Is 70mph the practical limit?

John I. Stephen · Post by **John I. Stephen** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 12:30 am

Actually I am not kidding. I HATE riding on motorways as I feel obliged to ride at 65-70mph just to 'keep up' with the traffic flow. However, the wind pressure is just so uncomfortable and I have a GIVI screen too! Of course my riding pals who have fully faired bikes smile as they feel nothing (which itself has disadvantages).

I shall soon have to brave the motorway again for about 100 miles and I am not looking forward to it; even in dry weather (!); so can any of you recommend a screen that actually WORKS and shields you from the worst of the 70mph blast?!

Thanks

Safe riding over Easter

ErikU · Post by **ErikU** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 12:47 am

Perhaps it is because I have never had a faired bike..

But it doesn't bother me at all. I have had it up much faster, and it's still not too big of deal to me.

Post by **socalrob** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 2:05 am

Bothered me for about first 6 months or so of ownership - here the average freeway speed is about 75/80 mph. My RR has a BMW "sport" shield (its the ferro one in the pixs).

A few years back at a Torrey Utah

ride DeansBMW & Nakagira & I made a maybe 350 mile high speed ride through the desolate roads of Utah, I would say the majority of it over 100mph. That was the first time I had my bike flat out for mile after mile, I recall hitting over 125mph indicated (it was about 7,000 ft elevation IIRC).

Here are the three bikes on an overlook:

We were in a hurry to catch a ferry, I think it ran every hour.

Dean tought me alot about high speed that day. Probably took 2 hours into the ride until I was really ready to pin the throttle for miles. Anyway, after that day I pretty much stopped noticing the wind as any kind of problem. I think it was psychological, if I didn't get blown off at 125mph (albiet in a tight tuck), then I wasn't going to get blown off at 80, and 80 all of a sudden seemed like a "safe" speed on the bike. Maybe a case of pushing the envelope of experience so that what was once extrodinary is now commonplace?

Anyway, I guess my answer is more miles. And to not "fight" the wind & not be tense in it.

chris · Post by **chris** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 2:13 am

John
I have the speedster screen and am comfy at 90 on the motorway. This is my first naked bike after a lot of 600 sports bikes so was used to the fairing but don't really miss it. Then again I no longer ride at 120 plus!

Post by **BMWPA** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 2:27 am

Beautiful pics guys

<signed> Envious in New England

John I. Stephen · Post by **John I. Stephen** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 5:40 am

This is interesting. A couple of months ago I did notice that my Sat Nav indicated that my max speed for the journey had been 103mph and it makes me wonder whether my recent experiences have been more down to the 15-25 mph winds that we have experienced in the SE England which suggests that the R rider is just highly susceptible to winds.

Post by **TicTac50** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 6:06 am

John I. Stephen wrote:Actually I am not kidding. I HATE riding on motorways as I feel obliged to ride at 65-70mph just to 'keep up' with the traffic flow. However, the wind pressure is just so uncomfortable and I have a GIVI screen too! Of course my riding pals who have fully faired bikes smile as they feel nothing (which itself has disadvantages).

I was in the same situation until I got an AeroFlow screen with the Tank Wings.
$524.00 sure did fix the problem. Now days, I don't use an earplugs anymore.

Post by **wncbmw** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 6:46 am

I use the Speedster or Sport shield (normally switching back and forth for winter versus summer) and don't find long runs on the highway bothersome as far as wind goes. The Speedster actually probably affects me less as far as wind noise is concerned. Maybe it just takes some time to get used to it.

klrstix · Post by **klrstix** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 7:54 am

I echo the TicTac50 experience. The Aeroflow solution has been a really effective one for me and I stand right at 6 ft tall.

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 8:48 am

Yes I agree..great pics guys...now..about that screen issue....who needs a screen anyway...just enjoy the wind in your face...

DJ

priapismic · Post by **priapismic** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 9:30 am

TicTac50 wrote:I was in the same situation until I got an AirFlow screen with the Tank Wings. $524.00 sure did fix the problem. Now days, I don't use an earplugs anymore.

klrstix wrote:I echo the TicTac50 experience. The Aeroflow solution has been a really effective one for me and I stand right at 6 ft tall.

TicTac and Klrstix, show us some picts of your Areoflow setup. I've seen the picts on the Aeroflow web site and in their ads, but it's hard to get a good feel for the overall "Look" of the windshield on the bike, unless it's viewed from a couple of different angles.[/quote]

Post by **ProductUser** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 10:55 am

I have the sport screen and cruise anywhere between 90-110 mph with no ill effects from the wind. When I added a tank bag, I noticed that the wind blast was a little less pronounced. The tank bag seems to act like tank wings to some effect. I also learned to lean into the wind blast too; that made the biggest difference.

Post by **socalrob** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 11:03 am

+1 on the tankbag. Cut turbulance a huge amount. I think it takes up alot of the low preasure space.

Post by **MartinW** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 12:28 pm

John,

you might want to read this link:

http://www.r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.p ... ight=vario

Max Continuous · Post by **Max Continuous** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 3:06 pm

DJ Downunder wrote:Yes I agree..great pics guys...now..about that screen issue....who needs a screen anyway...just enjoy the wind in your face...

DJ

DJ

I always appreciate your sense of humour!

dragonmojo · Post by **dragonmojo** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 3:52 pm

If you are vert challenged like me (just shy of 5'6")...

... who needs a screen?!

kantuckid · Post by **kantuckid** » Thu Apr 05, 2007 4:00 pm

Been riding a long time and I find that the wind is one thing and the number of semi trucks on interstates these days has reached the point that I try and avoid them as much as practical. The buffeting from the trucks doesn't seem to get much better with screen changes from small to large. Tucking in is about the only thing that keeps one from feeling like they don't belong on the road! I was told by a man in Texas that the aero wings really help in crosswinds and the velcro is still on my bike from him having sold them before I got it ,so I want to try that. I would like to hear some comments from your experiences with the wings as to how they help when used with the various screens.I have the 19.5 Euro Cee Bailey and the BMW sport screen to try. The sport is the sexiest from the pics in this thread but I am anxious to see if it serves a purpose beyond looks.

Post by **TicTac50** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 8:37 am

Here are pic of an AeroFlow Screen.

http://tictac50.smugmug.com/gallery/2673599#141541302

I hope this will help to make a decision.

SLEDGE · Post by **SLEDGE** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 9:12 am

Try changing the angle of the screen, more up right will move the air flow higher. Good luck

John I. Stephen · Post by **John I. Stephen** » Fri Apr 06, 2007 1:28 pm

Thanks all; I certainly have a clear idea about the best screens to buy.

However I was out today and there was but a breeze. The result was perfectly OK at 70mph (+) ; so I put it down to the stronger winds and my belief that the screen was to blame (shame upon me !

)

Thanks all

BMW R1200R R1150R/T F800 K1200R R1100R/T R1250R RnineT Message Board

Is 70mph the practical limit?

Is 70mph the practical limit?

Re: Is 70mph the practical limit?

Re: Is 70mph the practical limit?

Riding Height

AeroFlow