Laminar Lip

[lazygoodan]

I've read several of the posts on wind screens, and I was wondering if anyone had tried the Laminar Lip, which is an add-on to the stock R-RS screen. I read about it in the MOA magazine a few months ago, and I found the website at http://www.laminarlip.com/

It looks like a small "tunnel" that is adhesively applied to the stock wind screen at the top to channel the air coming off the windscreen and smooth it out. I am tempted to try this out -- it's only $70. They don't have a picture of the R-RS lip on the website, but I called and it's still for sale.

I am 6'4", and I hate the amount of wind that comes off the screen and into my helmet. I have both the stock screen and the Aeroflow, neither of which works. I'm going to try standing up on the pegs tonight on my way home from work, but I doubt it will work.

Later,
Jim

[lazygoodan]

I did try standing up on my pegs on the way home Friday night. It did make a difference, but I had to be standing 6-10" off the seat to notice any real improvement. I should point out that my Aeroflow windscreen was all the way down when I did this.

[rdoll]

I fill your pane . I am 6'2 and have a RS I have had them all. You need a wudo wind screen I love it. good cleen air.

[Mark Darlington]

Hi Jim,
The lip does look like an interesting product. There are plenty of testimonials on the website, and pictures of the lip on various bikes (you'll no doubt of had a good look round their site).

As you say, no pictures or testimonials of what the lip is like on an R-RS, but a couple of positives on a K-RS.

If you buy one and it works, you could well be the saviour of this forum

I've read all the other threads on various screens, and there isn't a concensus of exactly which one is best. I'm hoping you buy a lip and that it works! I'll whip my credit card out real quick if you give it the thumbs up.

Cheers,
mark

[Jason]

I installed it a couple of days ago (the same day I pulled my rear wheel shim), but haven't ridden it enough yet since installation to form a clear impression.

For those of you who can't wait, I'll say that on my first ride with it I wasn't really impressed, but it wasn't a good test: Because I had just installed it, I was keeping my speed lower than what I usually cruise at, I wasn't wearing ear plugs (I usually do), my ride was pretty short, etc...

If weather permits, I'll have a more definitive report by the end of the weekend.

For those who care:
- 2003 R1150RS
- I'm 6'3", 205 lbs
- ride with the grips if the fully aft position
- seat in middle position
- windshield fully lowered (usually)
- Arai Astral X helmet

[Jason]

Originally Posted by Jason

If weather permits, I'll have a more definitive report by the end of the weekend.

For those who care:
- 2003 R1150RS
- I'm 6'3", 205 lbs
- ride with the grips if the fully aft position
- seat in middle position
- windshield fully lowered (usually)
- Arai Astral X helmet

First, a pic, since it doesn't look like what I expected:


Installation wasn't bad. Just peel the backing off of four sticky 'dots' and stick it on. Obviously, I missed perfect alignment by a little bit. I decided not to drive myself nuts trying to get it perfect, because it comes with extra dots for just such situations.

I usually wear ear plugs. Today I was riding around 80-90 miles per hour on the freeway, both with and without ear plugs. While riding with the Lip may have been a little quieter than without the Lip, it wasn't quiet enough that I'd stop wearing them.

They claim it reduces turbulence, and lifts the air flow higher. I'll confirm that. I did notice less buffeting of the helmet, and less wind pressure on my helmet and shoulders. Now, the question is whether or not that's a good thing... I like a certain amount of wind pressure, as it takes some of my weight off my wrists. I suspect that my neck and shoulders will be thankful of the Lip (sometimes they get sore after a week of riding) but that my wrists might make up for it.

The majority of my riding (with or without the Lip) is with the shield fully lowered. I did try raising it a bit just to see what happens with the Lip. The pocket of 'still air' (if you can really get 'still air' on an RS ) get's bigger, as expected, noise didn't seem to get better or worse. This was in the middle position. Frankly, I'm a little apprehensive about four little adhesive dots preventing the Lip from flying into my helmet at 85 miles an hour, so I haven't tried cranking the windshield all the way up. I'm actually a little concerned about it even in the fully lowered position. I'm also a little concerned about the additional force being exerted on the windshield to support the Lip. I guess I can take solace in the fact that I've never heard anyone gripe that theirs DID fly off on the highway.

It didn't do squat for cross winds, whether the natural variety, or those induced by traffic. I wasn't expecting it to, so no problem there.

I was in some light rain briefly. I didn't think to crank up the shield at that time to see what kind of weather protection I got, but I did notice that even in the lowered position, I had much less of the "wind blowing the water drops off of my visor" effect going on... The water drops just kinda hung around.

Would I recommend it? Hmmm... Not without reservations. It may make some people happier, depending on what they want, but for the price (I paid US$87.50, including shipping and handling), I think many people may be better served by getting a different screen instead. I'm very skeptical of the raving testimonials I've read about the product... I certainly see nothing to rave about.

For me? If I'd had a chance to try before buying? I probably wouldn't have bought it. I was hoping it would make for a quieter ride. I'm gonna leave it on for a while at least, and see how my wrists/hands feel about the situation. It may stay on long term, if they can get used to the weight (and associated stronger vibrations).

It may be help keep me warmer in the winter months, since it keeps the rider in stiller air. I think I'd be happier with two screens though (one for winter, one for summer), a solution I've noticed several people here choose.

[lazygoodan]

Jason,

Thanks for the feedback. I guess I was expecting a result similar to yours. Like everyone else, I'm looking for a magic bullet to improve the windnoise on my RS. Guess if I was that worried about it I should have bought an RT, but that's another story.

I noticed that your windscreen is held on by 6 fasteners. I have an older RS which only has 4 fastners holding the windscreen to the bike. I haven't seen many newer RS's, so I never noticed that the windscreen was different. The local dealer (BMW Detroit) doesn't keep them in stock.

I'm still not sure if I will buy one. I probaby will because you say it does keep some wind off of the rider.

Take care,

[73trident]

Hi All

I fitted one about 8 months ago and posted my impressions on the old website. I would recommend fitting one because, for me anyway, it worked reasonably well. Air was deflected to the very top of my helmet and I could ride without earplugs. Incidentally I am 5' 8", the bike has barbacks and the seat is in the lowest position so I sit fairly upright. The Laminar Lip people are very helpful and sent me more adhesive buttons free of charge (I used 6)

There is a down side though - the bike was prone to slightly rocking from side to side in a med/high crosswind or when overtaking lorries - nothing that I found serious to worry about. I rode the bike through France this year in a gale without a problem.

I have now fitted a Wudo screen which is excellent but I will refit the Laminar Lip later in the year when it gets cold. : :

[JimVonBaden]

I think you will be hard pressed to find any windscreen, short of the sail attached to a Goldwing, that will eliminate wind noise. Wind noise is also a function of the helmet you wear, which can also vary depending on the windscreen configuration.

If you are looking for wind and rain protection, then a Laminar Lip will help, but for noise it seems that a naked bike or a full faired bike, is quietest depending on the helmet.

The db level of the wind noise is nearly always above the damage level, so I always ride with ear plugs. Not only is it quieter and less damaging to my ears, but I get a lot less fatigued.

Just my $0.02.

Jim