OK, this is the thread for my review of the MRA "X-Creen" variable windshield extension. It is a German product, imported and sold by various entities. It is available in two sizes- the smaller "sport" and the larger "touring". It is also available in clear and tinted. Finally, it comes as a permanent mount kit where you drill holes, or you can purchase it bundled with a clamp-on kit. I purchased the clear, touring, clamp-on, $162 delivered, from Twisted Throttle. It was delivered quickly and packed well.
It wasn't quite as wide as I expected it to be, and there were a lot of little parts. The instructions are a bit cryptic, so I am glad Twisted Throttle had some videos posted on their site! Took about 15 minutes to assemble (with some trial and error). It can be used with a single joint setup or a double joint setup. I am not sure why one would want to use the single joint, since the double offers so many more adjustment options. It clamped onto the stock Concours windshield just fine and seems very solid. All the parts seem well made and have an innovative design.
One can adjust the height and angle of the screen pretty quickly by rotating the four locking adjusters 90 degrees. This can't be done safely while moving, but can be done with gloves on, as long as they are not really thick. In its lowest position, the screen adds 3 inches to the main windscreen and it can be adjusting up to add many more inches. When you approach about 75% extension upwards, it will start to reveal a "slot hole" between the extension and main screen. The added weight of the extension screen does create a bit more wobble on the main screen. I have not gone faster than 90 with it on, yet, and that was with it on the lowest position of both the main and extension screens.
My ultimate goal is to obtain a much, much, much shorter main windscreen for summer use and move the X-Creen between it and the regular, full-sized Concours screen. Using a small allen wrench, it takes only a moment to attach or detach the X-Creen. Between two main screen sizes, and the motorized main screen, and the tons of adjustability of the X-Creen extender, I should be covered for all kinds of conditions. One novel idea might even be to angle the X-Creen to CAPTURE and direct more air onto the driver in warm weather. I am not sure that will work yet, nor if it is advisable from a loading standpoint.
I can't comment on how effective the screen is yet, because I have had only 30 minutes experience with it by the time I wrote this article (and most of that time riding I was severely distracted by a far more important new farkle). I was rushing to get home before the severe storm and tornado warning. Monitor this thread for updates- I will post findings over the next months.
Next postings will contain photos from various angles and a few different positions. Photos tell a lot more about how it looks and explains the concept far better than I could with words. I think that it looks pretty good and plan to probably always have it attached.