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California Scientific Screen Review

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Big Bob:
Hi all

 I posted this on the CT forum, but i thought I'd post it here as well

Considering how many people keep asking about different screens I thought I’d give a review on a new player to the VFR1200X Market.

 

California Scientific

 

http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/VFRprod.html

 

 

These guys have been doing screens for ages.  One of the guys is even a Physicist!  On another note their site has also had some great articles on motorcycles, motorcycle gear and motorcycle servicing in general which is well researched and well worth a read. 

 

I’ve never done an in-depth review before so bear with me.

 

The screen I purchased was the biggest, their X-Large for $200.00 USD. 

 

Dimensions are below

 

Overall Height                              = 24.5" = 62cm       

Height from top mounting hole     = 16.5" = 42cm
Width of screen at top                  = 15" = 38cm

Width of screen at bottom            = 21" = 53cm

 

Here is a pic of the standard Honda screen superimposed of the CalSci screen.

 

 

Here is a side by side pic (Sorry for blurriness)


 

This is a big solid screen.  The only other non-standard screen I’ve owned is the Puig Touring and this is much larger and a lot more solid and thick.  Pick below of the thickness.



Here is the mounting hardware.  The screen also came with a good quality microfiber cloth, cleaning spray and a free tyre pressure gauge.



 

Mounting was easy enough.  I could have purchased knobs instead of screws, but in the city I live in having a screen that can be easily removed is not always a good idea. :)

Now a note of the fit.  I found the bottom two holes were out by a few mm. (see pic below)  It sill bolted up, but as you can see by the pic the fixing had to go in on an angle to get it to fit.  I could have enlarged the hole, but Acrylic is too easy to shatter for a rough person like me to do it.  CalSci only advertise their screen for 2016 VFR (with the new tilt) and mine is a 2014 so that could have been the issue.  But it was a small issue anyway, but I had to mention it.  I am sure if I contacted CalSci they would have fixed it, but being in Australia it was too difficult.


 

Here are a few pics of the difference of the Honda Standard & CalSci.  (Note I am 190cm tall and all pics are with the screen on bottom mounting holes)

 

Honda Standard



Honda Standard with rider

 

CalSci

 

CalSci with rider.

 

 

So what is it like?  Well here is what I have tried in the past.  Honda Standard, Honda Standard with Flip Screen attached, Puig Touring and Puig Touring with Flip Screen attached.

 

The CalSci is in a totally different league as far as buffeting and noise is concerned.  This is a massive screen compared any anything else on the market available for the VFR1200X.

The quality and thickness of the laser cut screen is also much better than anything else I’ve used (or seen on other CT’s )  Helmet Buffeting is eliminated.  I can ride with the visor up at speeds up to 100kph.  There is still a very tiny amount of shoulder buffeting from the sides of the screen, but as you can see by the pics I am very wide :)  and this is at only at 150+ kph with only the edges of my shoulder and elbow feeling it.  Nose is substantially reduced.  Its like riding with earplugs in.

 

For my 190CM height with the screen on lowest mounting position the wind from the top hits the air vent on top of my helmet.  As I said before I can ride with the visor up at speeds up to 100kph.  It just feels like a gentle breeze coming in.

 

Part of the design is what a lot of people have alluded to as being the issue.  Getting air under the screen.  If you see the pic of the bottom of the screen is a very large vent with relieves all the negative pressure behind the screen.

 

 

For my height I fully recommend this screen as being a perfect solution to the crap standard Honda buffeting and noise.

 

Cheers

Bob

 

 

MrKiwi:
Thanks, an interesting read.

Maritimer:
I have one on my 2008 Varadero with a wind deflector attached to it. I can't say I'm overly impressed with it. It much wider and taller than the stock but it's just ok.  I contacted the company once because I wasn't satisfied with their product and I was told to add a Lamina lip to the shield and it would help!

zebulon:
Nice report Bob , thx for advice and sharing  VCIF_ThumbUp

Two Plugs:
Tnx for sharing this excellent  review with pictures,  very much appreciated!

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