New Windshield for my R18B

[Vlad]

I just bought a new windshield for my 2024 BMW R18B and thought I'd share it with other R18B/Transcontinental owners.
When I bought the bike in spring 2025, I almost immediately replaced the stock 42 cm (16.5") shorty windshield because I found the wind buffeting excessive. For reference, I'm 6'0" (183 cm).
I replaced it with a 54 cm (21.3") clear windshield from AliExpress (Picture below), which works very well, but I've always felt it was a little too tall.
What I really wanted was a shorter windshield with a "flip" or recurve at the top. I had this style of windshield from Memphis Shades on my old 2005 Honda VTX 1800N, and it worked exceptionally well (Picture below). The flip redirects the airflow upward, giving you the protection of a taller windshield while still allowing you to comfortably see over it. I couldn't find anything like this for the R18B when I bought the bike, but I recently found exactly what I was looking for on AliExpress once again: a 47 cm (18.5") gray windshield with a pronounced flip at the top. It's about 7 cm (2¾") shorter than my current clear windshield, but the flip should redirect the airflow several inches higher, and the gray colour doesn't hurt. At my height, I'm hoping this will be the sweet spot: better visibility over the screen, a cleaner look, and hopefully the same or better wind protection with less buffeting. I haven't received it yet, so the highway test will tell the story. Based on how well this design worked on my old VTX, though, I'm pretty optimistic. Here are a few pictures. I'll report back once it's installed and tested.

Update: New 47cm Gray Windscreen is on and looks/works great.

 

[bdalameda]

You are going to find that you will be still getting excessive buffeting when you get the new windshield. I went through the same process as you and chased different windshield trying to prevent buffeting and still have a reasonable view forward. When I installed the factory style leg shields that attach to the crashbars, it totally solved the buffeting issue. Even with the Jurock7 with the flip at the top - I still had excessive helmet shakie. I think now I might get away with the stock R18B windshield but have not tried it with the lowers.. I am now using the stock Transcontinental windshield and the view is not bad and all the shaking is gone. I now can ride with my faceshield open comfortably.

 

[Vlad]

I completely understand the buffeting from underneath, but I don't find it bothersome. I did, however, have excessive helmet buffetting/shake with the original shorty windshield, which was unacceptable; the taller one solved the problem for me. I guess we'll see? I'll report back once it's installed and tested.

 

[bdalameda]

I completely understand the buffeting from underneath, but I don't find it bothersome. I did, however, have excessive helmet buffetting/shake with the original shorty windshield, which was unacceptable; the taller one solved the problem for me. I guess we'll see? I'll report back once it's installed and tested.

I probably didn't describe clearly what I was talking about. The lower leg fairings have a major effect on helmet shake. The lower turbulence and flow without the lower leg deflectors causes major changes in the vacuum behind the windscreen and this causes the air coming off the top of the windscreen to become turbulent as the air tumbles behind the windscreen and hits your helmet. The turbulence coming up from below also causes some helmet shake as the wind hits the front of the gas tank and is deflected upward causing more shaking. I really was surprised about how the lower deflectors cured all my helmet shake issues. I am particularly sensitive to helmet shake as I have three cervical vertebra fused from an accident many years ago and I just can't tolerate helmet shake.

 

[Vlad]

Show me some pictures, please, of what you mean.

 

[CajunRider]

I'm not sure about the R18B, but I'll say the R18 Classic had enough buffeting to lift my jacket at times. I installed a set of Memphis Shades fork deflectors, and now it's a calm as can be at all legal speeds.

 

[LBV]

^ What he said ... calm down the wind from below as mentioned and you'll have what you're looking for.

 

[Hammo]

Memphis Shades on the front forks work remarkably well , a good test is hold one of your arms across the front of your chest at just below your neck you will then find that most of the noise around your helmet base comes from the updraft from your legs and torso , adjust the Shades accordingly , my bike just purrs away now at 60MPH great !!!!!

 

[BER18 100]

After installing the Memphis Shades fork deflectors, it was night and day difference. Before install, the updraft would lift the face shield on my 3/4 summer helmet. After install, peace like I never knew was possible. Right now my R18 has the wind management of a touring model.

 

[kate_brett]

Vlad, at 6.0’ tall , how much visual picture ( in inches ) do you have when looking over the screen with the 47cm Aliexpress curved screen ? Do you tend to slouch or sit straight when riding? Do you get much helmet buffeting at 55mph? In hindsight, would the 44cm screen have been a better choice ( less wind reduction but improved vision over screen ) ? I’m riding a Transcontinental and can look over the screen at 6’2”, however when slouching look through the screen/minimally above ( combination ).
Thanks.

 

[Vlad]

The clear 54 cm screen allowed me to just see over it. The 47cm screen is perfect, as it seems to provide the same wind protection as the 54cm straight version but with much better visibility over it. I think the 44cm version is too close to the stock windshield height, which didn't work for me. I ride with a straight-up posture, and I would assume the windshield height is around my chin or lower, about 6 inches aprox?