Givi A660 screen - stability?

[iansoady]

I have fitted one of these to my SLR650 and it has made it very easy to cruise at 70 mph or so without tearing my arms out of their sockets. However, when out today I noticed some instability when coming up behind a lorry on a dual carriageway at around 70 - 75 in order to overtake it. It wasn't scary but there was a definite feeling that the front end was being twitched about.

Anybody else noticed this? Pete? (Mr Frog)?

My previous 2 bikes have had frame mounted fairings and I wonder whether the fact the Givi is attached to the bars may be causing this. I should try it without the screen but probably couldn't maintain 70 in this state......

[SteveC#222]

Hi Ian,

I have no direct experience of the Givi screen but I have had screens on various bikes over the years. Stability can be an issue - it seems to vary from bike to bike but generally the bigger handlebar mounted screens work better on heavier cruiser style bikes rather than relatively light weights like the  SLR.  I had a big Avon screen on my Cossack ( aka the Russian Steamroller) and it didn't effect it at all - very few things did when it got up to speed including the brakes!  The same screen on my MZ250 sailed me into a ditch!

As the SLR is relatively tall and light at the front end with a small section tyre it will probably have a greater effect.  I have a small flyscreen on the XBR which doesn't seem to effect handling much.

You could try playing with the angle of the screen as that can make a difference. If it's still a problem could you fit a small steering damper?

[iansoady]

Yes, I'd wondered about the angle and will try adjusting it. It's not something that causes me great distress.

I'm not really keen on a steering damper as one of the things I like about the bike is its responsiveness.

[Smithy]

Hi

I don't have a screen on my SR400 but do have a touring screen (about 18 inches high) on my much heavier BMW. When I am cruising at 70 the BMW is perfectly stable but if I am overtaken by something large like a van of lorry I get a lightness in the steering which seems to pull me towards the other vehicle slightly.

Not the same problem I know but it does show how screens can affect the bike's handling.

[iansoady]

Yes, I know what you mean. As I say, not bad enough to be scary but a bit unpleasant.