Windscreen FAQ

[nilsso1]

Originally Posted by roadgoat

Anyone used tobinators with a stock screen? 2005 GSA

I bought a set for my 06 gsa, as far as I can see they are a waste of money

[parkerltng]

[quote=AV 1611]Factory cruise and heated seat options would be the reason I may consider trading up to the 1250gs arriving on shore in maybe 3.5 years? Cool thought, huh?

YA!

AV,

How's the "V" trial coming along? I'm still sittin' tall and happy (5'-11") with mine. My wish list for new buttons (only 2) is thus.

Button #1 - ESA (like available on the '08).
Button #2 - seat 'cushion' adjustment!!!!!!

BTW, I heard it will be the new R1375 incarnation. (no source quoted and definitely bulls@#*).

M

(no sappy quotes here)

[CarSalesman]

My previous bike was a 2004 Vstrom. If you read the Vstrom boards, you'll find the stock windshield is universally hated, and problems with buffeting abound. Basically, the same problems as a GS.

I never understood the problem, because my Vstrom came with a Windstrom windshield (www.windstrom.com) when I bought it, and it worked fabulous. Lots of air, but zero turbulence. When I got my new R12GS this year, I understood what all the complaining is about. Basically couldn't ride it on the interstate, terrible turbulence. OK on 2-lane up to about 60mph, but that's it.

Windstrom recently came out with a version for the R12GS. It includes an adjustable mounting system, similar to the GS-A. I've been using the Windstrom on the GS for about 2 months now, and its great. Height adjustment covers quite a range, depending on the type of ride. Wherever you adjust it, there is zero turbulence.

The windstrom does look a little funky, with the sides curled forward, instead of reverse. Of course, the Vstrom and GS already look funky on their own, so no problem there. Whether the forward curl is significant in operation, I don't know, but I'm glad to have this product.

Some of the hardware isn't quite what I'd like, specifically the forward attaching point. It works ok, but I plan to upgrade the front hardware. Not a major problem - that's about the only complaint I have.

I'm 6'0", with 30 inch inseam, so about average torso height. I got the middle size Windstrom, but if I was ordering again today, I'd probably get the shorter screen. I can always cut the one I have. In terms of GS windshields, this one is a pretty good buy versus some others, especially when you consider the mounting system that is included.

The mount makes a nice place to hold the GPS. There is a threaded rod that goes through the horizontal bar, so you can't run screws all the way through. I drilled my holes all the way through, with a larger hole on the back side, so the bolt head goes through to the front side. The threaded rod goes behind the bolt head.

[Dan Alexander]

That's one strange looking windshield

Do they make one for an 1150?

[MotoSteve]

For those of you who have the Ztechnik 1200gs replacement shield:

Do you find the adjustable version better than the non-adjustable? Is it just easier to find the sweet spot or do you really use that adjustment during your rides?

Where does the clean wind hit your body and what is your height/inseam. I am tall at 6'6". Any tall riders try the Ztechnik screen?

I currently have the ultra expensive aeroflow size X-tall. I've been riding with the aeroflow for 2 months. It works great for the cold morning commute or the long tour, but I would like a smaller screen and some more air on warm days. Thinking about selling it and trying something new.

[Synisalo]

Just installed the Ztec screen the other day, and today was the first time I had a chance to ride with it. Did about 75 mi, mostly on the slab...

First impressions , its scads better then the stock unit. Much quieter ( who knew those boxers made THAT much noise? ) However, I did get some ... hmmm... call it buffeting/ vibration at the top of my helmet that I dind't have before. I can see it becoming very annoying during longer rides. when I put it at the lowest setting, that was eliminated, but the noise was more.

I am going to try tweaking it more, to see if I can find that sweet spot. I will also try my other helmet to see if the noise can be mitigated at the lowest setting.

Still, at about 200 Bux, it was a world of improvement to the stock.

I think winglets are going to be installed too. There is a TON of fast moving air coming up from that area, and it hits me right in the upper chest, and contributes to the noise I get in the bottom of my helmet.

We will see. The quest continues.

[Alexol]

...but I have to ask some questions first about the WindStrom.

You rate it as "great", but could you be more specific please? Great at certain speeds, certain conditions, or generally wonderfull all the time?

I'm a little confused by "Wherever you adjust it, there is zero turbulence". Does that mean you don't need to adjust it or maybe once set in the right place you can forget about further adjustments?

Other than the stock piece of junk, something of which BMW should feel truly ashamed, what other screens/shields have you tried on the GS? I'm looking for some kind of comparison...

And what about the winglets? Does the Windstrom need those to function properly, or...?

