What's best to reduce wind noise?

snerkler

snerkler

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When I took the GSA out for a test ride I noticed a huge difference in buffeting compared to my Tiger, but also noticed an increase in wind noise. I've always suffered with buffeting and wind noise, most likely due to my height. I thought I'd be able to resolve the wind noise on my GSA by altering the screen angle, but I just got too much buffeting. So I either have to put up with wind noise, or buffeting so at the moment I'm choosing wind noise (and yes I wear ear plugs.)

What I want to know is what's best to reduce wind noise. My thinking is a screen spoiler such as this http://www.touratech.com/shops/008/product_info.php?cPath=3_40_301&products_id=4633&osCsid=4316b81bd8c07657de46721460a9114e because if I duck slightly (1-2") the noise vastly reduces. Is the my best option or can anyone recomend anything else? If a spoiler is the best option can anyone recommend a cheaper (yet still good quality) version other than the touratech one?

Cheers
 
Screen extension

Hi, I have the same problem due to my height. I had a Touratech screen extension on my 1150 ADV which I transfered to the 1200ADV and it makes a world of difference. I'll be putting it on my new 1200ADV at the end of March:):)
 
I bought a couple of hard rubber spacers (approx. 5cm wide and 5mm thick) from B&Q for a couple of quid and I've inserted them between the "teethed" bits whish allow the different screen height settings on the GSA.

Once done you get an "extra" level up and the screen becomes that little bit more "vertical"... If it all makes sense!!!

(Sorry, night shifts, can't sleep, spend all day in some kind of daze... eating honey roasted nuts!)
 
I've got the GSA too. And whilst I was down at the BMW ORS I popped across the road and bought a Touratech spoiler thingy.

Yes you are quite right. You can have buffet or noise. You must be taller than me as I've managed to find a screen angle setting that gives just a slight bit of noise/buffet that just clips the top of my helmet. And this, only at motorway speeds.

The spoiler does improve things slightly. I use mine if I am going to do a long motorway journey. BUT... I'm on my second GS now and I firmly believe that there is no perfect cure for the 1200's. If the wind is in just in the right direction and the vehicles in front are just the right shape and at just the right distance then there is no way to avoid turbulent buffet.

One of those small bikini fairing type screens create little or no buffet and the wind noise is a smoother lower frequency one but you'd be sat out in the weather. It's catch 22.

The Touratech part is quite an expensive one to find out that it doesn't work for you. I NOTICE THAT YOU ARE IN CHESTERFIELD. I am in Macclesfield. If you like, we could meet half way somewhere in the Peaks for a brew and a spin out and your welcome to try my Touratech spoiler if you want to see if it would work for you.

Cheers, Ken
 
Wingit said:
I've got the GSA too. And whilst I was down at the BMW ORS I popped across the road and bought a Touratech spoiler thingy.

Yes you are quite right. You can have buffet or noise. You must be taller than me as I've managed to find a screen angle setting that gives just a slight bit of noise/buffet that just clips the top of my helmet. And this, only at motorway speeds.

The spoiler does improve things slightly. I use mine if I am going to do a long motorway journey. BUT... I'm on my second GS now and I firmly believe that there is no perfect cure for the 1200's. If the wind is in just in the right direction and the vehicles in front are just the right shape and at just the right distance then there is no way to avoid turbulent buffet.

One of those small bikini fairing type screens create little or no buffet and the wind noise is a smoother lower frequency one but you'd be sat out in the weather. It's catch 22.

The Touratech part is quite an expensive one to find out that it doesn't work for you. I NOTICE THAT YOU ARE IN CHESTERFIELD. I am in Macclesfield. If you like, we could meet half way somewhere in the Peaks for a brew and a spin out and your welcome to try my Touratech spoiler if you want to see if it would work for you.

Cheers, Ken
Click to expand...

That's extremely kind of you, I mat take you up on the offer when I know I have a weekend free :thumb2

If I do decide to go for the Touratech spoiler is it worth spending an extra £20 for a lockable one? Also I see that they recommend buying 'hard fixings' with it, are they really necessary or is it just a way of getting another £30 off you?
 
snerkler said:
Am I right in thinking that you have to screw that on, and so have to drill holes in the screen?
Click to expand...

No drilling required.
It comes supplied with ultra heavy duty Scotch pads (like Velcro).
once fitted they will not come unstuck. I had my Laminar on for two years solid.
 
