Wind screen or Aero screen

[Weekend Warrior]

With an aero screen is it possible to wear specialist glasses whilst out for a blast or do you have to wear a helmet ?

Ive never experienced a ride in a westie yet but am looking for my first car ,I somehow feel that wearing a helmet will spoil the enjoyment a little (restricted vision and not feeling the wind in your hair ) I appreciate that on track days you have to wear them but for B road driving are they necessary ,I assume that it depends how fast your driving.If I buy a car with an aero screen can you easily put on a windscreen if you want 

what do the rest of you think 

 

Steve 

[AdamR]

I just wear my everyday glasses, unless on motorway then I'll pop a lid on.

It's all about how much risk you're willing to take, I guess

[Kevin (Mr T)]

I think the only way to find out what you prefer is to try and get a few passenger rides to make the comparison. 

Personally, I'm now aero and wear a crash helmet and would never go back to a screen. Others have the opposite view.

I do have tactical goggles and have, on occasion, driven wearing just those. But I am always mindful that I have had a couple of stones clip my lid when driving, albeit thrown up by another vehicle (so not such an issue on back roads I guess).

[CraigHew]

Personal choice whether helmet is worn or not.

my car was bought from the factory with an aero screen. Before I took delivery I had them fit a screen.

I still use goggles, mainly to stop my specs being blown off and like you would find a helmet spoilt the fun.

I did keep the aero, although it's been hanging in the garage for 3 summers now, in the slim chance I'd build up another scuttle and change between the two.

 

[Ian Kinder (Bagpuss) - Joint Peak District AO]

I've done 1 year and 4500 miles Aero. I only wear a lid for Motorway/ track. I prefer shades/googles. I get more wind noise with a helmet to the extent I put ear plugs in!

 

[Steve (sdh2903)]

Depends what you want from the car. My last kit (non westie) was aero screen and it was a very raw exhilarating drive. Unless just popping to the shops the helmet was worn. Especially after taking a wasp strike to the face whilst wearing sunnies.

My recent build has a screen and I don't think I'd go back to aero now. For pottering and cruising its nice to enjoy the open air with no lid on. 

Just to add. A windscreen on it's own is also useless. Anything above 50 mph the buffeting is horrendous and takes your breath away. Coupled with a set of wind deflectors is much better whilst maintaining a feeling of raw-ness.

Add the full sidescreens to a screen and it becomes very civilized and you can even hold a conversation with a passenger. And stops your right arm getting covered in cow poo.

[Weekend Warrior]

Thanks for your replies so far, it's good to gauge other people's opinions before I comitt ,I'm ideally looking for a car that will be good for B road runs ,and the occasional trackday I also feel from a safety point of view I'd like a full cage ,would it be possible to remove the aero screen and fit a wind screen and side screens with a cage when required then swap back when it suits ?

 

[tisme]

I had an aero screen to start with and really needed a helmet as my eyes watered up too much - also not that keen on flying beasties or pigeons (my son hit a pigeon in his face when riding his motorbike and was lucky to tell the tale ). My wife would never go in the Westie with the aero screen (good or bad depending on viewpoint). 

I changed to a windscreen about 18 months ago and have both wind deflectors and solid half doors and it's totally transformed it for me and my wife - I can still hoon it on my own but don't even wear a hat (though a peaked cap comes in handy for shade) - we now see the Westie as a slow or fast fun sports car and my recent half hood adds another dimension. Summer days out.... 

Windscreen every time for me now but I have raced single seater's and I can appreciate the buzz of an aero screen but for me never ever without a helmet....

[Steve (sdh2903)]

1 hour ago, Weekend Warrior said:

Thanks for your replies so far, it's good to gauge other people's opinions before I comitt ,I'm ideally looking for a car that will be good for B road runs ,and the occasional trackday I also feel from a safety point of view I'd like a full cage ,would it be possible to remove the aero screen and fit a wind screen and side screens with a cage when required then swap back when it suits ?

 

You can have a screen with a full cage but I don't think you can have side screens aswell.

Best thing would probably try and get to your local meet and see if you can blag a couple of passenger rides. You'll know fairly quickly what feels right.

[Andy (Sycho)]

I find wearing a helmet adds to the experience & does not take anything away except feeling like you have been shoot every time a fly hits you!

As said you can fit a screen with a cage but not usable doors.

[CraigHew]

There is a windscreen / aero combo "kit" around, can't remember the name but seen it on here a couple of times. IIRC it takes 10 minutes to swap each to the other.  Perhaps someone with a better memory knows what it was???

[Kingster]

Very happy with aeroscreen, half doors and bike helmet combo. 

Means you can drive without any buffeting and makes it all the better for me. Mind you, been a biker for 35+ years before getting a Westy!

[SXRORY]

I have an aero screen 

On the b road blast I just wear safety shades, bolle ones of Amazon only about a tenner or so. I'm a shorty so i sit quite low so the amount of exposed nut is not much.

I have found I have to wear ear plugs now as over 50 my ears especially my right one does not like the wind and used to ache after a while before I got them.

Motorway a helmet no if or buts

You can get helmets that look like hats if your concerned. Looks like a beanie or baseball cap. It's no crash helmet but would soften a stone easy enough. They are made for the building trade I think

[Kevin (Mr T)]

14 hours ago, Weekend Warrior said:

Thanks for your replies so far, it's good to gauge other people's opinions before I comitt ,I'm ideally looking for a car that will be good for B road runs ,and the occasional trackday I also feel from a safety point of view I'd like a full cage ,would it be possible to remove the aero screen and fit a wind screen and side screens with a cage when required then swap back when it suits ?

 

Dean (DE04) is about to fit a full cage and has it in mind to be able to swap between aero and a screen/full doors/half hood combo!

 

[tisme]

10 hours ago, SXRORY said:

You can get helmets that look like hats if your concerned. Looks like a beanie or baseball cap. It's no crash helmet but would soften a stone easy enough. They are made for the building trade I think

I did think about the flip top sort (I wear prescription glasses so getting a normal one on and off was a flaff)) - flip tops are also relatively cheap