Screens on Cruisers - Yay or Nay?

[scumdog]

Look? Schmook.

There are cruiser owners and cruiser riders. Cruiser owners are big on looks and shit-loads of shiny chrome. They don't own wet-weather gear and wear fingerless-gloves and Johnnie Rebs because they never take their bikes out in the rain or in seasons other than summer.

Cruiser riders, on the other hand, go riding. They understand the benefits of weather protection and comfort for rides longer than a half-hour blat with the missus for a latte and fag.

I guess I got it wrong - no screen, got fingerless gloves, wet-weather gear, a bit of chrome and ride in the rain...

[Hitcher]

I guess I got it wrong - no screen, got fingerless gloves, wet-weather gear, a bit of chrome and ride in the rain...

Perhaps you're a Harley Rowner. Or bi-curious...

[breakaway]

You don't need a huge screen as shown on some bikes. A small strategically positioned one will make a world of difference.

[firefighter]

Perhaps you're a Harley Rowner. Or bi-curious...

IMO it depends on the bike, some look shitty with one some look good.

[Morcs]

Is the GN actually a cruiser?

[Griffin]

My C50T is the first bike Ive owned with a screen and I love it. Dont care what anyone else thinks - I like the protection and the look...

[chubby]

Mr Griffin sar, Can you fill me in with a few point about your screen. I am interested as i find a moderate length (ie two to three hours) ride in buffeting winds leaves me tired so:

How do you find the screen in the tiredness stakes ie is it easier to ride with on longer rides.
How does it react to side winds, head winds, back winds. Does it affect handling esp on cornering.
How big is your screen ie small, normal, as large as toasters back wheel.
Do you have yours at regulation height ie about the level of your chin?

Just curious.

[Blossom]

I guess I got it wrong - no screen, got fingerless gloves, wet-weather gear, a bit of chrome and ride in the rain...

Perhaps you're a Harley Rowner. Or bi-curious...

now now... not all us cruiser riders are like that... some of us are just kinky. thats not bi-curious... is it???

[Griffin]

Mr Griffin sar, Can you fill me in with a few point about your screen. I am interested as i find a moderate length (ie two to three hours) ride in buffeting winds leaves me tired so:

How do you find the screen in the tiredness stakes ie is it easier to ride with on longer rides.
How does it react to side winds, head winds, back winds. Does it affect handling esp on cornering.
How big is your screen ie small, normal, as large as toasters back wheel.
Do you have yours at regulation height ie about the level of your chin?

Just curious.

Hi Chubby - thanks for all the questions - thou maketh me feel knowledgeable... unfortunately I am not I have only owned the C50T for just under 2 weeks but I can answer a couple of your questions.

The longest ride I have been on is just under 2 hours... the lack of buffeting from the wind was noticeable for every minute of that 2 hours with the exception of waiting at traffic lights. My last bike (screenless) I found I got quite tired from the buffeting and often felt like I was holding on to the handle bars purely to not get blown away. I have also noticed from the first ride that I dont automatically reach to pull down my visor once I get over 30kms/hr - the fear of some random bug or wasp flying into my helmet has dissappeared

My screen is large (standard C50T screen) see my profile pic to get an idea, however prob not as large as Toasters back wheel... Is anything on a stock standard day to day Cruiser as big as Toasters back wheel???

I havent ridden in any gusty winds yet so cant answer the sail question but so far no issues... I have been warned of that being a possible problem tho.

And yes it is around abouts the level of my chin in height tho it can be adjusted higher but I havent found that to be necessary

[Imbray]

Must confess that I've put a screen on my little baby, found after riding for a hr, esp if windy my shoulders where dying with screen have been out for 4hrs at a time & feel good, could keep going longer, hubby tells me to go up to the gym & lift weight's am wanting to trade up to ?Suz M50 which he says will look like shit with a screen

[Blossom]

Must confess that I've put a screen on my little baby, found after riding for a hr, esp if windy my shoulders where dying with screen have been out for 4hrs at a time & feel good, could keep going longer, hubby tells me to go up to the gym & lift weight's am wanting to trade up to ?Suz M50 which he says will look like shit with a screen

It actually looks ok with a screen... well I'll be. I have a vl250 also and have been thinking about getting one. Also how much did it cost ya and did you fit it yourself? oh and welcome to the site...

[chubby]

Hi Chubby - thanks for all the questions - thou maketh me feel knowledgeable... unfortunately I am not

'Oh but if we give you a couple of weeks can you let us poor buggers know. I understand about the hanging on... get that in a good nor wester'

And yes it is around abouts the level of my chin in height tho it can be adjusted higher but I havent found that to be necessary

'From what i've heard, you have it at the right height. You don't want it covering your eye line'.

Thanks for your comments, I do appreciate them. I'd imagine that it is the sort of thing that would be great on a run of a couple of hours. Just thinking you know especially with removable screens. then again i also read a lot about wind streams that come up from under the screen and can cause turbulence around the helmet area.

I am looking forward to seeing Toasters remodeled bike. I'd like to see comparisons of that back wheel with standard bikes. By the sounds of it, if it gets any wider he may be able to put the pillion beside him.

[Imbray]

It actually looks ok with a screen... well I'll be. I have a vl250 also and have been thinking about getting one. Also how much did it cost ya and did you fit it yourself? oh and welcome to the site...

I think it was around $100 mark & as it's just 2 clamps to hold it on Hubby did it 4 me, had some prob with 1 clamp not wanting to tighten up enough & so was lose, rattled, drove me nut's - superglue was my friend

[Biggles2000]

Thanks for your comments, I do appreciate them. I'd imagine that it is the sort of thing that would be great on a run of a couple of hours. Just thinking you know especially with removable screens. then again i also read a lot about wind streams that come up from under the screen and can cause turbulence around the helmet area.

I am looking forward to seeing Toasters remodeled bike. I'd like to see comparisons of that back wheel with standard bikes. By the sounds of it, if it gets any wider he may be able to put the pillion beside him.

Chubby. I have one of those big cop style removable HD screens on my road king and I love it. I have never had a problem with noise or turbulence at all, in fact my last bike was a Triumph Trophy 1200 and the HD is on a par if not better for turbulance and wind noise. The kings screen is removable which is somthing I rarely do as the bike is 100% better to ride with the screen on.
I have never given a thought that the screen might act like a sail in cross winds, from the side it seems to be mounted vertically in line with the steering head axis so probably has little to no effect on the dynamics.

[skidz]

I supose on my trip around the south a while back it would have been a little easier, but I'm not old enough yet. I sometimes think about putting it on when it's pissing down but it looks better hanging up on the wall where I can't get at so easy. One day I might ride like a grand-dad.