Slightly Disillusioned GS1200 rider......

  • Thread starter Thread starter GSJIM
  • Start date Start date
i got a NN super high wide screen - when i first got it i thought "f*** me its massive" and it is.....

but it has reduced any buffeting to an absolute minimum, if it rains i have to stick my head well over the screen for the airflow to clear the visor. :thumb
 
Get some air under that screen to smooth out the airflow.
Some Torbinators and de-clitting the screen will allow you to have an inch for airflow underneath... Makes a huge difference

I've ridden the regular 1200 and got terrible buffeting but doing the above to the 1200ADV was smooth as silk even with the Tour-X(The most beffety helmet known to man)
 
take the screen off and put a small nose cone type one on it makes the ride much better and no colder even on a short blast to brugges-amsterdam and back in febuary,snowed all the way,great...
 
I am same height as yourself, have an 07 1200GS and went through hell with both the riding position and airflow issues. I ended up with a Wunderlich Ergo/ Tobinators and winglets. I now find the airflow issues perfectly acceptable, clearly there is still wind effect but nothing like the buffeting I was getting before. I now consider the problem solved. Have just bought a Sargent seat, first impressions are 10/10 but it is early days yet. Sad reflection on BMW though when you are on a bike in the region of £10k and you have to retro fit a screen and seat just to get some degree of acceptable physical comfort. I would also agree with previous replies, look at your helmet and as a last (well second last) resort lower the footpegs.

I don't think that there is a hard and fast answer rather it's what works for you
 
Taken the plunge

.......after a year of trying to find a solution I have test ridden a GSA and ordered a GSA screen, bar and mortgage as a result. To arrive and fitted on Saturday. As a result I will have a selection of screens for sale at reasonable prices including an MRA tinted touring screen, a givi screen and something called a sedacam which came on the bike when i purchased it if anyone is interested in advance. If not good luck with the trials and ride safe :beerjug:
 
GSJIM said:
Hey Guys,
Many thanks for all the suggestions....:beerjug:.I cant wait till weekend for test ride on adventure - so Ive gone ahead and Ive just ordered a MRA Vario Maxi from HPS who have very kindly offered to let me return it if Im not happy. Only £125 too in a grey/smoke finish.

Will let you know how I get on.
Click to expand...

I've owned a R1200GSA for 3 years and before that I owned a R1150GSA for 3 years. I can safely say that R1200GSA is a huge improvement over its predecessor. I have tried a standard R1200GS before but suffered more from wind buffeting due to its smaller screen and slimmer tank. GSA is definitely better for all weather riding and suits big men better, two-up touring for comfort. I have ridden 100-200 miles non-stop many times and still felt fine; once 250 miles non-stop with my pillion passenger! 80-90mph cruising on motorways is always pleasant as if you drive a Land Rover Range with a vantage viewport ahead while you plough through all the adverse weather elements effortlessly! :augie

Good luck with your GSA test ride!
 
GSJIM said:
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!!!
Click to expand...

My old mate (69yrs old) rides a standard GS he rode with the standard screen for a few years and recently fitted a wunderlich screen which he reckons is the dogs dodas. What the cost is I did'nt ask. The standard screen is not the best the adventure is loads better. As anyone here will tell you if they have upgraded from the standaed bike to the adventure model. :thumb
 
Hi Guys,

Finally manged to get a few miles out on the GS today with MRA screen fitted- seems a lot better than standard but obviously will require a lot of trial and error in finding optimum rake and height.

To be honest although better I still dont think its going to be as good as what I want - The screen flaps around quite a lot and the looks really arent to my taste (If the result was 100% I could live with the looks!). Also It seems to get all noisy and buffety at speeds over 80 ( on a private road officer!). As I said originally it needs to cruise at 85 - 90 (like my 12 year old thundercat used to easily!!)
Maybe I just need to admit that the bike isnt for me and sell it :nenau- however I will spend a bit of time this week trying to tweak the settings to try and get a good result.

If anyone knows of any one in the cambs area after a 12k 04 GS in red with full BMW service history then let me know.
 
