naked vs windscreen: 2 different bikes

[xprof]

Kieran wondered WTF we bought a naked bike if we were just going to bugger it up with a screen, and it got me thinking, maybe he had a point. So today I took off my Cal-Sci large screen, and went for a ride. It was indeed like riding a different bike! Blasting up the short-and-twisty backroads behind my house I now agree is better without the screen. Trouble is, I ride an open-face helmet (unless it threatens to rain, unlikely in Santa Barbara), and above 35mph the wind roar was unpleasant. Above 50mph it was inTOLerable! So I went home and put in my earplugs, which are purely optional (but nice for long highway rides) with the windscreen. Then I went out again. Better, though I couldn't hear the exhaust. Is this why some riders want louder pipes? My bike sounds throaty enough without the earplugs.

The temp was 80°F, and I found it a bit cooler without the screen, though I must say I've crossed lots of deserts at over 100° and never really been bothered by the screen. I headed down the highway wearing a cotton shirt and a sleeveless Levi vest (no, I'm not ATGATT) and was quite comfortable until I hit the coastline, where the marine layer dropped the temp below 70°. Now I was quite chilly, where I would have been OK with the screen on. What's more, I found myself leaning forward into the wind so much that (A) my bar-backs were now annoying, and (B) the forward lean drove cold air down my open-throated neck and chest. A good jacket with an airtight neck would have cured this, of course, but I was underdressed for a ride I do all the time dressed that way. And 80+mph, my usual, was not comfortable due to air blast and having to grip the handlebars, whereas with the screen 100mph is quite comfortable and relaxed.

So: 2 different bikes, 2 different rides. When my buds come by and suggest we go scrub off the chicken strips on Camino Cielo I'm taking off the shield, putting in the earplugs, and wearing the tight-fitting bike jacket. Naked bikes rule! But most of the time you will find me comfortably dressed behind my Cal-Sci, sitting up straight with my bar-backs, and enjoying the ride with or without my earplugs. Comfort rules too, most of the time, and especially for older guys and on longer rides. Solely my opinion; YMMV.

[tobes]

I like this bike so much more without a windscreen. In the summer I'll remove the screen and ride for a few months that way. I commute to work on the freeway though and the wind blast at 80mph is too much for me to handle so I end up putting the screen back on. I'm experimenting with my ztechnik screen in tilting it back with spacers. I'll have to put up a report with the results.

[websterize]

I like this bike so much more without a windscreen.

Me, too.

[CrankyGeezer]

Having recently removed the BMW sports windshield, let me add another vote for riding without a windscreen. For temperatures over 10 degrees Celcius (50 F) and speeds up to 120 Kilometers per hour (75mph), the ride is quite comfortable if you have a full face helmet and appropriate riding gear. I have never had a touring or other tall screen, but might need to investigate to extend my riding season as the temperatures continue to drop here in Canada.

[Don C]

I love riding my bike with no windscreen, it does feel like a whole different bike. The best part is that the windscreen reflects a lot of engine noise towards me, valve train noise, without the screen it just rumbles from down below, a much nicer sound. But I also have to ride on the freeway, and the windscreen makes this a lot more pleasant.

[Tarmac]

[quote="xprof" Trouble is, I ride an open-face helmet[/quote]

Ok, My Dad would say "If you can't ID 10 insects by taste, your not a real motorcyclist".

Flip side. I've crashed a bike (My Triumph Thruxton) and ended up landing in such a way that if it weren't foe my full faced helmet, i'd be a whole lot uglier then I am today.

[gezerbike]

As most of you know, I've been a big proponent of less is better. I removed the Z technik from my bike and went with the BMW sport screen and it works just fine. The bike that surprised me though was my Yamaha Stratoliner S. It comes stock with a quick detach screen...er, BIG SCREEN. Kept it on for 2 years straight. Took it off this summer and it's just a completely different bike...handles better, much quieter and looks great. Gobbs of compliments. Keep it under 65 and it's just a gas. Much faster than that and my cheeks become part of my ears........

[wabeers]

I have the "tall" BMW windshield and am very happy with it.
It keeps most of the wind off my chest at freeway speeds but
allows enough wind to reduce the pressure on my shoulders and wrists.
It is not as noisy as a full windshield and it allows me to see over
it with ease. It looks good and the mounting hardware allows me
to change to an after market windshield without buying another
mounting system.