Does a windscreen reduce wind noise significantly?

[CorriganJ]

On Sunday I rode 550km on a naked 125. During the whole trip I was battling with two things - low top speed, and wind noise. I'm not sure I want to do it again on a 125. I might be able to do my full test soon. If I could get on a bigger bike that would solve the speed problem, but make the wind problem even worse. Does a (functional) windscreen reduce wind noise enough to the point where I could spend 8 hours in the saddle and actually enjoy most of it? Thanks

[martin734]

It depends on the shape of the windscreen, the size of the windscreen and the position of the windscreen. A windscreen will create a bubble of calm air behind it, the size, shape and position of that bubble depends on the size, shape and position of the screen. The screen will also create turbulence that may increase wind noise, again, the amount and type of turbulence will depend on the size, shape and position of the screen. My advice is to buy a set of ear plugs. The soft foam ones that cost pennies work very well.
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Current bike: ST1100 "Big Red"

[Polarbear]

If it's designed for the bike it's usually an improvement however some aftermarket screens can alter the air flow making noise and wind buffeting worse by deflecting it straight at your head.

If you get one, make sure it is adjustable and you might have to play around with it to get the optimal position.

I woud also go for a name brand. They will at least make sure it fits you bike properly.
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[arry]

[Riejufixing]

[Easy-X]

Another vote for earplugs, very nice on my last long trip

IMHO windscreens are useful to stop your helmet being buffeted which can get pretty tiring.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[mentalboy]

[martin734]

[mentalboy]

[Polarbear]

My 1500 Goldwing had the best fairing/screen ever. You could smoke a fag at motorway speeds.

Wit an open face helmet obviously!
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[dynax]

When i got my Xena i used to get buffetted quite a lot at 50+mph, but since getting the screen the buffetting has stopped altogether but i still get wind noise, but most of the time i am wearing earphones for the sat nav which cuts out most of it
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Mike.
Bikes: Xena, Bridget,Florence
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmihUc0xXxYbR4_0l-F1FzA/videos?view_as=subscriber

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[doggone]

Years ago I put a taller screen on an XJ900 it was a complete abomination, causing far more wind to be directed at your head and a lot of buffeting too.
The original smaller one went back on and your head still got steady blast but less hit your body.
So a small screen can help more than you think and it can complement the style of a naked bike.

You tend to just get used to it though.
Later I had a naked Bandit 1200 and never even considered a screen despite doing a lot of high speed touring on it.

[arry]

[Easy-X]

[Zen Dog]

Just to reiterate the ear plugs thing, in addition to the reduced wind noise and saving your hearing, I also find wearing ear plugs makes me a lot less tired when riding long distances. Not sure why but it really makes a big difference for me.
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Current - '94 VFR750FR, '00 VFR800FI Previous - '10 Street Triple R, '92 MZ ETZ301, '05 TTR250, NSR125R, KMX125, "Honda" Win (chinese copy of an old Honda design with a C90 engine)
My bike trip around S.E. Asia 2010/2011

[CorriganJ]

Already got earplugs - they make a huge difference so that is great. But it was a long day riding, probably 8 hours actually riding + more of resting, and by the end even with earplugs I was just fed up of the wind in my face. Especially because spanish highways are often raised up and get a lot of crosswind too.

[martin734]

[Zen Dog]

[weasley]

Or there are those little deflectors that sit atop a smaller screen that get some good reviews.

https://pierce-images.imgix.net/images/4/3/5/3/43534e8e66c3e40b7168f50a6562aa148b47af09_6873H_1.jpg?h=629&auto=format&q=50&fit=crop&w=629
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Yamaha XJ600 | Yamaha YZF600R Thundercat | KTM 990 SMT | BMW F900XR TE

[c_dug]

I recently spent a bit of time riding a K1300GT with an electric adjustable screen. It was interesting moving it up and down whilst sat at motorway speeds.

The "perfect" height changes for every given speed so all of the below would be different at 90 compared to 70 or 50.

Too high a screen and you get a pocket of low pressure air which seems to suck your whole body towards the screen. Very quiet but not very comfortable, feels like a weight on your arms.

A bit lower and you get buffeted as the "dirty" wind coming off the top of the screen whips over the top of the helmet. Very noisy, very uncomfortable.

A bit lower again and for me this was perfect, a little bit of wind noise and some wind hitting at ~armpit sort of height. Enough to take the pressure off your arms but still mostly sheltered from the wind.

Any lower and you'd get more wind hitting your body, not necessarily much more noise, but less weather protection.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[trevor saxe-coburg-gotha]

[bikerlady20]

[arry]

[T1Cybernetic]

I've had a few screens and on bikes over time and non have done a great job for me

At 6'3 I've always got my head over the screen and directly inside the rushing air flow
If i tuck down right behind the screen they work great but that position is not going to work for me!

Ear plugs are great for cutting down on noise though They work all the time.
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