Vario Touring Windscreen Mounting

egates · Post by **egates** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:27 pm

I've read most of the historical posts I can find regarding the Vario windscreens and I see that people seem to be using the flyscreen mounts.

On the TwistedThrottle website is the following paragraph for the R1150R specific VTNB screen.
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/pr ... /2136/246/

"If you DO NOT already own an OEM BMW flyscreen mounting kit, you are better off purchasing the MRA.VTNB and MRA VTNB handlebar mount kit. It's the same exact windscreen, but mounts directly to the 7/8-inch diameter handlebars and is about $20 less expensive (once the mounting kit cost is figured in)."

MRA VarioTouringScreen Windshield for BMW R1150R / R850R $139.99
MRA VarioTouringScreen Mounting kit for BMW R1150R / R850R - not for use with universal VTNB screen! $59.99
MRA VarioTouringScreen (style "VTNB") windshield for naked sport bikes, cruisers, enduro, and dual sport motorcycles $134.99
Mounting kit for MRA naked bike windscreens (for ST/RO/HI/CU/VNB windscreen styles) for BMW R850R & R1100R $45.00

Which is the better mounting method and is it worth saving $20 to go with a handlebar mount instead of the flyscreen mounting system?

Oilhead · Post by **Oilhead** » Mon Sep 17, 2007 10:37 pm

I didn't know that this screen will mount on the BMW speedscreen brackets. So I can just take off the fly screen and mount this vario screen right on the same brackets? If that is true, I am going to get it as it would be nice to have a little more protection in the winter.

hirsty · Post by **hirsty** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 6:08 am

I have the MRA Vario screen mounted on the OEM BMW 'speedster' screen brackets - the holes are in the same place & it looks good.

I've not seen the MRA brackets, but the BMW version were a little tricky to fit underneath the headstock with a longer-than-stock allen bolt (supplied) & without scratching anything. You need to get right under there with a reasonably long allen key / socket set - I also found out by accident that these are the same mount points for the headlamp, after mine was shaking about afterwards

Incidentally I've just cut down my MRA screen, a la "DJ Mod" as I decided it wasn't working for me & it looks better IMO than the F650GS version did. My final screen option (if I ever find it) will probably be below the level of the top of the clocks - I'm not finished playing with the height / angle yet, so don't do anything drastic or expensive based on my experience! Your mileage will vary.

Post by **Boxer Briefs** » Tue Sep 18, 2007 2:24 pm

I puchased that screen AND the mounting kit from Twisted Throttle last spring. I am happy with the product but was very unhappy with the customer service. I kinda got the runaround from them regarding the order with lots of delays and excuses. When I finally did receive the items, it appeared to me that there was hardware missing from the mounting "kit." The "kit" consisted of the two brackets. No hardware for attaching the brackets to the bike, and nothing to attach the screen to the brackets (only what came with the screen which assumes you already have the OEM brackets and hardware). After a trip to my local dealer, and then a second trip to the hardware store I managed to get the screen installed. I never did get an adequate response from Twisted Throttle regarding what appeared to be an incomplete order. And as previously noted, it was kind of tricky to install the brackets to the bike.

So once again, the screen has worked fine for me for nearly 10k miles. Hopefully you will have better luck with TT. Doubt I'll ever send them money again.

hirsty · Post by **hirsty** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 3:45 am

But we should make a distinction between the German manufacturer MRA and the US retailer there though. The UK agent is fantastic, and the product is good in my personal experience.

If I was buying for the first time, then I'd choose the BMW OEM mounts, so you can go with the Speedster screen later as appropriate.

BTW, Wunderlich also do much the same screen (it's been debated here previously whether it's identical & re-badged or just very similar design) which I think you can buy via BMW Santa Cruz.

http://mra.de/html/gb/gb-catalog.htm

http://www.wunderlich.de/update/

egates · Post by **egates** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 5:20 pm

Thank you everyone, that's really good information.

So it appears my choices are:
OEM Mounting Kit - Expensive
MRA.HBSR Mounting Kit - Like OEM but missing bolts that I'd need to buy somewhere
MRA.HK Handlebar Mounting Kit - No one seems to have used it.

Also if you look carefully at the pictures of the Generic Screen that uses the handlebar mount versus the BMW Screen that uses the OEM-style mount you can see that these is a physical difference in where the mounting bolts go through the screen - I guess that accounts for the $5.00 difference?

Or I could also look at Wunderlich's similar screen - btw, I read that post and looked at the side by side pictures and the two pictured are clearly different.

My only interaction with TwistedThrottle so far has been an email asking these types of questions which was answered promptly so I hope that is an indication that they improved over others' past experiences but I've also asked in advance about the missing bolts.

