GPZ500S Page (cont)

Although the GPZ has a half fairing Gwyn said she would like more protection from the wind. I thought a flip-up screen may move the airflow a little higher so I set about attempting to get one. In common with most twins the GPZ is quite narrow, airflow around the rider must be controlled by the shape of the fairing rather than it's bulk. The GPZ does seem to channel the air around the sides OK but I think Gwyn felt the standard screen was a little low. This is probably as she is used to being behind the Givi screen on the ER5 which was quite high but I feel probably just blocked the wind rather than channel any airflow around the rider. To be fair when I have used the GPZ I thought it did offer less protection than my ZRX but of course the ZRX fairing is physically much bigger.

If you have read "The Saga Continues 2001" you will know the trials and tribulations we went through to get a flip-up screen fitted to the GPZ. I finally got a Powerbronze dark tint flip up fitted. Achieving this was not easy as the screen simply would not fit. See HERE for the full story.

As you can see the Powerbronze is much more substantial than the original screen. It should offer much better protection from wind blast. I also think it looks really good on the bike. It does look a little "in your face" when sat on the bike but I think it just needs getting used to.

I think the flip-up shape of the screen really compliments the curve of the fairing. Gwyn reports that the screen is extremely good. She was out on quite a windy day and found that there is significant extra protection offered by the screen.

By the way you may be thinking the mirrors look a little strange, this is because Gwyn could not see behind her with them in the original position. What I've done is to loosen the mirror arm pivot and push it back, I then tightened it again and pulled the mirror towards me (sat on the bike) to a position where I could see behind. With the mirror as far back (towards the rider) as the ball joint would allow I found this made for a better view behind. One word of warning! As the mirror is as far back towards the rider as it will go it cannot move any further if you catch something with it whist manoeuvring the bike. To avoid the mirror or the fairing being damaged I've only tightened the pivot enough to keep it in place - it will move either way if it should hit something.

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