Is an R1100RT too hot for summer use ?

[apk]

Hi all, I have just brought a 2000 R1100RT, which I have used for a 300 mile commute this week, and I find it incredibly hot, travelling home leaving Southampton at 5:00pm mostly at 70-80mph, found I could not put my visor down, it just seemed so hot, I have a flip front helmet, and even resorted to riding with front flipped up, which I don't like doing (i'm kind of attached to my face in the event of an off!) The bike has a Secdem larger screen fitted, I wonder if it may be better with a standard screen as there just seems to be no air behind the fairing?

 

I am in the UK and temperatures were probably between 20-25`c at that time.

[Beemeroil]

Try Cee Bailey's shortest screen.

[Tony_K]

Tony your a funny guy!

The 1100rt is one of the coolest running full fairing bikes I have ever ridden and I live in the US desert!

 

I do swap out to a smaller wind screen and wear appropriate summer riding gear but the bike itself is a cool ride.

 

Ambient temps run between 20 and 30 c most of the year! 30 to 41 in the summer and this is on the west coast!!!

[apk]

Tony_k,

 

Maybe its what i'm used to, I've been off bikes for a few years (now too used to cars witha air/con!) but last bike was an R100RS, which I can't remember being so hot, I must admit my riding gear could do with updating, it is a bit heavy. I may try and get a shorter screen, although that to me defeats the point of the fairing, as I use for work to visit clients, and need to wear a suit when I get off the bike, so decent weather protection is important.

 

Am I right in thinking that although different fairings, the screens are the same for an R1100 or R1150 RT ?

 

By the way Tony_k, looks like you've pinched my signon !!!

[Tony_K]

That's the difference you actually have WEATHER.

We just have varying degrees of heat. Our riding gear fades do to intense UV exposure and our eyes are always squinting due to sun glare.

 

So a bit of discomfort may be in order for the warmer days as the next may be raining for you.

 

Screens are almost the same 1100 has 6 holes 1150 has 4. Later 1150 are a bit wider I think. Try to stay with 1100 screens to avoid any issues.

 

Tony_K locked and loaded on BMWST!

[Boffin]

Hi Tony,

The RT is a good summer bike with the standard screen fully down - James Sherlock or Motobins for a good used one.

 

When Sheila and I toured Spain a couple of years ago we did remove the screen altogether and left it in the hotel room when the temperatures got up into the high 30's but you are not going to see that much in Blighty.

 

Andy

[Dan Gleebitz]

Sherlock are selling a slightly larger (2" if I remember) than standard screen on fleabay for £49 .... not so big as to cause complete shielding but big enough to be comfortable

[Steve_Witmer]

I have a taller screen that makes it less comfortable in warm weather. When summer comes, the stock screen goes back on, even though it's noisier.

[Jake]

So far, I'm the lone yes vote - but with a qualifier. The wind management on the RT is simply not suitable to my South Florida weather - particularly the summers. It's way too hot, and the reason why I always have my eye peeled for a summer bike.

 

However, with the amount of rain you experience in England, along with your typically temperate climate, you picked the right bike. The short Cee Baileys screen would definitely help - and it's easy to swap out.

[CLEAN1]

I live in south Florida and find that it is often too hot to enjoy riding - especially when the traffic is heavy and I have to spend a lot of time waiting at traffic lights.

 

I purchased a used stock BMW windshield and cut it down. I used the shape of the top of the windshield to make a paper template. I then used several layers of masking tape on the used windshield and transferred the the shape from the template to the masking tape so that the curved portion would start where the top of the fairing ends.

 

I then cut the used windshield with a jig saw. Afterwards, I smoothed the cut edge with a file and polished the edge with very fine sandpaper. The result looks as if it came from BMW that way.

 

I now have a cut down windshield which helps a lot in allowing more air to hit my upper body. It is noisier than with the stock windshield and will not provide as much protection from rain, but makes riding in the heat more bearable. I also wear a First Gear mesh jacket which is helpful in the hot weather.

[beemerFROG]

Too Hot? Well maybe I look too hot on it!

 

But seriously folks, I ride a black 2000 RT in Chicago. Now don't let the term windy city fool you, it gets bloody hot here. Already this summer we have had many days in the 90's with high humidity. I commute 60mi a day for work and ride in all weather. With my Firstgear mesh suit, gloves, full face helmet, and riding boots, and the stock screen I am fine. In fact, I just switched to the Z-technic screen which is larger and I am still good to go.

[philbytx]

I have a Black R1150RT and live in Texas where temps in the PM are 85/95 most of the time (and hotter!).

I ride with a FirstGear Leather meshtex jacket and mesh BMW pants. I also have a cooling vest that I keep in a ziplock bag in the top box and put on when it gets around 90+. I use the stock shield all year round and only put on the +2 when I head north

[Jerry_75_Guy]

As mentioned, changing the windscreen is a start, but what will help most is wearing good mesh riding gear; proper ventilation will turn the trick.

 

With that (and maybe an evaporative vest; it shouldn't get hot enough there to need one very often) you probably won't have to worry with a smaller windscreen.

