Do you get buffetting on the 12RT?

[mx125]

I am looking at geting an 12RT this season. I have a 12GS and the stock screen, although surprisingly effective, did produce some significant buffetting. At times almost nauseating. I didn't mind the direct wind blast but hate buffetting. I went to a larger cee bailey which immedidly decreased wind blast, but surprisingly made the buffetting intolerable. Witin hours I installed the winglets and all noise completely dissappeared. This is not surprising to many but opened my eyes to the counterintuitive nature of wind management.

 

So my question is . . . I can see and read that the 12RT is without peer in wind "protection", but is buffetting an issue? Looking at the fairing, it appears that the design of the RT negates the inherent need for "winglets" type management and might punch a very clean hole, but wanted to ask. I'd rather not have to upgrade the stock screen . . and would have no problem at all with some airflow . . . but can't take any booming. I'm 5'11" and will have the seat on high for max knee comfort.

[upflying]

I can't reply into the specifics of the 12RT but I have noticed buffeting is significant when I am riding in "dirty air". Following high speed, large profile vehicles such as pickups and SUV's are particularly bothersome. Fortunately a motorcycle can quickly squirt around such land yachts. Once back in clean air, the ride is quiet and comfortable. Perhaps your question about buffeting should include the circumstances in which you experience it. Crosswinds, high winds, mountainous areas and bow waves from passing truck/tractor trailers also cause buffeting.

By far the most comfortable ride is when I have a tailwind.

[mx125]

I expect some buffeting in the dirty air .. . as you said. I was (and most GS riders, I think) get booming in clean air at various/most speeds. Even with plugs that booming could be very distracting and was largely unrelated to screen position. It got worse at high position and better on low for me. Again, it was the wind from below the bars that made it dirty.

 

 

[EddyQ]

I'm extremely pleased with my RT's wind performance. Particularly relating to buffeting. I ride with stock windshield and often adjust it all the way down. The blast of air is nice and the lack of buffeting make it possible. On the highway, I often raise the shield a bit to reduce the blast of air. With it up, there is very little wind which makes "bad air" more noticable. This type wind pulls your head as well as the bike around a bit.

 

Now, I yet to have a passenger. I've heard it isn't as nice for back seat riders.

 

Ed -

[cali_beemer]

I had a GS so I know exactly what you are talking about. Very protective given its minimal look but still alot of buffeting. I now have a 1200RT and I get none. I have never ridden a bike that is this smooth on the airflow and offers astounding upper body protection. The windshield of the 12RT didnt look like it would do much, but I was suprised after riding it at how effective it really is.

[Redbrick]

I notice it can get a little twitchy particularly with the top case on and in dirty air without it on too....The 12RT seems to be more suceptible to being moved around by air than Kathy's 1150RT but it's not a big deal....I don't take the top case unless I really have to for that reason....Probably doesn't really help but I put the suspension on "Sport" when I feel it moving around and it seems better anyway..........

I am not tall so I'm down in the bike pretty well and don't have a problem with wind hitting me or excessive wind sound but I always wear ear plugs...

I'm happy with the wind protection and slight windshield height adjustments can make it very comfortable for me...

 

Stock windshield...

 

[Highway41]

I did get some buffeting on the upper arms/shoulders as I keep the screen pretty low. Like to look over and not thru. What bothered me most was the back buffeting from the stock screen. Cured that with an Aeroflow which also eliminated the buffeting around my shoulders.

Bill

[mx125]

I had a GS so I know exactly what you are talking about. Very protective given its minimal look but still alot of buffeting. I now have a 1200RT and I get none. I have never ridden a bike that is this smooth on the airflow and offers astounding upper body protection. The windshield of the 12RT didnt look like it would do much, but I was suprised after riding it at how effective it really is.

 

That's a great endorsement calibeemer. Especially as ou've experienced the GS. That's exactly what I was hoping for! . . . .

 

However . . .

did get some buffeting on the upper arms/shoulders as I keep the screen pretty low. Like to look over and not thru. What bothered me most was the back buffeting from the stock screen. Cured that with an Aeroflow which also eliminated the buffeting around my shoulders.

Bill

 

That worries me a bit. That back pressure might be a problem. Perhaps it might be a difference in interpretation of 'buffetting'. The dirty air and knocking around is ok . .and expected . . .we like to be in the air as bikers. However, the sound you get in the car when one of the kids opens the back window and you think your eardrums are going to pop! . .that's the buffetting I'm referring to . . .

