1st2know wrote on 12/29/07 at 12:35:24:I have a stock '98, and I get about 51mpg with the windscreen on, and 62mpg with the windscreen off. The windscreen is the standard Suzuki issue for my '98.
I was suprised by this, as I thought the windscreen would improve MPG.
Note about highway/city: I did a few test, and could not measure a significant increase in MPG on the hwy. (+1-3 mpg) .
All of my test were to see how
high I could get he MPG - so these were not normal riding conditions
I would think the windscreen would drop your mpg by the simple fact that it provides a wide surface for the air to hit. (not fully awake yet so bear with me on my choice of words to explain)
Without the windscreen the air can flow more smoothly around the bike allowing the bike to cut through the air easier with less effort, but a windscreen creates an airblock causing the air to hit a semi flat surface causing the bike to need more power to get to the same speed, which in turn uses more fuel.
Now I am not saying anything against a windscreen, I have one and am actually thinking of getting a bigger one when money allows.