Slightly Disillusioned GS1200 rider......

[GSJIM]

HI Guys, I posted this last night in the newbie post section - one of guys recomend I post it here too for some more helpful advice! Many thanks in advance.....

Ive just made the jump from a sportsbike - Ive owned the following over the last 7 years - SV650S/YZF600R/GSXR1000 and Ive done a fair bit of `sports touring`on all of them. So having had the gixer for 2 years I thought I`ll try something a bit different and get the GS after everyone raves about em so bought a 54 plate R1200GS. So far after 600 miles I Love the riding position, physical size (Im 6`2 and 16stone) and (after recalibrating my brain) the handling and sure footedness, also the ABS to cope with the mud covered fenland roads.

Now the only thing spoiling my enjoyment so far - and its quite a biggy - is My neck is taking such a beating from windblast/buffeting Im seriously considering going back to a sports bike. I know this had been discussed to death on here but I ask for some opinions. At the moment Im being put off riding more than my 25mile commute! Ive never had any bike put me off riding before! I thought I had bought in to the whole `long way round` thing - didnt realise I would have to spend out lots of money trying to get the bike to cope with dual carriageways!!!!

If I convert it to an adventure screen c/w winglets will I notice 350 quids (price Balderstones quote on ebay) worth of difference? I dont mind spending the money (if rather begrudgingly!) if the probs go away! I NEED this bike to cruise at 85-90 comfortably and for a 1200 bike thats not much to ask in my opinion! However if the adventure screen is so good why do the adventure boys look to change?
I dont like the look of massive screens or the Vario type to be honest and I really dont want to take the screen off as Ive also had a XT600X and that was awfull over 75mph.
I really want to resolve this problem as I like other aspects of the machine but if I cant sort it then there will be a low mileage R1200GS for sale in cambridgeshire soon!!!

 

[Toad]

Winglets won't help with that IMHO.

I'd go for a screen extension - there's lots of discussion on here if you have a look.

 

[Toad]

Just below your original post is this -

http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=222607

 

[Bryn]

Jim, You'll find that the GS ( whatever variant) is about as aerodynamic as a brick, so you'll not get sportsbike smooth air flowing around your lid no matter what you do.....

I reckon your best bet is to either find someone with an Adventure willing to swap for a few miles, or spend a few hours looking at the options before you make a decision.

I had a standard 1200 on a standard screen and although I would describe the wind as 'buffeting' it didn't give me a sore neck.... I suppose it affects everyone differently.

I ride an FJR1300 at work daily and the air flow is a damn site smoother than my current 1150 GSA but I feel the GSA gives me the full package I need despite the odd niggle....

Good luck with it!

 

[Arsey]

An Adventure is no better.

I'm 6'1" and never got smooth air on my 06 12GSA.

With screen on highest setting I got nasty buffeting and preferred screen on low setting which directed wind to my shoulders/head but was more comfortable as it kept pressure off lower back which u get when less airflow hits you.

But best of all was changing to DesiertoIII screen.

Much smoother air as far more aerodynamic.

<img src="http://img.skitch.com/20100315-8m6mp4ww7we6t7wkb2xubjip97.jpg" alt="20080619-ef3q47ubeq2m3q8rubmhfbye2r"/>

 

[Balders1450]

HI Guys, I posted this last night in the newbie post section - one of guys recomend I post it here too for some more helpful advice! Many thanks in advance.....

Ive just made the jump from a sportsbike - Ive owned the following over the last 7 years - SV650S/YZF600R/GSXR1000 and Ive done a fair bit of `sports touring`on all of them. So having had the gixer for 2 years I thought I`ll try something a bit different and get the GS after everyone raves about em so bought a 54 plate R1200GS. So far after 600 miles I Love the riding position, physical size (Im 6`2 and 16stone) and (after recalibrating my brain) the handling and sure footedness, also the ABS to cope with the mud covered fenland roads.

Now the only thing spoiling my enjoyment so far - and its quite a biggy - is My neck is taking such a beating from windblast/buffeting Im seriously considering going back to a sports bike. I know this had been discussed to death on here but I ask for some opinions. At the moment Im being put off riding more than my 25mile commute! Ive never had any bike put me off riding before! I thought I had bought in to the whole `long way round` thing - didnt realise I would have to spend out lots of money trying to get the bike to cope with dual carriageways!!!!

