R1200GS Tobinators

Tobers

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In keeping with the constant exhaustive development schedule we have here at Tobinator HQ, I have been working on the first prototype R1200GS Tobinator kit.

Due to the mounting points of the R1200GS screen being rather different, a new approach is required. The result is an initial prototype which raises the screen by varying amounts, and allows more tilt adjustment and gets more air behind the screen.

Like the R1200GS, they'll be lighter and faster (to adjust) than the R1150GS Tobinators. Unlike the R1200GS, they'll be cheaper than the R1150GS Tobinators :D

The prototype heads for a gruelling 2000 mile test around Scotland in a week's time at which point I'll report back on any airflow improvements. If all is well, I'll start final design and production towards the end of July.

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More info here: http://www.stopthebuffeting.com/R1200GSProgress.html

Cheers

Tobers
 
Thats good news Tobers. Haven't got me 12 yet but I look forward to the results of your test.

Did you need to do any cutting of the holes in the screen i.e. elongation?
 
Nope - nothing needs doing to the screen at all. Everything fits into the correct holes and you can remove it all and put it back to standard with no probs.
 
Tobinators

I must say it is a cool invention but i don't really understand it. I love your website though. I really like the idea tho, well cool!
 
Testers (guinea pigs) wanted please: see below...

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Now the holidays are over, I've finally got round to completing the 3rd prototype of the R1200GS Tobinator kit. It's now looking rather more like the finished article, with precise tolerances and all the machining done very accurately.

Each set is composed of 2 alloy risers and 2 stainless steel specially made threaded fixings, plus 4 bolts. Fitting is really really simple. The risers bolt at their lower ends to the little black fixings which the front of the screen is normally bolted to. The front of the screen is then bolted to the threaded fixing bits which allow upward and downward adjustment. It is this adjustment in combination with the adjustment already provided by the existing rear screen fixings which provides far more positioning flexibility than the standard setup.

At full extension, you can raise the front of the screen by 60mm and increase the tilt angle by about 30 degrees.

This means that if you usually have your screen tilted back, when the Tobinators are fitted you can retain the tilt whilst raising the whole screen upwards.

I'm after some testers now please. I've already got some names of folks who have emailed me already. If anyone else is interested, please mail me at tobers[at]stopthebuffeting[dot]com and I'll put you in the hat. At the weekend, I'll pick three worthy souls who will each receive a set of lovely new R1200GS Tobinators. I really value your feedback as independent testing is the best way for me to know if they work, if I should change the design, recommendations for improvements etc.

Conditions for testers are as follows:

1) you have an R1200GS (doh!!!)
2) you are able to undo some bolts and do up other bolts
3) you are willing to persevere with numerous different screen settings and report back to me and this forum what (if any) difference they made. This will involve riding your bike quite a lot :D
4) you can take some pictures and let me have them
5) you relieve me of all responsibilities and possibility of being sued and do this at your own risk.
6) you are happy for any words or pics you send me, or post up on the internet, to be used on my web site

It would be cool if you have a larger screen fitted as well (e.g. a Cee Baileys or Wunderlich) as I'd be interested how a larger screen/Tobinator combination works.

Thanks!

Andy
 
Tobers said:
Testers (guinea pigs) wanted please: see below...
.........
Conditions for testers are as follows:

1) you have an R1200GS (doh!!!)
.........


:( Shot down in flames at first point... :mad: :rolleyes:

;) I guess I'll just sit here twiddling my tumbs a bit longer...

Looks very good tho, Tobers! :beerjug:
 
Thanks to all those who volunteered. I've picked 4 at random who I've notified, and sent acknowledgements to all the others. I'll post up reports & pics etc as they come in from the testers.
 
Update on independent R1200GS Tobinator testing.

4 testers, 2 in the UK and 2 in the USA. 3 see an improvement in airflow and reduced buffeting, and appreciate the additional adjustment. 1 sees no improvement.

I'll post up their feedback (unless they beat me to it) shortly, along with some pics.

I've had some good suggestions as well including recessing the lower bolts, adding lightness and having some longer bolts for thicker (i.e. Cee Baileys) screens. I've also figured out the solution to the problem of the ridges on the rear plastic bits mounting not being aligned with the notches on the supporting frame - result!

So, it looks like I'll get another batch made up and put them on general sale to see what happens. More in a bit....

Andy
 
Hi Andy,

Are your testers of different heights? as there`s a few people on here, myself included, who are 6`6" & would like to know the results from the taller people!

Cheers

Lee
 
Yes, I have two 6' plus, one 5'5", one undeclared and I myself am 6'2".

So far, it's only the 5'5" chap who isn't happy. I dont think anyone is up at 6'6" though but I'd guess that you'd probably need a taller screen as well if you want to get a quiet ride. One of the testers is running a +5" CB screen.
 
Tobinator feedback

Below is a my testing feedback as written to put in context the summary on Tobers' website, where it appears slightly that I say one minute that they make my helmet noisier and then quieter. This was with deiiferent settings if you hadn't worked it out!!

Summary
For me at 6’ tall, 31’’ inside leg with a standard screen and seat set to high position.

Best Settings a)1 from max on rear ridged adjusters with tobinators on 3rd notch or b) 2 from max tobinators on 2nd notch - similar results

No buffeting in still air, nice smooth airflow, although not a ‘quiet’ ride, minimal fouling of screen (a),so no stress is placed on the instrument/screen sub-frame at full lock (not that I have much cause for full lock), on setting (b) there is no fouling.

Good performance behind other vehicles e.g. vans, estate cars, both bad causes of buffeting – not eliminated but reduced over standard, similarly in busy traffic and cross winds, significant improvement over standard.

