MRA Vario Touring screen

Post by **rdsmith3** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 8:13 am

I just installed this screen, which you can see here
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/2136/

At some point I will take and post pics of my bike with the screen.

I tried it out on my 50 mile ride to work today. Previously, I had the BMW touring screen. I have also tried the touring screen with a laminar lip, and the fly screen, at various times. I am 6'2" tall and use the tall seat with a sheepskin.

The MRA screen allows a lot more air to hit my chest. At the same time, the airflow around my head is much quieter. I briefly had it up to, oh, say, 90 mph and it was still much quieter around my head compared to the BMW touring screen, but I got a lot of buffeting on my chest. I will try to play around with the wing a bit to see what that does. I have to get used to the change in the air flow. It was quite a surprising change. Like every other screen on this bike, this is a compromise. I think this is a good warm weather screen but not good for cold weather. It is too bad that it is such a pain to change screens on this bike.

The screen seems well made, and it uses bolts that go through the windshield instead of those stupid well nuts. It does not come with brackets -- you have to use the fly screen brackets.

mad1150 · Post by **mad1150** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 8:50 am

Cool, I was looking at that one too.

Since I'm shorter, 5' 10", do you think it would be better than the fly screen for cold weather?

Post by **rdsmith3** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 8:54 am

mad1150 wrote:Cool, I was looking at that one too.

Since I'm shorter, 5' 10", do you think it would be better than the fly screen for cold weather?

I think anything would be better than the fly screed for actual protection, although the fly screen looks the best, IMO.

How cold does it get where you live?

mad1150 · Post by **mad1150** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 9:01 am

I will ride till it gets down to 35-40 F. But this is mainly to work and back about 16 mi one way.

It's not the cold that stops me but the road conditions, still I would like more protection in the cold than the fly screen.

I don't mind the fly screen for warm weather, must be the right height for it.

Post by **Buckster** » Wed Jun 06, 2007 10:18 pm

I also like that screen. I wasn't aware that there were pics of that screen on a R. I had only seen it pictured on a Honda 599.
I thought they sold the mounting kit seperately at Twisted Throttle.Or you can use the fly screen as well as theirs?
Another question was can the upper spoiler be removed?
I like the MRA Speed screen as well which looks just like that one without the upper spoiler.
Show us the pics when you get a chance.

Post by **Robert_winter_1000** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 7:09 am

Hi all,
Have a look to this vario which I bought 4 years ago.

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x284 ... reen-1.jpg
http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x284 ... creen2.jpg

Regards
Robert

Post by **mick Hoff** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 7:30 am

There's a discussion on the MRA Vario screen from last year-
do a search under Keyword - MRA Vario screen
Author - darcym
The thread is " Another New Windsrceen"
He picked up one & had pics & report on it Vs the Speedster srceen
Regards
Mick

Post by **rdsmith3** » Mon Jun 25, 2007 4:22 am

Here are some pictures of the MRA Vario screen on my bike

However, after riding with this for 500 miles, I have decided that I am too tall for it. I am going back to the Touring Screen.

Post by **Gordium7** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 12:49 am

FYI: The mounting kit that Twisted Throttle offers for this screen looks exactly like the BMW mounts for the flyscreen. I just got a set in today -- they are black powercoat instead of silver and seem very good quality. The best part are they are only $60 versus $150 from BMW.

The clone flyscreen mounts will enable me to do the "DJ Mod" for lots less money. I am also considering this MRA Vario screen for cold weather use as well.

However, the mounts do not come with the longer mounting bolts needed (M8x35 or M8x40), so a trip to the hardware store is required. Luckily, the last remaining Ace hardware store in town carries a good variety of metric fasteners, including stainless steel ones.

hirsty · Post by **hirsty** » Fri Jun 29, 2007 10:07 am

Good tip there if you don't already have the BMW speedster brackets...

I have the speedster screen (with brackets, via eBay), the MRA Vario screen, and now also a DJ-mod F650 too! My experience has all been geared around trying to reduce helmet noise & find an acceptable level of wind blast - it's quietest with no screen on at all, but the windblast trying to push you off the back of the bike makes it tiring on longer faster runs.

Speedster screen:
Good compromise, looks best, but helmet noise bad.

MRA Vario:
Pushes the wind up too high for me - I'm 5'10", and can only get 'clean air' if I stretch my back straight and sit bolt upright, and that's with the flap on the lowest setting. If you are 6'+ tall, you might be okay...

DJ-mod F650:
Best for me so far. Meant to write up a report & post a picture, but work has been crazy this month. Mine is level with the front of the clocks & doesn't push the air up as far to bash me under the chin strap like the taller two screens above do. Helmet is therefore in clean air & quieter, but you do take more wind across the collar bones & biceps at higher speeds.

Conclusion (IMO, YMMV) - it all depends on height of rider, and you need to make a stark choice between a massive touring shield that's taller than you are, or find a shortie screen that gets the air to hit you below the chin strap.

Failing that, stick to 55mph ...