Cee Bailey Turbulence dilema

[Gravity]

So, it seems I'm trying to build my 1998 R1100R into an RT. I bought some cases and mounting brackets and a Cee Bailey windscreen. This is my first bike so I'm trying to accessorize it so that it is functional for me. I read this and a few other forums to try to learn from the experience of others but I'm still having some trouble with the windscreen.

I'm 6'4 and I have the seat adjusted to the highest position on the bike. I ordered the Cee Bailey with +5 in height and +2 in width. I got the coverage I wanted but at speed, the turbulance to my head is significant. 60mph and higher I get buffeted like I'm in a boxing match with Mike Tyson. Well, not hard blows but consistent enough that I really have blurred vision.

I have tried canting the screen out further by shimming the top supports and then tried it the other way by shimming the bottom supports and giving it a bit more rake but the buffeting remains. I talked to the production manager at Cee Bailey and he suggested that first of all, they will stand behind their product. No matter what I want done with the windscreen, they will do it. He suggested I tape some cardboard to the top of the screen to see if it needed to be taller. Then he suggested that they would either make a new screen for me or modify the one I had already purchased.

I'm very impressed with their response. After making the screen taller with the cardboard, I'm convinced that unless there's a significant addition to the top of the screen, the turbulance will persist. When I sit on the bike, the top of the screen is about at my chin. Is that where these screens should be? If I move to a K bike with a fairing, will the screen be in a similar position? Is there turbulance of note on these bikes as well?

I rode over 300 miles without the windscreen today and can't decide if the wind w/o the screen is worse than enduring the turbulance. It's mighty windy on that naked bike!!

Thanks in advance for your feedback,

Gravity

[kbasa]

Well, the windshield is your turbulence culprit. See if they're send you a shorter one. It might leave your head in clean air. If you go taller, you'll be looking through the shield, which is kind of miserable when it's dark, or wet or both.

I try to set my fairings up so the wind is hitting me right below my shoulders. I've always felt that the objective of a windshield or fairing is to get the wind pressure off my torso.

[Mulepick]

I just bought a 99 RT the other day and it has a Cee Bailey but a little one. I'm 6'2" and have the seat full down and I'm getting a face full of wind when it's full up. CB said today that:


"The #1 follows the same extension as the stock BMW, but the #2 and #3 have a bit of a forward rake to them, not much but certainly discernable. In general, the #2 outsells all other RT shields almost 6 to 1. The typical 6'0" rider will use a +4.5" #2 Euro, which displaces more air out towards the shoulders than inward toward the helmeted rider. Most riders do not have to toggle the shield up more than 2/3 of the way in order to get excellent coverage with this shield."

So it would seem that the 4 inch would be too short for both of us. They make a 6" extension for the #3 plus its wider. Probably go with that.

Nice to hear they're dedicated to customer service.

Bob

P.S. I do not endorse looking through the windscreen but I do like it to take the air over my head. These aren't mutually exclusive. Then again, I'm used to riding dressers.

[boxerkuh]

I have no experience with the Cee Bailey windshield, but windshields in general are simular and they have the same characteristics.... First lets ask this question: Where do you like your head to be in relationship with the windshield? Some people prefer having the shield stop at the chest, some the shoulders and others want to look through the screen. The next question will be how far you are from the lip of shield? Try to move closer or further away to see if that changes the wind. Knowing that should help you (or Cee Bailey) with modifying your current set up.

For comparison.... I always look over the shield, my brother always looks through it... In the winter I have one that protects me to the shoulder, in the summer only the chest... For long distances I prefer the shoulder... it all depends on my mood, the type of ride and the ability to change the windshield... and then it changes the bike enough for you to feel that you have more than one bike in the garage... My food for thought.....

[Gravity]

No doubt that leaning towards the shield 4-6 inches puts me in smooth air. The shield comes to about my chin when sitting in normal position. I'd like to be able to always look OVER the screen so I have about 5 more inches (if they'll make it that way) to go before it gets to high to see over.

Thanks for your response.

I have no experience with the Cee Bailey windshield, but windshields in general are simular and they have the same characteristics.... First lets ask this question: Where do you like your head to be in relationship with the windshield? Some people prefer having the shield stop at the chest, some the shoulders and others want to look through the screen. The next question will be how far you are from the lip of shield? Try to move closer or further away to see if that changes the wind. Knowing that should help you (or Cee Bailey) with modifying your current set up.

For comparison.... I always look over the shield, my brother always looks through it... In the winter I have one that protects me to the shoulder, in the summer only the chest... For long distances I prefer the shoulder... it all depends on my mood, the type of ride and the ability to change the windshield... and then it changes the bike enough for you to feel that you have more than one bike in the garage... My food for thought.....

[Gravity]

Great feedback. I'll be chatting with them today. I might have to experiment with the additional 4 0r 5 inches before I ask them to make it that way.

