Vario Windscreen - Discuss Vario Windscreen on CBRXX, the ultimate on-line community for Honda motorcyclists. Read it in Body / Paint / Electrical / Lights. (Discussion of Honda CBR 1100 XX Super Blackbird Bodywork, Seats, Seat Cowls, Paint, Windscreens, Electrical System, and Lights.)

DeathWish01 · 07-02-2009, 1:25 AM

just got mine in the mail today, then went on a 150 mile trip with my buddy.... man he is jealous. His face shield was blackened with bugs and i just had a handfull of bugs on mine... the windscreen on the otherhand, did its job. It was covered with all the bugs my face shield would have.
only rode about 20 miles at 100MPH+ but the windscreen didn't seem to be affected at all.. the only bad thing i found about the winscreen is riding on a dirt road and all the bumps, it tends to flex a smidge, but nothing that i can see hurting it at all.
only had it a day and cant say any negative things about it other then the 250 bones i dropped on it, but well worth it i must say.

Poundstretcher · 07-02-2009, 10:43 AM

Show us a piccy

but without the bugs Ugh

DeathWish01 · 07-02-2009, 2:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poundstrecher

Show us a piccy

but without the bugs Ugh

dammit now i have to wash my bike LOL gonna be a while.......

StrayCat · 07-02-2009, 4:29 PM

Dude, did you really pay $250 for it?

MotoRacerGabe · 07-02-2009, 5:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeathWish01

... other then the 250 bones i dropped on it, but well worth it i must say.

canuck · 07-04-2009, 10:20 AM

I have been looking at the Vario screen. Did you get the Touring Vario with the adjustable piece at the top of the screen?

smurf211 · 07-04-2009, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canuck

I have been looking at the Vario screen. Did you get the Touring Vario with the adjustable piece at the top of the screen?

I have one of these, it came on the bike. The only thing I don't like about it is it is clear. If I could tint it I would put it back on.

DeathWish01 · 07-04-2009, 2:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canuck

I have been looking at the Vario screen. Did you get the Touring Vario with the adjustable piece at the top of the screen?

yup, love it

DeathWish01 · 07-26-2009, 10:19 PM

well here are some pics of the vario windscreen clean... (minus the bugs that hit it on the way back from the carwash LOL)
lemme know what you think.... BTW the pics are from all the way up to all the way down, it has 6 adjustment notches which are easy to manipulate even while riding (inadvisable) but it hasn't dropped a single notch on me while riding, and i've rode with it at 141MPH (dropped down) and the windscreen didn't flex very much... flexes a bit when hitting a bump or on a dirt road, but not enough to worry me

THANKS JOHN!!! (JAWS)

DeathWish01 · 07-26-2009, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smurf211

I have one of these, it came on the bike. The only thing I don't like about it is it is clear. If I could tint it I would put it back on.

this one is a light smoke... only one he had...

2000bluebird · 07-27-2009, 1:01 PM

Hey Smurff, care to sell yours maybe if you have it sitting around?

canuck · 07-27-2009, 4:31 PM

Well first of all your shop looks a whole lot neater than mine.

The screen looks functional. To be honest it hasn't got the nicest lines, but if it does the job, that is all that matters to me, and it sounds like it does.

Great pics, thanks for posting.

DeathWish01 · 07-27-2009, 7:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canuck

Well first of all your shop looks a whole lot neater than mine.

The screen looks functional. To be honest it hasn't got the nicest lines, but if it does the job, that is all that matters to me, and it sounds like it does.

Great pics, thanks for posting.

lol you only saw a part of my "shop"... the rest of it is a nasty mess.. LOL

im actually happy with the lines, they are pretty smooth, it doesn't have "wings" per sa where it flares out on the sides, but it works

smurf211 · 07-28-2009, 7:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2000bluebird

Hey Smurf, care to sell yours maybe if you have it sitting around?

I'll be hanging onto it as I am going to tint it myself. a friend of mine has given me some tips so when the humidity drops I'll give it a go.

nice try though....

canuck · 09-01-2009, 5:25 AM

Well I ordered my MRA Vario Touring screen yesterday and not a minute to soon. It's getting cold up here! Coming home last night I had to stop to put on a sweater and had to SLOW down

to keep from shivering.

