Windscreens For Taller Riders

[mzflorida]

Hello everyone. I am 602 and have the stock screen that came with the bike. I tried the vented Wunderlich product, and it was marginally better for buffeting on the helmet, and much better for reducing turbulence in the cockpit than stock. The vent would not stay closed while underway (causing rainwater to be driven right into my chest), and I returned it. I have added a Puig extender, and it really does not do too much on this bike (they have been effective on other bikes for me). I'm leaning toward the Givi, which is about 5 inches taller. I was wondering if anyone else here has installed this screen (5132DT) and what their opinion is. Thanks in advance as they are not returnable after installation.

If any taller riders have experience with another option, I'd love to hear about your practical experiences.

Thanks! Mike

 

[mzflorida]

I must be the tallest rider on here! Kidding aside, I've ordered two different screens. It turns out that CalSci makes a screen for the GT. I think most are aware that Givi makes the 5132DT & 5132DT Fitting Kit for the bike. One of each is on the way here. Interestingly, I was unable to source the Givi in the USA and had to order it from Italy. I'll try them both out and sell the other. I am optimistic about the Calsci as I have had them before and they perform really well (for me, screen performance is substantially subjective). Anyhow, fingers crossed!

BMW C400GT Windshields

motorcycleinfo.calsci.com

5132DT SPECIFIC SCREEN

GIVI 5132DT Specific screen, transparent 76.5 x 58 cm (H x W) to be combined with the specific D5132KIT fitting kit sold separately / 19.5 cm higher than the original

giviusa.com

 

[mzflorida]

I’ve now installed 5 screen configurations on my GT.

1. Stock Short
2. Stock Short: with Puig Lip
3. Wunderlich Vented
4. CalSci 15”
5. Givi 5132 DT

Stock Screen

It produces a lot of turbulence over the top and also in the cockpit. Quite a bit of backpressure and noise are produced. Rain, light or heavy, is driven around the screen into my chest. about a 10.5 inch rise.





Stock Screen with Puig Lip

It produces a just bit less turbulence over the top than a naked stock short screen with no other impact to the cockpit turbulence. Quite a bit of backpressure and noise are produced. about a 12 inch rise.



Wunderlich

A little better than the stock short screen over the top. It had a noticeable, but not dramatic, impact on the cockpit turbulence. I can look over the top. No handlebar contact lock to lock, and it should accommodate reasonable handguards. The optical clarity was good. The screen was defective, and it was returned.

Givi

It’s huge. A short ride proved promising. The cockpit turbulence is all but gone. The wind entering the cockpit area is actually wispy and there is no back pressure noticeable to the rider. But I hate looking though screens and at 6’ 02” I’m looking right through it. There was no handlebar contact but handguards would be tight, if they fit at all. Looking from the front it doesn’t look as big as it is in reality








CalSci

I’m hoping that the CalSci is the winner, but I have not ridden with it yet. It seems to be the most durable of all the options. The optical clarity is excellent. I can look over the screen. It is vented and should be fine here in south Florida. The screen has a much more swept back posture than all the others. It's face is also much more rounded than all the others. Plenty of room for handguards.

 

[mzflorida]

 

[wspollack]

Very useful report, Mike.

 

[mzflorida]

I went back out with the Givi. It is really very good. I was wearing a hooded sweatshirt and the drawstring on the hood was barely rising. Incredibly quiet and calm. Remarkable difference from stock and Wunderlich. Not that my endorsement matters, but if you are looking for a quiet comfy ride the Givi is a very solid choice.

I rode with the Calsci. In all measures, in dry riding, it is better than the short stock screen. It is quieter over the top, it has less back and side pressure, and it is far less turbulent in the cockpit. If I were 1 Inch shorter it would likely be excellent for me. The air is different than the Givi. It moves with greater volume or force (not sure which) than the Givi but is very gentle; almost like a strong fan. The Givi is wispy smooth. But I can see over on the Calsci where I cannot on the Givi. I may try the Calsci in one size up.

Here is how I would kind of rate them. Let’s say the stock short screen was measured as a zero (it’s not a zero, actually). The Calsci would be about a 65-70. That is considering quietness, buffeting, pressure, turbulence, etc. The Givi I would give a 85-90; if it wasn’t so big and if I did not have to look through it, I’d give it a solid 90. I really do dislike looking through a screen while I ride though. It is also nice that with the Givi I can ride with my face shield open.

The Givi beats every configuration I’ve tried for wind management, hands down, except that I have to look through it. One other note, the optical clarity on the Givi is good, not excellent; whereas on the Calsci and stock the clarity is excellent.

I am 602, 235, broad shoulders.

 

[mgg]

Excellent write up. Thank you for doing all the heavy lifting. I'm 5'10 and bet the CalSci would work great for me. Maybe could even get away with an inch shorter. But I'm picking up a 2023 C 400 GT this friday and when looking at the Givi it said it fit 18-21. So I may not have the same options. I do want a bigger screen though.

 

[mzflorida]

Excellent write up. Thank you for doing all the heavy lifting. I'm 5'10 and bet the CalSci would work great for me. Maybe could even get away with an inch shorter. But I'm picking up a 2023 C 400 GT this friday and when looking at the Givi it said it fit 18-21. So I may not have the same options. I do want a bigger screen though.

Congrats on the new bike. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I and many others do! It is definitely a rider's bike, though also very good looking in my opinion. An educated guess would say that the CalSci would likely work for you being a couple of inches shorter than me. One thing I noticed with the CalSci is that headwinds are noticeably better managed with it than the other screens I tried. To be fair though, I did not ride enough with the Givi to say it would be better or worse (likely worse due to its size). All that said, the Givi created the most comfortable and quiet riding experience; remarkably better than the others. Also, the Givi will fit your model year. The mounting kit is the same for all years.

CalSci has a section on their site for measuring how much screen height is necessary to achieve what you want. Super simple. Place two items on the pavement 30 and 60 feet away from the front of the bike. Put a yardstick on the existing screen. Look at the two objects and mark the sightline on the yardstick while viewing the 30 and 60 foot reference points, and the measurement tells you how much more screen you need. If you don't want to go through that exercise, order the large CalSci. They'll cut it down and bevel it for free if it is too large for you.

If you decide you want to go with a medium CalSci, let me know. I'll sell mine for 100.00 plus shipping as I want to try the large. It is scratch free and as good as new.