Review - Wunderlich Vario windshield

[lewellen]

Item: Wunderlich Vario windshield & mounting kit

Test bike: 2008 R1200R

Price: ~$400 incl. tax, from BMW Santa Cruz

Overall rating: * * * 1/2 (out of 5)

Pros:
- looks well-integrated on the bike
- improves the gas mileage noticably
- variable screen height for various riding conditions
- easy to install

Cons:
- so-so instructions
- expensive

==================================================================

Kit:
- All hardware included for mounting: Yes
- Fit / finish of major items (shield, mounts): very good
- Fit / finish of fasteners: good to very good
- Quality of instructions: average to poor (bike mount)
: average (shield assembly)
: missing (shield-to-mount connection)

Required tools to install (none included):
- T40 Torx driver
- 6mm hex driver
- adjustable wrench

Mounting system: 2-point on bike (to headlight holder side bolts)
: 2, 2-point brackets on shield, front-and-back plates,
2 thru-holes per plate
: "Vario" top shield uses one locknut per side & slider groove

==================================================================

The Wunderlich Vario windshield is a variable-position windscreen for the BMW R1200R (and presumably others, with different mount kits). The windshield has four or five height positions, allowing for an adjustment range of around 4 inches. It looks good on the R12R, not too wide, not too narrow. The only thing I found aesthetically questionable was the mirror-chrome finish on the shield support arms; they don't quite work with the matte-silver finsih of the headlight supports. But you don't really notice this once the shield is installed.

The instructions for installing the R1200R-specific mounting hardware were a bit worse than average for motorcycles, meaning you're better off looking at the pictures and figuring out the rest yourself. About half of the instructions involve relocating the turn signals, which is not required for US models from what I can tell, as the shield does not obscure or contact the signals. (The shield does come within about a cm of the signals, but this is not close enough to cause concern.)

The instructions for assembling the shield proper were fine. The instructions on how to connect the shield to the bike-specific mounting was missing; fortunately this is relatively straightforward.

Entire assembly should take about half an hour, once you have the tools together; and nothing is irreversible should you decide to take the shield off later. As noted, there is no (apparent) need to relocate the turn signals on the US model R1200R. Knowing what I know now, and with the proper tools in hand, first assembly should take about 10-15 minutes. Removal or reinstallation should take about five minutes. Adjustment of the screen height (which is NOT to be done while riding!) takes less than a minute: loosen the knobs, adjust the height, retighten, done.

Once everything is snugged down, the shield appears well-braced. At highway speeds and with the top portion "full up" there was some vibration but nothing untoward, in my opinion.

The windshield itself is what I would describe as a medium tint, with good optical clarity. Proportionally, it looks good on the bike. Mine is the silver-grey metallic finish (not the matte, darker silver).

As far as performance is concerned, over a 5-mile section of CA-1, I recorded an average of 46 mpg with the shield off, and 51 mpg with the shield on, using the bike's built-in computer. This is mostly flat, with slight uphill and downhill areas, and ridden at 65 mph. The day of the test the wind was mostly from the side. The first run was with the shield in place; time between tests was around 20 minutes, with not much change in local conditions. During the test runs, both on CA-1 and around town, the shield stayed in place and tight in its mounts.

Overall, while I was pleased with the appearance, fit-and-finish, and effect on the gas mileage, I must conclude this shield is not for me. In a nutshell, I'm too tall for it and I pick up wind noise and some turbulence, even at full height extension. I'm 6' high but with much of my height in the torso, and I'm quite sensitive to low-frequency "beating" in a turbulence zone. (I'm one of those people who can get headaches if the back windows in a car are open at the wrong height.)

So ... anyone want a good Vario shield with about 10 - 15 miles on it? :-)

Good roads,

- John L.

[eisen]

Thanks for the review.

One word: PICTURES

[celticus]

Who would give such a review without pictures?
Mark

[deilenberger]

Overall, while I was pleased with the appearance, fit-and-finish, and effect on the gas mileage, I must conclude this shield is not for me. In a nutshell, I'm too tall for it and I pick up wind noise and some turbulence, even at full height extension. I'm 6' high but with much of my height in the torso, and I'm quite sensitive to low-frequency "beating" in a turbulence zone. (I'm one of those people who can get headaches if the back windows in a car are open at the wrong height.)

