Standard windscreen vs larger aftermarket

[SVonhof]

I don't know why people use the stock windscreens or cut down screens.

I got my 09 in 2011 and it had a CalSci XL on it. After seeing people talking about shorter screens giving more air flow in the summer I decided to put the stock 09 screen back on (smaller than the 2010+ models). My wife said that she didn't know what was wrong or different but she KNEW something was different as she felt like she was going to get blown off the back of the bike.

As for me, I felt more cool are hitting me than I ever do with the big windscreen, but it is more effort to ride than I am used to when the stock one is on there and the big windscreen will go back on tonight.

Anyone want to buy a barely used 2009 stock windscreen?

[VirginiaJim]

I've put my stock 08 screen back on the bike for the summer.  Haven't rode with it in awhile and I like the airflow.  That screen does have issues when a passenger is with you, though.  Their head gets blown back and forth.  I can feel it somewhat depending on the situation (passing a big truck), but again I like the air flow so I'm keeping it.

[Rhino]

Put my stock 2010 shield back on this summer. Even all the way up I was getting blown right in the face. I have to mention I have Horizon ST bars which make me sit more upright. On long trips I found myself hunching down to get my face out of the blast. I put my CB Ultra Tour Domed back on and never looked back.

[VirginiaJim]

That's what I use most of the time...CB Ultra Tour Domed.

[chap]

I vote with the OP. It is obviously a personal thing. I have a ceebaily Ultra Tour. I have  a 2010 and have it on preset 3 (3/4 way up). If I get too hot I just lower it a bit (boy got to love the electric screen). I had the original screen on for 2 days then ordered the ceebaily. It just pushes the air over my helmet.

[B.D.F.]

Hey, wanna' trade for a barely used, 2008 stock windshield? 

I sit kind of high in the saddle and currently use a CalSci +6 (the original one, not the current one) with about 3" of MRA visor on top of that. I am close to 10 inches (Easy Boys!) over stock and it is not too tall for me.

I am actually looking for something different. Looked at the new- fangled MRA X- screens today but they seem to be a bit too involved to adjust while riding down the road. The original MRA visor is really a pretty good compromise other than the fact that I cannot clean the top of the windshield for about the last inch or so unless I remove the visor- which requires removing 4 Torx screws (and usually losing one of them). Not feasible on a long trip in the fuel station where I just want to wipe everything off with the sponge- on- a- stick (and I mean everything: the windshield, the headlights, the visor on my helmet) and keep going.

But I hear ya' on this- the stock Gen. 2 windshield is too short for a sport tourer for me. The stock Gen. 1 windshield is even more [too short] for me.

Brian

I don't know why people use the stock windscreens or cut down screens.

<snip>

Anyone want to buy a barely used 2009 stock windscreen?

[maxtog]

I don't know why people use the stock windscreens or cut down screens.

Stock (2nd gen) is a good compromise.  But for the driver, it is far too hot when temps are in the 90's (if you ask me).  I bought one and cut it down 5" for summer use, topped it with the Xcreen (adjustable small topper) for more adjustability options, and it is fantastic.  As for winter, I move the Xcreen to the stock screen and I am pretty happy down to the low 40's.

Your comfort with a screen will vary greatly depending on your weather (wind, temp, humidity), your gear you wear, your torso height, and your riding position (arm length, risers).  There is no one perfect screen size or configuration that will provide comfort for most people year round (at least if you have a wide variety of temps, like we do in VA).

It is amazing how much difference a few inches of screen height can make.

[B.D.F.]

The seated height of the rider does vary tremendously. I think the variation is even greater than between most people's standing height. As I remember, you are a bit on the short side so a 'shield that works for you will be far too short for some others.

As I said, my windshield is approaching 10" taller than stock (Gen. 1, it would be about 7" taller than stock Gen. 2 I believe) and I still look over the top of it. And that is sitting on a Corbin with a [not overinflated] Airhawk on top of it. I sit even higher with the stock saddle and it gets worse with a Russell for example.

As far as cooling, I find in warmer weather it is cooler riding my C-14 with the windshield at least 1/2 way up or more, and the Baker hand wings turned inward. Putting the windshield all the way down does result in more air around my head but everything below my shoulders gets much warmer as a result.

Brian

Stock (2nd gen) is a good compromise.  But for the driver, it is far too hot when temps are in the 90's (if you ask me).  I bought one and cut it down 5" for summer use, topped it with the Xcreen (adjustable small topper) for more adjustability options, and it is fantastic.  As for winter, I move the Xcreen to the stock screen and I am pretty happy down to the low 40's.

Your comfort with a screen will vary greatly depending on your weather (wind, temp, humidity), your gear you wear, your torso height, and your riding position (arm length, risers).  There is no one perfect screen size or configuration that will provide comfort for most people year round (at least if you have a wide variety of temps, like we do in VA).

It is amazing how much difference a few inches of screen height can make.

[twowheeladdict]

The stock '12 screen is more than enough for me.  I am loving the vario screen I now have on the bike.  Very adjustable.

I actually prefer riding minimalist bikes, but realize they are not for sustained high speed travel.  That is why I also have touring bikes.

[UhOh]

I am loving the vario screen I now have on the bike.

Can't identify the vario screen you now have on the bike.
Is this the stock screen?   Please ID it ... Thanks

[Conrad]

I don't know why people use the stock windscreens or cut down screens.

