Buffeting and turbulance.

techno

techno

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Despite having Tobinators and the toutatech windscreen extender on I still suffer from a lot of wind noise (althogh there is no turbulance).

I was bored cruising down the M5 one evening and discovered that if I placed my left hand (palm facing me at 90 degrees) on the clutch reservoir it stopped.

Leading me to believe that the problem is either my light bar or hand guards messing with the air.

So, has anyone looked into some sort of deflector at the back of the beak above the indicators?

Busters have something that might work http://www.busters-accessories.co.uk/proddetail.asp?prod=827451
but it is way too expensive for a test.

NN do something for the 1200 but not the 1150 and I think these might help http://www.nippynormans.com/prodinfo.asp?number=SCR-WL-1200GS&variation=&aitem=1&mitem=1

Anyone seen anything or got any ideas tha might help??

Anyway, if you are getting excessive wind noise, try putting your hand on the reservoir and see what happens for you - we might have something here...
 
Try removing the handguards. I found that made quite a difference to the noise / buffeting, and it's a free trial :)

I do find the bike is great at slow speed - but I've given up on trying to get a decent (quiet) ride at 70 (+). Which makes it a nightmare for continental jaunts where motorway coverage is required to cover the miles. Now I know it's not meant for that, but sometimes you have to use the motorways to get to the interesting bits, leaving you more time to play.

Interestingly I've just changed my screen (not really any better) but what I did find was that without the screen the air flow is much cleaner.

I think that I need 2 bikes one for touring with SWMBO, and the other as a plaything.

Cheers

Dave#...
 
I bought the BIG Ztechnik screen from custom cruisers. After discussions with them the checked with the manufacturer, and claim it'll fit the 1150 Adventure. Well it does, but you've got to buy the standard 1150 mounting parts (they didn't know this). Anyway it's on the bike now.

I've tried it in all sorts of positions (I've got tobinators so there's masses of options for position). However I've still not found the best position for me.

I did take the screen off completely, and just ride with the silver console thingy. That certainly makes a big difference. The airflow is so much cleaner. However once you get up to motorway speeds, then there is no protection so you'll need strong arm and neck muscles, but at least it is quieter, and buffet free.

I've also got one of those windscreen extender thingy's - it also helped on th standard GSA screen, but not tried it on the Ztechnik (yet)

The same is true of the handguards. I rode all last summer with them off, and put them back on for the Winter. Funnily enough I found that my hands were colder with the guards back on. Although I may just be getting soft in my old age.

Now if it were just me, that's how I would ride, but when touring with SWMBO, she also gets bounced around a lot from buffeting. Hence trying to get the right position for the screen.

I have found the airflow also changes, with a tank bag, or top box / panniers.

I guess that the bike is just not designed for aerodynamics, so that any change you make will change the dynamics.

Now none of this seems to affect the bikes handling too much, it's just a matter of trying to find that clean air.

BTW I'm 6'4" so take up a lot of space on the bike. I have noticed that if I scrunch down, that it gets much better. Trouble is I can't ride like that for longer than about 5 minutes.

I've also heard some pretty bad things about the 1200RT's screen / aerodynamics. So maybe BMW are moving backwards rather than forwards in this area.

Good Luck. There is (I'm reliably informed) a good position for everyone. It just takes some discovery.

What I could do with are some close up shots of other peoples settings for tobinators with the ztechnik. BUt there's one thing for certain, at least it gives you an excuse to ride the bike.

Cheers

Dave#...
 
Found this on the web...http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/Fairing.html

How to choose the best windshield height for you.

1. If your stock shield is mechanically adjustable, put it in the lowest position. If your windshield is electrically adjustable, put it about 1/4 to 1/3 of the way up.
2. Get a yard (meter) stick - free at Home Depot or most hardware stores.
3. Park your bike on level ground. Measure 30' (9 meters) from your front wheel contact patch. Drop something on the pavement, keys, a rock, whatever.
4. Measure 30' (nine meters) more, you're now 60' (18 meters) in front of your bike. Drop something else, wallet, ex-girlfriend, whatever.
5. Tape the yardstick to the center of the windshield with masking tape or something, with the 20" mark aligned with the top of the windshield and the stick pointing straight up.
6. Sit on your bike and look at the two things you dropped on the pavement. Try to sit with your normal riding posture. Don't cheat - if you slouch a bit when riding, slouch a bit now.
7. You can sight along the yard stick and see how many inches up from the top of the shield you see the 30' and 60' marks. This tells you how many inches taller you would like your windshield.

Your optimum windshield height is somewhere between these two heights. Lower for warmer climates and more air flow, higher for colder climates / quieter riding / more wind protection. Our shields are typically made in 1.5" (4cm) increments to help you get the best height for you.
 
Fantastic, that's the kind of heath robinson science I like - rocks, girlfriends, sticky tape and rulers. All backed up by an interesting bit of scientific article.

Shame BMW didn't read it before designing the GS range ;)

Cheers

Dave#...
 
this is a wind up right? a bit like standing in a crowded street and looking up wards to see how many people do the same ps I admit it I tried it
regards bisbee
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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