 

 

 

[Bullett]

For me, I'm 5'2" and ride the low seat, the stock shield protected me completely. However, I can only barely see over the stock shield at the lowest setting . . . there is some distortion through the screen. I purchsed a CeeBailey Sumdome that works well for me (I can see over it!) and allows more airflow. There was a roaring noise with the stock shield that is gone now.

 

Why don't 'cha just go take one for a test ride and see what you think?

[mx125]

For me, I'm 5'2" and ride the low seat, the stock shield protected me completely. However, I can only barely see over the stock shield at the lowest setting . . . there is some distortion through the screen. I purchsed a CeeBailey Sumdome that works well for me (I can see over it!) and allows more airflow. There was a roaring noise with the stock shield that is gone now.

 

Why don't 'cha just go take one for a test ride and see what you think?

 

Thanks for the response. Yes . .the test ride is the best method. But I live in Canada . . an even when the weather warms up, we don't get test proper test rides. Just organized 15 riders escorted loops on one or two days per season. Unless my dealer happens to have a demo and is willing to let me try it (slim). I'm trying to make a decision in the off season so I'm set for spring . . however that may not work out.

[bobbobtar]

I mounted these on my 1200RT seems to better control the wind, http://www.bakerbuilt.com/ I get more air on my chest and arms when it's really hot.

[Exploreinman]

I'm 5'10" with a 32" inseam. The stock screen did not produce any helmet buffeting, but it wasn't as quiet as I would like. So, I installed an Aeroflow shield with the wind management kit and it provides a very quiet pocket to ride in with no buffeting. Here's my rating on a scale of 1-10:

 

Stock shield 7

Aeroflow 9.5

 

 

[mx125]

Thanks again for the input. And Merry Christmas! We must be obsessed.

[swilson]

All depends on your height, but with the seat in the high position I'm guessing yes.

 

I bought mine used with a low seat and stock windshield. All was great until I switched to a normal height seat... that pushed me up into the dirty air and I had buffeting.

 

Solution for me was a Cee Baileys wind shield. Stock height, +4" on the width. The guys at work liked it enough that we had all of our new RT-P's outfitted with the same windshield.

 

 

[cali_beemer]

That worries me a bit. That back pressure might be a problem. Perhaps it might be a difference in interpretation of 'buffetting'. The dirty air and knocking around is ok . .and expected . . .we like to be in the air as bikers. However, the sound you get in the car when one of the kids opens the back window and you think your eardrums are going to pop! . .that's the buffetting I'm referring to . . .

 

 

 

That nast sound, helmet vibration is exactly what I was in reference to as buffeting. Like I said, I am quite familiar with tbe buffetting of a GS. It was one of the reasons I decided to go back to a sport touring bike. YOu can remedy it on a GS by adding the side adventure wings from a 1200GS adventure or by installing a Aeroflow windscreen, so I have heard but never have tried it myself. I dont have any buffetting on my 1200RT. I have not ridden the bike in any really nasty, nasty wind yet but so far I am very impressed witht he lack of buffetting on the 1200RT. For me I have also owned an 1100RT and I find the 1200 to be alot better (both with stock windscreen). I havent had an 1150 but I would suspect it to be similar to my 1100. The adjustable windscereen on the 1200 seems to be alot more effective with the 1200 airflow than my 1100. I could never find a relly ideal setting on my 1100RT. If the air gets to be too much I just bump the shield up until I find the quiet zone on the 1200 and I am always looking over the screen. I am about 6'0" and broad shouldered. I would expect you to get quite a few different responses as everone is a differnt shpae and size, not to mention bike setup differences. To me, different windshields are a pure personal preference. I may play around wiht a different shield on my 1200 since i just realized that I do get a bit of air on the corner tips of my shoulders. Very minimal but still no buffeting. The Rt does develop a slight amount of back pressure as you raise the windshield (If you want a crazy amount of backpressure ride a ST1300). Howeever I dont notice any pressure to my back, its more of a wind flow feel down at my legs. Overall i am very satifsfied with the wirflow on the 1200RT. MY bigger dissapointment is on the lower leg area. My 1100RTwas alot better on the lower leg airflow.

