Merged thread on R1200GS Screens

[alecmuffett]

Hi Alec,
If you want to experience buffeting ride a 1150GS when I test rode one at 60mph I couldn't actually keep my head still in the airflow (I`m 6`6") but the 12GS is much better in that respect.

Hi Lee - I was wondering about that...

I`ve got Tobinators on my screen & they smooth out the airflow but don`t reduce the noise any, TT do a screen extension that clips on top of the standard screen & these lot do an extension too, IMO look a bit better than the TT one

Cool! Do you use one of these extensions? I am still considering Tobinators because I am sure there is an interaction between a) the screen, b) the wind, c) my helmet and d) my head, because on some days I can get a reasonably quiet ride just by playing with the screen height adjuster, and other days I just put it to max height and hide behind it like a fairing.

I wonder if some of the noise isn't due to buffeting winds lashing around my visor, or whether it's a non-laminar flow off the tip of the screen problem, which the products you cite might address...

 

[Tobers]

Ah-ha! A very pertinent question. The answer is probably "if you dont know, you dont suffer from it".

Buffeting is generally indicated by involuntary side to side movement of your head due to uneven airflow off and around the screen. The 1200 isn't as bad as the 1150 in this respect, but can still be a pain in the proverbial at motorway speeds. Symptoms include headache, blurred vision, sore jaw and teeth (yes, really!) etc etc.

The cause is usually attributed to the lack of airflow under the screen. As a result of this an area of low pressure is created behind the screen. The pressure of this area eventually gets so low that it "pops" or fills with air from the sides of the screen. You then feel this pressure change as one of a sequence of buffets which hit your helmet 2-3 times a second.

Key to resolving this problem is getting more air under the screen, and being able to change the angle to make the screen "cut" through the air rather than "bashing" through it. This is what Tobinators enable you to do.

Now, if your problem is primarily regarding noise, you have a slightly different issue. The 1200 is particularly noisy - more so than the 1150. It is a medium-pitch rushing/whooshing type noise. If I duck down a bit behind my screen it gets a lot quieter. I think the 1200 is so noisy because of the "edgy" nature of the screen - the 1150 and Adv screens are much more rounded. However, you can get noise which is caused by buffeting. This is a different type of noise - more of a low level thrumming or booming.

I think the main cure for noise on the 1200 is a taller screen. I'm not making any noise reduction claims for Tobinators at all. I keep meaning to get a Secdem screen to try it out myself, but others have said that taller screens are quieter. The Tobinators will give you far more adjustment than standard and will fit taller screens as well so you'll still be able to adjust the airflow.

Perhaps I should start bringing Secdem screens into the UK and doing a combo screen+Tobinators deal. Hmmmmm...

Andy

 

[Clive]

I keep meaning to get a Secdem screen to try it out myself

You can try mine out if you'd like - it's much better than stock for me - 6'4"

 

[Big Lee]

I don`t use one of these extensions yet Alec but I`m drawn more to the Laminarlip one than the TT one. I believe some of the guys on Adv rider site use the Laminarlip extension & rate it highly.
Anyway I`ve a list a mile long for bits to get for the bike, GPS, hugger, screen extension etc!!

 

[alecmuffett]

You can try mine out if you'd like - it's much better than stock for me - 6'4"

Well I'm near Fleet/Hartley Wintney - it'd be interesting to meet up one day and compare notes. Anyone else interested?

 

[Clive]

Well I'm near Fleet/Hartley Wintney

Pop over for our monthly meeting this Wednesday ?
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35384

 

[Dinger]

I'm 6' 0" and I do get a bit of buffeting. It serves to remind me that I'm riding a bike and not driving a car, or a gold wing. So far it's not a problem but then I haven't done any long trips yet. (150 miles max) so I'm reserving judgement.

 

[mikeh501]

You would know. My words were "I feel like ive been 10 rounds with Mike Tyson" to the dealer when they gave me a standard 1150 while my Adventure (diff screen) was being serviced.

 

[alecmuffett]

So far it's not a problem but then I haven't done any long trips yet. (150 miles max) so I'm reserving judgement.

See http://www.crypticide.com/dropsafe/articles/bikes/post20041230122112.html - so, doing 400 miles in a day doesn't turn your crank, then?

 

[alecmuffett]

Pop over for our monthly meeting this Wednesday ?

That works! See you there!

 

[Dinger]

See http://www.crypticide.com/dropsafe/articles/bikes/post20041230122112.html - so, doing 400 miles in a day doesn't turn your crank, then?

Sounds like a good run Alec. TBH I can't seem to get out on the bike between work, shite weather and short days. The upside of this is that the novelty hasn't worn off yet. The downside is that I want to get the bike to its 6000 mile service before I go on a long Europe trip in May, this could rack anything up to 4000 miles so I need it freshly serviced and shod.
My record so far is 540 miles in a day, this was on the Blackbird last year when me and the Missus went from Grimsby to Aultbae in the NW of Scotland. This was in August and the weather was uncharictaristically SCORCHIO. We did so much biking I had to go to Inverness to have a set of tyres fitted.
Paul.

 

[IanC]

Is the Wunderlich screen any good?

I don't so much have a buffetting problem, more noise really. As Tobers says, if I crouch down a few inches the noise is quite acceptable.

 

[rom]

on long jaunt, I ride with a set of ear plug. This eliminates the tiring wind noise created by the screen and riding at high speed. It does not however prevent me from hearing what is going on around me on the street. I believe it actually helps focus my riding as there is no more bothersome wind noise to contend with. The plug does not prohibit me to hear the horn, the noise of a passing car etc. Does anyone else ride with ear plugs?

 

[artig]

Coming from an RT to the GS, I found the wind noise with the standard screen in any position to be intolerable. Even with earplugs. I added a Laminar Lip several months ago, and have not regretted it. Reduces the wind noise to almost the RT level, without reducing windflow. It also improves the windflow over the visor, keeping it much clearer when riding in the rain.

 

[jimbo]

I have the standard GS screen Plus tobinators and find the noise a real problem.
Looks like I should try a laminar lip

 

[IanC]

rom, since getting the GS I've become a 100% convert to ear-plugs - I even use them for a 5 minute ride. Becasue I've got so used to them, the engine makes too many strange noises without them!

 

[Engineer]

on long jaunt, I ride with a set of ear plug. This eliminates the tiring wind noise created by the screen and riding at high speed. It does not however prevent me from hearing what is going on around me on the street. I believe it actually helps focus my riding as there is no more bothersome wind noise to contend with. The plug does not prohibit me to hear the horn, the noise of a passing car etc. Does anyone else ride with ear plugs?

I ride with ear plugs all the time - best invention ever!

 

[PedroGomez]

.... I added a Laminar Lip several months ago..

Which Laminar Lip did your add?

 

[artig]

Which Laminar Lip did your add?

As far as I know there is only one Lip model available for the R1200GS. Go to http://www.laminarlip.com/applications.htm and click on R1200GS and you'll see a photo of it. Although not a particularly good photo.

 

[IanC]

My Laminar Lip came in the post earlier in the week (very quick delivery), and I'm currently experimenting with different heights etc., by taping the lip to the screen, before committing to one position.

So far, it seems to be best with lip overlapping the screen by about 1" with screen in most-vertical position, which is how I've always liked it anyway.

So far it seems to be extremely good - in fact I have ridden very comfortably at 80-100mph with visor up! No vaccum (pushing rider forward) either, which seems to be a problem with some screens if you manage to keep the wind out too well.

BTW I'm 6'2".