[Bob Palin]

As mentioned, changing the windscreen is a start, but what will help most is wearing good mesh riding gear; proper ventilation will turn the trick.

 

With that (and maybe an evaporative vest; it shouldn't get hot enough there to need one very often) you probably won't have to worry with a smaller windscreen.

How is he going to wear an evaporative vest if he has to wear a business suit while riding?

 

Make sure the vents in the fairing are closed so that hot air cannot get to you that way.

[GordonB]

One thing that hasn't been brought up are the heater vents.

Being new to the RT, have you checked your vents to ascertain their position and that the 'heated' air is directed away from you.

Shine a flashlight into the lower vents, if the doors are closed you are directing the heated air up at you (thru the upper vents). open the doors........

[Woodie]

Try taking off the windscreen. I find that makes it quite a bit more comfortable, except if (when) it rains.

 

It's about 1 minute to remove, and 1:30 to re-attach. I have the large OEM screen.

[philbytx]

Easy one that...

You simply put your evaporative vest over your shirt .

[Bob Palin]

Easy one that...

You simply put your evaporative vest over your shirt .

And be a right drip in the office

[glockster]

...I then cut the used windshield with a jig saw. Afterwards, I smoothed the cut edge with a file and polished the edge with very fine sandpaper. The result looks as if it came from BMW that way.

 

 

CLEAN1, how much did you end up cutting off the stock screen?

[eddd]

I installed a stock R1150RT screen on my R1100RT, which is about 4 inches shorter than the stock 1100 screen. I really like the look and the protection is good as well (but I am only about 5' 9"). I ride with it raised just a little. It has been great in the riding I do, often in the high 90's.

[Ken H.]

I'd say you just need better cooling clothes. Get mesh pants, a cooling vest and scarf, a light colored mesh jacket to go over it. And a hydration system.

 

While I'm on a GS now, I road the R1150RT often in 35C - 38C weather. It was easily bearable. Of course different people have different tolerances of high heat too.

[CLEAN1]

Glockster:

I cut 4" off the top of the stock windshield.

[philbytx]

Or one "cool Dude"

[Jerry_75_Guy]

How is he going to wear an evaporative vest if he has to wear a business suit while riding?

 

Didn't say he had to wear it with the suit; just a suggestion for warm WX riding in general.

 

20c to 25c isn't what most of us would call hot here in the U.S. anyway; the mesh gear alone should do the trick.

[apk]

Thanks for all your replies, coming to the conclusion that it's just me, and also the wrong clothing, My current jacket is a good few years old, and is simply a "winter" jacket with a removeable liner, so looks like I need to spend some money!

 

I have also checked and my air vents are open, so I will try closing them.

[kcscout]

One thing that hasn't been brought up are the heater vents.

Being new to the RT, have you checked your vents to ascertain their position and that the 'heated' air is directed away from you.

Shine a flashlight into the lower vents, if the doors are closed you are directing the heated air up at you (thru the upper vents). open the doors........

Am I reading this correctly? I thought if the doors were closed, the heat would be deflected away. Doors open = hot air coming through the vents.

[bross]

Tony your a funny guy!

The 1100rt is one of the coolest running full fairing bikes I have ever ridden and I live in the US desert!

Ambient temps run between 20 and 30 c most of the year! 30 to 41 in the summer and this is on the west coast!!!

That's what I was thinking. My 06 is the coolest bike I have ridden, way cooler than any of my liquid cooled bikes. It's been hot here for the past few weeks, over 30 and I don't notice any heat coming from the bike. I've ridden Jodie's Ninja 650R a few times last week and that thing gets hot! Even for a small parallel twin, my legs start to roast after about 10 minutes.

 

Last year we rode through Wyoming and it hit 40 and when we stopped I was the only one not running from their bike trying to get away from the heat, all those liquid cooled cruisers and sport bikes were definitely adding to global warming.

[bross]

Thanks for all your replies, coming to the conclusion that it's just me, and also the wrong clothing, My current jacket is a good few years old, and is simply a "winter" jacket with a removeable liner, so looks like I need to spend some money!

 

I have also checked and my air vents are open, so I will try closing them.

Before that trip to Wyoming I mentioned, Jodie and I bought good vented jackets and they work very well. My only beef is : I could only find a bloody black one last year! Why would you make hot weather riding gear black???? At stops my arms still start to get hot just from the sun beating on them, but once under way it works well. Jodie just bought a new lighter tan coloured jacket that she said is better than her black one.

 

Not sure if these are still available but I want one...

BMW Comfortemp Jacket

[shinyharley]

Like you I've just bought an 1100RT & was surprised how hot I got behind the screen. At speed with the screen up I also have to open my visor.........and periodically lower the screen to get some fresh air!

 

Do they do air conditioning as an option on this model?

[SinNH]

Ride a K11LT for an hour at any temp above 75 degrees and then get back on your R1100RT and I'll bet you will think a bit different.

[Mr Pou]

I am in the UK and temperatures were probably between 20-25`c at that time.

 

A 25C day is a nice cool summer day around here, I'd still probably have the Cee Baileys up half way at highway speed to cut down on the noise.

 

I don't start to get bothered on the RT until the temps reach 33C+.

