Air Flow Control

[GOTJ]

I have a new (to me) 2008 R1200R that came with a Z-Tech 18.5" and BMW tall windscreen. I have not been happy with either one so have spent a great deal of time on this site reading the wind screen-related threads. One issue I have discovered has not been addressed in any of those threads or in any that I have found using various other search terms: the wind flow up the channels at the front of the gas tank.

I was riding the other day with the BMW screen and trying to discover where the wind was coming from causing the noise at the bottom of my helmt. I placed my hand at various places around the screen to no avail. Then I tried placing my left hand over the right channel and there was SILENCE. Since I couldn't find any threads on this matter, I'm hoping one of you members might point me in the right direction. In the meantime, I'm considering various options, most of which are compromised by the forks sliding up and down relative to the headlight. My current concept is to tie wrap a plastic sheet to the back of the forks and see what happens but I'm hoping this is a "mature" issue that has been fully resolved by a simple fix.

Off-topic - I'm a good speller but a bad typist and couldn't find a "spell check" tool. Some help there would be nice.

[The Meromorph]

No help with the windscreen, but Google IESPELL

[GOTJ]

Thanks for the lead but I use aol. IESPELL seems to be just for Internet Explorer.

BTW, this is NOT a windshield issue. The air flow I am wanting to deal with comes up from below through the two channels at the front of the gas tank. Those channels are the space that allow the forks to rotate.

Currently, I do not have a tank bag mounted. I plan to mount one and perhaps that will disrupt the air flow and quiet the helmet noise.

[xprof]

The tankbag might solve your problem, George (I always run a tankbag, and I don't feel any wind coming up there), but be a little careful using a magnetic tankbag at high speed. The wind up those slots exerts force on the magnet flaps, and mine peels off right there every time I exceed 120 mph. Jumps right up onto my chest. Now that's exciting!

[Meatloaf]

Thanks for the lead but I use aol. IESPELL seems to be just for Internet Explorer.

The AOL browser is based on IE. It should work. Check the last bullet item at the bottom of this page:

http://www.iespell.com/download.php

John

[GOTJ]

John,

Thanks for taking the time to follow up. ISPELL will be very helpful.

George

[Mollygrubber]

I believe GOTJ has stumbled upon a critical factor in 'our' wind issue. This does indeed cause major buffeting. Bears investigating ...

*edit* - also seems to be the cause of tankbags blowing loose at high speed. The wind is efficiently funneled right up the channels at the front of the tank into the riders neck.

Almost like they designed it that way! So I think the problem is not with the windscreens at all...

[mogu83]

I,m running a Parabellum Scout and wondered how my GPS and instruments were getting wet in the rain. I stuffed an old towel down in front of the tank and that solved the problem. I think a skirt similar to the ones that were on the old RS (77-9?) fairings would solve the problem - but that will be a winter project.

[Mollygrubber]

Amazing difference on the highway this morning. A hand in front of these channels definitely smoothed out the buffeting, and a drastic reduction in windblast on the neck.

I've been thinking about this a bit. A couple of plexi deflectors mounted to the top of the fork tubes might do a world of good, if they were the right shape and size.

(May affect handling at high speed...)

Alternatively, extending the sides of the headlight shell could be tried.

I'll give this some energy, maybe this is the magic bullet we've been looking for.