The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: Luke D. on March 12, 2014, 07:59:40 AM
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Hi everyone. I do alot of highway riding on my LS commuting from Duluth down to the twin cities, and I was wondering about a windscreen. I dont care for the Parabellum ones but I do like the profile and look of the Laminar speed shield. I know it will only help a tad bit and the parabellum would work better but I also dont want to mess up the original look of the bike. Has anyone here found a wind screen that is better than the other? I know the R65s have alot of options and the R65LS does not so that is why I am asking. Thanks all for your time.
Here is Parabellums link: http://parabellum.com/R65LS-Windshield-P13.aspx
Here is Laminars link: http://www.laminarlip.com/r65sl.php
Or do you guys make your own?
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When I bought my first R65LS the previous owner had a parabellum installed that he kept. Because of the way it was mounted, over time and vibration it wore two areas on the fiberglass fairing that went completely through in a small area. Couldn't see it with the fairing installed but glaring once it was removed.
I have one of Laminarlip products attached to the fairing windscreen on my K75S and can say it works well and attaches with aerospace grade velcro dots that take effort to remove if you want. No chance of them coming off accidentally.
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I never liked windshields. Never.
One day I had some spare cash so I bought a tall Parabellum, clear, for my 82 LS. It doesn't look the greatest but with the big cases, it passes for a sporty touring bike.
The ride is so much more comfortable since I'm not fighting the wind anymore and can sit more upright. Don't know how long the bolt on mechanism will last because I have not ridden it a long time but it looks pretty sturdy.
I also added a tall Parabellum to my 88 K75 S and love it!
I guess I've come around to liking the ride with windshields but still prefer the look of naked bikes.
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I mounted that Laminar Lip for the R65LS on top of the National Cycle screen I have for the LS. It is moved to the Triumph Bonneville's windscreen when needed there for a tour. Now, those dual locks will eventually wearout if you keep moving the laminar lip as I do and I have had to do onroad repairs 3 times. I have never had all 4 dual locks give way, even at speed...only one becomes unstuck but that is enough to make me pull over quickly!
The Laminar Lip was heated to conform to the other windshield's curvature. I'm not too keen on putting those dual locks on the 1/4 fairing black plastic.....nice to keep the bike clean looking when riding it without a screen somedays.
Even if I don't use the Laminar Lip addition on the National Cycle windscreen I keep a sizable gap between it and the precious 1/4 fairing. That helps cut down wind turbulence too having a gap I've found.
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Suecanada, could you possibly put a picture of your National cycle screen up? I looked on their website and dont see anything for the LS.
Thank you all for your responses and help. I am going to wait until winter is done up here to buy anything. Still waiting for the end of the eternal winter to end. :)
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Good day all, for those looking or wondering about wind screens for the LS I just bought the Laminar lip for it and so far (90miles) it seems to work fairly well. I could not get myself to buy the Parabellium wind screenjust because of the looks. The Laminar screen does not hurt the image but it certainly does not help. :) Just my two cents. Also, thank you SueCanada, Jmo and marcmax for your inputs on my inquirey. And I know how you guys like pics so here you are.
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... The Laminar screen does not hurt the image but it certainly does not help...
Does not help. Correct? Those laminar lip designs are usually pretty trick.
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Luke - nice looking LS - how does the windscreen mount to the black mock windscreen? Also, where did you find that cool luggage rack - stylish dude!
Planning to attend the MN rally and stop by the Airhead tent? I plan to bring my LS to the rally.
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Morning dudes and dudets (evening/night) montmil I was just saying that the wind screen does not make the bike look any better or worse. :) As some internet pages say its the red headed step child of BMW. :) It does work wonders with keeping the wind off better, especially in the upper speed ranges ::) Mr. Ken Tuvman, I do not know when or where the rally is. Are you talking about the BMW rally at the state fair grounds? The wind screen is held in place by velcro dots. It is some kind of "space age" stuff. There are four dots that came on the actual shield and you just take off the plastic piece that protects the sticky side and slap'er on. But you must make sure the black cowling is squeeky clean otherwise it does not stick very well. I do not know where the luggage rack came from. This bick was my uncles from new so he put on some extras like the fog lamps, luggage rack and the funky grips. They are a cafe style but they are foam and kinda for large hand people. I am only 5'6" on a good day with boots on so my hands are pretty small. They work pretty nice though. I would like to switch out the grips for some heated ones but do not have the money and I dont know if the charging system could handle all that.
