Modern Vespa

Apologies for reviving this topic, but my use of the search bar on here brought up results from nearly 14 years ago, so I wondered if views had evolved or changed.

I have an 2024 MY2023 300 super sport and whilst I don't routinely ride highway speeds , when I do the wind blast is really noticable.

A vlogger on u tube named Bugg , did a comparison of wind noise and wind speed at your head / helmet with and without a flyscreen and in his opinion the reduction in wind pressure on your chest was not offset by the increased noise and turbulence around your helmet.

I keep thinking " a flyscreen would look cool", and it will reduce buffeting on my chest , but I dont want to create a tornado around my helmet.


For context Im a short rider, 5'5" and wear a Shoei flip front Neotec helmet.


What is the latest view on fly screens , yes or no ?

Thanks in advance

Steve

yes! there are great.

Interesting been thinking about getting one myself.

I use the standard clear low screen it takes the wind load off your chest, stops bugs hitting you and looks good as well.

I have a Piaggio 'cruiser' low screen. I ride at town and highway speeds (up to 110kmh) and think it does an ok job of deflecting the wind while not acting like a sail.

I haven't ridden this bike at high speed without the screen on so can't tell you how much difference it makes but I don't feel that I am buffeted.

While I have ridden for 25 years I hadn't done much highway riding and found that the helmet noise is more of an issue once you get to about 80kmh. Closing the vents on the helmet made the biggest difference for me.

Hi Friends. I had a 2018 or 19 GTS touring and I found the screen to be a pain. I'm 6'2" and the screen made the wind hit me right in the chest. If I had something in a shirt pocket it would blow out. When I bought my 2023 super sport I actually ordered the screen but it was back ordered. I rode the bike for a few weeks without it and preferred no screen. Cancelled the order. Love the super sport though.

Thanks guys , as expected a big variation in opinions. Im used to an aftermarket screen on my F700GS, but thats so big it throws the air over your head and creates a backdraft such that light rain often goes " forward" from your body to the inside of the screen.

Im hedging towards 60:40 for getting a flyscreen, since in the worst case it can easily be removed.

I prefer the short screen versus the wind in the chest. Yes at highway speeds 65 mph plus you do get a bit of wind at your head. Not too bad if you have a full face or face shield, but open face you do notice the wind.

But overall I find it more pleasant with the screen.

I forgot to mention I'm 6 foot

I have one and am happy with it. (standard fly screen)

occasionally I've had it off when doing stuff that required removal of the handlebar covers and gone for a zip on the freeway while testing. yeah nah, without the screen sucks at high speed, feels less stable.

5'9''

I've tried a variety of screen heights, with a variety of results. The tall Vespa screen blocks *everything*, but is needs regular cleaning to be able to see through (miserable with a bit of mist or fog). The mid height Vespa screen also works well, but still collects moisture and bug bits, requiring regular cleaning to provide safe operation. The fly screen blocks the wind for my chest (5'11"), but directs it to about helmet height, so no reduction in noise or head buffeting, but less pressure on my chest means less fatigue from longer rides. Also can be ridden safely for a while before cleaning, as I look over the top.

I also prefer the look of the shorter screen, and it doesn't catch the wind to the extent of the larger screens.

You may end up trying a few different ones before finding the sweet spot for you.

Cheers,

Bob

I have also experimented with various windscreens (and no screen) over the years I have owned a GTS. I have found that a mid-height Vespa brand screen works best for me mid-Fall through mid-Spring as it mostly moves the air stream over my helmet while allowing me to look just over the top edge of the screen (I'm 5'9", someone much taller would likely have a different experience). In warmer weather I switch to a Vespa brand flyscreen in order to produce more cooling around my neck and head. All this is very much a function of your size, your preferences, and the local climate.

Thanks to everyone who has chipped in. I think I will try the Vespa flyscreen ( tinted) for starters. Screens really are a wormhole 🤣🤣

not a gts but still interesting

Cheers Steelbytes, that shows the forward turbulence I get on my F700GS. It would be interesting to see the same bike with and without the fairing.

Its not just the fairing though, the plastic handguard on my GS re-direct airflow. Quite a few of the GS lads fit " winglets " to fill the gaps below the bar/ screen.

I bet the shaped front of our Vespa legshields would make an aerodynamicist quake in their boots. Plus the bulbous rear could learn something from Lambretta in terms of letting the air move smoothly away from the scoot🤫🤫

But don't forget that air-scoop front mudguard of the Lambretta, which could lift the front wheel at high speed.

Yeah but who can push that fast?

