alejandro

@bunyip, thanks for your post! Awesome info. I haven't looked at my stock screen recently. I'm curious why you bought another screen rather than simply drilling more holes in the stock one. To preserve resale value? Or is there a reason that wouldn't have worked?

tl;dr Madstad 20 didn't work for me, nor did 22; will either try cut-off stock windscreen, try Puig, or both Before I bought the FJ-09, I had ridden a Triumph Tiger with a Madstad screen, and I loved the screen. So I ordered a Madstad for the FJ-09. Based on my conversation with them, I ordered a 20". I am 5'9.5" (177cm) tall and typical male proportions. The 20" was not good for me. I can't say whether it was better or worse than stock, but it was noisy and buffety enough that I was unable to enjoy the ride--I was fixated on the noise and the buffeting pretty much any time I was going over 50mph. This was after adjusting the screen to the recommended 60 degrees, changing the height up and down, and adjusting it every other which way. I did notice that when I stood up on the pegs, I was in clean air; and also, if I leaned forward and in behind the screen, I was in quiet air. For context: I always ride with earplugs. I know how to insert earplugs properly. I also have a "Windjammer 2" on my helmet, which is a Shoei Qwest. For comparison: This combination (Qwest + Windjammer + earplugs) enabled me to ride on my previous bike (Street Triple R naked) up to 85 or 90 or so without being conscious of noise. And buffeting was not an issue on the Street Triple R, except when I turned my head or in heavy gusty crosswinds, at which point I became aware of buffeting but it was not oppressive. So I talked to the folks at Madstad, and they recommended that I try their larger, 22" screen. They took my credit card again and shipped me the new screen, with the understanding that I'd get refunded for the 20" when I returned it to them. When I told them that my timing was tight because I was leaving on a trip, they shipped me the 22" expedited, which was nice of them. The 22" did not solve the problem. For whatever reason, it didn't seem to make an appreciable difference. So I took my trip with very distracting noise and buffeting the whole way. It was a real bummer. I do think that I had cross-winds and gusts for 90% of my trip; but if that's where I live and that's what the conditions are like, then I need a screen that works for me under those conditions. Anyway, I've emailed Madstad 3 times now (!) starting over 2 weeks ago politely explaining my results with the 22 and asking them for their thoughts, for a taller screen, or for a return authorization. I have heard nothing back from them. I just now emailed them a 4th time. Maybe their service department doesn't do well with email--but in that case, they shouldn't put their email address on their site! So I've given up on Madstad, and am puzzled by their sometimes-helpful, sometimes-non-existent service. My next step is to try riding with no screen, and/or to saw off the stock screen, and see how that works. I've been reading all the windshield-related threads on this board. A question for anyone who knows: Do the small windshield manufacturers typically test out their screens on every model of bike they sell them for? Or do they just cut out plexi according to standard pattern; move screw-holes around on; and take your $200+? Anyway, I'm curious about the Puig because of this: http://www.puigusa.com/descargas/PUIG21670.pdf which looks like an actual wind test of the screen! I like the looks of it. Does anyone have the Puig, or can anyone speak to it? Thank you.

@fanowater: Is this the Yamaha touring screen? I would be very curious to hear how it is for you, in terms of wind protection, buffeting, and noise! Also roughly how tall you are if you don't mind! Thank you!

How is noise? Helmet in smooth air or turbulent? Buffeting? Does it attach to stock mounting hardware? How tall are you? Thanks!

A request: Would anyone who posts here about any particular screen being good or bad also please post their height, and ideally inseam too? Thanks!

Interesting--yah. Something about having to replace the ignition lock barrel and the throttle body (which involves waiting around for some time), and having to re-flash the ECU. That actually does sound like a pretty good theft deterrent.

Thanks @brmidd. For bar-end weights, I wound up doing what someone in another thread suggested, and repurposed some pieces of the handguards and some bolts. Looks okay, not perfect, but I didn't want to be running around with open holes at the ends of my handlebars. Cycle Gear has some interesting bar ends I might look at. Some of them contain real carbon fiber. Carbon fiber bar ends should be good for ~4hp, so I may do this as an inexpensive performance upgrade. Madstad arrived and installed. Still working out settings. Will update when it's in final configuration. @lawrenceofsuburbia, at first I was slightly surprised when you said that the S1000XR was so big and heavy. But I guess it makes sense, since the S1000RR itself is one of the porkier supersports. It will be interesting to see a "heavyweight adventure bike" shootout that includes both the S1000XR and the R1200GS. I was at the (independent) shop yesterday and overheard the owner talking on the phone to someone with an Aprilia about what it would cost him if he lost his key (thousands of dollars). Let us thank the wise folks at Yamaha for giving us a key that is simply a key.

To anyone who has removed the handguards as part of the windscreen thing...did you install bar-end weights or anything else in their place?

Update: - Shad rear rack and SH-48 top case installed! Love it. Rack seems solid. FWIW Shad rack is available now from Shad, whereas Yamaha rack is on backorder. It sounds to me like the Yamaha rack might actually be made by Shad? But I don't know if the two units are identical. I'll figure this out at some point when I meet up with more of you all. Shad rack is cheaper than Yamaha rack, although some of the difference goes away when you look at shipping costs vs. picking up Yamaha part from the dealer. I trust/hope that the Shad rack is just as strong/high-quality as the Yamaha rack. One note: If you want to install both top case and hard side bags, you'll need longer screws, since they go in the same holes. - SH-48 is great. Seems like good balance between huge and not too heavy. Stock SH-48 would look esp good on a grey FJ-09 as-is, since top panel is gray/"carbon". I may spend the extra $$ and get a red top panel for the SH-48...but this is not a high priority. SH-48 opening mechanism seems slightly overcomplicated compared to the Givi MonoLock I used to have (I haven't used MonoKey). MonoLock is light-duty, so maybe that's why it's easy to open and close. We'll see how I feel about SH-48 after I've lived with it for a while. Oh, SH-48 lock is a bit reluctant. Graphite didn't help. I trust it will smooth out with use. - Handguards removed entirely (they made me nervous when lanesplitting...and they had to be fiddled with for the Madstad screen anyway). Question to folks who have removed handguards: Did you install some kind of bar ends or weights or something in place? - Madstad 20" light tint installed! Looks pretty good IMO. Will post pictures when I get around to it! I am male 5'10" / 177cm or so, typical proportions I think. Madstad has huge range of adjustment. I will be playing with it, but I am pretty sure that I will be able to have zero wind noise if I move the screen all the way up, and good ventilation without unreasonable turbulence if I have it down. I will report back. - An expert friend of mine who has a 2008 Multistrada 1100S (air-cooled) rode an FJ-09 and said that it was "everything [his] Multistrada is but better in every way", and that he "even liked the stock suspension". I think reviewers etc. who compare the FJ to the Versys and V-Strom may be making the wrong comparison. In terms of the sport/touring/quasi-adventure, light-weight, riding position, etc., the FJ is closer to the Multi than anything else I've seen or ridden (granted, my experience is not extensive). For me, at this point in my motorcycle life, the adjustability, value, and (anticipated) easy maintenance of the FJ more than make up for the extra few horses of a new Multistrada. And then there's the BMW S1000XR, which will be interesting to see... Would be curious to hear others' thoughts on this. @cobby7 @wong93719 @ulewz thanks for your replies! Alejandro

Impressions vs. 2013 Street Triple R (previous bike): FJ-09 Pros: - WAY more legroom, ESPECIALLY with seat in high position - More intuitive handling - WAY smoother ride - Less upset by bumps in corners; less tracking of grooves in pavement FJ-09 Cons: - Transmission slightly clunky - Sound is not as pretty as Triumph (could perhaps be addressed with exhaust swap?) - Handlebars buzzy (from what I understand, this may go away on its own, and/or go away with ECU flash) - Handlebars are a bit higher than I like...arms get a little tired (less of a problem with seat in high position, but I may still look into addressing this) - The windscreen sucks every which way above 35mph. My best results were screen in low position, seat in high position, but it was still not great. Street Triple with tiny Puig screen has my head in very smooth air. FJ-09 Next Steps: - Madstad windscreen - Shad rear rack (available now from Shad) and SH-48 topcase (available now from Amazon) - Maybe remove handguards (they feel very wide when lanesplitting) I think I may not buy the hard saddlebags. If I do serious traveling, I may be good with topcase (stays on bike) and seat bag (comes with me). All in all, it is everything I was looking for--a comfortable highway bike that is still light and fun in the city, nice triple oomph, snappy handling, real two-up capablity, etc. Very happy so far!

For others seeking quiet, I have found that my "Windjammer 2" from Amazon makes a BIG difference. And the price is right--$20 (US). It also provides warmth. May not be practical for summer in warmer climes, but in SF where it's a pretty steady 45-75 degrees F, I can use it year-round. Downsides: heat (see above); makes it a little harder to get on and off. I'm pretty sure that this is the second-best bang for the buck as far as quiet goes (the first being earplugs properly inserted, which I also use...). On another note, I just ordered a Madstad, and I don't even have an FJ-09 yet! I wanted to have the screen when I got the bike. I think I'm (somewhat more) committed now to getting the bike.