Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories Roadster Screen

This screen on the 2011 America is one of the best looking screens I've seen and the quick release helps with cleaning together with the release lock makes this practical and once removed, the small parts left on the bike do not look out of place riding without the screen.

Having said all that, today, the screen was put through the ultimate test for protection and this aspect is badly flawed. There has already been comments about the fact that this is not really a 'see through' screen. I'm only 5'7", but even I ride the bike mostly looking above the screen. Which is ironic really as 'shorties' have always complained that Triumph only make bikes for tall people.

Okay, my experience: After finally collecting my bike from the dealer, having had a problem sorted (post elsewhere) I had a 50mile journey home. There was quite a bit of wind, and several prolonged heavy showers. I was wearing a Caburgh helmet with a visor. (not a full face helmet). Not only did the rain penetrate the inside of the visor but also lifted it up! In all my years of bike riding, that has never happened to me! On dry days I use an open-face Shoei helmet with peak. With that helmet I get a good deal of head blasting.

My conclusion is that the Roadster screen is too short. The angle of it cannot be adjusted at all.

A lot of the cost is in the stainless steel frame with the Lexan Polycarbonate being the cheapest part. So now I'm considering making a new screen with a sheet of Lexan. This should cost no more than £27

Interestingly, the current Lexan screen is 4mm thick meaning that the Radius of the curve for cold-bending must be no more than 400mm which is exactly the curve of the existing screen. So no heat required. The current screen must be stress bent onto the frame with the bolts attached. The whole thing looks quite easy to do with sharp tools and a decent workshop, so my next project is.....

Alan

My guess is that a taller screen won't make much difference. Adding a screen often makes things worse than not having one at all. You are getting air rushing in from below which is forcing your helmet off your head. Many times (but not all) adding lowers as well as a screen is the way to go.

On the note of a taller screen... last year I was running with a screen tall enough I had to look through it. I didn't like looking through a screen so I cut it down and what did I find? No discernible difference in wind infliction.

These are just thoughts based on experience.

Hmm... Thanks for that. Interesting. I need to rethink this. BTW my helmet wasn't being forced off my head, just the visor kept lifting.

Alan

+1 on Keiths comments. Youll find some great stuff about windscreens and lowers here. I thinkit was fasteddy that wrote it up initially with a few others following up (myself included). Seems the taller you are the more lowers become a necessity.

Visor/ helmet lifting, same cause.

I found the Triumph Roadster screen to be too short also. I have a replacement from Clearview, it is 2.5" taller and 2" wider, and it is perfect for me. Clearview will make them up to 4" taller than stock. One thing I really like about it is that the view does not distort at the line where the screen ends, it is a smooth transition from looking through it to over it.

I have had the little tiny Triumph screen on my Speedmaster since 03. If you set it quite vertical it deflects a surprising amount of air. I ran it vertical for about 4 yrs. but decided to angle it more for cosmetic purposes, it still works but is not nearly as effective. If I were to get serious about wind protection I would opt for the Windvest like the Friar has. It not only looks excellent but he says it actually does it's job as a wind screen.

Yeah, my first Windvest bracket has bubbling chrome. Glad I bought it used. I managed to get another bracket from a member here and it is holding up much better. You can't argue with the effectiveness of the screen though.

You have to remember that their core market is Harley owners, and they're used to getting gouged on parts.

I run the triumph fly screen and notice thoese bugs are getting smart enough to get out of the way.

Just like pesticides, the little suckers adapt...

I have made my own using the existing brackets higher than the stock screen. The 03 was fitted with the summer screen and wife complained bitterly about head buffeting. Worked fine but as 08 came with Roadster screen it is gathering dust in wardrobe now. Found it really good in heavy rain as long as a decent speed maintained.