Modern Vespa

I've never ridden with a windshield (and I don't think I would add a full-size one -- I'm not crazy about the look), but I am curious about the pros and cons of the various sizes of windshields and flyscreens. How much wind does a mid-size or short flyscreen block? Do they help you keep warm in the winter?

Thanks in advance.

Kevin
Washington, DC
http://kevjot.com/scooterpics/

Kevin,

I used to ride my ET4 with a flyscreen, and it definitely keeps the wind off your chest, and I think it makes the ride a little more solid feeling because of it.

I'm planning to get the mid sized windshield from Motorsport Scooters as soon as they get re-stocked. I think it's about 13", a little bigger than a flyscreen, and I like the frameless design.

Len

I had a smoke SPORT flyscreen for GT200 7" tall all it did was direct the air to my Face. I took it off and cracked in the process 140 down the tube. I would like to try one of the MOD flyscreens.

i have the midsize faco windshield from motorsports.

it is more than adequate to keep the wind off your chest, especially since i use a full face helmet.

it will definately keep you warmer. the added plus of course is it reduces your drag profile.

what i especially like is that it isn't so large as to greatly affect crosswind stability. the large shield can act much like a sail and interfere with steering as it get buffeted. (the windshield bone is connected to the handlebar bone, the handlebar bone is connected to the fork bone...blah blah blah.)

Can windshields be put on and taken off quickly, or is removal a hassle? I'm thinking about cold temperatures and rain.

Thanks.

Kevin

I've got a tall windscreen on my ET, as does my wife's LX. It greatly blocks the wind & other foul elements, like 37° this morning. I like it, even though it buffets a bit at high speed. They don't snap off & on, but it's not an all day project, either. Maybe 5 minutes.

I have a genuine Piaggio humongously large windscreen on my ET4. I haven't noticed any wind buffeting, or any wind noise at all. I've not had any problems with crosswinds either, and I've ridden in 20 MPH winds with 40 MPH gusts. I don't take the highway, but I do ride local roads above the posted 50 MPH limit. I have noticed that the Piaggio windscreen is made from a very soft and flexible plastic, whereas other manufactures windscreens are much stiffer and have a harder texture. I'm really happy with my windscreen. I originally was going to buy a mid-sized screen, but I'm really glad I went with the large one.

I had a large windscreen on my Bajaj and liked it very much. Some people say they are like sails, but I never experienced any handling problems with mine.



The big benefit was in keeping some of the wind off your chest. That was a huge plus in winter. It had no effect in the rain however.

Hey Bark! There's my old ET4 right next to you (may she rest in peace...or pieces, actually). FYI for everyone else, in that pic we were doing the 2004 Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally in DC. 200,000 motorcycles...and about 30 scooters! It was a blast. Photos: http://kevjot.com/photos/040530thunder/

Ever give any thought to getting a windscreen for your GT?

Kevin

I have one (short windscreen) on my Et4 and even though it really doesn't keep the wind out of my face. It still looks cool. If anyone needs one for a GT200 let me know


Keep riding,
Sean Needham

Yeah Kevin I've thought about it. Here's what it looks like:
http://www.scooterworks.com/Windscreen_Vespa_GT_LX_-_La_P2203C198.cfm

Having frozen by tail off yesterday and today this purchase is getting closer and closer.

The best part of this screen is that it looks to cover your hands and that would be great. The one I had on the Bajaj didn't do that so it was always numb fingers for me.

Crystal had the tall one that covers the hands on here ET-2, and cut it back to mid height. Check either Vespaquest or girlbike.com/scooters about a month ago for a how-to.

Why cut it back Smorris? I've always felt that if you're going to have a screen it might as well do the job. I think they can detract from the look of the scoot, but it does add comfort in winter. My concern about a half screen is that it will just channel more wind into my face. What am I missing?

Here's her reasoning (second article down.)

http://www.girlbike.com/scooters/2005_09_01_archive.html

I have the Piaggio full windshield for my GT and love it. Okay, it makes me look like a dork, but hell I am on a scooter so how cool would I really look anyway?

Positves:
Good cool/cold weather protection (most of my riding has been in Minnesota where I rode April through December).
Great protection from road debris. There have been 5 or 6 times where a rock or large insect has smacked the thing head on and would have been in my face/helmet if it weren't for the windshield.

Negatives:
Dork factor (see above)
Hard to get the benefit of he doubt that it is "just a scooter" and is okay to park on a sidewalk.
Not quick/easy to remove or reinstall if you like to switch it out.
Keeps the cold and the cool air off you. If it is 90 F or higher, you will probably wish you didn't have it on.

I thought that the buffeting (sp?) effect would be quite bad especially at highway speeds, but it really isn't bad. You can tell it is there going 65 mph, but at that speed you should be riding carefully anyway.

Interesting. Thanks Smorris. I guess I can try it out full and cut it down if necessary.