I think the front end is actually a little more stable with these screen settings at v.high speed (well v.high for a big trailie anyway) when compared to standard and it does appear to cut through the air a little better, you get less of the push, push effect as you pass through turbulent air.

I for one am very happy with the results so far. I do think for a quiet ride as a six footer I need a taller screen but by how much?

Details of testing below

Day 1


Initial settings 3rd notch tobinator, 2nd notch up ridged adjusters – 40mls, 30 of them >75mph - HUGE difference in turbulence i.e.less however made my (already) noisy Arai Quantum even noisier, obviously because of the effective lowering of the screen, torso still protected, great summer setting though. Good reduction in buffeting behind white van man so initial results good. Bizarrely minor instability noted at 80mph, the bars being a little more skittish than usual, not bad though, similar to a ’04 GSXR750. Above 80 all fine, no luggage fitted. I could not replicate this on my return trip however so it could have been crosswind conditions.

Day 2

Raised the screen to 1 notch below max on ridged adjusters, this setting would normally rattle my head quite badly and lead to an inability to read number plates at 90mph, tobinators on 4th - only minor fouling of hand guards not affecting lock. (What shape are the aftermarket screens, the Wunderlich one looks narrower?). I found this to be too raked for me reducing torso protection and increasing noise.

Changed the tobinators back to 3rd notch. This gave really excellent results, no buffeting/turbulence and good torso protection. At these settings the air is still hitting 2/3rds the way up my helmet because of the additional rake but the noise is reduced over previous. Downside to this is I ended up travelling much faster!!! Where as before 80 was comfortable, now 100 feels the same. Damn, I’ll have to resort to will power again.

Anyway under controlled conditions (of course) I maxed out the 12 sitting upright to test stability and turbulence. Very happy to report neither were a problem, really big improvement. This can be borne out by the fact that I could read the speedo with those screen settings as the last time I tried it I gave up at 120 ‘cos my head felt like James Bonds vodka Martini!!! shaken not stirred - 100mph cruise was no problem in terms of buffeting.

I think this does however confirm that my 6’ frame may require a 1 or 2 inch taller screen at some point to give me max flexibility.

Day 3

Raised the rear ridged adjusters to max today with the tobinators on 4th – didn’t like it, mirrors more blurred than normal again!!!. Dropped the tobinators back to 3rd – an improvement but still didn’t like it, although swirling windy conditions on the mororway today making a big difference as even on previous settings things were a little worse than yesterday, however still an improvement, particularly amongst heavy traffic at 80+.

I think the max height on the standard screen is just wrong for me, it has to be a bigger screen if I want more protection and less noise (Not saying I do yet)

I dropped the ridged adjusters back to 1 from max and things reverted to the previous harmonious state and I proceeded to give the young upstart (12GS) a good thrashing!
Similar results have since been obtained with ridged adjusters 2 below max and tobinators on 2nd notch with slightly better rain removal properties.
:D
 
Test results

I'm also testing the Tobinators for the 12GS. My typing skills suck so I'll copy and paste an email then add a bit at the end.

Hi Andrew. Got the tobinators installed and was able to test them riding back and forth to work in the rain for two days. Installation was pretty simple but adjusting them is a little difficult. Not terrible just kind of tricky. I'm running the Cee Bailey's +2" width +5" higher screen and I think it is just not as precise fitting as the stock screen so I have to work with it a bit. I installed longer bolts going to the stainless parts to make it easier. I also have the touratech aluminum pivots. I would hesitate to install the tobs with a CB screen using the plastic stock pivots. Everything is tight enough I have a hunch they would fail. I can't get the full benefit of them because the handgaurds hit the screen. I am running them 3 notches down from the top of the tobinators and can use the side adjustment from top to 3 notches down on the sides. The round side hole on the CB screen does allow the pieces to rotate and lock into their mating notches regardless of position. Turbulence is greatly reduced and being able to angle the screen just so is priceless in the rain. I have it set so it blows the rain right off my face shield. Was never able to get the correct adjustment to do that with out them. Bottom line so far is they are great. I'm leaving in 5 days for a trip that will have me traveling over 4000 miles in 10 days so I'll drop you another line when I return. The pic below is of the tobs 3rd notch down and side 3 notches down. On my trip I'll play around and find out just how much adjustment I can use with the CB screen and see how turbulence if affected.
Thanks,
David Sprague

PS I like them well enough I think the CB +5 is too much really. I'll probably end up buying a stock screen next spring since I cut mine down.


I'm not so sure the screen is too tall after adjusting a bit today. If I put the rear/side adjusters in the top position and the tobinators in the 4th notch from the top I get the air over my helmet. Should be nice for the colder weather coming up and I no longer need the boostaroo to hear the roady. Three notches down on both adjustments give me nice clean air but hits my face shield just right to blow rain off. I don't ride a lot in the rain but when I do I want it blowing off. I dont want to try to hide behind the screen and hope it doesn't hit me.

I'm 5' 10" with a 30" inseam and just thought the stock screen was terribly noisy. I really like the Cee Bailey's screen and no comments about it were meant to degrade it in any way. It's much better than the stock screen IMO and even more so with the tobinators. Feel free to ask any particular questions that I may be able to answer.



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Oops - sorry Pilot - I'll correct my page accordingly :D
 
The first batch of "production" R1200GS Tobinators will be ready on Friday 17th September, incorporating the feedback from my 4 gallant testers.

Pictures etc. to follow. First showing will be at the Princetown meet.
 
Not yet - I've got to sort out some machining times and then I'll be setting the prices. Cheaper than the 1150 version though! Pricing will be confirmed later tonight or over the weekend. I'll put the details up on www.stopthebuffeting.com.

Andy
 


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