Windscreen or no windscreen?

11376 Views 57 Replies 34 Participants Last post by BlitzSchnell, 11 d ago

Simon Buster

Discussion Starter · May 29, 2021 (Edited)

2

Hey all,

Need your opinion. I have a 2021, and I'm trying to figure out if I love the OEM windscreen or not. I keep going back and forth: some days I love it, but other days I feel like it's gimmicky. Aside from keeping bugs off the instrument clusters, I don't feel like it does much in terms of blocking wind. If anything, I feel like it puts more wind in my face (I'm pretty short at 5'5"). Pics attached. Thoughts?

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70741

· #2 · May 29, 2021

I would keep it. I think it suits the style of the bike. And, as you mention and most important, it keeps the bugs out.
Great looking bike!

Reactions: 4

TimC

· #3 · May 29, 2021 (Edited)

Soren K said:
I would keep it. I think it suits the style of the bike. And, as you mention and most important, it keeps the bugs out.
Great looking bike!

I agree. I added the Rizoma "Low Headlight Fairing" to my bike this spring. It does nothing for wind protection, but it looks good and it's easier to clean the dead bugs off that instead of the back of the gauge, wires/hoses, and under the triple tree.

Before I bought and installed the Rizoma piece, I bought a Dart Classic Flyscreen, which I'll still probably install at some point, maybe ahead of a long trip later this summer, and that will actually provide a little wind protection. But for now the Rizoma stays.

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Tripleheaven

· #4 · May 29, 2021

Like the screen.

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Leigh

· #5 · May 29, 2021

I have a 2021 scrambler and have deliberated on this also. I did on my monster and XDiavel too. I put screens on for wind, realise they don’t offer any protection and take them off again for aesthetics. Hopefully I’ll learn with the scrambler. Keep it off I say..... Then again....

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Gambo916

· #6 · May 29, 2021

Personally I prefer the cleaner uncluttered look with the screen.....and the fact that it will keep the underside of the clocks bug-gut free is the main advantage for me!

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IMR9T

· #7 · May 29, 2021

Screen looks good on bike, but might not be very functional as you pointed out unless you go with a higher screen.

DCs22

· #8 · May 29, 2021

I don’t like how the bike looks with that screen. Mine came with a Rizoma deflector, but I took it down on the spot.

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BaldyDave

· #9 · May 29, 2021

I'd keep the screen on the bike. It is small but will keep the instruments clean. Don't expect much if any wind protection from something so small. I think it suits the bike.

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Chris<CJ>

· #10 · May 29, 2021 (Edited)

Debated the same thought and it is "thumbs down" .....

- the primary purpose of a windscreen is to "screen" the wind, do any of the R9T matching screens provide this function?
...... from feedback on this site and other sites (e.g. the Dart site) the answer is "NO".

- does a screen enhance the appearance?
....... this is a subjective answer, but I say "no", especially when the clutter of the screen mount systems (the Dart, is an exception) is viewed along with the lines of the bike ....the other thing is that the attractiveness of this bike is enhanced by the lack of plastic, so why add one more "plastic" piece?

- theoretically, due to the leverage of wind resistance, any non-frame mount fairing will have an effect on the handling ...depending on the design of the screen, the wind resistance and handlebar geometry, you may or may not feel this.

- the only "positive" is the bug protection for the clocks, mind you the headlamp, the screen itself, the forks, the cylinders, the mirrors, the oil cooler, will all accumulate bug-splat, so is having just the clock protection a major benefit?

- actual experience..... a similar type screen mounted on my other bike (Suzuki M90) actually increased the helmet-buffeting effect at speed and the only saving-grace was minimal wind protection at stomach level, also the screen was prone to scratches from highway grit thrown up by other vehicles.

Just my thought, you are the Owner of your bike and the "ownership" is 100% a personal thing.

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JR533

· #11 · May 29, 2021

I have the same setup on my SCR and really like the look and function as "fly screen". The bonus is that the look also ties in the brushed aluminum look with the tank, as I have the same option on my SCR as well.

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laalves

· #12 · May 29, 2021

Personally, I don’t like that particular one, even though it’s OEM and perhaps the best made one as I like the brushed clearcoated look very much. The shape of it though, nah.

I’ve debated screens as well and concluded that I prefer the naked retro look better, no screen. I even tried the machined headlight frame and took it off after one month.

Some things on this bike are wrong from an aesthetics point of view (somersault plank in the back, rough casting surfaces, modern-looking mirrors and blinkers) but not the front/cockpit area, I find it perfect!

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Lelc2

· #13 · May 29, 2021

For long trips it isn't useful. You need bigger one. But even smaller screen has benefits. Not only to mantein clean instruments of bugs etc. I like very much my little screen to keep my gloves in the "hole" is provide between screen and handlebar while checking pockets. Zips etc I leave gloves in the "hole" o when stop you want get your gloves off and touch your gps or celular phone...where you hold glove??? At the "hole" !!! Hahahaha

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Sarajlija84

· #14 · May 29, 2021

the screen has the same matte aluminum finish as the rest of the bike and looks great, your main concern should be that the plate holder ... looks outrageous

joseeight

· #15 · May 29, 2021

Haha, totally agree with @Sarajlija84. First thing I did on my '21 was take off the damn tail and plate holder and installed a tail tidy, I know they do it for meeting legal requirements, but it is easily the ugliest component of the bike.

I would also keep the screen, even not very functional, besides bugs, it could catch (to an extend) rocks and fragments from the road. I'm actually adding one to my scrambler.

Are you going to swap the mirrors too? This could also affect how you see the screen, if you get matching aluminum, then the screen will probably look better on.

Lovely bike no matter what you do to it though!

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Simon Buster

Discussion Starter · #16 · May 29, 2021

Thanks all for the replies!

I agree that the tail is hideous. Why in the world did BMW make it like that?! I've already ordered the Daedalus tail tidy a month or so ago. They are behind and said I won't get it until June or so (bummer).

I've been riding without the windscreen for a bit and I do actually notice a bit more wind in my chest so maybe it does have some function. I have to admit that I am kind of missing the look of the windscreen now that it's been off. I agree with @laalves that I'm not the biggest fan of the shape and maybe that's the issue I have with it when I'm not loving it. I think the Rizoma shape is better in the way that it hugs the headlight.

I'm going to try it off for another week or so. I may end up putting it back on. Who knows. Appreciate the opinions!!

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laalves

· #17 · Jun 1, 2021

Simon Buster said:
I'm going to try it off for another week or so. I may end up putting it back on. Who knows. Appreciate the opinions!!

You can also use it sometimes and sometimes not! That's what I do with my brushed tail hump, sometimes I put it on, sometimes I feel I like the look of the pillion seat better, so I swap them.

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mattmiller1973

· #18 · Jun 1, 2021

Just added the Puig New Generation Retrovision screen and I think it completes the bike — YMMV

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joseeight

· #19 · Jun 1, 2021

I added a screen myself over the weekend, will try to post soon, but I have to say, I kind of hate the look so think will remove it.

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Simon Buster

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jun 1, 2021

mattmiller1973 said:
Just added the Puig New Generation Retrovision screen and I think it completes the bike — YMMV

View attachment 143591

Nice. Are those cylinder head covers stock? If not, where'd you get them?

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