Screen

[Robadero47]

Hi folks.
I am thinking of getting a new screen. We will be coming up to the Plume of Feathers but as we only live a few miles away we will not be camping.

I was wondering if any of you with different screens would be at the meet so I could check them out.

On another matter I have just fitted a powerbronze hugger and am not impressed. It does not cover the width of the tyre and all the crap still goes all over place. Whilst removing the crud I managed to touch the exhaust and now have a lovely burn.

See ya all soon.

Rob.

[Austin]

I have now tried 4 different screen on my varadero:

When I bought it it had a big Givi screen on it - ace for protection but noisy and with no air in my face caused visor fogging. Also a bit of helmet vibration at 80+ - enough to effect my sight. Also made the bike feel even BIGGER than it is. All in all not good.

Replaced with the standard screen - still noisy, less protection, but no fogging and in rain the droplets were blown straight down my visor (good). Still some helmet vibration.

Seriously cut-down screen (about as low as the clock surround) kindly supplied by Mr Chad. Much much quieter - about the same as my TA. Not as good for protection but a good trade for the reduced noise - but TBH I don't mind the slightly exposed effect at least you know you are on a bike - helps me judge speed anyway. Only downside was peculiar buffetting with a pillion when my helmet would suddenly be pulled from one side to the other, mainly in cross winds or near lorries/coaches etc.

Then curiousity got to me. I read so much about how good MRA Sports -Touring varios are I just had to try, in particular to try and deal with the pillion buffetting . After missing a couple on ebay by a couple of quid each time, I decided to buy a brand new one. Fitted this week but only after destroying one of the well nuts it fits to. This is the best compromise, not much noisier than the cut down screen but plenty of protection, and easy to see over. Haven't tried with a pillion yet but I reckon it'll be OK. Currently fitted in the low position with the spolier on low. I tried the spoiler on high but soon stopped and put it back to low - noisy and vibey. But, I reckon with the screen in the high position plus the spoiler on high the air flow might totally clear my helmet - which would make for a very quiet ride - on the other hand it might be awful - noisy, stuffy and buffetting. Will need to wait 'til I get some new well nuts to try it out though.

If anyone wants the big Givi screen I will sell - make me an offer, but P&P will be extra. From memory its still in very good condition with no scratches. Photo's provided if required. I am hanging on to all the other screens so I can keep experimenting.

Oh, and despite all the changes I still think the Vara is very noisy bike and I now wear ear plugs all the time.

and another oh, I reckon one of those spoilers that a S AFrican is flogging on ebay fitted onto a standard screen would have a very simlar effect to the MRA screen, at a slightly lower cost. But, the MRA screen is very well made.

[Dee Duble Yuh]

Great review, Austin. I too have a greatly cut down screen, which is a good solution, and concur with your views on that and the standard screen. I'd like something taller for bad weather so it would be great if you'd experiment with the Vario's settings are report back.

I'm sure well nuts are available from Halfords, maybe B&Q too, so it's no big deal to replace them.

[boeingboy]

Well,i'm renound for being notoriously fussy,and a bit of a doubting Thomas,so when it came to choosing an aftermarket screen i did a lot of research on t'internet,also stopping and asking fellow Vara owners whilst out an about and Lo-and behold the choice was easy.........MRA Vario.

I know it sounds a bit boring,and its always nice to be a bit different,even if its just for the sake of it,but after the summers tour of europe with Wifey,i'd say 50% of the Vara's (foreign and UK) had MRA Vario's,all those many people can't be wrong (can they?)

Notwithstanding personal choice,and of course personal size,i'd say if your 5'10 - 6'2 theres plenty of scope for adjustment of this screen,the buffeting all but disappears and wind noise massively reduced,just a point to bear in mind though,the 2 triangular pressure releif holes in the screen really benefit from plugging with tape in the rain to prevent constant rain drops from hitting the visor,other than this it deflects the rain nicely at speed.

As for the cost,sure its a little pricey,but its a quality product and well put together...German i presume,after all you get what you pay for.

Hope this helps

We'll enough said,all i need to do now is choose some engine bars!

[Austin]

I'm sure well nuts are available from Halfords, maybe B&Q too, so it's no big deal to replace them.

The original well nuts a big feckers, the rubber bits are about 2x the size of an ordinary well well nut - especially the flange (oh err).

Its bodged with a standard size one at the mo but it will drop out when I unscrew the screw (its one of the lower one's fittings that has to come right out of course) and it looks like a complete fairing job off to get a new one in position.

If/when I play around a bit more I will post an update here(ish)

[Robadero47]

Hi.
It looks like I will have to go with the vario.
This seems to be the most popular choice. I just hope it cuts down the wind noise, even if just a little it would help.

Maybe I could try one out at the meeting.

Cheers all

Rob.

[Darkenbad]

Anyone know if they do a Vario for the 2008 Vara?

PK

[Austin]

Anyone know if they do a Vario for the 2008 Vara?

PK

mine one is described as "2003 on", so I guess so. HPS is the place and quote XRV.org when you order and you will get 10% discount - there's something in the discounts forum.

[DiverChris]

Hi Rob,

I've just ordered an MRA Vario from HPS. Don't know where you are based but if you're anywhere near Orpington, Kent, you're more than welcome to have a try/play/adjust/compare once it's on.

Regards Chris.

[Muzz]

Well, I've had a few different screens now, and the MRA Vario's the best of the lot. I'm 6'0", and on the highest setting (both screen height and spoiler height - don't forget there's two sets of mounting holes, one about two inches higher than the other) there's very very little buffeting or noise (surprisingly it's even better with a peaked helmet), the only downside being in very damp conditions there's so little airflow into your face a visor can steam up - at 80!

Went for a ride on Sunday and was inevitably caught in the rain, and coming back along a dual carriageway I noticed raindrops going FORWARDS from my helmet to towards the clocks. I thought I was hallucinating (again ). That's how much airflow is diverted by this screen.

If you get on a quiet bit of motorway at enough speed to produce decent airflow and you can safely use one hand to wave about a bit*, you can feel the limits of the turbulent air around you, and the air flows just over the top of my helmet completely. Ace.

Plus, I think they look good, too.


* Although obviously I'm not recommending this, dear me no, officer...