So I own a '00 GS500e. It's my first bike so I don't have any experience in how windshields/screens affect the amount of wind you get. I looked at the wiki and on e-bay for some of the recommended ones. Main question though: Are they really worth it? Which one has the best bang for the buck? I do use my bike on the freeway some and I kinda wanna take it on a few longer trips.

I don't know what's available for the E models, but on any bike I've owned the windscreen is one of the biggest determiners comfort.

You get, in varying levels:

-Protection from cold air
-Lessening of fatigue
-Reduction or increase in wind noise and buffeting

Every rider is different sized, has different uses for their bike and different expectations for comfort. You will have to try and find a screen that meets your goals.

Hi Geon,

Bluesmudge pretty much summed it up.

You were certainly on the right track, checking out the wiki and on ebay!! I just did a quick search on there myself to see what came up... I searched for "round headlight windshield" but there are so many ways to make different results come up.

When I bought my E, I rode for a while without a screen or anything. I didn't have anything else to compare it to so it really wasn't an issue for me. But when I found a gixxer nose fairing on ebay for dirt cheap, I snatched it up because I wanted to do something custom to the front of my GS.

I mounted it up, got a clear piece of plexi for a windshield and I have to admit it made a nice difference. I ride down into the 20's and that wind can sure get cold...!!  The fairing + windshield keeps a lot of the wind off of my torso and even my knees.

You just gotta ask yourself how much wind you'd like to keep of of your body and what style you like the best 

I went through this but after using my gs for 6 months or so, I have decided that I don't need it. But I'm usually riding in pleasant conditions but I use an open face helmet and don't have a problem. Having said that if I did get one I'd probably go for the GIVI A210 as I don't fancy something that mounts with ugly bar braces. The GIVI is cheap enough that I'm still pondering whether to get one anyway sometime down the track. It looks quite neat as well. My only concern is if it will direct air away from my body and into my helmet.