Potential NEWBIE needs your wise advice on screens and pegs

[mcollect]

That topic is common. I bought a 2002 and went through many screens trying to find one that I could live with. I now ride behind a Parabellum scout startingwith the tallest screen they make. But after getting it I sat on the bike and marked it so I could see over the top. I then cut it to that size and sanded the cut surface. I discovered that the remaining turbulence came from the oil coolers so I added Aeroflow wings. The pegs were a simple fix Fastway GS style adjustable very secure in all riding situations. Perfection!

[Biff's R]

I started with the BMW touring shield, and then got a sport shield, and now have the tiny little flyscreen. I sold the touring shield since I had so much turbulence that I got a headache. The flyscreen is good in the summer if you are not pounding out hundreds of miles on the slab. The sport shield has been the best for me in all conditions. Blocks enough wind to make the Interstate comfortable, no buffetting, and looks much better than the barn door options.

I can't get past the looks of the tank wings.

[Buckster]

You may want to look elsewhere. The R1150R is a naked bike and there is no one screen that will work for everybody. I have the mid sized Parabellum Super Tour and I had the tank wings. I had a lot of noise coming off the top of my screen. I'm 5'7". The tank wings kept wind off my torso and I noticed no difference with them off or on at the helmet level. I have sold the tank wings and cut about 7" off the Parabellum. It is quieter and looks way better. Is it perfect? No. Is it better for me? Yes.
I don't have the $ to buy multiple screens and try them and that is what a lot of people have done to see what fits them best.
I rode the K1200GT this year....now that's a nice windscreen.

[Sparky]

I have the touring windscreen, and while I find it makes the ride a little noisier (a moot point for me since I ride with earplugs) I also find no buffeting. That said, I'm only 5'8", although I am short-legged and long-torsoed.

Another thing you might want to try is flying naked on your bike for while. Frankly, I only mount my windscreen in colder weather, or if I'm going on a multiday trip where I know there will be lots of rain.

The nice part about riding the bike naked is that there is absolutely no buffeting -- the windblast is completely clean air. Now it does take a while to get used to riding in the wind, but once you become accustomed to it the ride is quite comfortable. At speed, the wind on your torso helps keep you upright so there's not so much weight on your wrists. Only when you begin to get north of 70mph does it begin to get a bit more tiring and you actually have to hang onto the grips.

I also find that the bike seems (emphasis on the word "seems") to be lighter and more nimble to me when there isn't a windscreen in my line of vision. Every time I ride the bike after taking the touring windscreen off, the bike simply seems more fun to me.

Give it a try for a couple of weeks (so as to get used to it) and see what you think. You may find yourself saving some money by not needing a new screen, or even gaining some money by selling your existing one.

[Parkblu]

I started naked (bike came with Touring screen), then went to the flyscreen, but the windblast hit me right at the neck - worse than naked. Touring shield had too much buffeting and noise for me, so now I ride with the Sport screen and a deflector ca. 3" from the top, and it works ok for. Not great, but ok. I'd like to try a shorter Parabellum but haven't found a good used one yet.

(6.1"/183 cm, 32" inseam)

[charlesv]

Interesting discussion. If you can post some pictures on the windscreens, that would be great.

[ASQTec]

Interesting discussion. If you can post some pictures on the windscreens, that would be great.

OK,I'll bite....again. Here's the Parabellum Super Tour tall shield with Laminar Lip and tank wings.
No buffeting, but plenty of ugly.

[wncbmw]

This topic is a lot like 'boxers or briefs' - very personal tastes and opinions!

I have the flyscreen (possibly your 'crap' lowscreen) and a sport screen for winter riding. But the flyscreen has been on year-round for the last two years. I find the relatively clean air better than dumping the air out at my helmet level but I wear ear plugs always. I knocked out 690 miles in a day coming down from the Bash in PA this year, half of it in the rain with the flyscreen. No problems.

Oh, by the way, I am a certified geezer!

And besides, the flyscreen just looks good!

[marine dad]

well, my r came with a flyscreen. i'm 5'10" and found that the wind hit me right in the throat. ordered a bmw touring screen from bob's and absolutely hated it.

first off, my clumsy self broke a turn signal stem mounting it, had to order a new stem ( $35, ouch ). wind noise and buffeting were worse than my naked softail was.
i just bought an mra vario windshield from twisted throttle and love it. took maybe 45 minutes to install counting the time it took to try to understand the translated german directions,lol. no buffetting, minimal noise, top of screen is about level with my chin. i can flip up my visor at 75mph and not even get hit in the eyes with the wind. the only drawback is that i dont think it would work with barbacks
mike

[challey]

I rode naked (actually, just the bike was naked ) for the first year, then switched to a BMW Sport Screen I found reasonably prices on the IBMWR. It worked fairly well in making longish trips more bearable. Last year I switched to the Aeroflow Systems Sport Half-fairing. It does a somewhat better job than the Sport Screen but I can get some buffeting at helmet level on occasion when I'm sitting bolt upright. Overall, I'd say it's the best choice for me given my size (5' 7") and riding style (commuting, weekend romps and an maybe one longer ride - 1,500 to 3,000 miles in a week - each season).

Charlie

[marine dad]

here's a couple pics of the mra screen

[marine dad]

and a couple more

[gregor]

I've got a similar MRA screen but mine is not braced to the handlebars. No sign of it coming loose/flapping though, even at 100mph+ (on a test track ). Also have similar 3 piece hard luggage so the aerodynamics will be similar.Spent a few months gettting the screen angle and height just so to move the turbulence to the top of the helmet. The bike is less clean as well due to the wonderful UK climate and the mucky Derbyshire roads.