Hoping the screen lets me ride comfortably into November.

onoff · 09-01-2009, 8:39 AM

You could have gone with a Laminar Lip for half the price, installation require no tool. I have had mine up to 142 mph.. rock solid.

2000bluebird · 09-01-2009, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canuck

It's getting cold up here! Coming home last night I had to stop to put on a sweater and had to SLOW down

to keep from shivering.

Hoping the screen lets me ride comfortably into November.

Get a heated vest - best money i've ever spent and i do many late season/night rides with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by onoff

You could have gone with a Laminar Lip for half the price, installation require no tool. I have had mine up to 142 mph.. rock solid.

how satisified are you with the result of the lip. is it removable (for when i do in town stuff)?

onoff · 09-01-2009, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2000bluebird

how satisified are you with the result of the lip. is it removable (for when i do in town stuff)?

Very satisfied, the attachments are 3M velcro, on/off the OEM screen without tool, no perminent damage to your OEM windscreen.

If you need to remove the velcro, little hairdryer action may be all you need.

canuck · 09-01-2009, 7:36 PM

Yup, was thinking of a heated vest last night coming home and heated grips would have been nice as well. We have already had frost down here so it's cooling off quick. I could smell the wood stoves burning as I got close to town, a sure sign that summer is gone and autumn is here.

2000bluebird · 09-01-2009, 7:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canuck

We have already had frost down here so it's cooling off quick.

That is so not cool - if you know what i mean. dont even dare to mention that word again for the next month as im so not ready yet for that.

Kidding, i can't believe how fast this summer is going.

Grutok · 09-01-2009, 7:41 PM

Velcro????

Couldn't use that here, the local scumbags would have it away!!

canuck · 09-01-2009, 7:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2000bluebird

That is so not cool - if you know what i mean. dont even dare to mention that word again for the next month as im so not ready yet for that.

Kidding, i can't believe how fast this summer is going.

Well think of the upside, hunting season is just around the corner, so it's not all bad.

2000bluebird · 09-01-2009, 9:18 PM

i guess, i dont hunt though. i snowboard on the odd occasion, but im all for summer.... well, i guess i do enjoy a foot or 2 of snow + awd suby impreza. but a bike is always better.

canuck · 09-03-2009, 9:00 PM

Well I received the windshield tonight, installed it and then went for a short run.

Here are my thoughts on it and a pic with a low shield and a pic with the MRA installed.

Firstly the shield itself seems pretty thick and nicely built. I was a little nervous about the fit however as the holes did not seem to want to line up perfectly and there seemed to be a lot of stress on the plastic fairing to get the bolts in. This makes me a worried that I may develop stress fractures in the fairing - hopefully not. By the way, the old shield had two rubber grommets at the bottom that the bottom 2 screws thread into. I wasn't expecting this so guess what got lost? For some reason the center holes of the windshield are supported by grommets that are fastened to the fairing. Weird.

Oh well, I have to shell out a few more dollars at the Honda dealership I guess.

The windshield cost me $189.99 plus tax and shipping for a total of $225.74 CAD funds.

On my first ride down the street I realized this thing move a lot of air. I had played around with the spoiler and had raised it up all the way. In this position riding with my visor open was not an option. I pulled over and put the spoiler back down against the windscreen in it's flattest position. By the way, before I get too far into this, I am 5' 9" tall and have VFR bars installed.

With the spoiler down flat, I was still surprised by the amount of air I was getting at head and neck level - way more than my previous shield. And the air wrapped around my head cooling the back of my neck. Wind noise, even at in town speeds was increased noticably. So I pulled over again, and put in my ear plugs - which to be fair I normally use anyway. Onto the highway...

Once on the highway with the spoiler in the lowest position I did not like the effect of the windscreen. Buffeting was quite bad and was all over, especially at my sides and back. Over I pulled once again and raised the spoiler one notch. One little notch made a noticable difference in air management. I was still not entirely happy with how it felt, but it felt better than before. I pulled over again. Up went the spoiler to the second notch. Here again there was an improvement. The air became smoother with less buffeting.

