screen and speed question

[aljaxon]

haven't noticed tbh,but  just looked on the pics and yes it does say Kawasaki but it could be just a sticker.

does anyone know the exact molecular composition of the oem screen?

[Boomer]

or it could be



Hey,.... you did ask. 

Top one is "Lexan" or Polycarbonate.
Bottom one is "Perspex", PMMA or Poly Methyl Methacrylate.

As for speed, I have raised the OEM screen on my 2007 model at 155Mph and it worked fine but was very slow.
I then lowered it again rapidly as the turbulence threatened to rip my damn fool head off.
Was on the A3 in Germany playing with a local guy on a blue ZX12R.
I wouldn't do it too often at speed. Best to pick your screen position and leave it there.
I now run a huge CalSci screen and the mechanism has coped with that at speed, although nowhere near my Autobahn speeds.

[aljaxon]

boomer does the calsci screen totally isolate you from the wind or do you have to squash down a bit?

[frenchbiker]

There has been some reports, that brackets holding the screen broke when screen was all the way up at speed over 120mph. When I striped down my bike to change the screen motor and I saw what the brackets looked like it does not surprise me, personally I would not ride with screen up at high speed, it does put an enormous amount of stress on brackets, and will eventually give way, specially if you encounter turbulences behind heavy or large vehicles.
Finally, if you break the bracket it cannot be changed as spare, the whole system will need to be changed, no spare parts for any of the screen mechanism.

[Ros]

I have my bike set to automatically raise the screen to position 1 when I turn it on. Then if joining a faster road, will put it all the way up.  Inslow moving traffic or stopping / manoevering etc. I'll put it all the way down.

I don't ride at silly speeds, so not too concerned about the thing falling off, but it seems solid enough to me.

If you're going for the land speed record in Germany, it's probably worth ducking down a bit with the screen in the down position... Otherwise, when not on the Autobahn... Slow down?   



I'm just jealous cos mine won't go that fast...   

[Boomer]

boomer does the calsci screen totally isolate you from the wind or do you have to squash down a bit?

I am 6'4" with a long back and I have to hunch a little to get completely out of the flow, but even without hunching I get no turbulence.
Mine is the older CalSci XL which is the same size as the current L (5.75" taller than a 2008 screen).
I keep thinking about getting the new CalSci XL but to be honest I like the screen I have in both up and down positions.
In the rain my lid gets wet, and my feet. Unfortunately my lid drips into my crotch and my waterproofs leak. 

In the summer, and unless I am going on a long ride, I fit the OEM screen and leave it in the down position.
That gives nice cool air and no turbulence. If it rains, I raise the screen and live with getting wetter than with the CalSci.

[aljaxon]

what a dumbo I am!!!

another gtr1400 owner told me today I have bar risers fitted and looking closely I see I have!!!
they are about 65mm ish?
they will surely make a difference to my height and my pins and needles problem.
lol
!!

[Martin#30]

I have my bike set to automatically raise the screen to position 1 when I turn it on. Then if joining a faster road, will put it all the way up.  Inslow moving traffic or stopping / manoevering etc. I'll put it all the way down.

Ros,

I do the exact opposite  . I have the screen set to fully raised on start up so I can ride in sheltered air with my flip-up "up", and I keep it there until about 40mph. Then I tend to set the screen almost all the way down when I go faster.

Just found it interesting how two people on the same machine can arrive at polar opposite solutions ......

Martin.

[aljaxon]

my risers were actually 52mm and ive removed them but yet to try the new riding position.
and re screen -
I ride with mine set to the max all the time!!!

[Boomer]

my risers were actually 52mm and ive removed them but yet to try the new riding position.
and re screen -
I ride with mine set to the max all the time!!!

Removing the risers should help but remember to keep your wrists straight.
If you want to adopt the sports bike riding position, put the screen all the way down so that the wind hits your upper chest and can hold some of your weight.

The screen is motorised for a reason.
Screen up is for motorways, gentle quiet cruises and when it's raining.
Screen down is for blitzing the twisties and around town.
Yes you can raise/lower it on the move, but not recommended above 120Mph-ish. 

[aljaxon]

well I tried screen up and after 20 mins despite my lower bars I got pins and needles.
after a stop tried screen fully down and the although the wind noise was almost unbearable the wind took off the pressure of my hands on the bars and another 4 hours riding = no pins and needles.
cheers for that boomer

that Helmsley to stokesly road is certainly twisty enough to test out your theory