► Alternative screen options

[Martin]

Fitted a metal mule screen to the 800GS yesterday and did 200 mile trip to Wales to try it out. I'm 6'5" tall with 36" inside leg. With the original screen, the wind blast hit me at neck level. With the MM screen, the windblast hits at visor level. Wind nose still there but slightly reduced. No buffeting, whereas the original screen felt like being boxed about the side of the head at 80 mph. Pressure taken off chest.

All in all, a vast improvement. Light tint also looks good on the mag grey (fastest colour) bike.

Haven't fitted the edging strip as I think it looks naff.

 

[nikp]

Hi
I've just picked up my new 2009 F650 GS. It will get Barkbusters handguards. I would like to get the tall Givi screen. Will it fit with the handlebars? If not, which screen would be better?

Linda

I have the Metal Mule screen with the barkbusters on my F800GS and they combine with room to spare.

NB
I have both the standard Barkbusters and the optional Storm handgurds and both work ok - I would definitley recommend the storm option though as they offer better weather protection. I'll be using the sandard plastics for summer only.

 

[Tim Cullis]

Which screen is best depends on where your head is relative to the airflow. This in turn depends on upper body height and whether you have a standard or low seat.

Unlike the 1200GS, the F650/800GS screen isn't adjustable so ideally you should try someone else's screen on your bike.

Tim

 

[slim100]

Hows it goin Linda,

I have had the bmw tall screen on my f800gs for a few months its a considrable improvement over the standard screen, still a small bit of turbulance around the helmet (im 6ft) and an improved MPG for some reason so i cant complain.

hope this helps

 

[Martin]

I've got the metal mule screen on my 800, much better than the original. Just under £80. Can still get full lock plus room to spare, with BMW hand guards and spoilers.

 

[F650Dakar_Norway]

First impression: Wunderlich Ergo Screen - Hoch

Item mounted today when fetching the 800GS out of winter storage.
reason for purchase: BMW "Touring screen" far too low for me at 186cm body lenght. Quite frankly I find it practically useless and not much more than a wind-relief thingie with preciously little weather protection.

OK, its quite streamlined and aerodynamically effective, reasonably silent and non-turbulent. But for my inclement weather riding it sends too much muck from the front wheel straight onto my visor - impairing visibility, gradually scratching visor and thus reducing rider safety. I find bad weather challenges very interesting and enjoy them, but the BMW stock "flyscreens" are no good for me.

The plus'es:
- Straight 20 min bolt-on job.
- Far better weather protection than both stock BMW screens - I rode for 1,5 hours in continuous rain in 2,5 to 4 degrees C and experienced vastly improved wather protection - especially around the crucial neck area - where water otherwise would gradually leak in.
- No more muck on visor from front wheel

The minus:
- More buffeting between 90kmh-130kmh

Nah, well. I can live with those caveats.
Nothing that a pair of earplugs won't fix

 

[F650Dakar_Norway]

Hi F650Dakar_Norway,
if you are willing to sell the BMW Touring Screen, and if it is still in god conditions, i might be interested![/url]

Not worth it. It's cracked at the lower edge after I bumped into a car from behind in November. I also intend to use the BMW touring shield support bar for the Ergo Screen since it actually fit OK. I'll drill two holes and use two rubber grommets and bolts from the BMW screen so the higher Ergo screen gets even better support. It actually looked nice IMHO.

 

[F650Dakar_Norway]

hello mate
Does your new windscreen work well with your handguards? Meaning whether if there's any contact at full turn of the steering wheel.
Thanks

Yup. I've got the new R1200GS handguards and they clear quite well.

post some pics of the installed screen when you're done mate!

cheers

 

[Malcolm Leick]

I almost bought the Touratech screen when I was down at their adventure weekend a couple of weeks ago, but it came with no grommets and the ones in my BMW touring screen (wind straight in your face!) didn't fit.

