V85 Windscreen deep dive

[YellowDuck]

Loving my 2025 Strada so much, but the windscreen is a disappointment.  So, I'm working towards a solution.

With the stock screen, it was best in the lowest position, but the wind noise on my helmet was annoying.  It's not a "buffeting" issue - i.e., my head was not getting jostled, it was just loud.  If I stood up on the pegs so my helmet was in clear air, it was *much* better.  Ditto if I ducked down behind the screen  - very quiet.

With the screen in the highest position, it was worse.  In that position the turbulent sound also included a pretty sharp rap - like someone snapping a wet towel in my ear.  Not good for my hearing, I presume.

So, I installed the MG touring windshield (I believe this is the part installed standard on the Travel).  It definitely reduces total wind pressure on my chest, but the helmet-level wind noise is still excessive - although, the sharp rap component is gone, so that's an improvement.  A weird thing about this screen - it produced a noticeable hum at speed, in either the up or down position.  At first I thought the screen itself was resonating in the wind, but after some experimentation I eventually figured out that it was just reflecting more of the engine noise back at me (i.e., the sound goes away almost instantly as the engine revs fall when I pull in the clutch).  Now that I know that it is engine sound and not vibration, I consider it a feature rather than a bug - the motor is otherwise a bit quiet, honestly.

Still need a solution for the wind noise at helmet level.  Probably I will try one of those clip-on spoilers.  Really, no screen at all would probably be preferable to either setup I have tried so far.

[bad Chad]

I have a 25 as well.   Just took the screen off today, wow, it's lovely to ride on a hot day without, wind blast was not too bad.

I generally ride with the Givi touring screen, works pretty well, I'm super tall so I have a windshield extender with make it even better.

[ridingron]

There is a 19 page thread over on Adventure Riders you can wade through. Plus other comments in the scattered throughout the 1720+ page thread on the V85TT.

For a better apple to apple comparison, a couple things to consider. Is the seat at stock height and how far above the seat is the rider's helmet? 

[kingoffleece]

A lot of us have been at this for decades.  Screens are a real journey to find what works.  It takes time and money-there simply is NO one size fits all.
For my V85, it was the Palmer Products bracket in the UK and a touring screen with a small extender.  2022 bike.

[Cam3512]

The taller Guzzi screen works great for me in the most upright position. I can see over it, and there’s a nice pocket of air in front of my torso. I’ve seen bugs and rain drops just float around in circles in front of me (seriously).

Do you wear ear plugs?

[DenverSteve]

Loving my 2025 Strada so much, but the windscreen is a disappointment.  So, I'm working towards a solution.

Question 1 - are you wearing a full-face helmet with the face-screen down?  Next please continue with the questions and answers here since the question was posted here. I'm not a participant at Adventure Riders, or anywhere else, and don't want to be looking elsewhere for answers to questions posed here. I don't experience what you describe and am interested in your solution.

If you haven't looked, online (Amazon for one) there are many aftermarket wind-screen extenders that may help.  Here are some.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=motorcycle%2Bwindshield%2Bextension&crid=OJUQL4R98DK6&sprefix=motorcycle%2Bwindsheild%2B%2Caps%2C306&ref=nb_sb_ss_p13n-expert-pd-ops-ranker_ci_hl-bn-left_1_22

[MikeP996]

FWIW ...When I bought my (used) '21 V7 Special it had a small Guzzi-branded windscreen.  On the 90 mile ride back home I found it so annoying due to helmet buffeting/noise that I immediately removed it when I got home.  I have a BMW R1200RS that in addition the one OEM two-position adjustable windscreen, I tried FOUR others of different sizes.  NONE of them eliminated helmet noise/buffeting.  The wind pressure at speed on a "naked" bike is far more preferable to me than any helmet buffeting.  I have no such issue on any naked bike or any sport bike.  But my conclusion is that the typical wind screens for motorcycles reduce wind pressure on the body but they make riding at speed very uncomfortable - the opposite of what they are supposed to do.  My R1200 RS is brutal at 70+ MPH re buffeting.  After a couple of hours my neck muscles are really fatigued.  If I HAD to routinely ride on major highways I'd drive the car...or buy a GoldWing!