I should say here that even though I was experiencing more buffeting than I had ever had with my previous shield, the wind pressure directly on my torso was greatly diminshed. But that in itself does not make for a comfortable riding experience when buffeting has you moving and shaking from side to side.

By this time I was getting impatient. I decided that since a few minor adjustments had eached reaped a small improvement, a big adjustment in the height of the spoiler would show a similar big improvement in air flow. Not so. For me, at maximum height, the spoiler was throwing so much turbulent air at my head that I was getting a headache. I should also mention that my testing speed was between 140 and 150kmph (about 87 and 93 mph). This was a miserable experience so I pulled over and set the spoiler at it's 4th highest position.

At this position the air flow was at it's smoothest and overall the ride quite comfortable. In this position I was able to ride bolt upright at 140kmph with no strain on my arms what-so-ever. At 160kmph the windscreen was still doing a good job at allowing me to ride upright with no effort. Wind noise was acceptable and turbulent air was also acceptable, although there is more than with my previous windscreen.

Up to 170 I went, then to 180 and finally ran a bit at 200kmph (124mph). All the time bolt upright and no strain. Pretty impressive really.

I dont normally run at 200, but can see myself crusing quite comfortably in the 160 - 180 range with this screen.

The last thing I did was to make a run down along the bay. We normally have a good breeze coming off the bay and tonight was no dissapointment - with flags flying out perfectly straight in the strong breeze I ran perpendicular to the winds coming off the Bay of Fundy at 180kmph. I was buffeted by dirty air around the sides, but again, I rode upright in the saddle.

Time will tell if I will like this windscreen. Like anything else it has it's strong points and it's weak points. With my previous screen running at 150kmph was just about the limit for riding upright and even this would get tiring. 160 and above was folded over the tank - something I don't find comfortable. With the MRA I had no trouble riding at 160 and higher speeds without the need to hug the tank. The tradeoff is greater wind buffeting at the sides and increased noise levels which is caused by increased wind volume and speed at helmet level. In addition, an offshoot of all that air at helmet level is that if like me you tend to look over your shoulder just before you pull out into the passing lane - look out. When all that air catches your head sideways, it really gives it a shove.

Lastly, the windscreen seems to make the bike feel faster! This may not just be my mind playing tricks on me. It may be that the windscreen is working to help the bike and rider slice through the air more easily. Feels that way to me.

I will post again as I spend more time on the bike.

Update: September 21 2009
The more time I spend with this windscreen the more I like it. Did a 300km run today at between speeds of 160-237kmph. Only above 225kmph did I find the dirty air bothersome. Between 160-190kmph it is truly awesome.

DeathWish01 · 09-03-2009, 9:17 PM

did you notice less bugs on your faceshield? i do... i love this windscreen... and just my 2c but you might want to get those grommets in ASAP cuz the wind resistance is going to shimmy and shake the windscreen and if all thats holding it on are 4 out of 6 bolts then it will have more of a chance at cracking... im 6 4 and i usually have mine at the full up or one notch down for best effect (my main concern is bugs more then anything) but when me and my buddy are cruising and i know we are going to end up going faster then 100mph then i drop it completely down for less wind resistance and less chance of the top part to go flying off and stab one of my eyes out LOL

canuck · 09-03-2009, 9:29 PM

Well it's getting too cold up here for bugs to be much of a concern, and my run was only about 1/2 an hour. Good tip on the rubber grommets. Going to see the Honda dealer Friday but I doubt he will have them in stock. Have to take my chances I guess because I am going out on Saturday. I actually think the purpose of the adjustable spoiler is to let the screen adjust to different rider height.

DeathWish01 · 09-03-2009, 9:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canuck

I actually think the purpose of the adjustable spoiler is to let the screen adjust to different rider height.

yes that is true... but with the screen set at almost vertical it catches most the bugs that would make it to your visor..... i know this cuz i just made a 1330 mile trip to seattle and back and my little visor was almost blacked out... only bad thing tho is passing a semi, the back blast of wind seems to catch it and shimmy a bit but nothing i worry about, i just duck and cover!... its just as affective one notch down, but i think i like watching the bugs just splat rather then ricochet off onto my helmet

.... when your on a loooong trip you gotta have SOMETHING to do lol

canuck · 09-04-2009, 7:31 PM

The dealer did have the grommets after all, now I just have to fight to get them in.