Decisions, decisions... I'm probably making too much of this. I worry too much, I should go for a ride and relax.

Thanks again.

Post by **sjbmw** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 5:32 pm

I had my grommets go south on my way to the the MOA rally in Wisconsin. Purely the fault of me and a poor install. Luckily, I was with a group of former Army Corp of Engineers!

We stopped at a hardware store, and for about $3 worth of rubber and aluminum washers, and a few nuts and bolts, they remounted the screen rock solid.

If you can get the BMW flyscreen brackets, the rest can be had at your local hardware store. You will need 40mm hex bolts for under the handlebars though.

Here is the crew in action, in the parking lot of the hardware store.

This is my screen before I bought it from rdsmith3. Note the mounting brackets. If you can find those, the rest of the parts are cheap.

egates · Post by **egates** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 9:59 am

I received my new Vario Touring Windscreen and because I was curious I ordered the handlebar mounting kit instead of the R1150R specific one. Also, this is what Twisted Throttle indicated both on their site and via email was the best choice. I know most people here used the flyscreen mounting kit and in the end, that's probably what I recommend people do for a more finished look but I feel no regrets for trying this mounting system at the moment.

Twisted Throttle shipped promptly but on the site I ordered the 'HK' mounting kit and that was indicated on my receipt but what they shipped was a 'HA' mounting kit. Apparently, some older shields require the HA instead of the HK (that's what Customer Service said), but I bet they were getting rid of old stock and either would work. I've seen pictures of the HK and it has black plastic components where some of mine are silver sheetmetal so the black probably looks better but a little paint will take care of that.

Fitting this thing was an exercise in frustration but I finally got it. First, the handlebar clamps even though sized correctly for my bars would not clamp tight. I cut out a shim from a innertube to wrap the handlebar so the clamp would clamp tight and this took care of that problem.

Getting everything lined up was quite frustrating and I'm still not sure I have everything as symmetrical as I'd like but its pretty close. The instructions indicate that connecting rod's angled end can either point up or down but after having the screen continually fall off while I was trying to fit it with the angles down I changed them to pointing up even though that causes the connector rods to cut across the bottom of the speedo and tach - no big deal - nothing is obscured.

All in all, everything is tight and seems secure.

I might want to angle the entire unit to a less steep angle.

I tried various positions of the adjustable wing and could not find a setting that would get my head out of the wind but I just did a quick ride. What I'm thinking now is that one of the lower settings might produce more wind at the head level but its a cleaner stream of air so less buffeting and noise. I'll test that more tomorrow. I'm 5'11" and try to sit with my back as straight as possible so that puts my head up higher. I'll try to come back and post my findings.

All-in-all, I'm happy with this windscreen but I have nothing but my old GPz to compare it to. It looks nice on the bike and seems to work well. If I can figure out how to post some pictures, I will.
[/img]

Post by **Buckster** » Mon Oct 08, 2007 10:49 am

Thanks for the update. I was looking at that screen with the mounting hardware as well but just ended making a mod to my existing screen.

So far I have been happy with the results.
Post a picture of yours when you can. I would like to see it.

hirsty · Post by **hirsty** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 6:39 am

I'm still playing with the angle on my "cut down" MRA Vario screen - it's on OEM BMW Speedster mounts.

Various rubber bungs / washers etc can be used to alter the overall 'angle of attack' for the screen, by adding either to the bottom two mounts or the top two, or combinations thereof! You could go nuts trying this ...

So far, my best results come from having it tilted back a little (sleeker in profile) and with an air gap under the screen above the headlight. Will take some photos, but from the riding position the screen is exactly in-line with a straight line to the road, I almost "can't see it"

- does that make sense? That directs the air straight towards my visor for the quietest ride.

Then factor in tank-bag and hand guards & start all over!

Post by **bad n ruin** » Tue Oct 09, 2007 8:20 pm

egates, the flyscreen mounts are clean but they're a bitch to install - if you're the patient type, the frustration level should remain in the normal category - of course, I'm not so it (the bracket mounting) isn't.

The flyscreen (speedscreen) provides chest pressure release -thus hands, wrist, shoulder relief.

More importantly, the MRA vario provides NECK relief. This is the main advantage over the smaller screen. The trim tab can be adjusted for clean/quiet airflow or provide more of an air pocket, minimizing neck stress - albeit a bit(pardon me) noisier.

Neck strain is a serious consideration if your doin' 500's every day.

I would not put that potato chip touring shield on my somewhat naked bike - but hey, that's just me. Some actually install hideous fairings on these so-called naked bikes!