 

BTW, I ride a one piece roadcrafter all the time...

[Jerry_75_Guy]

My only beef is : I could only find a bloody black one last year! Why would you make hot weather riding gear black????

 

Answer: 'the triumph of style over substance'

 

Yep, I had the same beef; drove me nuts to see dark colored gear meant to help 'beat the heat'.

 

However, be careful what you wish for. I found a great Olympia mesh jacket/pants outfit for sale at my local (now defuncted) BMW dealer. It is silver; maybe not as cool as white, but easier to keep clean.

 

Now one of my riding buddies calls me 'Buzz Lightyear', and people invariably stare whenever I stop for gas, buy lunch etc. Even my wife thinks I look like 'Major Matt Mason' (anyone remember that Mattel brand '60's era toy ).

 

I, however, have the last laugh, since it really does keep me cooler than the folks following the herd.

[AndyS]

I understand your need to arrive smart. Your suit jacket and your tie need to go in the pannier I am afraid, and a cool jacket purchased. As for your lower body, there is a problem. I personally ride with just shoes and trousers (this is a personal choice based on comfort, cooling and smartness). But if you, like so many others (understandably) consider this risk unacceptable, then you must wear boots, leathers or over trousers - say cordura - with relevant protection added.

This means getting changed at arrival. However, this problem would be the same whether you rode a Gold wing, LT, RT, vespa, Harley or whatever 2 wheeled tool. I guess what I am saying is that it is your choice. As I have said on this forum before, many 'authority' bikes are ridden in cities and on mountain passes with the rider being equipped with short sleeve shirts and open faced helmets. The reason being not to look cool, but to ride cool. Therefore concentration and awareness levels are much higher consequently although active safety is reduced, passive safety is increased.

All the best

Andy

[apk]

Like you I've just bought an 1100RT & was surprised how hot I got behind the screen. At speed with the screen up I also have to open my visor.........and periodically lower the screen to get some fresh air!

 

 

 

Do they do air conditioning as an option on this model?

 

I think it's on the 2008 goldwing

 

It must be something to do with English heat being hotter than US heat, maybe its 20% less like their gallons

[shinyharley]

Obviously I have had the snorkel and periscope attachments fitted.......

[Clive Liddell]

The "direction flaps" for the air off the oil cooler will cause a lot of discomfort in hot weather if the activating "handles" are not in the outward position.

 

I have gone to the trouble of filing down high points to give the flaps a better seal in the hot weather position and have no problems in hot weather.

 

Mid winter now so low humidity but yesterday it was 30C in Durban (My oil had a rare excursion up from 5 to 7 bars in traffic).

[Theophilus]

One thing that hasn't been brought up are the heater vents.

Being new to the RT, have you checked your vents to ascertain their position and that the 'heated' air is directed away from you.

Shine a flashlight into the lower vents, if the doors are closed you are directing the heated air up at you (thru the upper vents). open the doors........

Gordon, what are these "heater vents" of which you speak? Sorry for the noob question, but can you elaborate a bit more on exactly where these are located and on how to actuate them? This might be a good thing to know down here in the land of 90+% humidity and 90+degree heat. Many thanks.

[kcscout]

what are these "heater vents" of which you speak?

 

See attached. This is a cockpit view of an 1100RT. Looking into the tupperware - right hand side.

 

The red circle highlights the vent control. There's a matching control on the left side.

 

I have mine closed (no air comes through the lower vent).

[SageRider]

what are these "heater vents" of which you speak?

 

See attached. This is a cockpit view of an 1100RT. Looking into the tupperware - right hand side.

 

The red circle highlights the vent control. There's a matching control on the left side.

 

I have mine closed (no air comes through the lower vent).

The vents do not close. They divert the air coming through the oil cooler either to the lower outside vents (duct heat away from rider) or up to the speaker grill vents (duct heat to the rider).

As there is little to no heat being exhausted from the oil cooler in cold temps (<50 degrees), the vents are ineffective for providing heat when really needed. When used to deflect heat away from the rider during hot weather, the system makes the R1100-RT the most comfortable (from a heat perspective) fully faired bike I have ever experienced!

[BMDoubleYou]

I have to agree with Tony. Living and riding my R1100RT in Arizona (!!!) - okay it is in the northern edge of the state, but still desert ... - year round, I do not think the R1100RT is uncomfortable in the heat.

The other day, I was riding and listening to the radio, when I heard that is is 104°F. Being from Europe I started to calculated into Celsius. When I ended up with 40°C in the shade and of course there was no shade around, I got a bit hot

I ride with the screen down and with helmet and full gear. However, I do wear light colored clothing and a white helmet. The sun really likes to fade the dark clothing but heat it up really badly before. So, get yourself the right clothing and try riding with the windshield all the way down.

You will see, it is not too bad.

 

Have fun riding,

Michael.

[shinyharley]

The photo was great - I now know where they are - is "up" on or off? (ie hot or not so hot)?

 

Thanks

[BFG]

Look inside the lower vent with a light. You can see the flap move down (to open the lower vent) and up (directs the air up to the dash vent).

 

I like my RT just fine in the heat. But I like it just fine in the cold, too.