[YellowDuck]

Do you wear ear plugs?

I really can't wear ear plugs of any kind.  Unusual shape to my ear canal, and the plugs work loose and drop out.  Very annoying.  Same for ear bud head phones.  It's a disability lol.

But anyway, why should I resort to ear plugs to solve a problem with this bike that I don't have with any of my other bikes

[kingoffleece]

There are other types.  Try Mighty Plugs.

https://mightyplugs.com/

[Cam3512]

I really can't wear ear plugs of any kind.  Unusual shape to my ear canal, and the plugs work loose and drop out.  Very annoying.  Same for ear bud head phones.  It's a disability lol.

But anyway, why should I resort to ear plugs to solve a problem with this bike that I don't have with any of my other bikes

Because constant wind noise at any level will eventually affect your hearing.

[kingoffleece]

Listen to Cam, or don't.  But understand hearing NEVER heals.  Never.  Those of us affected do this all the time-try to spell it out to help avoid what we experience.
Hasn't been quiet at night for me for 30 years.  Sometimes so loud it drowns out a television on moderate volume.  I assure you this sucks the the highest degree.
You are now informed.

Sure, some will pop up-been "xxxxxxx" for 40 years!  No problem!  Good for you.  Not everyone is so fortunate.  There is no do-over.

[JHBettsSr]

Loving my 2025 Strada so much, but the windscreen is a disappointment.  So, I'm working towards a solution.

With the stock screen, it was best in the lowest position, but the wind noise on my helmet was annoying.  It's not a "buffeting" issue - i.e., my head was not getting jostled, it was just loud.  If I stood up on the pegs so my helmet was in clear air, it was *much* better.  Ditto if I ducked down behind the screen  - very quiet.

With the screen in the highest position, it was worse.  In that position the turbulent sound also included a pretty sharp rap - like someone snapping a wet towel in my ear.  Not good for my hearing, I presume.

So, I installed the MG touring windshield (I believe this is the part installed standard on the Travel).  It definitely reduces total wind pressure on my chest, but the helmet-level wind noise is still excessive - although, the sharp rap component is gone, so that's an improvement.  A weird thing about this screen - it produced a noticeable hum at speed, in either the up or down position.  At first I thought the screen itself was resonating in the wind, but after some experimentation I eventually figured out that it was just reflecting more of the engine noise back at me (i.e., the sound goes away almost instantly as the engine revs fall when I pull in the clutch).  Now that I know that it is engine sound and not vibration, I consider it a feature rather than a bug - the motor is otherwise a bit quiet, honestly.

Still need a solution for the wind noise at helmet level.  Probably I will try one of those clip-on spoilers.  Really, no screen at all would probably be preferable to either setup I have tried so far.

I have a '25 V85TT. I replaced the stock windscreen with the "OEM V85TT Travel" windscreen and also added the two little clear "winglets" from the "Travel". It's very comfy for me now and I'm 6.0' even.

[DenverSteve]

I get no buffeting, noise or any other issue (unless the wind is coming from the side or back) with my California Scientific windshield.  They make them for your height so they are appropriate for you not someone else.  I'll use a Norwegian folk-saying that I learned while backpacking around Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany.... this spring -  "There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing." So, in motorcycle vernacular - There is no bad windscreen, only windscreens not fit for you".  I would go to Cal Scientific and get one for your height.

[YellowDuck]

Thanks everyone for your input.

I did go ahead and experiment with some different ear plug types and found a certain "wax" type one to be pretty acceptable.  I'll be sure to make use of them on rides of any significant length.  I'll also probably eventually experiment with extending the Travel screen with a clip on spoiler, but for now I have a reasonable solution to the wind noise.