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National Rally in St. Paul in July - will be a big gathering of Airheads.
Regional rally weekend after Memorial Day - Hiawatha Rally at Money Creek Campground in MN not far from LaCrosse WI.
Surprised your charging system can handle those huge driving lights - nice looking LS!
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I never liked windshields. Never.
One day I had some spare cash so I bought a tall Parabellum, clear, for my 82 LS. It doesn't look the greatest but with the big cases, it passes for a sporty touring bike.
The ride is so much more comfortable since I'm not fighting the wind anymore and can sit more upright. Don't know how long the bolt on mechanism will last because I have not ridden it a long time but it looks pretty sturdy.
I also added a tall Parabellum to my 88 K75 S and love it!
I guess I've come around to liking the ride with windshields but still prefer the look of naked bikes.
Nice "S" I also have an '87 K75s with Parabellum - ordered a shorter tinted windscreen last summer and love it - also changed the C bars to the S bars as C bars were hitting the fairing - put bar end mirrors on her and she really looks great!
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Mr. Ken Tuvman, Thank s for the compliment and by the looks of your picture below your name you've got a nice LS as well. The charging system does not like the light and jacket on at slow speeds but at freeway speed it does just find. I usually dont ride with both on anyway. I would like to get some different fog lights sometime to help with that problem. I would like to switch most if not all of my lights to LEDs some day but they can be spendy. ya know. I dont know as if I will go to either of those get togethers, as I am not a big crowd kinda guy. I like it quite ya know. I would like to shoot down for the BMW rally at the state fair thou. Ill have to check it out. Also since you have pretty much the same bike just a different colour, do you have problems when accelerating quickly ::) when you shift from 1 to 2 it goes into a false neutral but if you shift up again it goes to 3rd? Have a great day mate.
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You must educate your left boot, Luke.
For a more positive shifting experience, try applying a bit of pre-load to the shift lever prior to making the 1-to-2 shift. Make sure you move the shift lever fully up and hold it there ever so briefly.
These old cows were not designed to be air-shifter fast. Use caution so as not to earn yourself a transmission full of rocks. Your uncle would be saddened and your bank account will be depleted in a "quick shift" of funds.
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Easy on and easy off as well as cheap. Mayer available at JCW
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Ill have to check it out. Also since you have pretty much the same bike just a different colour, do you have problems when accelerating quickly ::) when you shift from 1 to 2 it goes into a false neutral but if you shift up again it goes to 3rd? Have a great day mate.
Thanks - you definitely will be able to find some nice LED driving lights at rally that will not draw so much current from the alternator. No problems accelerating quickly - she runs like a bat out of h**** Transmission was overhauled when I restored her so no issues shifting.
Mine has a Lufmeister 2in1 exhaust with a nice triumph 650 bonneville like sound but not quite a triumph.
Hope to meet you at the upcoming national rally!
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Also since you have pretty much the same bike just a different colour, do you have problems when accelerating quicklywhen you shift from 1 to 2 it goes into a false neutral but if you shift up again it goes to 3rd?
False neutrals can often be fixed by changing your shifting technique. Each time you shift, preload the lever, pull the clutch, and maintain the pressure on the lever until after you have let the clutch all the way out. The transmission has stepped dogs to ease getting into gear with tight driveline slop tolerances, but they can cause some trouble, including having the trans pop out of gear
If you use that technique, you will feel "avoided false neutrals" when the shift lever moves further, in stepped fashion, as you let out the clutch with pressure on the lever.
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Mr. Montmil thanks for you help with the shifting, I started riding my aunts dr650 and that bike is really nice to shift quick so that is what I was used too. This is my first bike so I am still learning the quirks. I still like it alot.
MrRiden, I really like your wind screen and would have liked one that size but I have cafe bars on mine so there is very very little room for anything on them. I see you live in Phoenix, I used to live in Chandler for a couple years. Are you able to ride year round? Up here in Duluth we get about a month of riding ;D. It actually snowed yesterday. Kinda sad. :)
Mr. Ken Tuvman, the only problem with the LED drive lights is they are kinda expensive and they dont throw as well the ones I have. I've seen some of the off-road ones but of course these bikes do not go off-road very well. :) Why did you deiced to go to the 2-1 exhaust?