K1200LT Wind Flow

[20774]

Has anyone run across any information on how the wind circulates around the LT, spefically how it might go around the driver but circulate back on the pillion? Did BMW ever do any wind tunnel tests using a wand that introduces smoke so the flow can be visualized? TIA...

Kurt in S.A.

[wndsrfr]

Kurt....not sure what you're looking for, but back in July we had quite a thread going about airflow around the RT's......mainly dealing with the heat and also the exhaust smell which indicates CO getting up under the helmet. Check it out--the thread is titled Hot,Hot,Hot.

[20774]

Thanks, I'll look into it. I was mainly asking for my Dad who rides a KLT. His wife complains about how the air seems to beat her up when they're out riding, coming in sideways almost taking her breath away. The subject came up when they were stopped at a light and a couple of a Harley came alongside. The bike had no fairing. During the quick conversation, the pillion on the Harley said that she was completely blocked by the driver. Probably because she sat so close to him. However, on the KLT, the pillion sits back from the driver. Plus the fairing redirects the air and it eventually fills back in, apparently about at the point where the rear seat is. I was just looking to see if this flow of air around the fairing had been documented via wind tunnel tests.

Kurt in S.A.

[cjack]

Thanks, I'll look into it. I was mainly asking for my Dad who rides a KLT. His wife complains about how the air seems to beat her up when they're out riding, coming in sideways almost taking her breath away. The subject came up when they were stopped at a light and a couple of a Harley came alongside. The bike had no fairing. During the quick conversation, the pillion on the Harley said that she was completely blocked by the driver. Probably because she sat so close to him. However, on the KLT, the pillion sits back from the driver. Plus the fairing redirects the air and it eventually fills back in, apparently about at the point where the rear seat is. I was just looking to see if this flow of air around the fairing had been documented via wind tunnel tests.

Kurt in S.A.

I know of a couple who have a Harley Road King or somesuch and an LT. They reported about what you are as to wind on the passenger. They still prefer the LT though for other reasons.

[wasmalley]

There was a recent thread about this on the bmwlt.net site. K1200LT can come with a short (Euro) or tall windscreen. Pillions riding on bikes with the short screen seemed to to be much more likely to get the buffeting, which can be substantial. The suggested fixes, in order of expense, were (1) Laminar Lip; (2) switching to a tall BMW screen; (3) switching to a Cee Bailey screen. A no-expense possibility: move the trunk as far forward a possible to bring the pillion as close to the operator as possible.

Bill

[Beemerdude]

We are using a tall AeroFlow windshield on our 2000 K12LT. While my wife (who stands 5'8") never complained much about back draft with the stock screen, she seems to like our tall AreoFlow better. Especially when we are in the rain.