To vent or not to vent

[WendyL]

I'm looking at getting a new screen for my ST1100.  I'm just wondering if the cat's eye vents make much difference.  I've only ever had the one screen with the vents, so am looking for feedback from those who have ridden both with and without.

[Bluey]

My '99 1100 came with the original screen, with cats eyes. It was awful - too short for me. I then bought a "Screens for Bikes" screen without eyes and found that it was an improvement on the original, but I had some horrible buffeting. After a couple of weeks, I cut the cats eyes myself and found most of the buffeting went away.

In short, I reckon the eyes are useful and better than without. I think they help to relieve the vacuum that develops behind the screen. Some of the buffeting is caused by that vacuum "popping" I believe.

Is there anyone near you with a screen you could borrow for a test ride? They only take a couple of minutes to change.

[alans1100]

The best info I can find that made sense; 95 and earlier years didn't have them. The later screen (96 and newer) is also a little wider

They were put into OEM windshield to reduce the negative pressure behind the windshield. This was to reduce rider fatigue from the slightly forward seating position that put the rider's head in that low-pressure pocket. This was causing added stress to the rider's arms and shoulders to hold their head upright.

I have a higher aftermarket screen with the cat eyes fitted.

[WendyL]

Is there anyone near you with a screen you could borrow for a test ride? They only take a couple of minutes to change.

Nope, I'm in Darwin, the only Ozstoc member up this way.

[WendyL]

The best info I can find that made sense; 95 and earlier years didn't have them. The later screen (96 and newer) is also a little wider

They were put into OEM windshield to reduce the negative pressure behind the windshield. This was to reduce rider fatigue from the slightly forward seating position that put the rider's head in that low-pressure pocket. This was causing added stress to the rider's arms and shoulders to hold their head upright.

I have a higher aftermarket screen with the cat eyes fitted.

Thanks Alan, mine is a 95 model but has the cat's eyes.  I'm fairly sure it's an aftermarket screen, probably fitted when it was resprayed from police white before I got it.

[alans1100]

It's a bit hard to tell from your profile pic.

Oh!! I had a look at your location and it seems you are not to far from my sis in law who is near the corner of Emery and Chung Wah

[saaz]

I have the standard screen on the St1100 with a laminar lip, which does make for smoother airflow while still seeing over the screen. I also have a Eaglescreen with the side lips, a little bit taller than standard.  With the Moorehouse lowered seat the Eaglescreen is verging on just being able to see over, but it does give more protection in the cold.  Can't say I have noticed that the standard screen with eyes is better or worse than the Eaglescreen in terms of back pressure. The Eaglescreen does come with the option of cats eyes, but mine was second hand bought along with the Morrehouse seat.

[Grumpy]

When I got my ST it had a taller touring screen without the cats eyes. I found that I either had to stretch up to see over the screen, but it was also abominable for turbulence, particularly behind trucks. I have gone to an OEM screen with the cats eyes and am now happy and less turbulent.

[saaz]

The cats eyes would be the safer bet. No downside that I have noticed in terms of rain coming through. I had a spare like new OEM screen but Streak got that and put it on his 1100.

 Getting a screen which is a bit wider makes sense in colder weather, but in Darwin it would reduce airflow to the rider. I run the OEM screen on the Trophy in hotter weather to get more air onto the Ozstoc jacket shoulder vents, and works great at 40c temperatures. At the moment I run the wider Calsci screen for the cold.  It should be ok for only 30c temperatures up North this time of year, as getting to Perth can mean cold weather..

[Totgas]

I've had both, and quite frankly I prefer without the cats eyes mainly due to the rain coming in on my dash.
As to negative pressure, rider fatigue, turbulence -  Nope doesn't make a lick of difference IMHO.

There is a third option which hasn't been suggested (and I have had one of these as well) - a closable vent. Some of the QLD Police bikes had them
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/400809344968?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=107&chn=ps

These give you the best of both worlds - and not hard to fit either.
A.

[Pezzz]

Just shy of $100 delivered but I do like that idea Adrian .... my screen is slightly wider than stock and taller. This would give back some airflow in summer

[tding]

Try blocking / tape over the holes in the screen you have to see if you can notice any difference to to the turbulence / noise levels.

[Bluey]

In my previous post I didn't mention that I now use an MRA adjustable touring screen:
https://www.mrashop.de/erp/catalog/navigationPath//1.Sortiment/0.html?mral=1&type=%281689%2C19%2C0%29&form=%28174%2C20%2C0%29&spr=D

I love it, but should have got the taller version.

[Kev Murphy]

When I acquired my ST 1100, it was fitted with a tall non vented screen, and I noticed the wind buffeting when travelling.
The screen was replaced about 4 months later, thanks to the efforts of a local hoon, who pushed my bike off the side stand into a wall. The new screen is taller than standard, and has cats eyes. I was at first dubious about rain ingress which is not a problem and I no longer have any wind buffeting.