Rockster Handlebars to far away

[grwrockster]

RB - maybe you're right. The darn things WERE on here and loaded fine. Perhaps Photobox get the hump as you say, and pull the plug?

I think Photobox is a non-starter. Ah well - back to the drawing board

[riceburner]

RB - maybe you're right. The darn things WERE on here and loaded fine. Perhaps Photobox get the hump as you say, and pull the plug?

I think Photobox is a non-starter. Ah well - back to the drawing board

As I say - Flickr is far easier.

[Rog(UK) - Yorkshire Dales]

I can also recommend Photobucket.

Rog

[grwrockster]

Ok.... Pics on a Flickr account and posted yet again. The saga continues......







Ok.... on preview these appear - but so did the earlier ones! Fingers crossed!

I hope after all this that they are at least of some interest to anyone !

G.

[NoRRmad]

I see 'em...

[riceburner]

Great Googly Moogly! That screen is HEUUGE!

[grwrockster]

- Yep RB, it's not low-key is it! It's 'experimental' at this stage - and there are so many variables with screens (size, shape, angle, height, pressure differential f-r - and combinations thereof) that I just wanted something that didn't require too much investment to 'play' with. At least the combo allows me to move it up/down, tilt etc. - and I can drill holes in it, or even chop chunks off it without feeling I'm butchering a chunk of money in the process if I feel like it.

Also, one effect of the upright GS bars is of course that you're swede is waving about higher up above the clocks - so a screen that works well with lower bars will behave totally differently on my set-up (e.g. my vario screen is pretty decent and not too big with std bars, but I couldn't get it to work well enough with the GS bars on those long motorway high-ish speed bashes to get to the ferry).

I'm more of a 'function' over 'form' person anyway when it comes to this sort of thing - I'll put up with folks going 'UGH!' if I can be cossetted and comfy all day at 80-100mph! Not that I've managed that mind - I've not had much time recently, but initial runs suggest the screen works well, but might be better with 'tweaking'. There's a small high-frequency buffeting around my lid above 70mph that I'd like to see if I can tune out - maybe getting a bit more air bled in behind the screen through adjustment perhaps?

Having said that - I might try my other helmet first - the shape of the ole bash-hat shape seems to have quite a big impact on screen noise as well.

I might keep an eye out for a different size/shape on the cheap to mess about with if this FJR one doesn't prove ideal- I noticed the other day that an R1150RT std screen has a cut-out and might work - dunno how big that is though!

[grwrockster]

Last night I adjusted the screen and tried a couple of short runs using 2 helmets. I found that my spare lid has much better airflow than my Caberg Trip - no buffeting ! The difference is really marked with a different helmet - it just goes to show that the screen and the helmet need to be compatible with one another for decent results.

Today I've just completed a 110 mile run over everything from country lanes to motorways to test the FJR screen with the GS bars (using the lower-noise spare bash-hat). Even in the autumn cool dense air I was very happy with the result - comfortable and much warmer (less cold?) due to the lack of windblast on the chest area.

I was already v happy with the GS bars - now with my mix n match screen the bike will be more useable on those dry, cold winter rides, and I'll probably leave it on all the time.

[fatduck2]

On the second page of this thread is a picture of a Rockster with red saddle bags and I was wondering what kind they are and how they hold up to the weather and abuse of daily use. Any info would be great. Thanks

[grwrockster]

Hi FD!

That's my bike loaded up for a trip from Wales to S.France via Cherbourg, then back via the French, Italian & Swiss Alps just over a year ago.

The 'red bags' are made by a UK firm called Oxford, and were at the top-end of their range at the time (these bags are about 12 years old). I think they were in their 'Lifetime' luggage range and are expandable by opening a zip so they can carry a lot (shown unexpanded). I'm not certain (they are packed away somewhere), but pretty sure that the construction is heavy-duty Cordura type material with a waterproof lining inside.

