2022 KYMCO AK550 windshield

[Dale]

I have the OEM windshield in the tall position on the scooter but it is narrow. I have had no luck finding a wider windshield probably because the scooter is so new. Anyone have better luck than I did?

[rjs987]

There are actually a few windshields available. One is from Puig but the better one and more popular is from Givi.
Look up Givi D6110ST in Google shopping and several sources will show up. It is definitely wider than stock and includes a flare for a hand guard. Even if a source says 2017-2020 it still fits the 2022 since nothing about that mount is different.

D6110ST is the taller shield. D6110S is the shorty style but just as wide I think.
A few owners over on the ADV forum have the D6110ST version installed and have posted pics but you have to look for it since it is buried in a long thread on the AK 550. All these owners have either the 2021 or 2022 models.

[Dale]

Thanks, I'll check them out.

[Dale]

I got my Givi windshield from E M MOTO. Everybody else was out of them. They didn't give any measurements so I got them from another site. I used my computer to convert everything from metric to English. Got the D6110ST. Its 28 inches high. Its supposed to be 22-24. Must have done something wrong. Anyhow, there is no wind with this windshield.

[john grinsel]

Do you look over it?

[rjs987]

I got my Givi windshield from E M MOTO. Everybody else was out of them. They didn't give any measurements so I got them from another site. I used my computer to convert everything from metric to English. Got the D6110ST. Its 28 inches high. Its supposed to be 22-24. Must have done something wrong. Anyhow, there is no wind with this windshield.

I have found that different windshield makers measure from different places so this makes it confusing what they are actually indicating for height. Some measure from the bottom of the plastic shield to the top. And on the AK vs the Givi that is deceptive since the AK shield extends down more. Some measure from someplace on the dash or the handlebars to straight up to the top and not along the slope of the shield. So that throws off what you think might be the right measurement. What really matters is how tall it is in your line of sight. Most riders tend to go with keeping the top of the shield just below the line of sight over the top of the shield. That will ensure the wind stream goes over your helmet depending on the slope. A wider shield, especially wider at the bottom, deflects the wind from your hands and body and does more to eliminate buffeting. If a solid shield, without venting in the middle, is too tall but not wide enough is used then wind will pull in from the sides and also from behind due to the vacuum directly behind the shield and cause even more buffeting. This info is from all that I've read and also from personal experience with my Gold Wing.

[Neil955i]

It’s a strange phenomenon viewed from this side of the Atlantic, this obsession with aftermarket screens.  A personal observation, but I don’t think more than 1 in 10 motorcyclists and maybe 1 in 50 scooter riders here in the UK change screens?  I’ve only ever once done it on all the bikes I’ve owned and that was for a black one for aesthetic reasons!

Genuine Q.  Do you guys do this for need, as a result of covering mega miles or is it more the “tinker” factor to personalise the scooter?

I have, on occasion considered the screen on my X-Town now it’s getting a bit scratched, but if I do change it, then I’d probably go the smaller, sports screen (Ermax?) route.

[rjs987]

It’s a strange phenomenon viewed from this side of the Atlantic, this obsession with aftermarket screens.  A personal observation, but I don’t think more than 1 in 10 motorcyclists and maybe 1 in 50 scooter riders here in the UK change screens?  I’ve only ever once done it on all the bikes I’ve owned and that was for a black one for aesthetic reasons!

Genuine Q.  Do you guys do this for need, as a result of covering mega miles or is it more the “tinker” factor to personalise the scooter?

I have, on occasion considered the screen on my X-Town now it’s getting a bit scratched, but if I do change it, then I’d probably go the smaller, sports screen (Ermax?) route.

From what I've figured out, and from my own personal PAST experience, most riders on this side of the pond replace their screens for something bigger for convenience. IOW- we are pampered and wimps when it comes to coping with riding on 2 wheels and putting up with the wind stream that is part and parcel of riding a bike. A few do so for aesthetic reasons but not nearly as many as do for blocking the wind stream. As I said, I used to be like that and then just decided that wind is part of the experience of riding on 2 wheels. I realized that I was being irrational thinking that riding a bike should be the same as riding in a cage. Also, I realized I was missing part of the experience. Sure, sometimes the wind was strong, and sometimes when it comes off other big vehicles the buffeting is uncomfortable. That's one reason I don't like riding on multi lane controlled access super highways. Besides, it's much more enjoyable to ride through the better scenery of the country roads and traffic is much less and also even if there is a big truck in front causing a lot of buffeting they are a bit farther away from me and it is not nearly as much as riding beside one on the super highways. A lot of riders I've spoken with over here seem to equate a strong wind stream with buffeting. But that's not the same. If I wanted to avoid any wind I'd take the sedan or SUV. But I like riding my bike way more than riding in either of those and I've learned the wind really isn't so bad so I am one who is just fine keeping the OEM/factory screen on my bikes.
JMHO.