Having spent untold amounts of money on a wide variety of screens/windshileds/foils/blades etc ad nauseum, I'm (a) sceptical that I'll ever find the silver bullet that kills wind noise & turbulence, and (b) forever hopeful that the silver bullet does exist, and (c) well, sceptical again..

I've just bought a California Scientfic screen, but haven't even had time to take the thing out of its box. I have high hopes that it will work, but this Windstrom thing looks bizarre enough to be really interesting. Never heard of it before though, and find almost no reference to them, or reviews, through Google which always makes me a bit suspicious.

Help me out here, please CarSalesman - I'm ready to piss yet more money away in the search for perfection!

Alex

Originally Posted by CarSalesman

When I got my new R12GS this year, I understood what all the complaining is about. Basically couldn't ride it on the interstate, terrible turbulence. OK on 2-lane up to about 60mph, but that's it.

Windstrom recently came out with a version for the R12GS. It includes an adjustable mounting system, similar to the GS-A. I've been using the Windstrom on the GS for about 2 months now, and its great. Height adjustment covers quite a range, depending on the type of ride. Wherever you adjust it, there is zero turbulence.

[CarSalesman]

Originally Posted by Alexol

You rate it as "great", but could you be more specific please? Great at certain speeds, certain conditions, or generally wonderfull all the time?

I'm a little confused by "Wherever you adjust it, there is zero turbulence". Does that mean you don't need to adjust it or maybe once set in the right place you can forget about further adjustments?

Other than the stock piece of junk, something of which BMW should feel truly ashamed, what other screens/shields have you tried on the GS? I'm looking for some kind of comparison...

And what about the winglets? Does the Windstrom need those to function properly, or...?

On the GS specifically, I of course had the stock unit, and also tried a Cee Bailey for a day. The CB was little better than stock. On the Strom, I experienced one or two other shields, all of which were lousy, except for the Windstrom.

I am comfortable at speeds up to 80mph continuous, which is as fast as I typically ride (usually much less). A few quick blasts higher were ok. The bike is little disturbed by turbulence from big trucks. With the stock screen, riding on interstate was basically impossible.

IMHO, one key is to get lots of air under the front of the shield. The Windstrom mounting system raises the front up about 1.5 inches. My experience has shown that windshields which go quite low, or especiallly connect to bodywork, always create turbulence. I had a K1200LT for a few years, with an electric windshield. As soon as the shield came up enough for the bottom to be exposed, the turbulence was greatly reduced. Apparently there is a flow back up the rear of the windshield. Its funny washing bugs off the back side!

The other key, is for the shield to have a fairly shallow angle of attack. Many windshields are tall enough, but too vertical. The air is deflected, but creates lots of turbulence. Reading the many windshield reports here, the only ones that seem to be tolerable, are also very large. I bought the GS as a compliment to my ST1100, wanting something lighter and to get more air.

The reduced angle of attack thing has also played out on my ST1100, where I have tried 5 different windshields. The Laminar shield is by far the lowest angle (most swept back), and has no problems with turbulence. I'm not knowledgeable enough to tell you why, but with this shield, the bike seems to cut through the air, rather than trying to push it aside. Does that make sense?

My comment about using any angle with the Windstrom, means that while I might use different height settings (depending on speed and temperature), at any height setting, I don't get turbulence. I get air, but not turbulence.

I don't know if the winglets help. I bought and installed them before the Windstrom. I may try without someday.

[Dan Alexander]

Originally Posted by CarSalesman

IMHO, one key is to get lots of air under the front of the shield. The Windstrom mounting system raises the front up about 1.5 inches. My experience has shown that windshields which go quite low, or especiallly connect to bodywork, always create turbulence. I had a K1200LT for a few years, with an electric windshield. As soon as the shield came up enough for the bottom to be exposed, the turbulence was greatly reduced. Apparently there is a flow back up the rear of the windshield. Its funny washing bugs off the back side!.

Interesting thought. I'm wondering how an Aeroflow would work if the bottom was removed ... anyone ever try that??

Yesterday I was out with my Aeroflow with a Laminar Lip installed on it. It worked really well on the highway with no earplugs in but there was vibration of the screen. I'm thinking about a strap like TT supplies with their spoiler to tighten it up. When I went offroad the Lip was in the way so I stopped and removed it which was better. When I hit the highway I reinstalled the Lip.

[Alexol]

Excellent info - thank you, CarSalesman - much appreciated!

I can see one of these contraptions in my future, although based on today's effect on what I used to affectionately call my retirement fund, that future may be just a little further away than I intended...

