BIKE UPGRADES – WINDSCREENS

Words Dean Mellor

While you may think choosing and fitting a windscreen to your bike would be a straightforward process, there are several factors to take into account. The material from which the screen is made will have an impact on its longevity, weather resistance and ability to resist damage from knocks, detergents, fuels and solvents, while the design of the screen, including its overall size and shape, will have an impact on its effectiveness in providing protection and improved aerodynamics.

Even on bikes that come standard with a screen, there may be good reason to upgrade to an aftermarket windscreen, no matter whether you ride a nakedbike, cruiser, sportsbike, tourer or adventure machine.

Nakedbikes

If you ride a nakedbike, chances are you may not have considered fitting a screen; after all, the very definition of a nakedbike is one without a screen or fairing. But if you ride long distances on the open road you’ll no doubt be aware of the buffeting you can cop when the only thing in front of your face is the visor on your helmet.

Even a very small screen can provide relief from constant wind buffeting at highway speeds, so it’s little wonder that many nakedbikes now come standard with at least some form of protection, whether it be as miniscule as the frame-mounted mask and flyscreen on a Yamaha MT-10, the compact bar-mounted cowl on a Kawasaki Z900, or the slightly more prominent screen on an Aprilia Tuono.

For traditional nakedbikes with round headlights, a number of aftermarket manufacturers make universal-fit screens, so you simply choose what size will best suit your needs and whether you want a clear or tinted finish. For a more integrated appearance, Givi produces a product called the Airstar to suit round-headlight nakeds; it combines a handlebar-mounted fairing with a smoked screen, completely transforming the look of the bike.

For modern nakedbikes with stylised headlights and mini-fairings up front, there are plenty of model-specific windscreen kits on the market, from companies including Eagle Screens, Givi and Ermax.

Even if your nakedbike comes standard with a small screen there will be aftermarket manufacturers that can supply a larger, more effective screen to suit, which can benefit taller riders, for example, who might not benefit from the bike’s standard set-up.

Cruisers

While many cruisers come equipped with a screen from the factory, not all screens suit all riders. After all, some people are short, others tall and many in between.

While a short rider might be provided good weather protection from a large screen, there’s also the possibility the rider’s visibility could be impeded by the screen itself. If the top of the screen is directly in the rider’s field of vision, they’ll have to either duck down to peer through the screen or stretch up to look over it. On some bikes the rider’s view can be distorted by the curve at the top of the screen, making it very difficult for them to find a comfortable riding position.

On the flipside, taller riders might not get the wind and weather protection they require from a bike’s standard screen, in which case they’ll need to fit a taller aftermarket unit, or boost the standard windscreen screen with an additional shield or deflector that attaches to it. Several companies produce these deflectors, including Givi and Ermax, some of which are permanently affixed to the standard screen and others that simply clip on.

When choosing an aftermarket screen, see if you can find a bike already fitted up, then have a sit on it to ensure your field of vision isn’t adversely affected. Make sure you keep an eye out for reflections, too, especially off the bike’s instruments which, when lit up at night, could potentially reflect back into the your eyes. National Cycle produces a huge range of aftermarket screens for cruisers and advises that some models can even be trimmed to suit the rider’s height preference.

Another feature to look for in a screen is adjustability – both rake and height. This can be particularly beneficial when riding at different speeds or when carrying different loads, or when riding solo or with a pillion. Being able to adjust the screen while you’re riding will provide a far greater chance of finding the perfect combination of protection and vision to suit the conditions.

Sportsbikes and tourers

If you’re not able to get right in behind the screen of your sportsbike it could be slowing you down. Fortunately, there are plenty of screens on the market to rectify this situation, most notably the double-bubble design.

A double-bubble screen allows the rider to get their head and upper torso tucked in behind the screen which increases top speed, minimises buffeting and aids overall bike stability at high speeds.

A quality double-bubble screen will have been designed in the wind tunnel for the optimum aerodynamic profile. Some screens will feature small vents, or slits, to minimise the vacuum effect under the bubble, which might otherwise cause a riders helmet to be sucked down towards the tank.

A number of companies produce windscreens for sportsbikes and racebikes including MRA, Hotbodies Racing and Screens For Bikes.

While touring bikes are generally fitted with a factory screen, some of them are quite basic, while others simply don’t provide the protection or aerodynamic profile to suit the rider. In these cases there are great benefits to be had from upgrading to an aftermarket screen. As well as adjustability, many aftermarket screens will provide a profile that minimises wind noise, as well as creating an area of calm air for the rider. Your pillion will likely be happier too.

Adventure bikes

The benefits offered by aftermarket screens already listed are relevant for adventure bikes too, but there some additional factors to take into account when looking for a screen for on- and off-road use.

Firstly, a screen on an adventure bike needs to be tough, so look for a company that specialises in producing equipment for dual-purpose bikes, such as Wunderlich or Touratech. After all, it’s going to have to survive knocks, bumps and scratches when riding through the scrub, and when the bike potentially (or inevitably?) goes down.

You’ll also need a screen that won’t interfere with your control of the bike when you’re moving around on it. Make sure the screen doesn’t prevent the handlebar from achieving full lock, and make sure it doesn’t get in the way of your arms, body or head as you’re moving around on the bike, such as when transitioning between sitting and standing positions.

If you’re quite happy with the profile and look of your bike’s standard screen, but you think it needs some tweaking, you could always fit a windscreen adjuster. Touratech makes just such a device to suit several bikes, and it allows the rider to adjust the position and height of the standard screen to suit riding conditions. And for extra-tall riders, companies including Givi and Ermax produce adjustable shields that can be fitted to the top of existing fairings or windscreens.

Toughen Up

A windscreen needs to be tough to withstand the rigours of riding. Look for a screen that’s manufactured from a shock resistant and shatterproof material, one that’s resistant to chemicals such as fuels and oils, and one that’s UV resistant. Most screens are manufactured from various plastic, acrylic and polycarbonate materials.

The windscreen’s mounting system also needs to be well designed and engineered, particularly if it’s adjustable. Check out the quality of the mounts and the adjustment screws, and ensure the screen can be easily adjusted while you’re on the bike and wearing gloves.

The right windscreen can improve your riding enjoyment and comfort considerably, no matter what bike you ride.