So then the question becomes - why do all the rally-raid fairings are so tall? Can't be just to hide the nav tower? A big KTM Adventure is near-vertical where it meets the air...

no it's not that tall, it's about same height as on xt660z tenere
so you can still see over the screen freely when seated and when on rally you spend plenty of time standing up on pegs anyway, so screen won't matter. Basically it's for protecting the navigation tower from sand etc.

I've toured on bikes with windscreens, and without them. Overall, I prefer going without. Maybe I just like getting blasted by the wind.

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Bruce Clarke - 2020 Yamaha XV250

For me personally I feel having the ability to adjust both height and angle is very important to achieve the best possible result at any given speed. I have frequently found it necessary to adjust the height / angle according to how fast I travel, which is mostly done on the move with one hand quite easily. My dl650 is fitted with a tall screen and an adjustable bracket to allow this and I would not leave home with out it, on that bike.

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Regards Tim

Learning my craft for the big stuff, it won't be long now and it's not that far anyway

As mentioned, mostly to give a place to hang all the stupid crap those guys are required to carry.

At least some electronics are to prevent cheating, which is rampant in World Enduro and ISDE rally. Also to note, a few Dakar racers have been killed when they were squished through all that metal in the Nav tower in crash.

Having hard parts aimed right at your chest and stomach is something I would never do. I'd rather be lost.

The Dakar guys get up to very high speed, despite running just 450's. In the old days of 1000cc twins, when in Africa, speeds often topped 100 mph for long sections.

Nav towers were half the height they are now. So many riders died every year. They kept lowering engine size over and over. 1000 twin, 650 single, and now
450 single.

Now the tall Nav tower look has become "fashionable" I raced AMA Enduro 8 years, had two computers and a clock, no Nav tower or shield of any kind.
It's all just so stupid now. But KTM have sold this look to the public ... and it's pretty successful ... for now. Trends and fashion come and go. Most Americans have no idea what the Dakar is ... and could care less. KTM have built an entire industry on it.

it now costs over $100K USD to run the Dakar. So, a "rich kids" sport and really only KTM do a full factory effort. With about 70 guys riding KTM ... how can they lose?