I just bought a 99 RT the other day and it has a Cee Bailey but a little one. I'm 6'2" and have the seat full down and I'm getting a face full of wind when it's full up. CB said today that:


"The #1 follows the same extension as the stock BMW, but the #2 and #3 have a bit of a forward rake to them, not much but certainly discernable. In general, the #2 outsells all other RT shields almost 6 to 1. The typical 6'0" rider will use a +4.5" #2 Euro, which displaces more air out towards the shoulders than inward toward the helmeted rider. Most riders do not have to toggle the shield up more than 2/3 of the way in order to get excellent coverage with this shield."

So it would seem that the 4 inch would be too short for both of us. They make a 6" extension for the #3 plus its wider. Probably go with that.

Nice to hear they're dedicated to customer service.

Bob

P.S. I do not endorse looking through the windscreen but I do like it to take the air over my head. These aren't mutually exclusive. Then again, I'm used to riding dressers.

[Ab544927]

Another thought is if this is your first bike (ignore this if you meant that it was just the first one you are accessorizing and not your first ever bike), what are your expectations from a windshield on a motorcycle?

Any windshield no matter how good they work, usually only work if the wind is head-on or glancing. They do not protect from side winds and some other directions. Just curious that is all.

[Gravity]

Excellent question. This is my first EVER motorcycle. I love it, I really do. I've always wanted one and this is my first but not my last by any means.

I guess my expectations for the windscreen is to protect me from wind force from my waist up. I liken the turbulence I'm experiencing to riding without a windscreen behind a pickup truck on the highway. Not close enough to enjoy a draft but close enough to feel the buffeting from the wind coming off the truck, but magnified. Sort of like a rapid thumping of the helmet.

Another thought is if this is your first bike (ignore this if you meant that it was just the first one you are accessorizing and not your first ever bike), what are your expectations from a windshield on a motorcycle?

Any windshield no matter how good they work, usually only work if the wind is head-on or glancing. They do not protect from side winds and some other directions. Just curious that is all.

[Mr. Frank]

I have always ridden with a windshield and/or fairing and have always preferred the top of the shield to be just below my line of sight. For me that usually allows the wind blast to graze the top of my helmet. I get bugs on the helmet, but not on my faceshield. I currently have a CB #2 Eurocut in the +3.5 version. At my 6'1" it works very well with no turbulence.

For test purposes you might drop the seat to the lowest position to see the effect of a taller shield. Another couple of options are the Laminar Lip and SAENG edging.

[Gravity]

My thinking exactly! I'll be dropping the seat tonight as well as adding some cardboard. That will make for one tall windscreen!! I have also been wondering if the width might be producing more turbulance that the height.

Test driving a 1200RT tomorrow!!

Thanks,

Gravity

I have always ridden with a windshield and/or fairing and have always preferred the top of the shield to be just below my line of sight. For me that usually allows the wind blast to graze the top of my helmet. I get bugs on the helmet, but not on my faceshield. I currently have a CB #2 Eurocut in the +3.5 version. At my 6'1" it works very well with no turbulence.

For test purposes you might drop the seat to the lowest position to see the effect of a taller shield. Another couple of options are the Laminar Lip and SAENG edging.

[hlothery]

My thinking exactly! I'll be dropping the seat tonight as well as adding some cardboard. That will make for one tall windscreen!! I have also been wondering if the width might be producing more turbulance that the height.

Test driving a 1200RT tomorrow!!

Thanks,

Gravity

Don't do it......unless you want to spend some money! The RT has a bizarre, magnetic, insidious way of seeping into your very existence.....it's....it's.....irresistable!!! That's my story anyway

[Gravity]

LMAO!!! I"m goin dude!!

Don't do it......unless you want to spend some money! The RT has a bizarre, magnetic, insidious way of seeping into your very existence.....it's....it's.....irresistable!!! That's my story anyway

[boxerkuh]

Another thought when you are messing around with the cardboard... You may want to add a lip to it that curls up. This lip catches the wind and send it flying up higher by about 2 or 3 inches (if not more)... above the shield; so your helmet be a little more quiet.... I have spoken with people that really like the GIVI shield... you may also want to check different threats on different windshields... Good luck!!

[bmwdean]

So, it seems I'm trying to build my 1998 R1100R into an RT.

You nailed it right there. At 6-4 (which is my height) I think you might be asking the impossible, or, at least, the really difficult.

You really want an RT, and may not be satisfied until you have one.

[Ab544927]

Another thought when you are messing around with the cardboard... You may want to add a lip to it that curls up. This lip catches the wind and send it flying up higher by about 2 or 3 inches (if not more)... above the shield; so your helmet be a little more quiet.... I have spoken with people that really like the GIVI shield... you may also want to check different threats on different windshields... Good luck!!

This brings up an idea that others have done with the simple installation of a Laminar Lip...it is my impression from others that have posted after installing one of these Lips that this solves much of this problem for a reasonable amount of money too. Any comments anyone on this? Paging SFDOC to the white courtesy phone...lol