Modern Vespa

OK, I took the LIP on the road today. I only got up to 50 mph or so, but there is a difference. With the stock windscreen the airstream hit me full on the chest. With the LIP attached at its highest position, the bottom of the airstream is now just below my chin. It got better as I went faster. I can duck my head forward and get out of the wind entirely, though I really wouldn't want to ride very far this way.

Pro: I'm not fighting the wind, and the bike is undoubtedly more aerodynamic. I didn't feel any helmet buffeting at the speeds I was riding. It will certainly be more comfortable when it gets cold. (It hit 97 degrees F on my ride today). It's unobtrusive - the bike retains its original look. I found myself riding 5 mph faster without realizing it.

Con: There is more wind, and noise, at the helmet level. Hearing protection is even more of a necessity (I wear Hocks Noise Brakers). I found myself riding about 5 mph faster without realizing it.

BTW, I am 5'11" tall, with a 31" inseam.

Conclusion: I made it work; it's a keeper. Now Laminar Lip LLC just needs to increase the curve radius of the Lip to match the windscreen so that it's an easier install.

At smrf's request I spoke with Leo at Laminar about the fit problem. He thought that it was only the lower left corner that was misaligned. I told him that I thought the Lip was curved with a smaller radius than the MP3's windscreen, as all four of the velcro dots don't lie flat.

What we decided was that he would send me another, ostensibly corrected, Lip and I could try it out. Unfortunately, it was exactly the same as the first one - too curved for the windscreen. I also tried it out on a 2007 MP3 250 windscreen I just happened to have in the garage. Same problem.

So I'm sending the second one back and keeping the one I already have installed. As I mentioned in a previous post, by flexing it a bit it works fine.

Leo sounded discouraged, and said that they may just pull this model from their line.