Modern Vespa

I have decided that I want a windscreen to go on my GTS 300 to help ease the wind off me when riding at higher speeds. Any all out preferences on which one would be best to help lessen the wind factor for highway riding? ScooterWest has the Faco Mid on sale now with free shipping. Any thoughts on that one or others to recommend? Thanks for the help

The Vespa branded shield has the best mounting hardware. The expansion bolts in the Faco can become stuck in the tubes and then, you've got a real problem on your hands. If you ever need to remove the headset for any reason (like changing a burned out headlight bulb), you will have to remove the windshield and mounting hardware. I had a Faco that did this and after several hours of fooling with it (myself and my neighbor who is a retired plumber) we had to cut the mounting post on the side that was stuck so we could remove the headset and get at the expansion bolt and remove it. The Vespa branded shield uses nylon expanders and will not stick like the metal ones on the Faco. I replaced the Faco with a Vespa. I posted this in another thread a few months ago and a couple of other people posted that they had experienced the same problem.

Now that you mention it, yes, my tall Faco screen also took a bit of convincing before it would release. I hope to remember to use anti-seize or some sort of lubricant when I install it again for this winter...which leads to an answer to the OP: if all you want is less wind pressure on your torso, go with a Vespa flyscreen.

How tall are you? I'm 6' and found the midsize Faco funneled more wind toward my helmet (meaning, tons more noise) than the lower Vespa flyscreen. Plus, I think the Vespa screen looks a lot better on the GTS.

If you, however, want a screen that's better for cold weather riding, consider a tall windscreen.

In any event, don't ever just buy something because it is on sale. Items on sale usually don't sell well, and there might be a reason for it

Also, if you buy locally, you might be able to get to try the screen on a short but meaningful test drive. I did (from Scooterwest) and found what I said above about the Faco midsize.

What would happen if you wrapped the expansion bolts with teflon plumbers thread tape? Would the bolts remove easily? Would they hold in the wells adequately?

Just thinking.

I'd venture to say that it wouldn't fit in with even that thin tape around it in sufficient amounts to achieve the intended effect. And if you manage to squeeze it in, it might "add insult to injury" when you want to remove it again.

I wouldn't wrap them with the teflon tape because it would probably guarantee that they will get stuck. The problem is when the center of the metal expansion bolt gets crimped when you tighten down the shield, the metal compresses and does not release easily when you loosen it like the nylon center that the Vespa uses. After several tightening cycles, the metal is more likely to stay compressed when tightened and becomes harder to release.

If you already have a Faco or you buy one knowing the potential problem with getting stuck, I would suggest that you use a lot of waterproof, wheel bearing grease on the expansion bolt.

urbanmotorsparts $155 free delivery price point makes the Vespa OEM unbeatable!

My wife and I have Prima brand screens from Scooter Works and they are excellent. She has the mid size and it seems to do all that is needed for scooting.

Is that the largest size screen your talking about ? If it is i'm going to order one cause its getting so freaking cold here in Mtl. that i have to choice if i still want to ride ...

No doubt there are other screens that work out well. Personally I preferred to save money with Faco. But the price point has narrowed and the Vespa brand does have easier hardware to deal with if one is switching screens several times a year, as I do. I've learned by reading and niggling to deal with Faco potential hardware issues. However at $155 delivered for the oem and $149 plus shipping for the Faco, it's Vespa hands down for quality! There was a $70 price difference when I went Faco!

There have been lots of posts on windscreens. Avergaing over the comments, most seem to agree that the Vespa windscreen it the best.

I have the Vespa tall but cut it down to customize it just for me. Here's the link but there are many other posts on windscreens.

Tall Vespa Windshield Cutdown...

Best regards,
Miguel

Price quoted for a GTS is $189.00. This still considered a good deal"' I put in urbanmotorsparts and got sent to a seller on eBay. Just wanted to make sure this is the best deal. Thanks, Philip

They routinely list the same item at different prices on their Ebay site. Here's the same shield for $155 including shipping:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VESPA-GTS-WINDSCREEN-KIT_W0QQitemZ180403905087QQcmdZViewItemQQptZOther_Vehicle_Parts?hash=item2a00e9223f&_trksid=p4506.c0.m245

I'm pretty sure that this is the tall screen and you can always cut it down if you want to make it smaller.

I absolutely love the Vespa fly screen. I find that it's shape and angles match the leg shield of the GTS perfectly. As well, it gets the wind off my chest so highway riding is easy.

Some questoins about different screens. Please understandt that I have never ridden with a windshield of any kind. What is the "fly" screen and how does it differ in effect from the other sizes. And speaking of other sizes, why would buy the large one and then cut it down. Is this a visibilty issue or an esthetic one? Thanks folks. I am a total newbie, having ridden now about 30 miles since 1964 when I last had a Vespa. My memories of then don't quite surpass the joy of my new to me 2008 GTS 250ie. Oh my.

Regarding why you might want to cut down a tall windscreen, see the link in my post four above this one.
Miguel

Hello Miguel. Didn't mean to ignore your comment, I just don't really understand what a fly screen is. Are we talking about the very small one that seems to just cover the instrument cluster? Again, never having ridden ANYTHING with a with a wind screen on it-wasn't done in 1963, too sissy!-I have no history on how much anything helps. I just got my Vespa three days ago and am trying to learn. Thanks for the info. Philip

I agree. The Vespa fly screen works beautifully and is easy to install. I think it by far the best looking of the available models.

