[Dom4526]

Thinking about crossing over to the K16 but have reservation due to the narrower fairing compared to my '01 Lt. Since I ride until the temp hits 46F, what can I expect with the K16 as far as wind chill on the hands/body?

 

[JimE]

Thinking about crossing over to the K16 but have reservation due to the narrower fairing compared to my '01 Lt. Since I ride until the temp hits 46F, what can I expect with the K16 as far as wind chill on the hands/body?

Definitely more.

I think for most the biggest issue is on your hands and arms. Some of the guys have added the wind deflectors that someone on the forum came up with. I'm sure they will chime in with the specifics.

 

[LT_Pilot]

Unlike my LT, i'm not as protected on my K1600.
Specifically, your hands, forearms and upper arms are in the slipstream.
I have Hippo Hands on my GSA,
but went with the Wunderlich Mitts with my K1600.
Big difference.
29 degrees ambient temperature, summer gloves, handgrip heat setting on #2.
Lower legs and feet aren't as protected, either.
Dress warm.
Regardless, the K1600 is an amazing bike to ride.

 

[ronk1200lt]

Obviously alot has to due with your height, but I have found that with my Cal Sci Windshield about the only area that I don't have as much protection is my hands. I rode for 4 hours two days ago in 36 degree weather and only put the grip warmers on for the last hour or so. I don't find that much difference in the weather protection and I have ridden both in lots of cold weather.

 

[meese]

Specifically, your hands, forearms and upper arms are in the slipstream.

I had the exact same issue moving to a K12GT from the LT. I solved it with an AeroFlow screen and their AeroGards. I'm still waiting to see what Paige comes up with for the GT/GTL.

Regardless, the K1600 is an amazing bike to ride.

Yeah, so I keep hearing . . .

 

[katnapinn]

Definitely more.

I think for most the biggest issue is on your hands and arms. Some of the guys have added the wind deflectors that someone on the forum came up with. I'm sure they will chime in with the specifics.

I'm one of the lucky ones to get Garry's hand guards as seen in the pic below. They work very good at making an "Air bubble" around your hands & arms. I've rode in 35 degree temps with no problem. The rest of the faring does a great job moving the wind around you.

 

[PittsDriver]

Thinking about crossing over to the K16 but have reservation due to the narrower fairing compared to my '01 Lt. Since I ride until the temp hits 46F, what can I expect with the K16 as far as wind chill on the hands/body?

I've been riding my all winter here in Maryland even on some sub-freezing days. On the coldest days, I'm wearing a Gerbing XE jacket/pants and G3 Gloves. I got off after a couple of hours of near freezing temps as snug and warm as you could desire. I'll point out that I had no heat on my feet, just riding boots with warm socks.

A bigger windscreen might make the air on me more still but it'll also mean pushing a bigger coefficient of drag down the road too. I'm reasonably happen with the stock windscreen and I'm even thinking of making a tiny little cafe racer boy smoke/black screen for it that just barely covers the gauges. I took the windscreen off of it and rode about 30 miles on some twisty roads and the experience was not at all unpleasant.