Vario Windscreen Customization

[VFRMike]

I am currently commuting about 2000 miles per month using my 02 VFR. Just broke 70,000 miles on the odometer last night. The combination of enjoying the riding and saving gas money is making it easy to leave my comfy truck in the garage. However, I am needing more wind protection. The Vario windscreen I am using is great but I am also using Convertibars. I am not willing to get rid of the Convertibars as they keep me virtually vertical, when I want to be. So, I need to modify my windscreen to take the wind higher, over my helmet. I am considering removing the Vario windscreen extension (the top piece that moves up and down) and fitting a taller piece in its place. Anyone done this or have any thoughts? I know it won't look as attractive but I need to get the wind over my head and I don't want to ride hunched over for 130 miles each day. I've experimented a bit by placing my hands horizontal to the top of the extension, in its tallest position, and it's much nicer and far quieter. So, 4"-6" taller than the current height would be what I am looking for. I've considered buying a used windscreen and cutting it to fit or buying a Laminar Touring Lip (modifying as needed) and seeing if it will attach. Thoughts?

[007]

Buy the MRA X-creen Tour attachment (NOT the whole screen). It is a direct fit for the Vario attachment points (4 screws, 2 on each side) and gives infinite adjustability. It is better for both summer and winter riding, depending on how it is oriented. If you want to switch back for a sleeker look, just put the Vario back on - although I doubt I will now that I have upgraded.

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/mra-x-creen-add-on-variable-windscreen-spoiler-blade-bolt-on

[007]

[VFRMike]

Thanks for sharing. I will definitely look into this.

[VFRMike]

I went ahead and ordered one and will post pictures and give a review when it's on the VFR.

[007]

From an engineering perspective, the Xcreen just gets the job done regardless of situation. Is the weather scorching hot and you want to turn it into a funnel that directs air at your chest? Adjust the bottom to the tallest position and the top to the flat position. Its like having an air conditioner, even at slower speeds.

Going for an extended highway tour in mid or hot temps and buffeting is the biggest concern? Adjust the bottom and top to the tallest position to allow some air to come through but the majority of air to be directed over your head.

Cold weather the biggest concern? Adjust the bottom to the shortest position and the top to the tallest position to decrease the amount of air that slips through (at some expense of buffeting) but still directing the majority of air over your head.

And everything in between...I will post up pics of different positions noted above when I am not feeling so lazy. It really is an incredible screen.

My only (very minor) complaints about the Xcreen Tour are:

1. It borders on being too large for a "sportbike." I could care less about this when I am riding more comfortably at all temperatures and able to customize buffeting - even with the most upright bar risers (I have Heli-bars, which are far from the tallest). It looks a million times better than the laminar lip IMHO and allows me to use the VFR for flat out touring purposes where others buy an ST1300 or similar. I would rather ride a VFR customized to function like a tourer than the ST1300 any day (for anything short of cross country riding in subzero temperatures with a passenger).

2. You have to pull over to adjust the Xcreen, unlike the Vario, which can be adjusted on the road (although not recommended by lawyers).

[VFRMike]

So, I've got the old sport extension off and the new Touring extension on. Here are some early observations:

1. The directions from the manufacturer are TERRIBLE and the lettering has got to be the smallest I've ever seen. Other have commented on this also. However, go to YouTube and watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev_dFTOVjOM to assemble the Touring extension and watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uUGfjoyUxg to prepare your windscreen (drilling) and to attach the Touring extension to your windscreen. The videos, which are produced by TwistedThrottle, are well done and make the process very simple and straightforward.

2. The Touring windscreen, in its highest position, provides 5.75" of additional height. It's pretty easy to adjust. If you've got a throttle lock then it can be adjusted on the fly- of course I've not tested this and don't recommend it.

3. It definitely makes a difference reducing noise and buffeting. I am using Convertibars (https://convertibars.3dcartstores.com/Honda-VFR-80002-13-Bike-Specific-Kit_p_168.html) and so I sit much straighter and higher but the reduction in noise and buffeting is obvious.

4. My bike seems to be looking much more like a touring bike than a sports bike with the hard bags, GPS, Throttlemeister, Convertibars, mirror extensions, sockets for heated vest and other accessories, and now a (very) tall extension. I'm not complaining. Rather, I'm making an observation of the transformation of my bike since I purchased new in 2002. I've got over 71K on it and hope to put on another 100K.

As I put another 2K on the bike this month I'll check back in and add some further comments.

Thanks again to 007 for pointing this product out.

VFRMike.

[007]

So, I've got the old sport extension off and the new Touring extension on. Here are some early observations:

1. The directions from the manufacturer are TERRIBLE and the lettering has got to be the smallest I've ever seen. Other have commented on this also. However, go to YouTube and watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev_dFTOVjOM to assemble the Touring extension and watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uUGfjoyUxg to prepare your windscreen (drilling) and to attach the Touring extension to your windscreen. The videos, which are produced by TwistedThrottle, are well done and make the process very simple and straightforward.

2. The Touring windscreen, in its highest position, provides 5.75" of additional height. It's pretty easy to adjust. If you've got a throttle lock then it can be adjusted on the fly- of course I've not tested this and don't recommend it.

3. It definitely makes a difference reducing noise and buffeting. I am using Convertibars (https://convertibars.3dcartstores.com/Honda-VFR-80002-13-Bike-Specific-Kit_p_168.html) and so I sit much straighter and higher but the reduction in noise and buffeting is obvious.

4. My bike seems to be looking much more like a touring bike than a sports bike with the hard bags, GPS, Throttlemeister, Convertibars, mirror extensions, sockets for heated vest and other accessories, and now a (very) tall extension. I'm not complaining. Rather, I'm making an observation of the transformation of my bike since I purchased new in 2002. I've got over 71K on it and hope to put on another 100K.

As I put another 2K on the bike this month I'll check back in and add some further comments.

Thanks again to 007 for pointing this product out.

VFRMike.

Very nice, sir. I expect you will enjoy it most once you have completed each season and experimented with different positions. I forgot about the instructions being so crappy, probably because I enjoyed the final product so much. The assembly pictures aren't awful if you are spatially adept, but require limited distraction to put it all together. It helped to lay out all the parts before beginning the assembly. Part of my confusion was the top-most attachment was already pre-assembled on the Xcreen, itself. Once it is all together, it is actually elegantly simple in design. I am curious about the one joint option, but am so happy with the extra flexibility of the 2 joint one (as pictured) that I dare not spend any more time changing it out.

Cheers!