Correct on the short version.
If you really read the service manual closely starting with the Screen Garnish instructions at the bottom of page 2-11 the very first instruction is to "Remove the front mirror cover." It does not say to remove both front and rear mirror covers and the whole mirror. IOW- you do not need to remove everything in the instruction at the top of pg 2-11 for Rearview Mirror. You do not even need to totally remove the front mirror covers but just unsnap them from the bike and let then hang there. Leave the stopper band and electrical connected and they will just hang there. Also, you only need to remove the top 2 screw/clips, not the bottom one. Don't loose the tiny washer inserts (item 4) between the clips and the garnish. Watch for those as you loosen and remove the screw/clips. You won't even need your helper tool to line up tabs on this one.
The windshield removal instructions are at the top of pg 2-12 and they just refer back to pg 2-11 for removing the garnish. Installation is reverse order of removal. So that is all you need to do. Simple.
HERE is the link to my flickr photos showing this. Be sure to read my captions on the photos. The first 6 photos are just this install.
Now, if you want to get under other panels there will be more to remove. I even found that to remove the middle cowl you do not need to remove the mirrors, nor totally remove the front or rear mirror covers as above but just let those hang. I had all the panels off without removing those no problem. If needed the mirrors are mounted on a hing point that allows you to fold them forward (what I did) or backward to assist with removing the middle cowl. Otherwise it all comes apart and goes together fine. As you work on this bike you will find a few shortcuts like this to help with getting things done just as well without a little of the hassle.
If you really read the service manual closely starting with the Screen Garnish instructions at the bottom of page 2-11 the very first instruction is to "Remove the front mirror cover." It does not say to remove both front and rear mirror covers and the whole mirror. IOW- you do not need to remove everything in the instruction at the top of pg 2-11 for Rearview Mirror. You do not even need to totally remove the front mirror covers but just unsnap them from the bike and let then hang there. Leave the stopper band and electrical connected and they will just hang there. Also, you only need to remove the top 2 screw/clips, not the bottom one. Don't loose the tiny washer inserts (item 4) between the clips and the garnish. Watch for those as you loosen and remove the screw/clips. You won't even need your helper tool to line up tabs on this one.
HERE is the link to my flickr photos showing this. Be sure to read my captions on the photos. The first 6 photos are just this install.
Now, if you want to get under other panels there will be more to remove. I even found that to remove the middle cowl you do not need to remove the mirrors, nor totally remove the front or rear mirror covers as above but just let those hang. I had all the panels off without removing those no problem. If needed the mirrors are mounted on a hing point that allows you to fold them forward (what I did) or backward to assist with removing the middle cowl. Otherwise it all comes apart and goes together fine. As you work on this bike you will find a few shortcuts like this to help with getting things done just as well without a little of the hassle.