I called Nippy Norman's and they recommended the Wunderlich Ergo which I fitted last week. I commute 60miles a day on the bike and it has made a big improvement. The instructions didn't make a lot of sense but I managed to fit it anyway and there is no restriction to the lock with hand guards fitted. It's the tallest screen I have seen and I'm happy with it.

 

[shag]

MRA vario screen

Hi
I've just picked up my new 2009 F650 GS. It will get Barkbusters handguards. I would like to get the tall Givi screen. Will it fit with the handlebars? If not, which screen would be better?

Linda

Hi linda

The MRA vario for the 650/800 are on sale in june so there be more choice to batter the brain (wallet/purse) lol
Don't have a price yet but the guys at http://www.bikehps.com/mra/variotouringscreens.html seem to answer any question's.

 

[divelandy]

I'm 5'7 and brought the metal mule screen. <60mph it's fine. Above, it's very noisy as the turbulence is right around my head. Put the OEM screen back on and the noise is much better at faster speeds, but the pressure around my chest/throat is back. For the summer it's going to be fine and cooling, but in the winter it does not have the protection of the MM one.

Now i'm left not knowing which option to try next...

 

[Martin]

Laminar lip / aerotrim aerofoil with Metal Mule

Have been looking at Heroblobs website, who sell laminar lips and Aerotrim aerofoils. The windblast from my Metal Mule screen hits me at visor level, and I was thinking of trying one of the attachments from Heroblobs.
Has any one tried fitting one to the Metal Mule screen?

 

[Blobby]

If it helps, im 6'2" and the metal mule works pretty well for me, bit of wind blast on my shoulders and arms but hey its a motorbike.
In calm conditions (the wind not me) 90mph is comfortable cruise but not very licence friendly, 80mph is maintainable is almost any conditions.
i do about 14k a year so have had plenty of practice
M

Did this screen reduce the noise in your helmet a little, a lot or not at all? I am 6'2" as well and while I don't mind being kicked about by the wind (actally I rather like that bit), I have only just worked out that the way the wind is directed at you by the standard screen, actually creates a huge amount a noise in my helmet and leaves my ears ringing. Stand up at 80mph, out of the rough air, and my helmet becomes really quiet again.

 

[Martin]

Have bitten the bullet and ordered a Touratech screen extender. As the top of the Metal Mule is the same profile as the top of the OE screen, it will fit (or so I'm told) exactly. The OE screen puts the windblast at neck level. The MM screen moves it up to visor level. Hopefully the extended will move it up a few inches and quiten things down a.bit.
I always ride with ear plugs but even so, riding the GS leaves my ears ringing.
It should arrive this weekend.

 

[Martin]

Collected the Touratech screen extender from the sorting office yesterday. Very impressed with the quality, but then again, I should be for £108 inc.postage.
Fitted it to the top of the Metal Mule screen and went for a run. Windblast still hits me at visor level. Not sure why as that is exactly where it hit before fitting the extender. Noise is now a loud drone once you get over 50. However, it is possible to crouch down behind the screen and all noise disappears, which was impossible before unless you laid on the tank like a spotty teenager. Screen appears very tall and narrow with the extender fitted and seems to flap about a bit around town. The screen with the extender, measures 550mm from the centre of the top edge, to the bottom edge above the headlight. This makes it taller than any other aftermarket screen!
One of the reasons I bought the 800, was for it's relaxed riding position. Being 6'5"" tall, there aren't too many bikes out there that I comfortably fit on. I'll try the extender on the standard screen this weekend, and see if that's any better. After spending over 8k on a bike, I am still struggling to find a way to stop my ears ringing.....
Yes I wear ear plugs, yes I suffer from tinnitus, and yes, this bikes aggravates it big time! Any suggestions very welcome!

 

[F650Dakar_Norway]

Allrighty, some weeks done with this screen now.

The plus-side:
- Improved weather protection. On of my main objectives now OK.
- Good looks. Blends nicely with the 800GS design IMHO.
- Easy bolt-on-job done in 10-15 mins.

