Since 2007, I have been an avid fan of the “Wee Strom”, enjoying its versatility, great handling, ability to eat miles, east of maintenance, reliability and low total cost of ownership. The one universal complaint is buffeting from the stock windscreen.
On the 2004-2011 DL650, the hot ticket for fixing the buffeting issue is the MadStad bracket from MadStad Engineering. The MadStad bracket lets you change the height and angle of the shield, much improving or even completely eliminating buffeting. Very effective and reasonably priced upgrade!
Last year, I got a ’14 WeeStrom and while the fairing and shield is better than the stock ’07, it was still problematic for me. Without any research, I went to my old standby and ordered a MadStad bracket. A few surprises followed. The bracket for the ‘12+ bikes does not work with the stock, or any other shield made for that series of VStrom. It is made to use shields from the ’04-’11, first gen bikes. What the hell? Yes, if you read carefully, that is stated on MadStad’s site. Ok, my bad, but still, WTH? Ok, order the right old windshield and installed. Meh. Ordered an MRA Vario Touring screen that works brilliantly on my wife’s ’07. Meh. The fairing on the ‘12+ is a different shape. It sits too high and leaves a huge gap above the fairing but below the shield. Buffet city.
Lets give the Givi Airflow shield a try. Interesting design. Two shields in one with a base portion that is wide enough to fill the gap and a sliding portion above that creating a nice adjustable, laminar air flow. Very effective! I find that it is surprisingly effective adjusted way down low, out of view and still pushing the airflow well above my helmet. I can ride at 65 mph with my face shield open. Very nice!
In all fairness, I have not tried the MadStad bracket with their own windshield, but I also don’t want a shield as large as some of the ones on their site. It seems to me that making the mounting holes match up with the ’04-’11 shields was more about saving money or making money than optimizing a solution utilizing stock or aftermarket screens for the second gen bikes.