Thanks for the comments and feedback!
The stock screen isnt cutting it (no pun intended.....)
The MRA screen is improved, but only slighty.
My jacket and helmet could very well may be part of the problem - do note that it is the same jacket and helmet I used when I had my 2000 VFR, and I never recall it being a problem (note that it has been a few years, my mind has failed, and I may not remember things all that well).
No downside to continue to experiment before cutting:
I have a different helmet I can try. My primary is an Arai, the second is a kbh. I have read various helmet threads and am up for getting a new helmet if this helps... just not ready to start experimenting on $600 tests.
I DO believe a helmet skirt would help, since with the stock screen I can scruntch my shoulders up around the neckline of the helmet - shutting down the gap, and improving the wind noise dramatically. Using a helmet skirt full time would be a little bit of a pain (but would do this if that is what it took)
I can try with, and without a jacket. Heck, I could try a test shirtless with ky jelly slathered all over me (its not obvious to me why I would want to do this.....)
I can try different riding conditions (traffic, etc) - but - if its not a comfortable ride when cruising along in clean air, Im not sure optimizing for traffic and other situations is worthwhile.
I can try the above at different speeds (I have already tried up to about 100 mph.. or more.... will leave it at that). Do note that the MRA is an improvement over the stock screen up to about 50/60 mph.
Of everything I have tried to date, removing the screen entirely has had the most dramatic effect
Stay tuned.......