[Stig / Major Tom]

My 2014 Burgman came with a stock tall screen.
Goodness how I quickly came to hate that thing!
The head buffeting was amazing!
I knew from riding my LIKE for a few years (with no screen) that I did not need to put up with this tall screen's behavior at speed.
Plus I did NOT want the added aggro of looking through a wet screen on my nightly rain rides!! So...off she came!

First ride out on it...


As quick as I could I searched out a shorter screen - knowing from experience that I actually prefer wind in my face/chest.

Ordered the ERMAX (French made) - do not remember where I found it - but I do not pay crazy everseas shipping for anything. ..so it was from the States or with practically free shipping from Europe.

Ahhh, the difference in ride comfort was great with this smaller 'sport' screen.....and yeah I rode it though the Ohio winters.

I tried the clear ERMAX....


But preferred the look of the dark one. (my scoot parked inside warehouse at work) (I used to work)



Stig

[Neil955i]

Thanks for the frank opinions Bob, sounds like we’ve arrived at a similar viewpoint.  I agree the wind and the elements are all an integral part of what it means to ride a bike/scooter! That said, each to their own.

[Neil955i]

Stig I recall you talking about your Ermax experiences before and I like the quality of them. I think a black one would set the X-Town off nicely!

[Dale]

Bob, part of what you said is correct. I'm older and have had several Burgman's and Goldwings. Changed to larger windshields on all of them because I like the comfort. I like to look through them. My replacement on the AK 550 is 4-6 inches over my head and I can look through it easily. I rode my 550 with the OEM windshield on 4 lanes a lot and it was just too much wind. With this new one there is next to no wind although its so high I think it looks a little dorky. Also, the top is flat rather than rounded. I've cut windshields before and filed the edges. Might have to do it again. Use masking tape on both sides. You can't tell the difference from store bought. I used a product on the windshield of my Goldwing that sheds rain and that works great. Was really proud of my Goldwing as the water was just pouring over the engine. Didn't bother it in the least.

[Neil955i]

OK Dale, I can maybe see the point of a humongous screen on a GW or full dress HD used on the Freeways, but a 400-600 scooter?  Nope, not for me and I do much prefer to look over the screen* as one piece of poly-carbonate between my eyes and the road is one too many 

*  Although, riding once with a group of American guys I was introduced to a game they played where we each placed a small dot sticker in the centre of our screens for $5 and then at the first coffee stop the guy with a bug splat closest to the dot won the pot!  You familiar with that game?

[Dale]

No Neil, I've never heard of that game. My brother's name was Neil. He died of leukemia about a year ago. He and his group were from Carroll, Iowa and they toured all over the U.S. I didn't travel with them as in my opinion, they rode too fast. Mostly 75-80 mph. You really have to pay attention at those speeds. Never get to see anything. By the way, all of them liked looking over the windshield.

[Neil955i]

No Neil, I've never heard of that game. My brother's name was Neil. He died of leukemia about a year ago. He and his group were from Carroll, Iowa and they toured all over the U.S. I didn't travel with them as in my opinion, they rode too fast. Mostly 75-80 mph. You really have to pay attention at those speeds. Never get to see anything. By the way, all of them liked looking over the windshield.

Sorry to hear about your brother Dale, always brings one up short losing a close family member.  Condolences.

As for riding in groups, I used to in my carefree (and careless) youth, but these days I prefer to ride my own ride or, on rare occasions, with one other.  Now my own riding companion of choice* has passed over to that great racetrack in the sky however, I think my rides these days will be solo only.

* Our first outing together was to see the Transatlantic race series at Castle Donington racetrack here in England.  It was 1984 and the Teams were:
Teams British Commonwealth                                      USA
Rider            Machine                                              Rider                 Machine
Ron Haslam    Honda NS500                                      Freddie Spencer     Suzuki RG500
Barry Sheene    Suzuki RG500                                      Kenny Roberts         Yamaha TZR500
Wayne Gardner Australia    Honda RS500                      Randy Mamola    Honda NS500
Roger Marshall    Honda RS500                                      Eddie Lawson    Yamaha TZR500
Graeme Crosby NZ    Yoshimura-Suzuki 1023              Wayne Rainey    Yamaha TZ500
Keith Huewen    Honda RS500                                      Wes Cooley    Honda RS500
Rob McElnea    Suzuki RG500                                      Mike Baldwin    Honda RS500

USA won, of course!

I once did a track day coached by Ron Haslam at Donington, couldn't believe the speed at which we took the first right hander at Redwood.  What a day out!