X10 Windscreen - buffeting.

[mikeX10]

X10 500 Exec 2015. I find that I am being buffeted quite badly at speeds over 60mph. I know that Givi do a larger (taller?) screen. Has anyone tried that, or any of the other makes, or tried a bolt-on spoiler - like the HPS.
All opinions appreciated, it's the only thing that I dislike about the X10.
Mike

[Mike H]

Can't remember having this problem. Altho full wind in the face (but with full-face helmet), normal for me anyway. But the stream is usually quite even.

Tried the £124 Givi, too tall, had to cut 5 inches off the top, else looking thru the plastic which is not good. Also, is extra wide with 'hand guard extensions', trouble is, to stop the bars hitting them on full lock, whole screen is tipped forward, so more upright; the gap between back of screen and top of the dash cover is huge, I mean you could stash a lunchbox and thermos in there. This makes screen stick up more and act like a sail. I suspect that might have been a contributing factor to my off on the blue X10 on Sunday March 2015, a weekend of gales, I was going home from a camping w/e, couldn't use motorways because too windy, struggling to keep the bike in lane on the A roads. Nightmare journey culminating in stacking it and writing it off. Combination of wet road, hidden spilt diesel, leanng it too far for the conditions and, I think, turning into the galeforce wind making the front go light (it was the front tyre that let go).

Yet, I even got another Givi to put on the replacement white X10, but in hindsight, never did in the end. I concluded the stock screen is the shape it is for good reasons.


Actually, I got the second Givi to put on the blue X10 cos the first one cracked in half when it hit the road, because it's wide enough to hit the road if bike falls over. I ws going to fix the bike up but that was before I discovered the frame was bent 3 different ways. 

[Dave Milnes]

Piaggio used to brag about their wind tunnel development and on the X9 they got it right. The X10 is probably OK too.
Buffeting is becoming worse though year by year and the bike doesn't change but the airflow from the wake of other vehicles does. I suspect that the rough air flow is nothing to do with the bike but with other traffic around you. I have noticed on a nice calm day on empty roads there is no such effect but turn onto a busy road or motorway on the same day and suddenly turbulence, crosswinds and general instability becomes really pronounced. Try following any of these square profile flat top transit style vans, the effect behind them is noticeable from as much as 50-75yds, overtake and all becomes calm again until you approach the back of another vehicle or you get passed by something else. Modern vehicles plus the sheer number of them in close proximity stirs the air like a whirlpool and no bike screen can sort it out.
Taller screens can actually make this worse and screens with curled top edges are not as good as you think they are. The X9 uses a stand off screen and a sculpted under tray to form a 'laminar' effect where air passes up both sides meeting smoothly at the top, not sure if the X10 kept this idea, but if not a 'laminar lip' (or spoiler) device on a lower screen might be better idea than a taller screen.

[ramjet]

My X10 came with Givi fitted and I found it downright dangerous as depending on conditions it could get wet/dirty in minutes with no way of clearing it at Motorway speeds

I refitted a standard screen and found it much better as you have the option of getting behind it or seeing clearly over the top. Buffeting wise, I can't say there is a lot of difference between the two. I find the least buffeting to be had if with standard screen you put your feet in the high forward position and push yourself back on to the seat stop.

The standard screen also employs laminar flow as the front low point of the screen is above an opening to facilitate this. Don't know how much difference it makes though.

If anyone's interested I have a vgc unmodified Givi screen for sale for first reasonable offer and postage at cost.

[chippyzip]

I have a Givi adjustable windscreen after I had buffering problems with the original one. I'm fairly tall, and at around 60mph, like the OP mentioned my head was been knocked around.
I've no issues with the Givi screen, and as it's adjustable, I set it so I can see over the top without obscuring my view. I've had the screen for 3 years now, and it's much much better than the original for me!

Graham 

[mikeX10]

Many thanks for all of your comments. obviously not as clearcut as I had hoped.
I'm quite tall and sit well back, to the extent that I ride without the 'backrest', but still my eyeline is several inches above the screen. In clear air yesterday at 70'ish I could feel my summer jacket being pulled forward! And if I opened the helmet visor just a little my head was being rapidly shaken side to side, small movements but it doesn't help sight or concentration!
Mike H makes a good comment about the width because the standard screen only just clears the bars & levers.
I will explore Ramjets offer and also have a look at the HPS Spoiler - they're fairly close to my home. If I find anything of interest I will report back
Thanks again,
Mike

[Mike H]

Probably the one that chippyzip has got then. The one I had (non adjustable) was too far forward, I thought, because of the need to avoid the handlebars hitting the edges (because it's wider), ergo, more space between it and rider for more turbulance to get in, and also not terribly good weather protection in consequence.

[chippyzip]

Hi, It's not a very good picture but if you look carefully, you can raise or lower the top half of the screen by locking clamps. I've set mine so it's just below my eyeline, enough so I can comfortably keep my eye on the road, but high enough to stop the wind buffering me around! It's a bit of a trial and error getting it just right, but once I got it jjust so, I stuck a bit of electrical tape showing where the locking clamps should be!

I've been very pleased with it, and it's really made an improvement to my riding, and it has an added bonus of shielding my gloves from the wind if you look carefully!

Graham 

[Mike H]

I never got around to it but I was going to put plastic hand guards that I'd bought, onto the X10, instead of having the 'hand guard' sticky-out side extension parts of the Givi screen. They ended up on the Ural instead, and they are very useful, especially in winter, and heavy rain. Work much better at protecting the hands than any screen can do, simply because they're closer. As for the screen itself, you could maybe add some sort of extension to the top, if that's an issue. (?)

[mikeX10]

Hi
Chippyzip's adjustable screen looks really good. Thanks for the photo, which is much better than relying upon fixed measurements. This may well be the answer.
Mike

[Mr.Chips]

Obviously, I can't comment on the X10 and windscreens but the Givi adjustable screen is the dog's on the Silverwing; many S'wing owners swear by them.

 

[Mottza]

Givi Airflow on my forza is very good as well.

[mikeX10]

Thanks to everyone for their comments. Looks like the Adjustable Givi is the one to explore and Graham has sent me links to retailers.
Mike

[Mike H]