Ha ha ha 👍

Having ridden bikes since the late 80s, my personal preference is a windscreen is most effective (and appreciated) if it directs the airflow up and over your helmet. This is especially true at highway speeds. It is more than just the overall height of the screen that matters (although I am in the "Taller is Better" club here), but the rake angle and the contouring as well. Even with the best full-face helmet you can afford, getting blasted right in the face at highway speed can get pretty loud and uncomfortable after enough time.

Personally, I am well past the age of overspending to look cool - it's function over appearance for me. As such, if a screen doesn't direct the airflow up and over then it doesn't matter how good others think it looks on my bike.

Decision made , Vespa flyscreen ( tinted ) ordered. If I dont like it Ican always sell it and try another. Thanks for all the suggestions and comments 👍

Good decision...at least, from my viewpoint! I think you'll like it and find some benefits to having it.

Victor

This subject regularly surfaces and a worth while discussion. Like Jon651, I am into comfort over appearance. Although, there seems to be riders that like all the difference windscreens.

As for me, I like the Vespa Midsized windscreen. When I first purchased my Vespa GTS300 Super, I went on a long four day extended ride with the stock scoot (no Windscreen). My body was a sail, my arms were sore from holding on for dear life at high speeds. I immediately had my dealer install the Vespa Midsized - love it. Massive increase in the comfort of the ride.

Bob Copeland

Been riding for around 50 years now and I honestly don't think that I have more than 2 or 3 hundred miles without a screen in those years.

Even in my younger days I was a "cruise with comfort" kind of rider.

As I get older the buffeting seems to irritate me more but I generally look at what do I add/change about the windshield rather than the "no windshield equals cleaner air" thought process.

Yes, you can cruise at 35 and no windshield is just fine, but how much time do you spend going over 35mph? Are you really willing to be uncomfortable, or to spend effort trying to avoid higher speeds? I'm not.

Bigger windshield equals less buffeting in most cases. As long as your motor can push the wind resistance why not go bigger? Looking through versus over is a valid question but I've never found it that big an issue. Got caught once with serious bug smear in Maine and took a hacksaw to get the screen down to where I could see over it. But that was only once, in all the years of riding.

I'm a believer, bigger windshields equals better rides. Just my $.02 of course

Just a quick update for everyone who chipped in with advice and guidance on the subject of flyscreens. Here it is , fitted yesterday and ridden 110 miles today as a trial.

The wind buffeting on my chest has certainly gone , whilst the turbulence around my head isn't as bad as I expected.

Overall Im happy 😃

That looks right smart, too, well done!

Bob

As the old saying goes, "Ask the man who owns one!" I agree with Bob...it does look right smart on your scoot! But I'm slightly biased...got one on my GTS, too!

Victor

Fitted mine today!

Another winnah!

Victor

Sweet! That smoked screen fits the color of the scooter exceptionally well.

Bob

I like mine better naked. The fly screen just pushed the wind and debris to my face
Come winter I may consider a full screen.

I've just tried a flyscreen on my GTS, first screen after 65 years of scootering, and I have decided against it. I'm six feet tall, and the wind was directed up to my chin and buffeted my shoulders. But the deciding factor was the extra wind noise buffeting past my helmet.

I've never really noticed the wind pressure on my chest, but I sit in the middle of the dual seat leaning forward, with a little weight on my arms. Maybe that makes a difference.

I bought the Vespa without a screen because the fly screen I ordered was backordered so rode it for a few weeks without. The wind on the chest was a lot.

after a few weeks I got the flyscreen installed and yes feel more wind in my 3/4 face helmet but in the hot summer heat it helps to keep my head cooler and I don't mind the wind noise I can still hear the music in my helmet.

There are a lot of variables but I find my GTS to feel more stable at higher speeds with the flyscreen.

Bike looks sharp, love the matte blue.

Thank you!

Also considering adding the flyscreen to my GTS 2023 - one question I had, is the tinted / non-tinted difference just in looks?

I personally prefer tinted, as it looks better with the beige avvolgente color of my scoot. (See scoot/screen in a previous post above...)

Victor

Yes more of just a looks thing your line of site view is over it so it doesn't offer any sun protection when riding it. I would go with which ones matches your Vespa Color.

Agreed. Love that beige!!

I had the small screen on my 2019 GTS 300 Super tech. It was absolutely necessary when driving on the highway at 110kmh wich is half my commuting to work. But... I always rode with earplugs. The wind does go from chest to head, wich was expected. This year, I have a new GTS, and I also decided to let my ears rest from the plugs that basically gave me a rash in the ears. Started out with the same Small Screen. Crazy loud without earplugs! I now have the Medium screen and could not be happier.
Conclusion: Small/flyscreen with earplugs. No earplugs, go with Medium