The minus:
- Severe buffeting requiring ear plugs. I mean vicious, loud buffeting noises here. We're talking dangerously loud buffeting with ear-damaging potensial.
- I'm 1,86m tall and recommend usage of ear plugs at all times with this screen. Even then you'll get a steady, vibrating bass-drum droning noise which may feel uncomfortable for many people. But at least you don't feel knackered after a multi-hour ride with ear plugs in place.

Since my first priority was weather protection and style, I'll fabricate some home-made winglets and try a screen extender. There was a noticeable reduction in wind noise when holding my palm down at the left side winglet area.
If this prototyping doesn't work OK I'll simply buy a pair of winglets from Nippy Norman: http://www.nippynormans.com/prodinfo.asp?number=SCR-WL-800TGS&variation=&aitem=5&mitem=18

But be warned; the Wunderlich Ergo Screen Hoch is dangerously noisy and its Decibel levels/noise ratio requires wearing ear plugs at all times - depending on your personal height, of course. Btw, I use a Schuberth C2 helmet. Not exactly a noisy lid.

Conclusion:
This screen does not work on its own without noise-reducing measures. According to Norwegian law at work places this screen produces dangerously loud wind turbulence noise and will damage your hearing if ear protection is not used - as goes for most motorcycle helmets - depending on the rider height/fairing combo.

Recommendations:
I recommend Nippy Norman winglets, screen extender and ear plugs as possible noise-reduction tools for this screen for a rider near 186cm tall. Your personal height and your helmet's inherent noise-dampening abilities will of course influence this appropriately.

 

[MG57]

Hello everyone.

I'm new here on this forum (3 weeks as my GS is that old now.. 550 miles), thanks for all of your posts on this issue.

I got a MM screen yesterday and went for a longish ride. I'm now just under 6' having begun to shrink due to age (51)
I found a very noticeable reduction in chest pressure, but still have the wind on the visor and more noise on the top of helmet (Arai GT Viper, with soft fx plugs) and to some extent more buffeting from a 150 mile trip last weekend to Sparkford Bike Safe, when the OEM was still on.

I think I may go back to the OEM screen for the summer ( http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8026668.stm ) given this, so as to keep cool and return to the MM for the winter.

I'm also going to try the lower seat for a while, as Oxford BMW have offered a temp loan, when I go back to get the 600 mile service next week. This could make the difference, but who knows.

Were of any of you who live around Glos at the Biker nite @ Andoverford on a Yellow / Black 08 plated F8gs ?

Regards

Mark

 

[Martin]

Latest post in the quest for non-deafening GS ownership.

Took the Touratech screen extender off the Metal Mule screen and put it on the OE screen. Went for a ride. Windblast back at visor level. Read the paperwork and saw I've got seven days to return it for a refund.

Cleaned it, bubble wrapped and labelled it to go back today. Sorry, but it was dark and I didn't get a chance to take photo's.

Now back to the original screen. If I lift my ar$e off the seat by only a little bit, my head's in clean air. Has anyone tried fitting a 650 screen to the 800? That screen is lower and might be the way forward?

In the mean time, I've got a tinted Metal Mule screen, six weeks old and in excellent condition, looking for a new home.

 

[VINTAGE]

I bought this one that you see in the picture from Tom and it works great for me at 5' 7". It really is a personal thing. Tom is one inch Taller than me and it didn't work for him.

Hi
I'm also 5'7'' ride a 650 twin and desperatly need a higher screen.The MRA is
fine with you,What is the hight of it? If top of screen extended
parallel to the ground (when you are on the bike) reaches you in what point of
face? Do you have any opinion about Wunderlich screens?

 

[jimbob59]

PM'd you

Tosser:

I have the 658 twin. I am 6' w/ 32" inseam and after trying several options that made things worse (as they were not tall enough to get the turbulent zone completely OVER my helmet I'm leaning that way also....
My seat is too dang hard anyway so when I rework it I'm going to boost it
1" or 2" and am hoping that will be good noise-wise.

Of course it won't be so clever in foul weather and gives less protection from buffeting............... sigh.......................