I see a lot of your bikes without the windscreen, and of course it makes it look a ton better.  Thinking about foregoing mine on my 696, but am concerned with the on take of wind, especially come winter time going down the West Side Highway.

Thoughts, advice?

The first thing I did was remove the "bikini" fairing and noticed no difference in wind protection. There are a few aftermarket windscreens available but none of them integrate well with the style of the bike. Go ahead and ditch it, it makes little or no difference.

Just purchased a Barracuda, going to see how that works as it is a little taller and have read on these forums it makes some difference.

The stock windscreen offers negligible wind deflection on the 696. Probably wouldn't be much difference whether it's there or not. Going to an aftermarket windscreen would be the way to go if you wanted something that protects the rider from some windblast.

The OEM may not be the best, but it's better than nothing. I can't say I noticed any significant gains with it on, but it spared a few dead bugs on me. Keep it on till you get your new one.

To date, this, IMHO, is the best looking aftermarket screen (but expensive since it's CF and imported from Japan). It's made by Magical Racing and Anthony @ www.commoto.com can get them. They currently only have magical racing products for the hypermotard.

I ride without my windscreen ('08 S2R1K) and enjoy it...didn't find much difference, although I don't spend a lot of time on the freeway.

Quote from: Special K on August 23, 2009, 05:41:47 AM
The first thing I did was remove the "bikini" fairing and noticed no difference in wind protection. There are a few aftermarket windscreens available but none of them integrate well with the style of the bike. Go ahead and ditch it, it makes little or no difference.

+1

So to take it off, it's just the four allen bolts and the brackets underneath?  Where do you guys have your wire for the display going?

I started taking mine off last night, saw a bunch of stuff under neath (brackets, wires, etc), didn't know what to do with them so the windscreen is still on. 

The dealer should have included the instrument panel cover to take care of the exposed wires. 

It shouldn't be too hard to get off.  Take it off and see if you like it.  Besides you can put it back on anytime you want and take it off again.

Quote from: 1313 on September 05, 2009, 09:05:15 AM
The dealer should have included the instrument panel cover to take care of the exposed wires. 

Oh, didn't know there was one...

Make sure you get the two bolts as well.

I ripped mine off my 696 and added the CF cover.  I moved that over to my 1100 when I did the plastic swap.

696:



I have close to 8000 miles without the screen.  I don't notice any negative issues at all.  If anything, the wind isn't blasting in my face - that is where the stock screen put everything.

Quote from: sroberts152 on September 06, 2009, 01:55:48 AM
I ripped mine off my 696 and added the CF cover.  I moved that over to my 1100 when I did the plastic swap.

696:



I have close to 8000 miles without the screen.  I don't notice any negative issues at all.  If anything, the wind isn't blasting in my face - that is where the stock screen put everything.

Ok, that pic just sealed the deal!

Sweet!  Glad I could be of assistance.