windshield on M620 Dark

[claude512]

Hello,

first a quick intro about myself (first post, yay!)... I am a 32 year old guy, just got married, and new to bike riding (just passed my licence! double yay!)  [moto]

Following lots of reading on this board (and others), and talking to monster owners i have bought a used 2006 Monster 620 Dark, and so far I love it!

now my question, I see many here with the windshield attached (I do have the stock windshield on mine), and as many without it... Does it really make much of a difference? Actually my commute is about 50% motorway and 50% country roads, so what are the advantages of leaving the windshield on vs taking it off? also is it easy to take it off, or do I need some cover for the cockpit gauges then? (i kinda like the looks of the bike better without it attached...)

Lots of questions, looking forward to your answers!

thanks a lot, and greeting from a rainy Luxembourg

Claude

[ArguZ]

Not at all...pure cosmetics
Did 200 on the autobahn and the only thing that makes it better is full race leather compared to my casual Goretex stuff.

[Scotzman]

I think having it off is more about looks. If I get up to 70+ without it, wind starts throwing my helmet around, for others that are probably taller than me, this happens with it on because the wind goes from the chest to the head. There's also been times when a rock or huge bug hit the windscreen and not me.

Best thing to do is to ride for a while with and without it and see if function outweighs looks.

[redial]

i do notice a big difference difference in fully faired bikes vs naked but i dont find the small windshield makes any difference


i agree that it looks best fully nude! do it!

[teddy037.2]

I like the no-screen look

for me, the windscreen DID make a difference at freeway speed. having the air flowing over the screen kept my helmet feeling more stable. without the screen, the helmet feels like it lifts mildly, and shakes about more

[RBX QB]

I noticed a difference. Used to have none, then got a Dart Flyscreen. The wind no longer hits my chest. Of course, most noticeable on highways. Commuting in city and good twisties, you probably won't notice much difference.

Just take it off for a while and decide for yourself!

[stopintime]

+1 on the logical solution. Try both ways[thumbsup]

I like the protection and the added top speed (with my big body tucked in it delivers the last 10-15 km/h)

It's very easy to take off and the gauges don't need a cover.

If you decide to keep it - smart bolt on accessory is the PoorDucRider fairing stays. = no buffeting
http://www.monsterparts.com/pc/FAIRINGSTAYS/Windscreens/FAIRINGSTAYS.html

[ab]

I recently tried the stock windshield and find not much benefit other than avoid the bug splatter on my speedo  

[claude512]

Thanks a lot!

The logical solution (driving a bit with it and then taking it off and compare) is what I wanted to do, so thanks for reinforcing that!

I do think that it redirects air towards my helmet instead of my chest (i'm 1.85m, I think that translates to 6'1"), so maybe without the shield the air will hit my chest more and leave my helmet alone...

I'll try it out and let you know how it went 

many thanks for your help!

[Privateer]

for me, the windscreen DID make a difference at freeway speed. having the air flowing over the screen kept my helmet feeling more stable. without the screen, the helmet feels like it lifts mildly, and shakes about more

same here.  Feels more stable especially when i put the poor duc rider supports on it.  big difference.

[Spidey]

It makes a difference with fatigue on longer trips, and a difference at triple digit speed (or approaching triple digits).  At 120 or 130 (your 620 should top at 140mph if you're two-up with Paris Hilton), even a small windscreen gives you something to tuck behind.   

Longer rides or super-long commutes are the biggest thing.  That said, it's going to have less of an effect if you're tall.  And I've ridden bunches of 300-400 mile days without one. 

Without a windscreen, the fit of your helmet at freeway speeds becomes more important.  You're more likely to get the feeling that an ill-fitting helmet is lifting off your head without a windscreen.  The easy solution:  make sure your helmet fits you and is comfortable to wear at freeway speeds.