Yonkyo said:
No drilling required.
It comes supplied with ultra heavy duty Scotch pads (like Velcro).
once fitted they will not come unstuck. I had my Laminar on for two years solid.
Click to expand...


I have had a Laminar Lip as well and it has done a good job on my GSA. I decided to drill mine and screw it on so you can do it both ways. However, I have just bought a tall version of the Ztechnik Vstream replacement screen (23") and thats even better for me. No buffeting at all and the air flow is over my head. It's wider than the standard screen so less on the shoulders as well. Not a cheap option at £230 but it works for me.
 
Ditto on the Laminar lip... I have one too.. its excellent..
 
snerkler said:
That's extremely kind of you, I mat take you up on the offer when I know I have a weekend free :thumb2

If I do decide to go for the Touratech spoiler is it worth spending an extra £20 for a lockable one? Also I see that they recommend buying 'hard fixings' with it, are they really necessary or is it just a way of getting another £30 off you?
Click to expand...

If you get one then I would recommend the lockable one. You can walk away from the bike with peace of mind knowing it will still be on the bike when you return.

You don't need the hard part fixings for the bottom of your screen for road riding. It would be sensible to have them fitted for off road work because the plastic BMW parts can shear in extreme circumstances. But if you are off road then you wouldn't have the spoiler fitted anyway. If you decide to buy a spoiler make sure you get the right one. There is one for the GS and one for the GSA and they are slightly different.

I would imagine the laminar lip spoiler would do a more efficient job. I just don't like the look of it. Just a personal preference. Even with the Touratec spoiler fitted I'm looking through too much screen for my liking but I like the fact that you can take it on and off.

But in your case if the buffet is there all the time then maybe you need a permanent solution? I'd look at all options before you decide which way to go. Ideally trying out the different bits of kit if it is possible to do that.

Good luck with it. I'd be interested to know which way you go and if it cures the problem for you.

Cheers, Ken.
 
Lo-IQ said:
go slower

:augie
Click to expand...

Go faster?

It's a motorcycle, snerkler, which you tried out before you bought it, having panicked whether you would be tall enough.

You have had it five minutes and now it makes a noise. Stick copies of the Daily Telegraph in your ears, it will cure everything.

PS The crud catcher won't help.

PPS If you don't believe me (which is quite likely) search Noise in the 1200GS section. Lots of good tips.

PPPPS Don't forget to get a locking oil filler cap AND a locking wind deflector, in case somebody steals them.
 
Wapping said:
You have had it five minutes and now it makes a noise. Stick copies of the Daily Telegraph in your ears, it will cure everything.
Click to expand...

... The only thing that won't cure is the continued publication of the Daily Telegraph :blast

Wapping said:
Go faster?

It's a motorcycle, snerkler, which you tried out before you bought it, having panicked whether you would be tall enough.
Click to expand...

... Exactamundo :thumb

... What's wrong with just having your noggin in the breeze, get a neck. If you're prematurely hard of hearing, well the wife will be happy that at least you're still hard of something and if not, you won't have to put with anymore :wife

... Simples


... :duno



... I said simples! :shout


EDIT - On a regular GS12 and a GSA I've just wound the stupid little pice of perspex right back and got on with it. If that doesn't suit then try a ... Goldwing!
 
I have an 07 GS, I'm 5'9" tall, I dont have a buffeting problem but the noise is terrible. I've tried torbinators, they didn't work, I have a laminar lip....it dosent work... I taken the screen off... not much difference. I bought a Schubert Helmet that alone didn't help much either.

the one thing I have found that works is good quality, well fitted earplugs, I use 3M when I can get them.

I have yet to try a high screen, maybe that is next.

good luck.
 
i am 6ft4, stock screen on my GS was bit poor, so i fitted Nippy Normans High & Wide:

http://www.nippynormans.com/HIGH-WIDE-SCREEN-CLEAR-R1200GS/productinfo/WDE-1200GS/

You can see in the photo how much extra it adds, it made a considerable difference. Much less wind noise around 'standard' cruising speed of 80, once you get to 90+ it starts to get quite noisey again.

Good ear plugs help, but i often wear Bose In-Ear headphones, which act as ear plugs and tunes, they all but eliminate wind noise sub 70mph, but again 90+ its all wind noise again.

Something which i did not expect to help is tank bag, got the standard BMW GS tank bag, its really reduced buffeting to my body and could swear blind its reduce wind noise :nenau
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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