When it comes to motorcycle accessories, whether or not a new screen is considered a priority, it should not be forgotten just how effective they can be.

An aftermarket screen offers an upgrade from your motorcycle’s stock windscreen and can be used to take aerodynamics, protection and even aesthetics to the next level.

Now, while it is perfectly well telling you what a new screen can offer, how do you ensure you find the one that best suits your motorbike and its intended purpose. Well, here is a guide to steer you in the right direction when buying a motorcycle screen:

What Size Motorcycle Screen Do I Need?

Size matters when it comes to motorcycle screens.

With a vast range of motorcycle screens on the market, it can be a tough enough task to even pick a brand before finding the screen that best suits your needs. Once that obstacle has been overcome, the next thing to consider is the size of the screen and with each screen offering different levels of protection and visibility, it is important to make the right choice.

Ultimately, the size of screen that will be required really boils down to the type of motorbike you have and the type of riding you intend on using it for. Some of the main use cases for motorcycles are daily commutes, weekend rides, longer trips or tours and track days, all of which ideally would use different sized screens.

Now, it would not be very constructive for anyone to inform you that each of the riding types mentioned will need varying motorcycle screen sizes and not actually point you in the right direction. So, with that said, which size of windscreen will best suit your intended use?

Commuting:

When travelling to and from work on a motorcycle or scooter, naturally, it would be best to gain protection capable of preventing your clothes, which you will likely be sat in all day, from getting splattered with insects, gravel and other flying road debris and therefore, a large touring windscreen, such as Puig’s v-tech line touring screen, would come highly recommended.

Touring:

Similarly to commuting, motorcycle touring is going to be best served with a large touring screen, but this time it is not with the intention of looking presentable for work. No, this time it is all about maximising protection and that is exactly what Puig's new generation touring screen does. On a motorbike tour you could come up against any terrain and with that, various levels of debris could be kicked upwards and with the longer length of the journey, you will want to avoid being battered by wind all day long.

Sport (Weekend) Riding:

Unlike some other motorcycle use cases, sports or weekend riding does not warrant the addition of a large screen. In fact, it is quite the opposite and that is because sport bikes are built for speed. A windscreen that is too large is going to undo some of the work that has gone into creating a motorcycle with an emphasis on speed. However, it would be ideal to have a screen in some capacity to avoid being completely blasted with wind when accelerating and that is where, you guessed it, Puig sport screens come in.

Track Days:

Motorcycle track days are another instance in which the motorbike will have been designed with speed in mind and while larger screens should be avoided, an aftermarket screen would still be a welcomed addition and that is exactly why racing screens exist. Puig’s racing screens in particular have been developed in conjunction with World Superbike Championship to strike the perfect balance between aerodynamics and protection.

Motorcycle Screen Features To Look Out For

Attention to detail: Puig's revolutionary wind tunnel testing.

Aside from considering the size of the screen that will be most effective for a particular type of motorbike riding, there are a number of aspects that you should keep an eye out for when searching for the motorcycle windshield that best meets your needs. So, what are the main features to consider when choosing a new screen?

Wind Tunnel Testing:

The process of wind tunnel testing allows for the development of motorcycle screens that are effective in deflecting airflow away from the rider’s head and torso before using that same wind to their advantage. This creates greater stability at high speeds and reduces drag for enhanced aerodynamics. It should be noted that Puig in particular are renowned for putting screens through their paces with their innovative virtual wind tunnel testing.

Universal vs Bike Specific:

While the majority of motorcycle windshields are universally fitting and can be effortlessly installed on the motorbike, others are specific to each particular model and are known as bike specific screens. These screens may take a larger portion of effort to fit, but they can integrate better and are moulded to the shape of the motorcycle. Both universal and bike specific windscreens can offer fantastic protection and it really comes down to preference.

Aesthetics:

Although protection, aerodynamics and fitment are certainly not to be sniffed at when assessing motorcycle screens, surely they should look the part as well. Some screens simply look better than others and there are two main factors when it comes to windscreen aesthetics. Firstly, some have flat-cut edges which tend to look cheap with visible cut marks. The alternative, if you take Puig for example, is smooth, rounded edges which offer the premium finish your bike deserves.

The second aspect to consider for that aesthetics boost is colour. Motorbike screens are often available in a range of different colours and this allows you to pick a screen that matches the existing appearance of your motorcycle, add an extra level of personalisation or gain an eye-catching look.

If you are searching for a new motorcycle screen, you should now be better informed as to what you will require for your particular type of journey and the particular screen that meets said requirements.

The main things to keep in mind are which size windshield will offer the protection you need, the aerodynamic capabilities, how well it will fit to the motorbike and how it will look aesthetically. There is no need to settle for less and when you land on a screen, namely Puig, that ticks all of these boxes then you will be ready to hit the road.