Passenger wind noise

[bigbear]

Hi all,
I have read through a lot of posts on the Cee Baileys #2 shield being a good choice for reducing or eliminating wind noise. I am 99% sure that is what is on my bike and it doesn't work at any speed. At speeds less that 60 MPH the noise is almost tolerable. Speeds over 60 MPH gets real bad for her. I have tried raising the shield to where I looking through it with little or no change for the wife. I have not measured this shield but when full down I am looking over the shield by 2-3 inches.

Dumb question: How much curvature is in the upper lip on a #2 shield? Just want to confirm I dont have a #1.

Any suggestions on what I should try?

Ya all know... If she ain't happy, I ain't happy!!!

May have to make a trip to Gina's BMW in Iowa to try out some different shields.

Thanks

Have a Safe and Happy 4th

Roy

[Sunderland]

I insist on being able to look over the shield when riding. I'm using the V-stream currently, have a long torso, and am able to keep the shield pretty high which helps the wife. Other things that can be a big help include:

1. Quiet helmet

2. Earplugs

3. Luggaage fastened to luggage rack (this may be surprising, but seems to change the wind/buffeting pattern for the better)

[hallzee]

+1 on Sunderland comments.

While I wear an Arai 3/4 helmet that is pretty quiet, my wife insists on wearing her 1/2 helmet (a safety issue for me, and it really pisses me off that she wears it - but I digress). She started wearing earplugs, and is 100% happy.

Even with my Arai, on long jaunts I wear earplugs. I have attached a pic of My Cee Bailey #2 (stock height), to show curvature; as you can see, quite subtle. I like to leave it all the way down (I am 6'3") when alone; with Pillion it goes up a bit.

http://www.bmwlt.com/gallery/files/1/1/7/3/6/CeeBailey.JPG

[Lonewuff]

Anyone have thoughts on the Parabellum Windshield?

[bigbear]

Hallzee,
thanks for the picture, looks just like mine very subtle curve. Guess will have to try some different approach, ear plugs, bigger cheese hat, etc...

Sunderland,
will a small bundle work on the luggage rack or is this kind of a trial an error thing? Might have to make a fancy spoiler :D

Thanks again

Roy

[bigbear]

Well, now for the rest of the story...

Took a ride over to Gina's BMW in Iowa City since they are the local Cee Baileys test site and found out that I am not sure what brand of shield I have on my bike. It looks similar in design to the Cee Baileys #2 but does not have the name etched in it. In fact there are no markings on this shield at all.

Took a test ride with Cee Baileys Eurocut #2 +2 and while the wind noise was reduced almost eliminated I could not see over the shield .

This leads me to a couple of questions:

1) Am I dreaming in wanting or expecting a shield to provide reasonably turbulence free environment while still being able to look over the shield.

2) Does any one know if the early Cee Baileys were engraved?

3) Is a Parrabellum or Aeroflow similar in design and not marked in any way?

thanks from the confused one

Roy

[AlaskaFish]

Roy, it may be "Fugly", but the Aeroflow does work to make a much larger envelope of calm air for your passenger (pax) as well as yourself. I have used it for over 4 years now with no real problems. Other than the width of the shield. It makes it a little warm in the hot weather even when it is lowered all the way.

I tried the V-Stream and my pax was not as happy with it. I currently have a Cee Bailey #2 standard height (24" measured from bottom of opening to top of shield) and it seems to work almost as well as the Aeroflow in keeping the turbulence off the pax if I raise it up where I am looking through it. Otherwise I keep it down all the time when I am solo on the Bike, which is the only time I am really looking over it completely.

I was thinking the Cee Bailey #2, -2 might be the best, but it sounds like it may not create the envelope desired now.

I may put the Aeroflow back on soon just for a retest prior to CCR. Really, the only major downfall for the Aeroflow is the huge bubble it has right in the center. This is a distraction which you just have to adjust to. It is not in your field of vision unless you are looking right down at the road directly in front of your front wheel, which is rare at the speed we ride!

HTH,

John

[tkramer]

Roy, it may be "Fugly", but the Aeroflow does work to make a much larger envelope of calm air for your passenger (pax) as well as yourself. I have used it for over 4 years now with no real problems. Other than the width of the shield. It makes it a little warm in the hot weather even when it is lowered all the way.

I tried the V-Stream and my pax was not as happy with it. I currently have a Cee Bailey #2 standard height (24" measured from bottom of opening to top of shield) and it seems to work almost as well as the Aeroflow in keeping the turbulence off the pax if I raise it up where I am looking through it. Otherwise I keep it down all the time when I am solo on the Bike, which is the only time I am really looking over it completely.

I was thinking the Cee Bailey #2, -2 might be the best, but it sounds like it may not create the envelope desired now.

I may put the Aeroflow back on soon just for a retest prior to CCR. Really, the only major downfall for the Aeroflow is the huge bubble it has right in the center. This is a distraction which you just have to adjust to. It is not in your field of vision unless you are looking right down at the road directly in front of your front wheel, which is rare at the speed we ride!

HTH,

John

Sounds like your passenger has the same experiences as mine. She hated the V-stream with its constant frequency drubbing. The CB #2 -2" didn't work as well as the standard height, but I couldn't see over the std size at lowest setting. I settled on a CeeBaileys #1 +2" w/wings. I can see over it when fully lowered for speeds <60 mph. I hacked off the wings after they scratched my fairing. The wings really worked for keeping the wind off the shoulders, I just couldn't stand the fact that I couldn't lower the screen all the way, without gouging the paint. I might try the Saeng winglets to take over that job.

I would really like to try the AeroFlow but it has to be the most expensive aftermarket shield for the LT at ~$400! Not many used ones out there either.

[sebjones906]

Quote........."Am I dreaming in wanting or expecting a shield to provide reasonably turbulence free environment while still being able to look over the shield."

Has it occurred to you that motorcycles don't have tops or side windows or heaters or air conditioners and if it rains you get wet. If you are moving there is a good chance that you might feel the wind. How about you have your wife follow you in a car, with the windows up. :rolleyes:

[bigbear]

Quote........."Am I dreaming in wanting or expecting a shield to provide reasonably turbulence free environment while still being able to look over the shield."

Has it occurred to you that motorcycles don't have tops or side windows or heaters or air conditioners and if it rains you get wet. If you are moving there is a good chance that you might feel the wind. How about you have your wife follow you in a car, with the windows up. :rolleyes:

I reallize that bikes don't have the above mentioned items but I guess I expected a $20k+ Luxury Tourer to be a little quieter than my old 82 GS650 Suzuki with an aftermarket Vetter fairing. Is that being unreaseanable?

If so...... we better stop bragging about how great these bikes are for the pillion riders.

[AlaskaFish]

I reallize that bikes don't have the above mentioned items but I guess I expected a $20k+ Luxury Tourer to be a little quieter than my old 82 GS650 Suzuki with an aftermarket Vetter fairing. Is that being unreaseanable?

If so...... we better stop bragging about how great these bikes are for the pillion riders.
Roy, it can be better, don't fret. Besides, we all know if she ain't happy, we ain't happy! There was an Aeroflow for sale in the classifieds earlier, and I don't know if it is still available but it may be worth a PM to the seller to find out. Here is the post:
http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=24610&highlight=aeroflow

If it is still available make him an offer, I'm sure he would go for anything reasonable like he says. And even if it isn't perfect, it will allow you to see if it is going to work for you without the huge investment of a new one!

HTH,

John