[mx125]

That worries me a bit. That back pressure might be a problem. Perhaps it might be a difference in interpretation of 'buffetting'. The dirty air and knocking around is ok . .and expected . . .we like to be in the air as bikers. However, the sound you get in the car when one of the kids opens the back window and you think your eardrums are going to pop! . .that's the buffetting I'm referring to . . .

 

 

 

That nast sound, helmet vibration is exactly what I was in reference to as buffeting. Like I said, I am quite familiar with tbe buffetting of a GS. It was one of the reasons I decided to go back to a sport touring bike. YOu can remedy it on a GS by adding the side adventure wings from a 1200GS adventure or by installing a Aeroflow windscreen, so I have heard but never have tried it myself. I dont have any buffetting on my 1200RT. I have not ridden the bike in any really nasty, nasty wind yet but so far I am very impressed witht he lack of buffetting on the 1200RT. For me I have also owned an 1100RT and I find the 1200 to be alot better (both with stock windscreen). I havent had an 1150 but I would suspect it to be similar to my 1100. The adjustable windscereen on the 1200 seems to be alot more effective with the 1200 airflow than my 1100. I could never find a relly ideal setting on my 1100RT. If the air gets to be too much I just bump the shield up until I find the quiet zone on the 1200 and I am always looking over the screen. I am about 6'0" and broad shouldered. I would expect you to get quite a few different responses as everone is a differnt shpae and size, not to mention bike setup differences. To me, different windshields are a pure personal preference. I may play around wiht a different shield on my 1200 since i just realized that I do get a bit of air on the corner tips of my shoulders. Very minimal but still no buffeting. The Rt does develop a slight amount of back pressure as you raise the windshield (If you want a crazy amount of backpressure ride a ST1300). Howeever I dont notice any pressure to my back, its more of a wind flow feel down at my legs. Overall i am very satifsfied with the wirflow on the 1200RT. MY bigger dissapointment is on the lower leg area. My 1100RTwas alot better on the lower leg airflow.

 

Calibeemer . . .that's great. I knew you understood my explaination as you have first hand experience with the GS. I thought I would add more detail as some have a different interpretion. I think it's a testament to the lack of buffetting that very few could identify. On the GS forum, wind management is a huge discussion point. The GS is an amazing machine . .but that aspect goes with the territory. And I did solve it with winglets, but stock screen is lacking. Your summary is, therefore, extremely valuable. Also, i agree . . the type of back presure as you describe it not a concern for me. Thanks again. A big endorsement of the RT.

[Penforhire]

I've got a tall torso so I do get a little buffeting in my preferred upper-seat position. Much less than my other bikes. It decreases greatly if I go to the low-seat position where my eyes are only an inch or so above the widscreen (in full-up position).

 

I might try a larger or different windscreen but I'm not driven to do it. The buffeting is very mild, especially since I wear earplugs most of the time.

[taters]

don't know if this would help or anything about them. but you might want to check this site out.

http://www.laminarlip.com/r1100rt.php

[Fightingpiper]

I am 6'3 but most of my height is in my upper body (only 32" inseam). I do get buffeting with the stock shield even raised all the way. I went with the XL California Scientific and it has eliminated the buffeting and back pressure. Because of my upper body height I still get wind on my helmet but it isn't dirty or buffeting air. Provides a very nice quiet pocket for me and also the wife when we are 2-up.

[markgoodrich]

Solo, I never experience buffeting, in any wind, at any speed. Two up, with the top case, and a quartering headwing, and my head and neck will get whipped around. Usually adjusting the shield a little resolves the problem.

 

The "problem" is nothing like I used to experience on my GL1800, with three different windshields...just the quarting wind situation. For me, the RT has been the most comfortable bike I've owned, regarding this buffeting issue.

[mx125]

Solo, I never experience buffeting, in any wind, at any speed. Two up, with the top case, and a quartering headwing, and my head and neck will get whipped around. Usually adjusting the shield a little resolves the problem.

 

The "problem" is nothing like I used to experience on my GL1800, with three different windshields...just the quarting wind situation. For me, the RT has been the most comfortable bike I've owned, regarding this buffeting issue.

 

Wow . . .that's definitely another big endorsement! Thanks.

[motoguy128]

Buffeting was the reason I grew tiired of my R1150R on longer rides over 50mph... especially 2-up and one major reason I decided against getting a R1200GS.

 

The stock screen on the R1200RT is pretty good, but does have some buffeting. The Cal Sci windscreen I had is compeltely devoid of buffeting as it reduces the negative pressure behind the screen.

