MRA Vario Screen 900 (& 600)

[CD]

Just fitted an MRA Vario screen to my D900. :cool:
Its the one with the adjustable spoiler. It fitted perfectly and with the mirrors turned backwards a tad they don't hit the screen.

Yet to try it but will add details later.

PS They now also make one for the 600. Didn't ask which models.

[teffort]

Did you get he one with the adjustable spoiler Dave? That's what I have - the different positions don't seem to make any difference though.

[CD]

Oh dear,

Poolboy told me he's 5'7" and liked his Vario. I'm 5'8" so hoping it'll be ok.

The medium flick extended screen that came with the bike hammered my head with turbulence and the standard would probably be noisy like the 600. The medium flick also threw passengers about so had to go.

Will be trying it at week-end

[Pool Boy]

I've NEVER told anyone I was 5'7"

6'2" and proud of it

Must have been someone else

Roger

[2old2boogie]

I have just fitted a MRA Vario Touring Screen to my Fazer 600.

Have'nt had time to try it yet but will this weekend.

[CD]

The MRA turned out to be really well made but actually fairly rubbish. I got a headache from the buffeting and my partner on pillion felt like she would be knocked off at 70mph.

The problem seems to be they haven't tested the various spoiler settings. They either do nothing or cause various amounts of turbulence from mild to horrible. Also the wind pressure above 70 slams the thing to its lowest setting.

I have replaced the plastic pivot pins with stainless screws - stopped it slamming down. I've also made front pivot struts twice as long as the originals. This sets the screen at about 45 degs and gives a good air feed beneath.

It seems to have solved the buffeting and I get less low frequency noise, so with ear plugs it's less noisy than the old screen or the standard MRA.

If a chiropractic student can suss the problem, why couldn't MRA (with wind tunnels etc)?

Would I recommend the MRA on a D900. Yes I would, but make yourself some longer front struts for the spoiler.

[2old2boogie]

I tested my recently fitted Vario Touring Screen on my Fazer 600 today.

I am reasonably pleased with it. I had it on approx medium spoiler settings and it is certainly an improvement on the OE screen.

I tested it on all manner of roads and speeds. Up to 90 mph on the M11
(only kidding officer!) and it was ok. Has reduced the bad buffeting that the OE screen gave by about 40% I reckon.

It did'nt change it's settings in the wind pressure at all.

I will experiment with different spoiler settings now.

;D ;D

[CD]

Hi CC. Glad the MRA works for you. I wonder why the Divvie 9 version was so off the mark. But thankfully mine is now working as it should. I might make some linked front struts that will allow the angle AND the height to be adjusted. But right now I'm up to my bits in exam pressure.

Such fun being a student :-(

[2old2boogie]

Such fun being a student :-(

Enjoy! I am sure it's more fun than being a Pensioner!!

[CD]

Dunno I've got exams in a month, struggling to concentrate, back aches, fed up, etc, etc.

OK its self inflicted - could have carried on doing technical writing contracts wizzing up mways every week only home at w-ends, living out of suitcases etc etc.

Nahh mustn't forget that's why I'm here doing something worthwhile that suits my personality. Not easy but is anything worthwhile really that easy?

Come on 'Codger time on your hands why cant you develop a diesel bike thats as powerful as a petrol bike but goes twice as far per gallon & needs minimal servicing. www.zoche.de for inspiration. The bike makers dont care and if they carry on the way they are going bikes (or the use of them) will get legislated out of existence

[2old2boogie]

[i]Come on 'Codger time on your hands why cant you develop a diesel bike thats as powerful as a petrol bike but goes twice as far per gallon & needs minimal servicing[/i][/b].

It's been done! There are loads of diesel powered bikes about.

I particularly like the 800cc turbo diesel 3 cylinder producing 50 bhp at 1800 rpm from Holland!

They will never be as powerful as a comparable petrol engine but they do produce that power at lower revs and with massive torque.

But...would you buy one? Is that what you want from your biking experience? I do'nt think so do you?

So although I appreciate your friendly advice on what to do with my leisure time. I'll carry on as I am....lazy old sod!

;D

[CD]

Aw c'mon I'm not on about car engines shoe-horned into a lightweight frame or a concrete mixer engine in an Enfield. I mean a proper bike diesel. Proper bike engines are only similar to car engines in that they are internal combustion with pistons & valves. After that the similarity ends. So, why should bike diesels be any different except for religious limits on bike designs that say diesel cant ever be done.

It needs someone with lots of spare time but sadly also lots (& lots) of money. That Zoche isnt especially powerful but its for aircraft use so a very conservative (safe/reliable) design. If it makes 150bhp at 2,500 revs so will be close to 250bhp at the 4000 rpm that car diesel can do - all with ordinary mechanical injection. Add in electronic engine management and combustion chamber design (stolen from VW) and the power will double again. Check out VW's TDIs have grown in power but not consumption since the original TD turbos of the early 90's.

If I could have the punch of a VW/Audi TDI in a bike I'd definitely grab one. But I'd also want bike type weight & drivability. I'm sure the cost is beyond ordinary folk - retired or otherwise. I just wish the bike makers would wake up and get on with it. They have reached the limit with petrol & sparks. How about the same again without the sparks.