BMW screen for R1150R

[ColinFromDevon]

Freshly inspired by all the quick feedback I got asking people about Brisk plugs, I have another question to put out there : Has anyone had experience withthe BMW screen they make for the R1150R ? I'm currently trying to get my money back from Ocean BMW plymouth, but they have so far refused. I bought my R1150R in Aug this yr, came with a non BMW screen (I'm a lover of a good screen, makes for comfortable long rides) but it vibrated a little and is a dark colour and I thought the BMW one would be pukka, with a good sturdy mounting bracket on it, and it looked good, though I thought it looked small? My previous bike was R1100R did 60k miles on it, the BMW screen on that was an essential for me! I rang Ocean asking them about the touring screen, he gave me some measurements, seemed small but I ordered it, thought it must work otherwise why would they sell it as a touring screen ?! yet when I got the measuring tape out and began to size it up on my mind it seemed too small. I didn't collect it from them. Though when I went in there and picked up my coils I'd ordered, the guy said to me that he still had the screen there I ordered (no money had been paid) I told him I didn't want it anymore as I didn't think it was big enough for the job, he replied that it wasn't just about size but design and that BMW had designed it to push the air up tosomewhere comfortable, mmm if it would work I knew I'd be happy, as it also looked very nice. I bought it, put it on and straight away WTF ! I wear an open face withflip down visor and my neck got a hideous blasting of cold air, over 60mph and it was positively uncomfortable, buffeting my head, there is no adjustment of the angle or height, it is as it is, and it didn't work. So I had it off the bike straight away the next day, rang them, told them my experience and they basically said 'you bought it, we've never had anyone else complain (implying it was just me being weird or changing my mind) sorry we can't refund you' I argued that it was 'not fit for purpose' it doesn't do what it is supposed to do and I am legally entitled for my money back, they have left it that they are 'contacting Germany to see if they will accept it back' that was a week ago and I havnt heard anything. I feel really pissed off with them AND with their miserable screen. So has anyone ridden with one ? did the wind also pummel your head? by the way I am 6' tall and actually have the BMW 'low' saddle fitted, as I like low centre of gravity. That;s a long story/rant , ..hope there are others out there who know about this?

 

[justabof]

Sorry, no experience with R, but stick to your guns with wanting to return the screen as 'unfit for purpose.'

Germany has nothing to do with it. Ocean BMW sold you the screen, and it is unsuitable, so that's their problem not the factory's. If they want to argue for a refund from the factory, that's up to Ocean, but it is the dealer who sold you an item that does not do the job.

Ocean should give you your money back.

 

[MarkShelley]

An awkward one really because screen effectiveness is very much a personal issue and the tallest screens are not always the best for clean air flow. The main reason I sold my 1150R was because I just couldn`t get a set up that was as good as my GS. The closest I got was with the Wunderlich Touring screen which is pretty huge, but even that caused a fair degree of buffeting to my helmet.

 

[justabof]

A bit of generalisation from some experience of screens on various bikes.......The type of screen which has a duct at the bottom to allow airflow up the inside of the screen seems to be the most effective at preventing buffeting.

The air passing up the inside joins the air travelling over the outside, and helps direct the flow upwards, initially following the rake of the screen.

A 'solid' screen always produces turbulence at the top edge which can cause awful buffeting around your head.

Opinions may vary, and I'm sure that someone will be along shortly with more technical insight than me.

 

[Steptoe]

I have the bmw screen fitted to my R1150R loan bike.
It stops the clocks/instruments from getting draughty and seems to direct the wind straight onto your head.

Can best be summed as "utter crap", but looks hipsterish in a hipster kind of way.

And like all things associated with hipsterism is shite in use but good to look at.

 

[AdrianS]

I had the standard BMW fly screen on my 2002 1150R.
I must admit I found it more effective than it looks like it would be but doesn't really do the job when touring.
I ended up buying an MRA Varioscreen which is a bit larger with an adjustable lip at the top. Not sure how effective this lip is but the screen is better than the standard one and does fit the existing brackets. The only other alternative would be an aftermarket one but they usually have brackets fitted to the handlebars.

 

[Steptoe]

BMW screen on my 1150R.

 

[ColinFromDevon]

I agree Steptoe, it's made for appearance, not as a windshield, shame on BMW, seems the way they are going in recent years.
Their main arguement for not refunding me is 'your the 1st person who has ever had a problem with this screen' (said with condescending look)
On the basis of the feedback I've had already I phoned them this afternoon and made some progress stating that I now have evidence that there are others out there who also believe it doesn't work as a windshield, they still played the 'got to speak to Germany' card, I told them it's just between me and them as they sold it me. The guy now is promising to try get me my refund, but still is making me wait til next tue for news !?
With supporting evidence from others I think I have got them now and they'll hopefully refund me, if there are others with experience good or bad, I'd like to hear still.

 

[MarkShelley]

Is this case going to the High Court?

 

[ralphy]

I’ve got a Givi screen and I think the flip-up at the top helps a lot.

OP: whereabouts in Devon are you? I’ve got a Givi screen and I think the flip-up at the top helps a lot. As it’s off the bike at the moment you are welcome to give it a try & see if it might suit you better.

R