Screen Advice

[illumeo]

Hi, I am still thinking about getting an F800GS. I am 6'6" and I was talking to the dealer and he advised against the big bmw screen and to just get the touratech spoiler or something similar. Anyone have any advice?

Thanks.

 

[Sooty09]

Yes, don't bother taking any advice on screens.
Case 1, F650GS 6 ft 1" rider, found std screen a bit too low, bought a Givi screen, rubbish for him, too much noise and buffeting. Bought a BMW touring screen which he finds just OK. £300 approx before happy.
Case 2, F800GS 6ft 1" rider, happy generally with std screen,he bought a new BMW helmet and things became very noisy, he bought a Touratech touring screen thinking it would be the solution, £165 wasted, noisy, buffeting, generally uncomfy and a waste of money, now back to standard.
Case 3, me, F800GS 6ft 1" happy with the std screen until I bought a new Shark helmet, noisy but no buffeting. I had a ride on my wifes F650 with std screen and it was silent. Fitted the low screen to my F800 and it was worse then ever (Higher bars and position of mirrors?????). Tried the Givi and also no better on noise but with buffeting . I have put the std one back on and now use good ear plugs.
Every rider sits different, has a different helmet and riding style, It could cost hundreds of pounds to find one which works for you. Probably an adjustable spoiler may be the best solution.

 

[Axel F]

Yep screens are a minefield

Im 5ft 11 with standard seat on F800gs, I've tried the Wunderlich high screen but got rid as it was causing alot of head noise and head buffeting. I've got the metal mule tinted screen now which works well for me, takes all the wind off my chest and not causing too much head buffeting. I think a few on here have tried a few screens before they found best one for them

 

[DesertStrom]

Buy a Madstad.
That's the only one that works for everybody, because it's adjustable in every way, no matter how tall or fat you are, or how long your legs are.
Mounting is 10 minutes. The first time riding can take you an hour or so to find the right position for the screen, after that it's perfect.
And it's a lot cheaper then the so called "A-brands" that don't do what they promise.
Ordered mine in the US and including shipping and import-tax for Cloggy-land it was just under €300.- (not sure what that would be in pounds)

 

[GunZenBomZ]

Givi high screen

me 6'2"

 

[sijohnston]

it depends what you want to do. if you're only riding tarmac, one of those monstrously ugly pilkington glass windscreens would do your trick. i've tried a load of different screens, from Wunderlich, to Metal Mule, to MRA and am now back to the standard one. Am 6"1 and wear a TourX. Save your money is my advice...

 

[TheJoker]

For once quite an informed thread about screens.

The "screen-issue" is more than just a screen. It's typically a combination of;
- Screen
- Helmet
- Rider position, including height (bum to head) and where you sit lenghtwise on the bike.

The short and good answer is, that you'll probably find a good solution. The bad part is that you might have to spend money trying all the different gear out.
I have all three BMW screens that fit onto the F800GS.
I put the small (F650GS) screen on for off roading. I don't really like the standard F800GS screen, it's neither low nor high and creates annoying turbulence around the bottom of my helmet at speed. The BMW Touring Screen is what I prefer for motorway riding. It pushes the turbulence a bit higher and it seems to generate cleaner air around my helmet.
The helmet I have is the Schuberth S1 which is one of the quietest helmets made. It's so nice that I don't use earplugs and it really quietens down in clean air. It might even be quieter with the low screen due to the cleaner air hitting the helmet. It is however a bit more work at speed. With the short screen I can comfortably average 65-70ish mph, with the Touring screen I can easily sit at closer to 90mph without much bother.

If you've got a good dealer he might let you try the Touring screen and return it if you don't want it.

 

[nig5]

As everyone else said you could spend a fortune finding the right screen, maybe try someone else`s bike with a different screen and see what you think.
There are so many variables it`s impossible to know what works best.
I am 5`10in with a low seat and find the standard screen noisy wearing an Arai Condor but if I lift my head a couple of inches it`s quieter! if I put my hand on top of the screen it gets noiser!
I had a MRA screen fitted to my F800S and could adjust the spoiler to where I wanted but don`t know if it would work on my F800GS and I don`t want to spend £130 if it`s no good.

 

[Kiteboy]

I have an MRA screen, 5'11'' it's better than the original but beware. I couldn't get full steering stop to stop with the BMW handguards on. Had to take a dremel to it and modify a little. Not brilliant for a screen designed for a dual purpose bike.

 

[v8legend]

I've got the 'Touring Screen' and 'Comfort Seat'. Works fine for me, but I am a short arse. You're welcome to try my set up, but it is tucked away right now. Might come out blinking at the end of next month!

 

[illumeo]

Thanks very much for all the advice. I won't jump straight in and speed lots of money! At least there are lot of options.

 

[thomo57]

I've got the 'Touring Screen' and 'Comfort Seat'. Works fine for me, but I am a short arse. You're welcome to try my set up, but it is tucked away right now. Might come out blinking at the end of next month!

I've got same as V8legend + Wunderlich adjustable screen extension on the Touring screen, which helps to break up the turbulence coming off the upper edge.

Good luck with your quest, it can work out to be expensive

 

[Aran]

MRA vario

6'5" with a raised seat, and I find the MRA vario OK.
Set low in the summer it just takes some pressure off my chest and leaves my helmet in clean air. Set to max it throws it largely over my head.

The negative is that hit hits the hand guards on full lock. I tend to leave a tank bag on so it isn't an issue for me.

Aran