Q & A from BMW message board...
Carl,
Read your bio on K12RS BB. Seems that you are an Aeroflow fan .( I agree that
BMW should have done more homework on laminar flow , etc.)
Q: How effective are Aeroflow products on K12RS, especially the touring shield?
Q: I believe that I have only seen touring , not sport version. What is the
difference?
Any help you can give me is much appreciated.
Thanks,
Bruce
Bruce,
I was involved with the prototype testing for several months -- a total of 30
different designs were thoroughly tested and then retested several times over by
different riders. The owner/designer/developer of Aeroflow, Paige Ortiz, has a
1998 K1200RS in Dakar yellow identical to my bike. He hated the totally
inadequate stock shield on the bike so much that he spent considerable effort in
developing these new windshields. He utilized
several K1200RS riders across the country of various heights, sizes, riding
styles, and attitudes to come up with the final design of these two new
windshields and AeroGards side deflectors. I did a lot of the high speed testing
as 1) I have no fear of speed, 2) I was willing to do the top end testing, 3) I
am an engineer with specialized background in hydro- and aeromechanics, and 4) I
am 6'4" with an overly long torso. I got involved with testing the Aeroflow
prototypes since I had a $17,000 toy that was beyond annoying to ride with the
stock windshield, and my wife couldn't stand being on the back since the airflow
with both the stock shield and the BMW "comfort" windshield curls around the
driver and blasts the passenger right in the face. I had to use ear plugs 100%
of the time I rode the bike with the either of the two BMW shields.
The two designs just released by Aeroflow are the Sport and Touring versions. I
have actually purchased both for myself since I am so happy with the end result.
My torso is unusually tall in ratio to my legs -- my
pants are only 30 inch inseam even with the 6'4" overall height, so I have a
particularly bad time with airflow on the K1200RS. With this, I use the Sport
windshield for solo riding and short runs, and I put on the Touring
shield for longer distances or whenever my wife will go for a ride. The
difference between the two shields are explained in the full page advertisement
in this month's BMW MOA magazine, but I'll summarize here: the Sport shield is
available in clear or smoke color (smoke version is shown the ad) and the
Touring version is 2 inches taller than the Sport version; other than that they
are identical and use identical mounts. I can swap out shields in about 2
minutes. If you like to travel at extremely fast speeds, I suggest the Sport
version. Aeroflow doesn't recommend sustained speeds over 85mph with the Touring
version, but I have run as fast as 130mph in gusty winds with absolutely no
problems with either versions -- not even a flutter.
The AeroGards are also a must for touring and a necessity with passengers. The
AeroGards deflect the air that normally curls around the side panels, continues
around the tank, hits you in the chest and then runs up your chest and blasts
you in the face. When I tested the AeroGards with my wife on the back, she said
it made a world of difference -- they deflect the side flow that normally goes
around the driver and hits the passenger in the ribs and chest. With either of
the Aeroflow shields in conjunction with the AeroGards installed, there is a
perfect dead air pocket for the driver such that while riding without a helmet
on I can hear myself whistle a tune at 120mph. That should pretty much say it
all!
I don't mean to sound like a salesman here, but I believe in these products. I
originally got involved simply to end my own suffering, but now the finished
designs are available to help out everyone else. If you are 4'10", never go over
65mph, and never have a passenger on the bike, then you might be able to live
with the stock BMW windshield; if not, you need to checkout what Aeroflow can do
for you. Look at your monthly payment for this bike and ask yourself if being
comfortable for the rest of the time you ride is worth a few hundred bucks. If
you have a passenger, they will most likely offer to pay for the Aeroflow units
themselves after the first ride. Let me know if you need any other information.
Carl Verdonck
E-mail messages we have received...
Hope you liked the new pictures of my K1200RS with your windshield. I really
like it, even more now that it's cold up here. I ride with it down most of the
time, but on the way home and under 85 I put it up. I also sent pictures of Bobs
bar Backs installed, they really help along with switching pegs to drop an inch.
Chris Heilman
I just received my Aeroflow standard height clear wind screen
for my K-1200RS . It was easy to install and the instruction were user friendly.
Your products performance was outstanding at 85 mph I was in a pocket of almost
still air, and at low speed the air was moved easily around the rider. Clearly
it's not just the added size but the shape that performs so well. I bought my
k-1200 because it has the best power train ever put in a motorcycle, now it has
comfort to match. I can actually hear the tires on the road even at high speed.
Thanks for your help -
Josh A.
I received the windscreen and have since installed and ridden
behind it. I'm writing to compliment you on the design, the quality of the
hardware and the precision of the installation fit. I am delighted with the
product's performance and just wanted to acknowledge that to you.
Thank you, from a satisfied customer.
Marcel C.
Recently I bought a shield from you and had you ship it to Ted
Porter's Beemershop to be fitted to my newly-purchased '98 K12RS. I've
been riding behind the shield for 3 days now. It is hands-down the best
windshield I've ridden behind in 40 years on motorcycles. It completely
transformed the K12RS, providing the weather protection this great bike
deserves. There is zero buffeting in either position and, amazingly, I can
ride at freeway speeds with the chin bar on my Nolan helmet in the raised
position (placing it well above the top of the windshield) and have no wind in
my face and quiet, smooth air over my helmet.
Thanks for a great product, well engineered, functional and good looking, with
aircraft quality hardware: the BMW of windscreens.
Barry Dwernychuk |
Not Just Windscreens... We Offer Solutions.
