Help on choosing a touring screen for R1150R

[jrvip1]

Hi people, I'm looking for some advice. I'm taking delivery of a 2003 R1150R this week. It has the fly screen already fitted.

As the weather in the UK is pretty grim a lot of the time, I would like to replace the fly with a taller touring screen.

The ones I've heard mentioned are BMW's own and Cee Bailey (different heights but I like the sound of the 22" with curved top).

Basically I want as low as cost as possible - and easy to fit myself. I'm also fitting a Zumo 500 so it's all got to have space for each other. I've heard sometimes fitments can get in the way.

Also do you think the handling from buffeting is more noticable with a tall screen?

Is there a 'best' screen to go fo?

Any information would be gratefully received.

TIA. Jeremy

[Biff's R]

I had the large BMW touringg screen, but now I have the middle size sport screen. The touring screen and my current helmet did not work well together, and the turbulence gave me a headache. The sport works great. Big enough to keep the wind off of my chest on the highway, but small enough to give clean air around my head.

If I were in your shoes, I would see how things go with the flyscreen first, and then adjust.

[boxermania]

Agrre with Biffs'R....the first bike I tried before mine had a touring screen, rode it for 30 mimnutes and when in the highway my head bobbed from side to side.....I was dizzy bt the time I returned to the dealer.

The bike I bought was fitted with a Givi A750 and being 5' 8" I adjusted the angle to where the air coming off of it would hit my helmet about 1" to 2" above the helmet visor.

Never had a problem with the screen, while on the highway would ride at 80+ and sometimes.....not proud to admit at higher speeds......

[mad1150]

I installed a MRA Vario with Laminar Lip last fall.

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/pr ... /2136/246/

For $150, I figured I could afford to try, and sell it if it didn't work out and I really wasn't expecting much. But, it's been the best mod I've installed in terms of comfort. The lip and shape of the shield forces the bulk of the air to go around you while the air coming between the lip and the screen provides smooth fresh air into your helmet which keeps your face shield clear in rain and provides a cushion of air behind the screen which cancels out buffeting. I have no buffeting. If you want more or less air hitting your helmet directly, simply lower or raise the 7-position lip.

It mounts directly on the BMW fly screen mounts too.

It may not be a tall touring screen - but it works!

[allanj255]

Hi Jeremy I would go with the others advice and try the sports screen first. I live in Northumberland - which tends to be a lot colder and windier than the South east. I have no problems with the sports screen, can cruise at 80mph with little trouble.

[Rockosmith]

I have a Parabellum 21" Super Tour Shield I like very much. At 5'11", the air from it hits just above my face shield. I had a 23" for quite some time and while it is great for cold weather, I had to look through it. Not so good when it is wet. Another item to help control airflow is the 'Tank Wings' from Aeroflow. They virtually eliminated the buffetting around my head. http://www.parabellum.com and http://www.aeroflowscreens.com Happy touring.

[mcollect]

I purchased a Parabellum Scout used with two different sized windshields. After trying many of the others this is the one I kept. I have a sport that I'll let go cheap, but postage to the UK would probably negate any savings. Look around a lot of folks are trading the R1150R for r1200's and they take the farkles off to sell separately.

[OU812]

I had the Parabellum 23". Worked well for me @ 6' in the rain was good as kept the pelting off my face. Did notice some head bobbing.

[jrvip1]

Thanks for all your comments and advice so far. It seems that the MRA Vario looks the safest bet especially since it has a fair bit of adjustment.

[Buckster]

If you get one, let us know how you like it. I was considering one myself.

[gunga din]

Buckster

Does your last post suggest that you are no longer content with your modified parabellum screen?

Does anyone have an opinion on the GIVI A700 screen?
http://www.motostrano.com/gia7unsc4.html

Apologies for the bike attached to the screen in the link, but the mount is apparently universal.

Finding a good touring screen seems to be quite problematic. All opinions appreciated.

gunga

[klrstix]

I have the Aeroflow screen with tank wings. It is IMO a little on the pricey side but really does a great job of wind protection for "touring" application. See http://www.aeroflowscreens.com/

[Buckster]

No...I am satisfied with the screen now. I was interested in the MRA before I did the mod. Just in case mine breaks or something I would like to know how well the MRA works.
Here is my modified shield.

It looks better and has a lot less noise coming off the top now.

[jrvip1]

I've just ordered the MRA Vario (the larger of the two models) and sending it to the dealer to fit.

The only thing I have a reservation about at the moment is 1) the looks (I think there are better looking one piece screens available)
and 2) the potential distraction in looking through what is effectively a split screen.

The deciding factor in making my decision though is the flexibility in the screen height adjustment. Functionality over looks wins at the moment.

I collect the bike around the 19th March as I'm on holiday until then so I'll report back then.

Wish me luck

Jeremy

[jrvip1]

OK - got the bike with the screen fitted.

The supplier made a mistake and supplied tinted instead if clear - but I decided to keep it.

Ridden a few hundred miles with it.

Plus points -

Adjustble screen height
Can ride open face up to around 50mph
Solid and well built product

Minus points -

Wobbles at speed (but I don't care)
Still some wind noise (but better than with fly screen)

Overall opinion

[frbank6]

I have had the BMW Touring screen, the 380 mm 'tall' screen and the Parabellum 23 inch model. Of these, the Parabellum probably worked best, but developed a crack at one of the mounting holes about 18 months after I got it. I replaced it with the 380, which I think really looks good, and works fairly well. I think a laminar lip-type addition would help it out. The Touring screen produced a lot of turbulence and noise for me.

[Dr. Strangelove]

I have had the BMW Touring screen, the 380 mm 'tall' screen snip
I replaced it[--the touring screen] with the 380, which I think really looks good, and works fairly well. I think a laminar lip-type addition would help it out. The Touring screen produced a lot of turbulence and noise for me.

+1 on that

in addition, many have had problems with the hdwre for the touring screen.

I like my 380, doesn't provide the protection of a bigger screen, but it is fine and I do not notice much buffeting unless a strong headwind...and the hdwre works very well.

John

[bikermeow]

Hiya, any one knows what screen is on this bike?



cheers

Cat

[gregor]

http://www.bikehps.com/acatalog/Screens ... Bikes.html

I have the MRA Vario for naked bikes.(Reference #COL33534). Seems to be more than one variant around from the pictures in this forum.

Certainly keeps the wind off, but the helmet noise, BMW System, is high even with ear plugs.

I look right over the top of it ,even at full height ,being 6'1" roughly.

[rdsmith3]

I tried the MRA Vario screen for a while before I sold it to sjbmw. I prefer the BMW Touring screen for the riding I currently do, which, unfortunately, includes a fair amount of highway commuting.

Here are my comments on it plus pictures.

http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10475

The problem with asking for advice on windscreens is that everyone has a different opinion. We are different shapes and sizes, we have different helmets, we ride at different speeds on different roads, and we have different riding positions. What works for me may be terrible for you. Also, it is really difficult to do an apples-to-apples comparison on windscreens because they cost a lot of money and they are difficult to install, and some use different brackets. Finally, each windscreen is a compromise between function and looks, and we all have our preferences in this area.