[YellowDuck]

I'm happy to report that this little Puig clip-on visor has provided a complete solution to my problem.  I bought the smallest one (230 mm width).  It pushes the main jet of air up and over my helmet, so that the loud, turbulent racket is no more.  I tested it this evening and honestly I could have stayed on the bike for many hours.  The visor is low enough that I am still looking over (rather than through) it  in normal riding.  If I had known how well it was gong to work I probably would have bought the version that you need to drill the windscreen to install - it would have looked tidier.

I am actually curious to know if I could have achieved the same thing without installing the Travel windscreen.  I suspect I could have, since there is still alot of adjustment range to raise the visor.  I may try it some day just out of curiosity, and if I do I will post up the result.

[davethewelder]

The 2025 version looks so much better than my 2022 V85TT.   I traded it off mainly because the horrible  wind turbulence.  Having tinnitus it was a problem, finding good ear plugs helps.   I like Alpine, comfortable to wear all day.

[toomanybikes]

I'm happy to report that this little Puig clip-on visor has provided a complete solution to my problem.  I bought the smallest one (230 mm width).  It pushes the main jet of air up and over my helmet, so that the loud, turbulent racket is no more.  I tested it this evening and honestly I could have stayed on the bike for many hours.  The visor is low enough that I am still looking over (rather than through) it  in normal riding.  If I had known how well it was gong to work I probably would have bought the version that you need to drill the windscreen to install - it would have looked tidier.

I am actually curious to know if I could have achieved the same thing without installing the Travel windscreen.  I suspect I could have, since there is still alot of adjustment range to raise the visor.  I may try it some day just out of curiosity, and if I do I will post up the result.

I've used Puig screen with an extender for a while now, also with good results. The mounting hardware will disappear from your mental view shortly. I tried a cheapo version with center mount and it was distracting.

[slopokes]

Cal scientific—hands down

[Kildareman]

Gone the other way with the Strada and fitted the Puig Sports screen. Only use it on position 1 or 2 (from the bottom). Looks better as well - always a consideration.

[YellowDuck]

Gone the other way with the Strada and fitted the Puig Sports screen. Only use it on position 1 or 2 (from the bottom). Looks better as well - always a consideration.

I am definitely going to try that as well.  I'll start by just removing the windscreen altogether to see how I like it, then if I decide it has potential, buy the Puig or similar for the looks.  Or maybe I'll cut down one of the two windscreens I already own.

I was on the V7 for almost four hours yesterday and the total lack of a screen was still better than any setup I have achieved so far on the V85.

[kingoffleece]

It's a process.  Takes time and money-kind of a drag.  Stick to it and it will work.
Mine's good now-took several tries.  The ability to adjust the Palmer products bracket was crucial.

[Kildareman]

I am definitely going to try that as well.  I'll start by just removing the windscreen altogether to see how I like it, then if I decide it has potential, buy the Puig or similar for the looks.  Or maybe I'll cut down one of the two windscreens I already own.

I was on the V7 for almost four hours yesterday and the total lack of a screen was still better than any setup I have achieved so far on the V85.

Well if you have a spare screen go for it. I did similar with my tiger 800 and really enjoyed the shorter screen. Mask up, some careful pen work and a band-saw and you're away on a hack. Polishing the edge took some time but was worth it.
Really loving the Puig screen. Did 350km the other day, including sustained motorway speeds (indicated 128km) with the Puig in the lowest position and all was good for me.

[YellowDuck]

Well if you have a spare screen go for it. I did similar with my tiger 800 and really enjoyed the shorter screen. Mask up, some careful pen work and a band-saw and you're away on a hack. Polishing the edge took some time but was worth it.
Really loving the Puig screen. Did 350km the other day, including sustained motorway speeds (indicated 128km) with the Puig in the lowest position and all was good for me.

I seem to have more money than time these days so I did actually go ahead and order the small Puig (from AF1 I think).  It will be crazy expensive once all the tariffs and taxes and "customs brokerage fees" get paid.  Hopefully it works for me as well as it does for you!  Thanks for sharing that.