So ... anyone want a good Vario shield with about 10 - 15 miles on it? :-)

Good roads,

- John L.

I believe this is actually the MRA Vario-Shield, remarketed by Wunderlich who has BMW Santa Cruz remarket it for them. Gotta be a lot of markup with that many steps between MRA and you. Twisted Throttle also sells this shield as the "MRA" product.

I did a LOT of playing around with the VarioShield. I modified mine to mount it on the BMW tall shield mount since I didn't want to loose my GPS mounting. Here is some of the thread on that topic: http://r1150r.org/board/viewtopic.php?f ... io#p122405

I tried lots of things to try to eliminate the turbulence (and I'm much smaller than you are..) I tried stuffing the slot between the two halves with foam - that changed it, didn't eliminate it. I tried making my own Laminar Lip sort of thing. Changed it - didn't eliminate it. No matter what - I couldn't get comfortable behind the VarioShield. Bummer 'cause I loved the idea. I think the upper part is just too upright and is causing turbulence.

I finally went back to the Cee-Bailey screens. The 16" one puts the noise below my helmet level and is pretty comfortable up to any speed I care to go.

YMMV.. as may your height and experiences.

[lewellen]

Who would give such a review without pictures?
Mark

Let's see... Someone who:

o already took the screen off the bike;

o posted during a break at work and has no network connection at home yet;

o isn't getting paid for any of this (and didn't want to spend two hours walking home, installing, taking a picture, de-installing, and walking back to work); and

o realizes that the pictures you can get with a simple web search are about as good as something you can take with a camera phone, anyway, since there's not a lot to see.

You're welcome.

- Lewellen

[lewellen]

I believe this is actually the MRA Vario-Shield, remarketed by Wunderlich who has BMW Santa Cruz remarket it for them. Gotta be a lot of markup with that many steps between MRA and you. Twisted Throttle also sells this shield as the "MRA" product.

Don,

I think you're right; TT has just the screen listed for around $150, and I found some MRA stickers in the bottom of the packet. There doesn't appear to be a mounting kit available from TT for the R1200R, though; given the cost through BMWSC, that's an expensive bracket!.

Good roads,

- Lewellen

[eisen]

Take it easy, i'm sure Celticus did not mean to insult you.

Reviews are a very important part of this forum, but i know that many of us (myself included) like to have some visual stimuation as well

Is this the screen you are reviewing?
http://www.mv-motorrad.de/lshop,showdet ... 42739,.htm

I went to the BMW santa cruz website - but could not find any info on the screen you reviewed.
Also, the prices from the MRA site above are not even close to what you mentioned, so i'm confused as to exactly which wunderlich screen you have (see, we need pics )

Anyway, all the reviews posted here are a benefit to everyone in this community. So by all means keep them coming - they ARE appreciated.

Ride safe,

E

[lewellen]

Is this the screen you are reviewing?
http://www.mv-motorrad.de/lshop,showdet ... 42739,.htm

Nope, although the bracket mounting appears to be the same.

I went to the BMW santa cruz website - but could not find any info on the screen you reviewed.

If you go to the "Wunderlich" link on their site, you will find additional links to download catalogs and check prices.

At any rate, the Wunderlich catalog for the R1200R can be downloaded from here:
http://www.complete-your-bmw.de/images/ ... 1200_R.pdf

The screen and the mounting bracket are sold separately, catalog numbers 8110240 and 8110249 respectively; you can check prices for them on the BMWSC website at this link:
http://bmwsantacruz.com/Merchant2/merch ... Code=BOSCC

which returns $225 for the screen, and $150 for the nounting kit. Totals $375, plus S&H and/or sales tax.

Good roads,

- Lewellen

[deilenberger]

The screen and the mounting bracket are sold separately, catalog numbers 8110240 and 8110249 respectively; you can check prices for them on the BMWSC website at this link:
http://bmwsantacruz.com/Merchant2/merch ... Code=BOSCC

which returns $225 for the screen, and $150 for the nounting kit. Totals $375, plus S&H and/or sales tax.

Good roads,

- Lewellen

And if anyone wants an unused mounting kit, with a free slightly modified VarioScreen thrown in the mix - $125 + shipping - ping me. It's just sitting in it's box doing nothing at the moment.

Oh - that's after someone buys John L's..