If I convert it to an adventure screen c/w winglets will I notice 350 quids (price Balderstones quote on ebay) worth of difference? I dont mind spending the money (if rather begrudgingly!) if the probs go away! I NEED this bike to cruise at 85-90 comfortably and for a 1200 bike thats not much to ask in my opinion! However if the adventure screen is so good why do the adventure boys look to change?
I dont like the look of massive screens or the Vario type to be honest and I really dont want to take the screen off as Ive also had a XT600X and that was awfull over 75mph.
I really want to resolve this problem as I like other aspects of the machine but if I cant sort it then there will be a low mileage R1200GS for sale in cambridgeshire soon!!!

just check out Snerkler's post's, he's moaned about that too, and he fitted a leaf blower !!!

 

[Gruffalo]

i to found the original screen to be pants and have tried many differentn screens/ winglets combos and have found that the one that works for me is the wunderlich ergo screen and NN winglets,

as above, i dont think your ever going to get the non buffeting nervana you get on sports bikes due to being sat upright and in the wind blast, but my set up works for me, make 90-100mph cruising easy for about 2 hours and then my bum goes numbe and need a fill up anyway!

hope this helps,

jon

 

[MIKE R]

If youre thinking about an Adventure screen, why not test ride a GSA from your local dealers?

As for the buffeting, I have 3 bikes (12GSA, 1150GS and 1050 Tiger) and don't have a problem on any of them. I personally think a lot of the problems could be down to the type /make of helmet you're wearing. Try borrowing a few different lids off mates and see how you go. I personally use a Schuberth C2

Hope this helps

Mike

 

[GSband]

There are so many alternatives to the OEM screen.

The German magazine 'Motorradfahrer' did a comparative test on aftermarket screens. Their 'best' screen was (drumroll) the MRA Varioscreen Maxi (comes in clear and tinted version, see website). The windflow behind the top half seems to eliminate buffeting.



Alternatively you can mount a small screen, there's lots of them too. This will put your helmet in the wind, but that's a steady noise without buffeting. I'm quite happy with the Wunderlich Flowjet.



The standard screen is not good at eliminating buffeting.
But TBH, a lot depends on your helmet too.

BTW I have no interest in companies mentioned.

 

[fwgde]

The probably best option is to go for a much smaller windscreen.
I tried a lot and ended with a Wunderlich Flowjet. It still reduces wind pressure arround the chest, but leaves your head fully exposed. (I'm just 175cm tall) No buffeting anymore!

If you like to keep your big screen, try the MRA Varioscreen. It is discussed in the German forums to reduce the buffeting a lot.
But all this is always heavily depending on the riders size.

Regards
Frank

 

[fwgde]

@GSBand:
Funny how we had identical ideas at the very same time.
Regards
Frank

 

[snerkler]

just check out Snerkler's post's, he's moaned about that too, and he fitted a leaf blower !!!

Jeez some folk are just obsessed with leaf blowers

As mentioned above, please read my thread "best money I've ever spent", seriously I can't praise the screen extension highly enough

 

[GSband]

Great minds think alike (LOL).

 

[Sgt Bilco]

Touratech screen extender should do the trick.

You will never get it to be perfect but that should help the buffeting

 

[Big Lee]

I`ve got a MRA vario screen as above with tobinators so I can lay the screen down that little bit more than the standard adjustment. Works for me at 6`6"

 

[GSJIM]

Thanks for such as speedy response guys!

As I said - I really dont want to remove the screen and am not keen on the MEGA screens....

I will try and blag a ride on a GSA at weekend and see how I get on....

I wear a AGV K3 helmet or a SUOMY superbike lid - I bought a HJC peaked helmet and that was totally unbearable! Head was gonna get twisted off!!

 

[Big Lee]

The MRA screen isn`t that massive!!

 

[snerkler]

Thanks for such as speedy response guys!

As I said - I really dont want to remove the screen and am not keen on the MEGA screens....

I will try and blag a ride on a GSA at weekend and see how I get on....

I wear a AGV K3 helmet or a SUOMY superbike lid - I bought a HJC peaked helmet and that was totally unbearable! Head was gonna get twisted off!!

Before you get disillusioned again don't expect the GSA screen to solve your problems, I have the GSA and found wind noise a problem. I still think a screen spoiler would be the way to go, cheaper option than a GSA screen too

 

[Old Man]

Does the Laminar Lip get any votes?

 

[Snoopy]

I have a flowjet and can recommend it to solve buffeting but the wind will cause you neck to hurt over longer stints. It's not much different from having no screen.