 

The only buffeting I expereince now is during strong crosswinds. This is unavoidable on all windscreens... and common in the midwest, so the only solution then is to slow down a little to minimize the effect. 2-up it's a little worse for my wife. I can often raise the screen a little and elminate most of it... but a steady 20-25mph crosswind is hard to eliminate completely.

 

Best of luck on your decision. I'd recommend a long freeway test ride on a windy day if possible and compare your GS back-to-back with the RT.

 

 

From personal experience I can confirm specifically that wind protection and buffeting is much better than it was on my F4i, ZX9R, KLX250S, and R1150R. The sportbikes really build neck muscles on long rides.

 

[markgoodrich]

Solo, I never experience buffeting, in any wind, at any speed. Two up, with the top case, and a quartering headwing, and my head and neck will get whipped around. Usually adjusting the shield a little resolves the problem.

 

The "problem" is nothing like I used to experience on my GL1800, with three different windshields...just the quarting wind situation. For me, the RT has been the most comfortable bike I've owned, regarding this buffeting issue.

 

Wow . . .that's definitely another big endorsement! Thanks.

 

I should clarify a little: on both bikes only a quartering, or oblique, headwind would push me around some. I sold the Honda for two reasons, despite the fact that it's a super-reliable, super-comfortable, fun motorcycle capable of all day riding: It was too heavy when fully loaded for a trip, two up, for my old knees, in traffic, and the wind protection flat boiled me in the summer. The RT is much lighter, there's enough air flow to keep summer riding bearable (most of the time), and enough protection to keep me happy. The quartering winds I mentioned ARE a hassle...on any bike, I imagine.

 

I should probably mention that my wife says it's very rare for buffeting to be more than a minor annoyance riding pillion...thousands and thousands of miles of pillion riding on the RT (she also says the GL is MUCH more comfortable, but she has yet to say "no, you go on ahead without me" when the word "ride" comes up.

 

One final comment, and I'll shut up: last summer we were traveling north in a wide valley in Colorado when we hit a very (er, EXTREMELY) strong thunderstorm coming off mountains at the western boundary of the valley. The wind was blowing so hard I was afraid to try to stop on the shoulder-less road for fear of being knocked over. I kept a steady 70mph the entire half hour of terror, with completely horizontal sheets of rain hitting us directly in the side, and the BMW barely twitched. I had similar, less exciting crosswind experiences on the Goldwing, and it would have been triply terrifying in that situation.

[mx125]

Solo, I never experience buffeting, in any wind, at any speed. Two up, with the top case, and a quartering headwing, and my head and neck will get whipped around. Usually adjusting the shield a little resolves the problem.

 

The "problem" is nothing like I used to experience on my GL1800, with three different windshields...just the quarting wind situation. For me, the RT has been the most comfortable bike I've owned, regarding this buffeting issue.

 

Wow . . .that's definitely another big endorsement! Thanks.

 

I should clarify a little: on both bikes only a quartering, or oblique, headwind would push me around some. I sold the Honda for two reasons, despite the fact that it's a super-reliable, super-comfortable, fun motorcycle capable of all day riding: It was too heavy when fully loaded for a trip, two up, for my old knees, in traffic, and the wind protection flat boiled me in the summer. The RT is much lighter, there's enough air flow to keep summer riding bearable (most of the time), and enough protection to keep me happy. The quartering winds I mentioned ARE a hassle...on any bike, I imagine.

 

I should probably mention that my wife says it's very rare for buffeting to be more than a minor annoyance riding pillion...thousands and thousands of miles of pillion riding on the RT (she also says the GL is MUCH more comfortable, but she has yet to say "no, you go on ahead without me" when the word "ride" comes up.

 

One final comment, and I'll shut up: last summer we were traveling north in a wide valley in Colorado when we hit a very (er, EXTREMELY) strong thunderstorm coming off mountains at the western boundary of the valley. The wind was blowing so hard I was afraid to try to stop on the shoulder-less road for fear of being knocked over. I kept a steady 70mph the entire half hour of terror, with completely horizontal sheets of rain hitting us directly in the side, and the BMW barely twitched. I had similar, less exciting crosswind experiences on the Goldwing, and it would have been triply terrifying in that situation.

 

More really helpful insight. If I can get a test ride, I will defintely do that. But I'm feeling like i'm 80% toward understanding exactly what to expect. Thanks again for the detailed response.