Alex

[Steeler7543]

Thanks to "FreeTheBeast" a couple pages back I installed the CEE Bailey windcreen on my 07 R12GS. I am 5'10" with a 31" inseam. Per his recommendation I went 3" taller and 2" wider than the standard GS screen. The screen has made a huge difference in riding the bike. I still get plenty of fresh air, but the buffeting is pretty much gone. I love this bike and would have lived with the buffeting, but it was an major annoyance. I have it all the way up, and will experiment with different settings, but could not be more pleased. One of the best things about this screen is the installation. You basically use existing hardware with the exception of swapping their two longer screws for the OEM ones. Other than that, no drilling, adding brackets or any of that. So, you can always go right back to the stock windsceen at any time. Only took about 15-20 minutes to swap out.

[kindofblue]

I rode out to CA from NM earlier this month and on the way back had arranged to stop by Aeroflow in Anaheim and get an x-tall screen installed. They had some prototype attachment hardware they let me have until their final production brackets, etc. for the 08 come out (sometime in November).

So if you have an 08 and want an Aeroflow screen you could call them now and get on their waiting list but their current estimate is still November for them to get their first production run of brackets (and they're good looking too).

I rode back from Anaheim on the slab I-10 to Quartzite AZ then on secondary highways up to Prescott, Payson, Show Low, Springerville, etc... back to Abq. (a great ride BTW) so have some time in the saddle to evaluate the new screen. Here's my 2 cents:

First I'm 6'4" w/34" inseam. I have a GSA saddle on my GS in the highest position in the front and lowest in the back (for a more level seat). Sometimes I also use an Airhawk seat which can raise my backside another 1+" (I like sitting tall & upright). I also have Rox risers on my handlebars which allow me to sit more upright. I had been using the OEM screen but had also tried a Ztechnik adjustable screen (little better than OEM for me) and a Wunderlich fly screen (holy batman!) that is akin to riding w/no screen (but not quite).

The x-tall Aeroflow? I really like it. It almost totally eliminates wind noise and buffeting. It's as close as I've ever experienced to a "cone of silence" on a bike. I can ride with my face shield up as the wind's directed over the top of my helmet (w/o Airhawk) or right at my helmet vent holes in the front (w/Airhawk). I'm able to listen to music via my Starcom 1 while wearing Hearos 33db foam earplugs. Sweet. I give this screen A+.

There are 3 downsides to this screen though: 1. Cost. It's not cheap. 2. Air flow is restricted and when it's 90+ out the cockpit gets toasty warm (even w/my mesh jacket on). 3. It does seem to cut my mpg about 10%. With the OEM screen at altitude I get about 50-52 mpg (55-65mph) off the slab on secondary highways and 48 on the slab (75-80mph). With the Aeroflow I'm betting about 48mpg on secondary roads and 45 on the highway.

My plan on this point is to keep the Aeroflow for 3 seasons and take it off and put on the Wunderlich fly screen during the hot summer months.

Pics to come when I get a chance.

[othg]

A few posts or pages back ! there was a Calsci screen proto-type in use. I put the finished screen on my 2004 GS 1150 and the thing is perfect. I put on about 400 miles since installing the screen. And is very well made it hardly even moves at 100MPH. There is no buffeting at ALL at any speed. Without ear plugs at 50-60 you can hear engine noise. I'm wearing an Arai Q helmet but always ride with ear plugs. I was in some pretty strong cross winds and that did not affect the performance of this screen. At 70-80 MPH the wind noise is much better than before. There is also plenty of "free air" most of the air seems to pretty even from about my gut to the top of the head even at slow speeds 20-40 MPH it's real nice. I was riding in about 85 degrees and switched bikes with my friends Goldwing & I was roasting on the Goldwing from NO air (I couldn't find the AC button). The screen mounted in the mid postion & sits 13" above the inst. shroud which is great for me because I hate looking thru a windscreen my sight line is about 3-4" above the screen. I'm 5"10" with a 32" inseam. But what is strange about this screen is I would stand up a few inches or crouch down a few to test out how it would work for diff. size riders (I didn't do this over 70MPH) and there wasn't much change at all in wind blast or noise and no buffeting at all. There should be pics. of the screen installed on my bike on the Calsci.com web page. If any one has any ques. about this screen fire away IMHO the screen is well worth it.

[Dan Alexander]

Wow, sounds great! Guess it took real scientists to figure it out. I'm off to the their website now. Thanks for the writeup

[Dan Alexander]

It's a bit funny looking but sure is worth a try ...and send in a competitors shield and get a $60 rebate .. wow!

If I send in all my shields I could get one for free