GSJIM
Sorry to hear the the MRA is a bit of a disappointment, I was looking forward to your report being a little more favourable, as I was in the market for an MRA as well, I now have second thoughts.

I don't think that on the whole the GS is a high speed tourer and is not really suited to motorway riding due to its aerodynamics, you'd probably be better of with an RT or something similar.

Most of my riding is on the back roads and lesser A roads, and for that NN's 'high and wide' is pretty good (apart from the crazing), maybe I'll stick with it.

Cheers.
 
......ok, so fitted the GSA screen and winglets at the weekend to my 2005 GS. My word what a difference, I'm 6ft 1 and why BMW dont offer the screen as standard if your of a particular height is beyond me....still massive improvement and loving my bike even more....:thumb2
 
Does sound as though you're in the Market for an RT!! I test rode one in driving rain and I might as well been in a car re. weather protection.

Boring as hell mind.
 
I too have gone down the way of the MRA vario screen. No complaints about the quality of the kit and fittings. All excellent.

Unfortunately it doesn't work for me. I have fitted winglets too.

Took everything off and it reminded me what I was looking for. The noise and buffeting was gone. Yes, there is considerable wind pressure but it is consistent and it is certainly chilly. The annoying thing is that it can be sorted. I tested an RT and I got the screen into a position where I could have lit up a cigarette - no buffeting air noise or anything. In fact it was almost too sterile.

Am rapidly coming to the conclusion no screen is better than anything.
:mad:
 
I've gone the same way : as soon as temperatures allow, it's a small screen for me. As a bonus the ride is more involving that way, more fun.
A high screen is only installed when I'm gonna ride long stretches of highway in 1 day. Upto (let's say) 250miles/day the small screen is all right.
 
Adventure screen issues

I have an o9 Adventure - the third I've owned over about 70k miles, almost all on motorways across Europe. I have the standard screen set up and, at 6ft 4ins, find it works well at pretty much mid setting. I have my head in the windblast mind you as that is preferable to the buffetting turbulence when the screen is higher. Good earplugs essential! Coming back from Budapest last autumn I did 900 miles over 22 hours, including the Eurtunnel in the middle.:eek: Had I not been comfortable I couldn't have done it. Overall did 2,600 miles that trip at an average according to GPS of 76mph. 36 hours in the saddle. Not ideal GS territory, but needs must.

I had an RT demonstrator out last 2 days and the only real difference I found ( other than how uncomfotable it was compared to my GS) was the screen is wider than on the GSA - so that's what I need - a wider screen - not higher - to keep the rain/buffetting off my arms. Any suggestions?:rob
 
Just fitted wunderlich torbinators and screen extension, big improvement! Have screen set with approx 2" gap between headlight and screen but i'm still playing with the adjustment of the extension.(this has a huge range of adjustment available). Buffeting gone except obviously when behind van etc on motorway,and noise hugely reduced and well acceptable at 85-90mph.With no traffic in front i can raise visor at 60 no prob. Still use good quality ear plugs and looking forward to touring France next week. would recommend this combo.:thumb2
 
GSJIM said:
Ive just made the jump from a sportsbike ............ I NEED this bike to cruise at 85-90 comfortably and for a 1200 bike thats not much to ask in my opinion!
Click to expand...

Your real problem isnt the bike - its the mental adjustment. You are wanting to ride the GS as you might ride a sports bike, and as a sport bike its not very good. Slow down a bit and you'll be fibne. If you dont want top slow down go back to a sports bike.
 
NN super high and wide

I'm 6ft and do 100miles daily commute. I got a NN super high and wide screen and find no problems on my standard 05 GS. I have also put turbinators on the screen, a sargent seat, Evo 4 helmet (and aria condor) and tournetech foot pegs, so adjusted my riding position to suit.:rob

Mind you I've only had large trial style bikes and did find riding a Yam diversion once as a coutesy bike that I was going a little faster than the law would allow as I didn't feel any wind resistance:eek:

Might just be the wrong bike for you:nenau
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.


Back
Top Bottom