Question for all you windscreen aficionados

[dderrig]

Guys, read through the bazillion windscreen posts before settling on a Ztechnik (2405) screen. I took a chance based on my height and inseam (6' 32.5") and some positive reports by a few with similar proportions. The screen is solid and looks fantastic but the noise created with my full face helmet was disturbing. I closed all the vents and put in ear plugs but still too much to ride any distance and its a shame because it took most of the wind off my body which was my goal. I currently have the sport screen and have decided I can live with the body pressure rather than the noise, I know I can probably go with a large cee baileys or other screen to get the wind over my helmet but to me it destroys the look of the bike so my question is will the tall BMW screen for those who have tried it create the same noise effect the Z screen did? I am thinking/hoping maybe it helps with the body pressure a little without the noise? Otherwise I just live with the sport screen.

Dave

[deilenberger]

Dave,

Since I'm not your size (5'8" on a tall day, 28" inseam on the same tall day) - I can't speak with absolute authority.. but the BMW "Touring" screen brought the wind cutoff point up to about neck level on me, perhaps a tad lower, but close to neck. My shoulders were still fully in the wind. This caused quite a bit of wind noise for me - even with the sealed up Schuberth Concept-II helmet. And I always were earplugs (custom fitted ones..)

If all you're looking to do is give some relief for the wind blast to the chest at speed - the lowest C-B will do that for you at a lower price than the BMW shield. It is MUCH smaller than the Z-Technic you currently have and IMHO looks better too. The 16" C-B brings the wind-line up to about mid face-shield for me (bug splooge line is quite obvious with it.) Out of all (6-7 so far) screens I've tried, I keep coming back to the 16" C-B in the summer and 20" C-B in colder weather. They aren't perfect, but they're better than all the others I've tried.

YMMV - and that's why I include dimensions you can use to figure head height.. BTW - I ride with a low-seat also. That counts in the equation.

[xprof]

Like Don says. But if you try it and it's not perfect, do consider changing the tilt a bit. It just takes 1/2" longer machine screws for the lower mount and 1/2" segments of tubing as spacers. Made a world of difference with my CalSci screen.

[dderrig]

Anyone want to trade a pristine BMW tall screen for a pristine 1 hour old Ztechnik 2405 screen and bracket? I'd take just your screen and buy my own Bracket. That way I have the bracket to start my inevetable climb up the Cee Baileys scale 16-18-20-Broke from buying too many screens. Provided I can't return it, the dealer I got it from in Seattle is suppose to be a try and buy spot for the Ztechnik products but the guys at the counter didn't seem to know much about it.

Dave

[AmostThere]

Anyone want to trade a pristine BMW tall screen for a pristine 1 hour old Ztechnik 2405 screen and bracket? I'd take just your screen and buy my own Bracket. That way I have the bracket to start my inevetable climb up the Cee Baileys scale 16-18-20-Broke from buying too many screens. Provided I can't return it, the dealer I got it from in Seattle is suppose to be a try and buy spot for the Ztechnik products but the guys at the counter didn't seem to know much about it.

Dave

I have a few screens for sale: CB 18", CB 20", and Parabellum 22". I am sticking with the OEM bracket and a CB 16" so I really can't use the Ztechnik stuff. Actually, I hope to figure out something with CalSci and the OEM bracket that will be perfection.

[dderrig]

AlmostThere, how tall are you and what is your inseam, what seat do you have? With all those screen you must have a story to tell!

Dave

[ScottSuff]

Has anyone cut a CalSci shield down to fit? My shield story is Sport to Z Tech V-Stream. It blurred my vision from buffet. Picked up a BMW tall mainly to get the bracket. It does alright but still more wind than I'd prefer. Next up is the large CalSci with buffet. The top of the shield is about mouth level as I sit on a BMW low seat that has be redone and raised an inch. I'm 5'11" with a 30.5 inseam. With an extra large CalSci I'd be looking thru the shield and I prefer to not do that. I've gone to 3/4" spacers on the bottom to increase the rake but no change. Next I'm going to start cutting the thing down to get back in clean air. I talked to Mark at CalSci and he gave me pointers on how to do it but since I seen another shield post come up, thought I'd ask if anyone has done that with good luck.
Thanks

[motoracer8]

I have the BMW touring shield on mine, and yes it makes racket, It's a quieter ride without any shield unless you have somthing the size of a RT, or a Goldwing. I went through the process with shields on a Ducati Multistrada, the taller they got the more racket they made, more wind protection yes at the cost of more noise, the standard shield was the best for the least noise.

I had a KRT some years ago and the shield came back closer to your helmet and it was'nt bad.

I hope you guys get it figured out so I don't have to buy too many more shields.

Ken G.

[deilenberger]

There is actually a guy on the BMW MOA forum who is seeking an R1200R owner in Florida to try to make up a screen for it. He claims the use of a wind-tunnel (which Mark at CalSci sez isn't worth much) - and is designing a two piece one so the height will be adjustable. He wants to make it fit the stock BMW touring frame I believe.

Here is the posting from him (he had sent another posting - which as a moderator I removed - because it was rather blatantly commercial in nature.. but it explained what he was looking for, and gave links to his numerous websites):

http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/showthread.php?t=34416

One of his websites is: www.FairingScreens.com - and I'm sure there are links there to the other few dozen that point to this same website..

Note the bottom warning on his website:

IMPORTANT MATERIAL INFORMATION

We use "High Grade" Acrylic- material. This material is exeptionally durable and resistant to ultra-violet rays but is not shatterproof.
The purchaser of this product acknowledges the potential risk of injury that could results from human contact with a shattered windscreen.
The purchaser/user assumes all risk and liability associated therewith.

It's unclear to me what "High Grade" means - most other windshield manufacturers use polycarbonate plastics (Z-Technic), or aircraft grade acrylic (Cee-Bailey, etc.) - and it might be worth inquiring.

[dderrig]

By thw way, Ride West BMW who I purchased the screen from here in Seattle says I can return the screen! Thats good customer service and why I purchased my wifes 2009 F650GS from their sister company South Sound BMW (Same owners).

Dave

[Preacher]

There are so many human torso lengths, screen shape & height, BMW/aftermarket seat height permutations it's rather difficult to recommend one. I've got the BMW short sport/fly screen and have found that to work amazingly well, even in summer thunderstorm on I-95 at 75mph. I had seen Don's posts a while back on his 16 and 20" CB's so I decided to buy the 18" Cee Bailey to use as my winter screen. My R12R has the low seat, I'm 5'9" with a 31"plus inseam. The wind blast off top of the CB hits my helmet right about forehead level. But it really keeps the blast off the chest/neck. It's does not make the bike look "weird", though I much prefer the pure naked look. I think the 16" CB would look better on the bike, but that 2" shorter shield would make for way too much noise on my poorly-sealed helmet. But the helmet is airy in summer heat and I've started using ear plugs.

Here's the 18" Cee Bailey on my R:

And then the Bimmer shorty, which I prefer style-wise and above 50's: