I think wind screens are a simple science. If its quieter when its on then its... Errrr , quieter.

Duck down to your tank and hear the difference.

I test rise a lot of BMWs with big electric adjustable screens. You can literally turn noise on and off with the switch and it usually is with a couple of inches in height.

Screens work... Bigger the better. Even if they look lame

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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.

But many are not quieter, regardless of height. IMO, it's not simple at all as the human factor has to be worked into it.

Ducking down or laying flat on the tank will make any bike quiet ... or even a noisy helmet. But you can't ride down there!

Try this test Ted ... ride normally at about 70 mph behind your screen of choice and gauge the noise level. Now stand UP ... getting above the screen. Result? For me, for most bikes with screens, standing is quieter than riding behind the screen. Try it out.

Your body may be dry and protected but you can still have lots of noisy buffeting with a screen. Buffeting can make you deaf over time.
(dangerous sub audible frequencies at work)

Electric screens do give lots more adjustment ... and some can be fine tuned for quiet for some ... but not all riders. But certainly a great option!

I've tested them too ... and every brand, not just BMW. The Kawi Concours 14 is a pretty good one.

In my experience, most sport touring/ADV bikes with fixed screens have been noisy. Also, many aftermarket screens are no better. Of course different sized riders may get different results. Some big barn door screens can push you in the back, a kind of back pressure I guess? ... weird feeling. Pretty quiet but weird! :confused1: An old Guzzi SP1000 I rode years ago did this. The last Guzzi I rode, the Norge, was really noisy for me. The Griso was quiet, but very low.

On my personal bikes I've had mixed results. Took a few tries to get a quiet shield on my DL1000. Finally hit it and it wasn't bad. GREAT in rain. BAD in heat. (less air flow)

On my 1050 Tiger I tried four different screens, including one that was a UK product, multi-adjustable rig. Quite clever ... but never worked for me. Turns out that was true for about half the buyers on the UK Tiger owners forum ... most sold them off or sent them back.

Also tried:
Givi tall and short screen, Triumph tall touring screen, stock screen. Finally went with a very short sport screen which provided little protection but at least was quiet. Some riders hit the mark and got that Tiger quiet ... but it's tricky depending on rider size, shape and posture on the bike.

You can read volumes of posts about screens and wind noise on forums for many bikes ... including BMW GS's, RT's and others. The Vstrom crowd (thousands of riders) went round on screens for 4 years and NEVER found one that worked for everyone. I considered myself lucky to find one that worked!

Ear plugs are very handy to use, especially if you plan to hear accurately in the future. I have multiple sets of Big Ear ear plugs that reduce noise levels about 30 db. I say about, cause I have some plugs that go deeper into my ear canal or extend out a little bit further. I used to shoot trap and skeet a lot, run heavy equipment, chain saws and leave the windows down on my truck (my left ear is my worst). It is the wind noise that is accumulative. Sure wish I had started wearing better plugs years ago. For me, ear plugs are an essential part of my riding outfit and "All of the Gear, All of the time"

Ah ... no, wind noise is not cumulative ... but hearing damage FROM wind noise IS!

Hearing damage is slow ... and IS cumulative over time. Most never notice until later in life. Some of us naturally lose hearing as we age ... but to protect what we've got ... Ear Plugs all the Time! (I can't ride without them!)

I don't like how foam earplugs muffle all sounds, so I'm not very keen on using them, but I've stumbled on something far better : Nonoise earplugs, they filter wind noise, but you can hear all other sounds that are important while riding, like engine noise, siren, and you can have conversation with someone without removing them from you ears!
They have some sort of ceramic filter that filters most of those bad frequencies that cause hearing damage.
And they come in a small metal container that you can use as keychain.

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Using Tapatalk

I have been reading about to use or not to use. I use them all the time. A little tip if you do as well. Poking them in and out of your ear all the time. Can pick up dirt, that end's up in your ear. I use some Sudocream. It's a antiseptic cream they use on baby's. Easy to slip the plug in once you have creamed up the plug and ear. Combined with cotton bud's. To use after a shower. Clean's the wax out as well. As the cream softness the wax up. Had no problem use them this way. Save's ear infection.
Hope this help's
John933

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To buy petrol in Europe. Pull up at station. Wait. Get out a 20 Euro note, then ask someone to fill up the bike. Give person money. Ride away. Simple.