WSH,
Bipes fly much the same with or without a canopy. There is all that cabane junk ahead of the glass that has already thrown a ton of drag at the airframe and mixed the airflow into a froth. So having a full canopy or not can't change much percentage wise. I'm certain that the open cockpit look will be kewl. I'm surprised more people haven't chosen it. The airframe looks very much like that era.

Vinnie6,
Kewl. I recently let a guy fly mine who has one of his own. He wanted to see if my layout flew better. Truth is, he sorta had a chip on his shoulder to prove it wasn't worth it. So he lands and says he sees no difference. So he wants me to fly his, and while trying to sell me on that idea, mentions "the only thing you have to look out for is....." Interesting that he thought I would need a warning...... After all, mine flew "no different", right?

Don't worry about the weight. The kit version has been around forever and builds a lot heavier. And has flown so good since day one that they ARF'ed it. This ARF really does benefit from the lighter weight. My 60 pulls it significantly better than the kit ones I've seen fly and they fly excellently.