2008+ KLR650 Windscreen

Open air can be one of the pleasures of motorcycling but all too often open air means wind, gusts and bugs. Wind and buffeting can be tiring. Bugs have to be cleaned from face shields. Riders of motorcycles with small, minimal windscreens or no windscreen at all often look to the after market for improvement. Seems simple enough: bigger windscreen means more protection. If only it were that easy.

Windscreens work differently for each of us; one size does not fit all. People vary in height, torso length, posture, helmet quietness, tolerance for buffeting and expectations. Wind screen performance varies due to height, width, shape, rake and other design features. That's a lot of variables. I often make bad windscreen choices. Many of us know few actual facts about aerodynamics and are therefore susceptible to hype and slick presentations. All too many people seem to believe there is a magic windscreen out there somewhere that will work for everyone. Maybe there is a pocket of still air behind a big, wide, tall windscreen you look through. Personally, I refuse to look through a windscreen, especially in the rain, and I want my line of sight to be well above the top of a windscreen if I'm speeding down a rutted road.

Compromise is required for riders who do not want to look through plastic. My expectations, in order of importance to me, are top of windscreen below my line of sight, very few bugs on my visor, almost no buffeting, an acceptable noise level and, in winter, insignificant air entering the bottom of my helmet. After many years and 45 motorcycles, I still choose an acceptable windscreen only on rare, lucky occasions. I can't remember all the shields I've discarded, modified or cut the tops off for attaching to other windscreens.

Given my personal requirements, the 2008+ KLR650 has been an especially difficult motorcycle to improve with an after market windscreen due to its sleek, protective fairing with attractive, rakish minimal windscreen. The designers know you can't please everyone with a big windscreen. The goal here was almost certainly esthetics and smooth air flow. For some riders willing to clean their visors at frequent stops, this stock screen is fine. Others go Internet shopping. Of the popular options available for 2008+ KLR riders, I personally find most either too close to my face due to the steep angle, too oddly shaped, too expensive or all of the above. The few I tried failed to meet my requirements and my modifications to these after market windscreens proved inadequate.

Every now and then, I've searched the Internet for 2008+ KLR650 windscreens hoping for a fresh idea. When I found KLRDASH.COM, the solution matched my perception of the problem so perfectly I reflexively ordered brackets and a Zero Gravity tall Sport Touring windscreen (it's easier to cut a windscreen down then to make it taller). I was surprised to learn the manufacturer's original goal was increased dash space for mounting navigational accessories. For this designer, the dramatically improved airflow may have been an unexpected secondary benefit. We each have our priorities.

The package arrived promptly; the hardware was nicely made; I've always thought Zero Gravity windscreens were better than average quality at a lower than average price; Installation was easy with an online video at klrdash.com if needed. Everything feels solid. Nothing wiggles or vibrates and I like the look. Liking the look wasn't the primary reason for ordering KLRDASH hardware and the Zero Gravity screen but I am pleased with my KLR's new hint-of-a-rally-bike stance. The narrow windscreen may limit protection but it does facilitate reading the road and I find the tall, narrow, upright shape essential to the character of the KLR and how I use it.

My first test was an 80 mile ride in hard, gusty winds. I rode upwind, downwind and crosswind. Some windscreens can be a negative asset in such conditions. I once stopped, removed and discarded a windscreen in a gusty canyon because my head was being buffeted almost violently. All such potential negatives were minimized with the KLRDASH hardware and the Zero Gravity sport touring windscreen. I'm not saying there was no buffeting or no wind noise. I am saying buffeting was minimal and noise was tolerable and from side winds, not the windscreen. Cruising downwind I had as near to still air as I could realistically hope for. Most windscreens I've tried had a "quiet spot" somewhere if I ducked or stretched to find it. This combination was surprisingly consistent: relatively quite at normal posture, ducking and stretching upwards. I ordered the sport touring windscreen with the idea I could cut it down to fit. That may not be necessary. I'm 6 feet tall with a 32/33 inch inseam. I look over the windscreen now even when slouched. A second ride the next day with no wind was even more impressive.

I haven't mentioned the dashboard because for me this wasn't about the dashboard. With only one small stick-on clock (and space to stick it elsewhere sans additional dashboard) I can't appreciate how much this extra space might mean to someone with accessories to mount. I can say I don't mind the look of it, even empty.

An overnight trip to eastern Utah rounded out my testing and confirmed my initial impressions: this was the correct choice for me for both esthetics and function. The suitability of this windscreen setup on rough roads where I need to read the road was demonstrated when I rode down from Island in the Sky in Canyonlands on the Schafer Trail and Potash road. Those roads vary but on this occasion were moderately rough for an old man on an overloaded KLR. I was concerned that this screen, taller than I'm used to, might block my up-close view when I have to choose and maintain a precise line. No problem. When it did block my view for close work, I just moved my head a bit to the appropriate side and had a clear view. I suspect that's why the International Rally bikes have tall, narrow windscreens -- they can't stand up all the time. A new experience for me but it worked very well. Of great importance to me is keeping bugs off my helmet visor. In 600 miles of riding since I installed the klrdash.com hardware and Zero Gravity Screen, I have not cleaned my helmet visor once. That alone could justify this screen for me. I really like this setup.

Let me summarize: I'm not talking about having my head in a pocket of still air. I'm not trying to make a Goldwing out of a KLR. I still have a little wind noise and minor buffeting. Both are kept at personally acceptable levels while sending a smooth airflow (along with bugs) near or over the top of my helmet. I do not have head movement from buffeting, even in gusty sidewinds. I do not wear ear plugs (although perhaps I should). I can honestly say my expectations were exceeded but please understand that my expectations were realistic from long experience. All of this changes if you choose the incorrect windscreen height for where your head will be. Choosing the correct height is not as easy as it may sound.