So I've been tampering with the screen on my R80 to try and find the optimum height etc. Today I decided to take the screen off and give that a crack.

Presumably it has never been removed before because the work involved an hour of curt remarks to myself and much spanner turning in out of sight spaces. I've always admired the simplicity and accessability of BMW design but sadly I must report they fell down when they designed the fairing. Or maybe there is an easier way but I followed the Haynes bible.

Off I went for an afternoon carving through the Kawarau Gorge to Cromwell. Immediately I felt as though the wind speed was trying to throw me off the bike. I haven't ridden an unfaired bike for any distance for many years so I'd forgotten just how much air needs to be pushed aside at 120k. I found myself gripping the bars much tighter then normal and expect this would have become tiring at any distance.

It was a glorious day with tourists to dodge around so I had fun. As for the experiment, well the screen goes back on tonight. The bike was quieter without it but frankly it is much easier to ride with it on. Whats more I found I rode a bit slower - no bad thing in itself - without the screen but I have proved it works well and so I'll continue to tinker with the right position.