DeathWish01 · 09-04-2009, 7:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by canuck

The dealer did have the grommets after all, now I just have to fight to get them in.

i know ain't they a pain in the ass? LOL

canuck · 09-04-2009, 8:32 PM

any tricks to get them in easier you can pass on?

07-02-2009, 10:43 AM	#2
Poundstretcher A Rainbird Warrior Join Date: Oct 15 2008 Location: Tasmania Posts: 4,131	Re: Vario Windscreen Show us a piccy but without the bugs Ugh

07-02-2009, 4:29 PM	#4
StrayCat Join Date: Sep 20 2008 Location: Renton, WA Posts: 141	Re: Vario Windscreen Dude, did you really pay $250 for it?

07-04-2009, 10:20 AM	#6
canuck Join Date: May 05 2008 Location: Eastern Canada. Age: 47 Posts: 179	Re: Vario Windscreen I have been looking at the Vario screen. Did you get the Touring Vario with the adjustable piece at the top of the screen?

07-27-2009, 1:01 PM	#11
2000bluebird Join Date: Apr 17 2009 Location: Red deer, AB, Canada Posts: 204	Re: Vario Windscreen Hey Smurff, care to sell yours maybe if you have it sitting around? __________________ The Blackbird takes off "like a cat shot in the ass" just hear it howl.

07-27-2009, 4:31 PM	#12
canuck Join Date: May 05 2008 Location: Eastern Canada. Age: 47 Posts: 179	Re: Vario Windscreen Well first of all your shop looks a whole lot neater than mine. The screen looks functional. To be honest it hasn't got the nicest lines, but if it does the job, that is all that matters to me, and it sounds like it does. Great pics, thanks for posting.

09-01-2009, 5:25 AM	#15
canuck Join Date: May 05 2008 Location: Eastern Canada. Age: 47 Posts: 179	Re: Vario Windscreen Well I ordered my MRA Vario Touring screen yesterday and not a minute to soon. It's getting cold up here! Coming home last night I had to stop to put on a sweater and had to SLOW down to keep from shivering. Hoping the screen lets me ride comfortably into November.

09-01-2009, 7:36 PM	#19
canuck Join Date: May 05 2008 Location: Eastern Canada. Age: 47 Posts: 179	Re: Vario Windscreen Yup, was thinking of a heated vest last night coming home and heated grips would have been nice as well. We have already had frost down here so it's cooling off quick. I could smell the wood stoves burning as I got close to town, a sure sign that summer is gone and autumn is here.

09-01-2009, 9:18 PM	#23
2000bluebird Join Date: Apr 17 2009 Location: Red deer, AB, Canada Posts: 204	Re: Vario Windscreen i guess, i dont hunt though. i snowboard on the odd occasion, but im all for summer.... well, i guess i do enjoy a foot or 2 of snow + awd suby impreza. but a bike is always better. __________________ The Blackbird takes off "like a cat shot in the ass" just hear it howl.

09-03-2009, 9:29 PM	#26
canuck Join Date: May 05 2008 Location: Eastern Canada. Age: 47 Posts: 179	Re: Vario Windscreen Well it's getting too cold up here for bugs to be much of a concern, and my run was only about 1/2 an hour. Good tip on the rubber grommets. Going to see the Honda dealer Friday but I doubt he will have them in stock. Have to take my chances I guess because I am going out on Saturday. I actually think the purpose of the adjustable spoiler is to let the screen adjust to different rider height.

09-04-2009, 7:31 PM	#28
canuck Join Date: May 05 2008 Location: Eastern Canada. Age: 47 Posts: 179	Re: Vario Windscreen The dealer did have the grommets after all, now I just have to fight to get them in.

09-04-2009, 8:32 PM	#30
canuck Join Date: May 05 2008 Location: Eastern Canada. Age: 47 Posts: 179	Re: Vario Windscreen any tricks to get them in easier you can pass on?

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