The flyscreen is the smallest windscreen. Typically it is about 8" at the top above the headlight or so. Aesthetically I find it to be the best looking, but it also improves performance of your scooter by improving your aerodynamics. You will find it to be one of the least expensive of the performance mods you can do. You will accelerate a bit faster and your top end will be slighter greater. No better bang for your buck. (well except losing a pile of weight)

I've got custom cut down Vespa windscreens on both my LX and my GTS and IMHO they are the perfect height, both aesthetically and practically. The small ones don't keep the wind off your chest and the tall ones act like big, wobbly sails. If you decide you want on one of the Vespa brand mid-sized and are not a do-it-yourself guy, there are dealers who offer them.

I've used tall windscreens for well over 35 years and have never experienced the "sail effect" (on a motorcycle or a scooter) that is mentioned on this forum from time to time. I don't ride my scooters over 60 mph but I've ridden motorcycles at over 100 mph and not experienced this phenomenon. Has anyone here actually experienced this, "first hand" or is it just a rumor that keeps getting passed on?

I'm with you XLR8. I have tall windscreens on both my bikes and have never experienced the "sailing" folks talk about. I ride above 60 mph in traffic, in wind and all alone and just don't feel anything not expected.

I've filed it under Phantom Issues

I have an un-cut Vespa tall screen on my GTV and this weekend I put nearly 300 50MPH+ miles on it with wind and never noticed any 'sail' or 'kite' effect at all -- even when passing oncoming 18 wheelers.

The think the 'sail effect' is more of a hypothesis by some rather than a proven fact.

I have the tall FACO windscreen, and love it. Reduced wind noise and buffeting, and no noticeable wobble at speed, even when passing/being passed. I haven't ever tried to remove it, and the other posts make me a little concerned. I suspect you can drive out the barbed pieces from the back, or use a "slap-hammer", though.

The best thing about the windscreen, though, is protection from bugs at speed. You wouldn't believe the size of some of the critters I clean off! They would have ended up in my face (or mouth).

I had a flyscreen on a previous scooter (LXV) and I didn't find it to be very useful. Lots of people like them, though, and they certainly look better.

I agree with this 100% and it can be found on ebay for $115.00

the sail effect might not be a problem on vespas, or for people posting in this thread, but it is not a hypothesis: http://2strokebuzz.com/2006/10/26/get-well-soon-poc-renae

consider the variables at work: rider experience, their weight and upper body strength, size and weight of the scooter, average speed, conditions, etc.... all of these make a difference in how you cope with a tall screen. i'm lightly built and of medium height. i love the wind-free environment created by a tall screen for riding in town but i'm not happy with it at highway speeds (120kph). gusts and strong crosswinds are tiring and annoying to deal with, and i've had to react quickly on more than one occasion to the feeling that someone had suddenly grabbed the handlebars and pulled them sharply away from me.

all this to say that each of us can only speculate on what might work best for someone else. if you're not sure what to buy, i'd go with a tall screen to see if you like it, and cut it down if you don't.

That's what a folded-down helmet visor is for, if you prefer being behind a smaller windscreen.

Agreed. However, they also hit you in the neck and chest. Haven't hit a bird yet, but I think I would be grateful for the tall screen under those circumstances.

I must have done 50 different seraches for faco mid size screen and nothing came up about it getting stuck in the head set

Anyhow, I have this screen, and I do like it. I feel like a slice through the wind, and it really stabilized the bike at higher speeds. I suppose any mid size could do this though. Peronally I hate fly screens. See if you can try a bike with one installed first. They look nice but the air flow hits me all wrong.

I recommend pjparts.com I love their Fabbri screens. Just ask them, they'll recommend exactly what will fit well and look good...Their prices are very good.

I bought the Faco midsize from Motorsports (scooterwest) and because I am mechanically challenged, they installed it for me. I like it.

I took my first long ride today, a 140 round trip down a twisty highway to see my dad. I got headed back too late, and hit the twilight and evening bugs.....surely a flyscreen/windshield will help with this, right? My jacket looks like an insect massacre!

I picked up a Faco mid-size screen last week and it was incredibly noisy - being 6' tall, it put all the air into my helmet, making it impossible to ride with the visor open, even at low speed.

I swapped if for a Vespa Flyscreen, which I'm still a little undecided on it. It puts the air right at my neck - which I don't mind so much, seeing as it takes most of the air of my chest.

I have it set at it's highest setting but am not sure if adjusting the height a few millimeters will actually make a difference. Anyone have experience with this issue?

I have cut down (to eye level), tall Vespa wind screens on all three of my scooters. I am 5'2, female and 55 years of age. I do not have a lot of upper body strength, but I am not a weakling either. I am built like the average grandmotherly type.

I customarily ride in 20 to 30 mph winds and have ridden (recently) in 48 mph winds. I have never had even the slightest problem with my windscreen acting like a sail. Head on, cross winds, tailwinds ... no problem.

When in Toronto in July, I rode WOT about 15 miles straight (on a very quiet side road north of the city) at top speed just to see what the scooter could do. I was hitting 72 (indicated) on a slight downhill grade with a tailwind of about 10 mph and the windscreen held up fine.

Sharky-I too am on the taller side-6'8" and have tall windscreens on both bikes. My 5'6" wife rides the GTV a ton and loves the taller windscreen. I've asked her often if she has problems seeing through the screen and she does not. I am tall enough to sit straight up and peer over or slouch a little and hide completely behind the screen. It's very quiet, no dead bugs and I don't have issues seeing through it either.

The tall windscreens also provide protection from the wind for both of your hands-something I'm sure would come in handy in your neck of the woods.

You can purchase the tall windscreen and always cut it down to fit you. There are a ton or really good posts here describing that process.

My last suggestion is to SERIOUSLY consider buying the Vespa brand screen. It's sturdier and the mounting hardware is far superior to all the off-brand screens I have inspected. IMHO it's worth the extra few dollars. Good luck.