Naked versus Screen

[Devil]

As I have mentioned before, I found the SV650S riding position way too uncomfortable for me, my back and neck couldnt take it, but that depends on the person. I found myself warmer on a the Hornet 900 because the riding position wasnt sending huge gusts of air down the front of my jacket!

I'm trying a naked sv today the riding position is quite different. We'll see if it sways me towards the sv's. Otherwise i'll be buying the xxxxxx (you'll have to wait).

I like naked bikes, I like being "out there" in the wind. When you balance your body right against the wind its fine.

[cowpoos]

Screens are for Homos. Toughen UP!

you own a trophy dave???

[Keystone19]

I like naked bikes, I like being "out there" in the wind. When you balance your body right against the wind its fine.

Yes, but you weigh 90kg, I weigh 57kg. Is it balance or ballast?

[Devil]

Yes, but you weigh 90kg, I weigh 57kg. Is it balance or ballast?

Thats 85kg now!

You have offended my pies.

I shall now go and sulk.

[Hitcher]

And there is no such thing as the "perfect" screen either. They can sometimes act as a sail, or in cross-winds like a wing, they can be noisy, create wind chop and buffeting around your helmet, just generally get in the way or all of the above. Effects are different for different sized riders too, depending where their head is in relation to the quiet air bubble that a screen creates.

[Fryin Finn]

I have a Givi screen on my XJR it takes the wind off my chest but deflects it on to my helmet. The ride position is a bit sit up and the wind catches you when the bike is naked but if I had put on lower bars that would probably help a bit.
Remember with a decent screen your bike is a bit more aerodynamic and will help with fuel mileage.

[Avignon]

Unless you do high speed touring or regularly punch through 160kph you dont really need a screen. As others have said, a bit of windblast is a great way to make sure you notice your speed and is a bit of a natural speed regulator. Horses for courses really. I think 'most' fully faired bikes look great, some of them like 05R1, gixxer thous, 999 etc look like they are doing 100mph just sitting there. However I also like naked bikes so I can see the engine, frame, exhaust headers etc. Its a dilema, Just as well I've got one of each.

[dawnrazor]

Every bike i've ever owned has been naked,..........except the last one and my current one. Used to hate fairings and bikini fairings and little screens. But now i'd never go back ever to a naked, not unless it was a muscle bike a CB1300 or speed triple. Nope i'll only draw the line at one of those BMW's scooter commuters things, with the up and over screen, so it looks like a 2 wheeled car with no doors. Saw a bloke in the CBD on one with an open face helmet, he looked so miserable. I think they even have seat belts, and window wipers. No shame, taste, sense, idea, spine, balls.........

[Gontour]

I had a 600 Bandit unfaired, my reason for picking the unfaired version was to slow me down....that went out the window once 'they' took my license for 3 months. I now ride a Faired version but I found the unfaired seemed a little more risky and exciting to ride just because I could see the front wheel........Whatever you pick i'm sure you will get used to anyway.

[Silage]

I rode the GB400 in its original neked state for a while. Then after a blustery trip to Marlborough where it was difficult to stay on one side of the road, I added a cheap bikini faring. The difference was huge, especially in wind. I have never had a sore neck from (GB400) speeds but see the main advantage in a good screen is handling.

Consequently when looking around last year I was looking mainly at bikes that are not all plastic but that do have a bit of a screen. Probably should have looked longer at screen options for a Hornet, but the GS1200 matched what was wanted fine. The screen on it works great at any speed (well the screen is big enuf!!) but once I almost lost a hand from the wind blast when waving to a bike while passing at speed. The only thing I notice is that from about 90kph up with a pillion, the wind flow must change and my head is forced to bob around all over the place - quite annoying. Only happens with a pillion.

[Riff Raff]

I tried both versions of the SV and the faired model one hands down. With an existing neck injury I found the naked was too uncomfortable for me.

[dawnrazor]

I tried both versions of the SV and the faired model one hands down. With an existing neck injury I found the naked was too uncomfortable for me.

Yeah, good for you - ya see it is an easy ride , can be a bit lumpy at low revs, you'll find yourself dipping the clutch around town in slow traffic a lot. But great fun on the open road, could ride it all day without any serious pains. I sold mine not so long ago. If your serious about buying one, PM me, there are a couple of things that you need to look out for or ask about, before buying. The placement of the engine in the frame makes access to the rear cylinder a big job and there are a couple of things that can need attention on a 2/3 year old bike in this area. Of course if your buying new, have fun - and get them to stick on an aftermarket pipe into the bargin, the v twin is really qite grunty, but the stock pipe really hides it.

[Phurrball]

As some of you know I ride a VTR250. When I purchased the bike it had a Givi screen on it. I am currently thinking of upgrading my bike and decided to take the screen off to see what it's like to ride naked... (snip)

Interesting comments. Your VTR is a similar style to our baby-Bandit, and having travelled the North-Western, I found the buffeting and wind-blast from trucks disconcerting. (This was at a time when it was not a car park, and with a little more change than an L-plater should have rattling in their pocket )

Now, admittedly I'm an L-plater with only a couple of hundred kays under my belt, and I'm sure that I'll get used to it, but a little Givi screen does have a certain appeal for the commute. Maybe a mini screen after all the other goodies I owe the bike...

(Makes mental note to work more hours)

That said, the bike looks pretty hot in red, and hotter still with Mrs Phurrball in the pilot's seat perhaps a little wind-blast isn't so bad...

[Pwalo]

Try both of them and see which one suits you more. With the naked bike you should try Mr Ixion's recommendations and check out the bars in different positions (a big advantage with one piece handlebars).

On my GS I've got a Givi A755 fairing (must update my photo), and have moved the bars back a bit. This moves them a bit closer and lower and works really well with the screen. Any buffeting gets me around the shoulders, but Leaves my helmet in still air. Also keeps me much warmer, and surprisingly drier in the rain.

Now if I could only get a little more ride height at the rear, and some decent aftermarket suspension.

[Lou Girardin]

Screens are for Homos. Toughen UP!

One word, Trophy!