I only used them on trips, never daily, but they've stood the test of time well. They were pretty weatherproof last time out (and I rode 630 miles in mostly heavy rain on the way home) but I don't take chances and stuff all my clothes into plastic carrier bags anyway (socks etc. in one, T-shirts in another etc.) - makes it easier anyhow.

I also managed to drop the bike onto the luggage at about 10mph on a polished worn surface Italian Alpine 180 deg downhill hairpin . I realised that the front wasn't coming back so laid the bike down and stayed with it with the clutch in to minimise potential damage. The bike slid on the LH Rocker cover and the LH Oxford bag for maybe 15 feet. The bag got some light scuffs and abrasion but basically shrugged the whole thing off (as did the bike - just a scraped rocker cover and she was still running when I picked her up).

These bags have been great when used on a few different bikes (inc. VFR750, Triumph Speed Triple and Fazer 1000). In general I reckon soft luggage works just great if you take care to secure it properly (ones like these that have loops on the inside rear face so you can bungee them to footrest hangers etc. as well to stop then flapping around are a good idea).

I have no problem with using soft bags except one - security. With the well-used 2nd-hand System Cases I have now, then on tour I just get a carrier bag and remove my change of clothes and wash kit (from the carrier bags inside the cases - I still use the same method of packing) on my way to the B&B , then leave everything else secured on the bike till the am. With soft luggage you have to lug the lot up to your room with you (less than fun in 90 deg heat in bike gear up several flights of stairs ).

Only other thing I can think of to add is that if you want decent quality material and strong zips etc. then like everything, the lower-price end tends to be less robust all round. But good quality stuff can be had for an awful lot less than hard bags, frames etc. etc.

[fatduck2]

Thanks for the prompt and informative reply. After reading your post I'm convinced that I won’t be spending 800 bucks for the hard cases even though I really like my old bmw hard cases on my 1985 k100rs. If I can’t fabricate and fit the old cases to my Rockster I will be looking to purchase the soft bags. I like the idea of soft bags because of the versatility. What kind of windshield is on your bike in the picture with the red bags? The little wing that is on the top of the windshield looks like it would eliminate any buffeting that might be present.

[grwrockster]

FD2,

Have replied to your Pm with a bit more info as requested. On the same pic as the red bags is a Flyscreen made by Laminar in the USA, which I ordered direct on-line from them and they sent it promptly to the UK - no problems and good service. It's not expensive either.

Be warned though that it's supplied with (very) sticky tape to secure it and you only get the one chance to stick it down right - so you have to be careful and think about it before you do it. I found even then with some high-speed stuff (well north of 100mph) that the wind pressure was starting to be too much for the tape - so I had to drill and fit small bolts to secure it (which Laminar say you may have to do)

Also the 'R' Clip tp secure the front mount didn't seem to work - so I removed the front rubber grommet, and then put a cable tie around the 'eyebrow' securing post, then cut off the Zip Tie so it was hidden under the assembly instead - this worked much better and I never had any problems with the screen trying to fly off - even when flat-out.

If it's still sold, then they may well be modified now though (mine is at least 3-years-old) so my info may be a bit out-of-date. It's still on their website so there's a good chance of getting one (they are $84) .....

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

Hard cases? $800 sounds painful ! Here in the UK a set of System Cases new goes for about £400 I think (that's about $626 US at today's exchange rate btw). People do look for used ones (which seem to fetch typically half new price or a bit more here in UK) and come up fairly often. I got lucky and picked up a pair 'buy it now' off a certain auction site for your equivalent of $140 - I took a gamble I could sort them as they were locked closed with no keys (they are well-used and marked too, but no cracks, shot hinges, catches, locking tabs or cracks) and it paid off. Otherwise I'd still be using the Oxfords quite happily!

Hope this helps! G.

[Greg Pinch]

I too am looking for a set of R1150R handle bars.
Anyone out there with a set for sale?