Barbacks and Windscreens

[StevieWonder]

I've purchased a set of barbacks from Pirate's Lair for my '98 1200RS. I'm also looking at a more touring-oriented windscreen. I'm concerned about clearance issues on the windscreen with the barbacks installed. I did note that Aeroflow offers barback cutouts on its products for the '02 and newer models but not on the '98 thru '01 models.

Anybody out there in the been-there-done-that club on this? :dunno

[K12RS]

I tour with a BMW comfort windshield, under $100, with a laminar lip permanently mounted on it and it gives me all the wind protection I need on my 99 K12RS. Option to consider. :clap

[StevieWonder]

Are you taking longer touring trips or just day trips? I'm looking at taking some 500 mile/day (and maybe more) trips and looking for maximum wind protection. I've seen the BMW touring windshield but they look simply taller and don't appear to have any additional width.

[Bobmws]

Have you mounted and used the barbacks? I had a set that came on my late '03, found that they gave the handling a disconnected feel. Try them for a bit before you start spending $$$ adapting windscreens. YMMV. Lots of good info at Vic's K12 site, www2.i-bmw.com

[StevieWonder]

Nope just ordered and not yet received. They are actually "up and backs" and reduce the downward angle of the grips. The advertising info indicated that adjustments to the windshield might be necessary.

[K12RS]

Steve last June rode from New York to Nova Scotia averaging between 600 and 700 miles a day at an average highway speed of about 85 mph. Comfort level was excellent.

PS If your thinking of clocking some serious miles I would highly recommend a corbin seat.

[dion1951]

I have a 2000RS that I've added the same barbacks as you ordered. When I bought my bike, it came with the comfort shield and an Aeroflow. I tend to change the setup on my bike fairly often depending on what mood I'm in and what season it is. Right now I use the Aeroflow, stock bar setup, and a Gt seat that I found on ebay. In the summer, I find that the stock windshield and the barbacks are good for long distances. The comfort shield seems to throw a little too much air right at my helmet where it makes too much noise even though I do ride with earplugs. The GT seat really is a big improvement. I might add that I'm 6'4", so take that into consideration. The Aeroflow does a good job of knocking the wind off and is wider than the comfort shield. To me it's fun and not much time or trouble to change bar, shields, and seats to have a bike with lots of different feels.

[dion1951]

By the way, you're off the mark on the center of the universe. It' a couple of hundred miles to your west. ;)

[StevieWonder]

OK ... you gotta be from Dirty SA !!! :brow

I did get a Sargent seat which I just installed. Don't really have enough long miles to make a judgement yet but it is a bit lower (I'm vertically challenged at 5'8") and seemed more comfortable on the short ride.

600 miles is probably the max I intend to do in a day. The temperature is an issue as some of the riding will be in the mountains in spring and it can still be pretty chilly, especially for a Texas boy. I want to try to provide some additional head/shoulder wind break and a little something for the hands would be nice.

The other add-on will be the Throttlemeisters or similar set up to give me some relief on the long West Texas, New Mexico and Arizona legs.

[dion1951]

Pretty close. New Braunfels area. I think you would like the Aeroflow. Ditto on throttlemeister. Really nice on long stretch of road. If you ride over this way sometime, you're welcome to pop the Aeroflow on and give it a try out in the hill country.

[StevieWonder]

Haven't done any riding around New Braunsfels or Fredericksburg, but hoping to do a ride soon up around Marble Falls.

I have a ranch on the east side of the Hill Country, about 35 miles NNW of Waco. Took a longer ride from Houston with some friends up through Temple, then Gatesville and towards Jonesboro, Cranfills Gap, Meridian, Lake Whitney, Clifton, etc. Some GREAT roads up there.

I think I'll take your advice and wait to get the barbacks installed and then do an Aeroflow. My throttle wrist does bother me a bit on long rides so I'm sure the Throttlemeisters will help but I think the change in the angle will help too.

THANKS for the input.