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[Crisis management]

I just tried a mocked up screen today, a piece of foamboard taped in place and this type of arrangement lets you add or remove material easily and alter shape at will. It looks like crap but it's there to experiment with, I've spent half a day or so with it and have a screen design that will work for me.
My primary aim was to get the wind off my chest and make it comfortable at 100km speeds, so it looks very similar to TA's screen.
If you really want to find out what the air is doing around the screen, tape 100mm long strands of wool all over the screen (and behind it) and see how they fly at speed. The wool strands will point the wind direction affecting them so it will be clear where laminar (smooth) air is and where turbulence occurs.
God knows how far all that would go, I'm happy just to be able to travel comfortably at open road speeds!

[cooneyr]

The problem I had is that I'm too tall I think. I ended up with my head right in the stream of turbulent air coming off the top of the screen on J's DR. When I rode Plugs F650 Dakar (with factory screen) through the Rainbow I found the same thing. When I stood up the noise decreased and I went back to the "normal" constant hiss. If I ducked down lower I found the noise also diminished but it was still "boomy". Would seem to me that you need to either get the screen tall enough have the turbulent wind of the top of the screen above your head - this doesnt mean the screen has to be above your head - or low enough that your head is in clear air.or low enough that your head is in clear air.

I've just resurrected the spitfire screen that came with my bike - the mounting system was naffed. No idea if it is any good or not but going to give it ago. From what I've read TA is right, if there is some airflow under the screen the pressure difference between the sides and behind the screen is less. The spitfire screen doesnt sit right down on the headlight surround so fingers crossed.

Cheers R

[NordieBoy]

My screen is slowly getting lower.
Next step is another 2cm off the top.
It's already 3cm lower than when I got it.

[NordieBoy]

Nordie has something on his DR, next time i ride with him i might try get some open road experience on his DR to see how his screen works for me.

It's some sort of Givi screen.
The turbulance will probably hit you in the middle of the visor
Completely below my helmet though.

You're welcome to go for a blat though

[warewolf]

Would seem to me that you need to either get the screen tall enough have the turbulent wind of the top of the screen above your head - this doesnt mean the screen has to be above your head - or low enough that your head is in clear air.or low enough that your head is in clear air.

Triumph Trophy owners complain about the same thing, and have come to the same conclusion. Many are cutting them down to the point of almost completely removing the fairing screen; this is also being done on other bikes eg Triumph Tiger. Personally, I've removed the rubber trim from the top of the screen, simply leaving a smooth exposed edge. Looks a little less finished but is instantly quieter.

There are also things like Stealth Edging which try to eliminate the problem with a carefully crafted edge trim. That mob also make other bits n pieces to deal with the problem in other ways, eg winglets, which may work well on off-roaders.

[NordieBoy]

I'm thinking adjustable winglet myself.
Something like this...
A combination of Transalpers screen with a small moveable winglet.

Problem is making it not look ugly.

[Mole_C]

Right, how do i wheelie this beast?

[NordieBoy]

Shafties can't wheelie

[Crisis management]

Shafties can't wheelie

I was waiting for that, 10 minutes, not a bad response time!

[Mole_C]

Noooooooooo, tell me its not true

[Transalper]

Noooooooooo, tell me its not true

ok..... it's not true

happy now?

[cooneyr]

I'm thinking adjustable winglet myself.
Something like this...
A combination of Transalpers screen with a small moveable winglet.

Problem is making it not look ugly.

Been thinking about this idea and it is one that I think may be worth trying. By having a "winglet" on the top you can keep the screen higher i.e. less load on the shoulder but get the turbulent wind off the top of the screen directed down or at least horizontally of the top.

One thing to consider is how far forward of the screen the winglet extends. I would suggest that it needs to extend forward far enough to ensure that it is in horizonal clean air flow otherwise you will still get air pushed up over the top by the screen. If the screen is more vertical the less the winglet will have to extend forward to the screen. Also good luck figuring out what angle to have the winglet at. Slightly sloped down to the rear would be my starting point.

Damn - just have no screen so your helmet is in clear air and develop strong arm and neck muscles. Dont have to worry about smacking yourself on a screen when off road that way. I'm hoping my neck muscles have recovered enough to do this!

Cheers R

[warewolf]

Dont have to worry about smacking yourself on a screen when off road that way. I'm hoping my neck muscles have recovered enough to do this!

You're hoping your neck muscles have recovered enough to smack yourself on a screen??

[Transalper]

Been thinking about this...
One thing to consider is how far forward of the screen the winglet extends. ...
I'm hoping my neck muscles have recovered enough to do this!

Cheers R

I'll take pictures next time i'm around the bikes i've seen the winglets on.
With your neck i wonder if some short sealed road runs, 20minutes for a start, out for the loop behind the airport and home again would be in order before the waimak to Oxford ride. Or you already doing that?

[cooneyr]

You're hoping your neck muscles have recovered enough to smack yourself on a screen??

Hardy har har. Your a funny bugger aint ya. Alright my grammar is a little wanting. In saying that I did smack my nose on the screen when putting the bike back in the shed with leg power -opps

I'll take pictures next time i'm around the bikes i've seen the winglets on.
With your neck i wonder if some short sealed road runs, 20minutes for a start, out for the loop behind the airport and home again would be in order before the waimak to Oxford ride. Or you already doing that?

Was thinking of a couple of going for a ride on Saturday the 30th. Going to do it both with and without the screen (in that order) to test the screen and my neck. I'm "not allowed" by order of Dr Wifey (and Burwood Dr) to go riding before 30th but I recon id be fine - not that I have any evidence to prove this or anything (dont show wifey this thread!) I'm pretty confident all will be well for short rides - a high speed run to Hanmer is another thing through. Its only muscular (not much risk of broken bone unless i hit the ground again) so should be ok but maybe sore at the end of it.

Cheers R