You don't know why? For shorter trips when it's hot outside I like to have the wind blowing on me, hell, I'm riding a motorcycle after all right?

I have 4 shields to chose from, depending on the ride and the weather. The shortest is a cut down '08 stocker and the tallest is a stock shield from a '12. I'm 5'5" so I don't need a HUGE shield to get me outta the wind when that's what I want.

[Rhino]

The seated height of the rider does vary tremendously. I think the variation is even greater than between most people's standing height. As I remember, you are a bit on the short side so a 'shield that works for you will be far too short for some others.

As I said, my windshield is approaching 10" taller than stock (Gen. 1, it would be about 7" taller than stock Gen. 2 I believe) and I still look over the top of it. And that is sitting on a Corbin with a [not overinflated] Airhawk on top of it. I sit even higher with the stock saddle and it gets worse with a Russell for example.

As far as cooling, I find in warmer weather it is cooler riding my C-14 with the windshield at least 1/2 way up or more, and the Baker hand wings turned inward. Putting the windshield all the way down does result in more air around my head but everything below my shoulders gets much warmer as a result.

Brian

+1 The bars make a big difference too. With stock bars the gen 2 shield all the way up was ok for me. Once I put on risers it wasn't. Then I put on the Horizon ST bars and  it was completely inadequate.

[B.D.F.]

Yes, unfortunately motorcycle rider comfort with all components is coupled with all the other components. The pegs were a touch high for me but OK until I started using a Corbin saddle; then the stock pegs were far too high and I had to lower them (went with Murph's and then Buell's). Putting risers on the handlebars raises one's head up into the slipstream (either again or further yet) and the more upright seating again makes the pegs feel too high. It really is a blend of getting a seating and control position that a person can live with for as long as that person wants to ride. If found my practical limit is around 10 hours; if I can ride a bike for 10 consecutive hours without specific pain in any one place, I can ride that bike to my endurance limit.

And sometimes when the comfort is not there, it is REALLY not there- I can only ride about 45 minutes on a stock Corbin saddle and I am done for the day. In fact, my butt is tender (Easy Boys!) even the next day.

So yeah, the windshield size, especially the height, the peg placement, the seat placement (vertical as we as fore / aft: a Corbin moves the rider back a long way) the handlebar placement, including the grip angle (both down as well as aft) all couple to make the ergos of the bike for a particular rider.

Brian

Brian

+1 The bars make a big difference too. With stock bars the gen 2 shield all the way up was ok for me. Once I put on risers it wasn't. Then I put on the Horizon ST bars and  it was completely inadequate.

[twowheeladdict]

Can't identify the vario screen you now have on the bike.
Is this the stock screen?   Please ID it ... Thanks

MRA Vario windscreen.  http://www.twistedthrottle.com/mra-variotouring-screen-windshield-for-kawasaki-concours-gtr1400-08

[Rhino]

Yes, unfortunately motorcycle rider comfort with all components is coupled with all the other components. The pegs were a touch high for me but OK until I started using a Corbin saddle; then the stock pegs were far too high and I had to lower them (went with Murph's and then Buell's). Putting risers on the handlebars raises one's head up into the slipstream (either again or further yet) and the more upright seating again makes the pegs feel too high. It really is a blend of getting a seating and control position that a person can live with for as long as that person wants to ride. If found my practical limit is around 10 hours; if I can ride a bike for 10 consecutive hours without specific pain in any one place, I can ride that bike to my endurance limit.

And sometimes when the comfort is not there, it is REALLY not there- I can only ride about 45 minutes on a stock Corbin saddle and I am done for the day. In fact, my butt is tender (Easy Boys!) even the next day.

So yeah, the windshield size, especially the height, the peg placement, the seat placement (vertical as we as fore / aft: a Corbin moves the rider back a long way) the handlebar placement, including the grip angle (both down as well as aft) all couple to make the ergos of the bike for a particular rider.

Brian

Brian

So how did you manage a CC50? Must have involved so serious pain.

[B.D.F.]

No, no pain. Discomfort and serious physical and mental degradation (Especially Easy with this one Boys!  ) but nothing hurt significantly.

When I first got the bike, I could not ride 4 hours continuously without physical pain. So I chaced down the root cause in each case; the first one was my butt of course. Several saddles alone and combined with cushions later, the combo that works for me is a stock Corbin with an Airhawk on top of it. Then my knees / ankles hurt; Buell pegs put my feet in a position to relieve that problem. 2" bar risers, combined with BMW sport grips (they are tapered and so effectively change the angle of the hand on the grip), coupled with a cruise control, eliminated all upper body / arm / hand pain. Finally, due to the more upright seating position, I added a MRA visor on top of a CalSci +6 windshield to put my head in a relatively quiet zone which along with earplugs, allows me to ride open- ended without hearing discomfort.

In my experience, if I can ride a bike for 10 hours or a bit more without any stops other than for fuel, I can ride that bike to the limit of my endurance, which according to limited medical records, seems to be around 60 hours <chuckle, sort of>. At the end, lots of discomfort but no specific pain in any particular area.

Brian

So how did you manage a CC50? Must have involved so serious pain.

[VirginiaJim]

And an ambulance...

[B.D.F.]

Sure but just the one; it isn't like I made a pig of myself....

Brian

And an ambulance...

[VirginiaJim]

Right, it's not like you took one from one coast to the other...

[Rhino]

Right, it's not like you took one from one coast to the other...

Twice!