights of the shield on my next ride. Rode it yesterday, but it was too windy to really have a fair test of the shield. I will say it is better than stock and it's worth the purchase. My wife will be the deciding factor. She is recoving from Hip Surgery (torn tendon & muscle), so it will be a least another month before she can ride again.