Yet another windshield thread (aerodynamics related)

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Thu May 17, 2012 6:41 pm

OK went on the fast roads into work this morning and had the PCX up to 108 km/h = about 67 mph as indicated on the speedo. With the gap taped, I felt I was getting less wind noise on the helmet but getting wind hitting the top of my shoulders. I think the gap (when un taped) forces air on a more upward path that keeps the wind off the shoulders but that upward path also creates more helmet wind noise as the wind angles in from under the chin. Note that this is not a scientifc analysis! But I do understand aerodynamics and laminar flow as used to be a commercial pilot. But Im pretty tall and also my particular helmet has a poor sealing visor that generates most of its noise.

For the slower speed I normally go for commuting I will prob keep the tape on for winter and remove it for summer. In summer Im usually on the open face helmet anyway. By the way, with my helmet noise at its worse it is not bad enough for me to get ear plugs and my commute is only around 20/25 minutes.

Alibally · Post by **Alibally** » Fri May 18, 2012 1:09 am

Taping the gap is fine but it wouldn't work here as the gap would fill with water with all the rain.

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Fri May 18, 2012 1:25 am

and I though it rained whiskey there

With my Ermax screen, rain doesnt get in there but you could add a little drain hole. At least when I throw my gloves in there they cant fall through the gap like before!

Alibally · Post by **Alibally** » Fri May 18, 2012 11:13 am

Taz wrote:and I though it rained whiskey there With my Ermax screen, rain doesnt get in there but you could add a little drain hole. At least when I throw my gloves in there they cant fall through the gap like before!

I wish.

Mel46 · Post by **Mel46** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 5:03 pm

We put a section of gray plastic pipe insulation about a foot long inside the gap and stuffed it as far down as we could. (That is the type of stuff you wrap your pipes with. It has a split down the middle.) Then I put some clear duct tape on the inside to keep it in and a small piece of clear duct tape on the outside just to hold it. You can't even see the tube It seems to work well. My wife has been riding like that for awhile now and does not want to remove it, though she is starting to complain about the Givi windscreen not protecting her from the wind. That puzzles me because she is on 5' tall.

gn2 · Post by **gn2** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 7:41 pm

If she wants protection from the wind, best get her a car.

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 9:58 pm

My windscreen gap is still sealed with white duct tape. Its quieter (less helmet noise) and I can still store gloves or overtrousers or other light stuff in there.

philvb · Post by **philvb** » Fri Feb 08, 2013 4:12 pm

The weather has been decent here enough for me to ride the scooter (Monday through Thursday). This is the first time with the new Ermax +25 windscreen on there. My first impressions are that it definitely decreases the wind on my chest and shoulders, as well as my hands, to a degree. That being said, the wind turbulence around my helmet seems to have increased a noticeable amount. Not sure if it's just that I notice it because it's the only part of my upper body that gets hit with the wind now, or if the wind has actually increased. I also noticed that if the wind hits the scooter right, it howls as it is going through the space between the screen and the scooter. Kinda anoying, but oh well. Guess I could try Taz's remedy and block that opening.

WhiteNoise · Post by **WhiteNoise** » Sat Feb 09, 2013 1:40 am

Just saw some solid colored and pattern duct tape in Target, Home Depot, and of all places, Staples. Like
bright orange, lime, yellow, b/w checker, stripes, etc. You can Go crazy!
Mel that's a cool idea as long as it "stays put"....time will tell, right?
Cheers to you guys, problem solved

If my screen is whistlin' dixie, I can't hear it. Might have something to do with my FF hat and ear plugs...........................................ya think???

Mel46 · Post by **Mel46** » Sun Feb 10, 2013 5:59 pm

This is what the pipe wrap looks like stuffed between the windscreen and the bike. So far it is still there after 1,000 miles.

: Pipe wrap btwn windscreen and bike.jpg (181.51 KiB) Viewed 1492 times

Mel46 · Post by **Mel46** » Sun Feb 10, 2013 6:01 pm

And here are our scooters, out and about by the river a couple of days ago. The weather was great, as usual.

: Our scooters.jpg (156.55 KiB) Viewed 1492 times

maddiedog · Post by **maddiedog** » Mon Feb 11, 2013 2:43 pm

We went riding this weekend too, it was a great weekend for it, even though the weather's still a bit cold. I got completely drenched this morning though. I'm not exactly looking forward to my commute home, it's still raining.

Mel46 · Post by **Mel46** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 11:53 am

I always look up the weather the day before so that I can determine whether I want to chance getting wet. I have 2 different weather apps on my tablet, which travels with me. I am lucky in that I have retired, but riding in the rain sucks any time.

gn2 · Post by **gn2** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 12:57 pm

Mel46 wrote:riding in the rain sucks any time.

To enjoy riding in really wet conditions you just need to switch the soundtrack in your head to this:

Taz · Post by **Taz** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 5:01 pm

I look at the real time rain radar if weather looks dodgy and you can often time your ride between the heavy showers even if it means staying at the office an extra 30 minutes

you you · Post by **you you** » Tue Feb 12, 2013 5:10 pm

Aerodynamics at 55.2567 mph max

Yer having a laugh.

Don't yawn, you'll stop

maddiedog · Post by **maddiedog** » Wed Feb 13, 2013 1:50 pm

I actually don't mind riding in the rain. Nothing makes you feel more alive than being soaked to the bone in 40 degree weather rocketing down the freeway at 75mph. It's so much fun.

I'm not being sarcastic either. Maybe I'm a little off in the head.

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