Windshield recommendations

[Cobia]

I am shopping around for a windshield for my 1980G. I would appreciate your thoughts and recommendations.

[trbig]

I agree 100%! I don't like riding without them!

Oh... you meant actual help?? lol. It depends on whether you are looking for a fairing, or JUST a windshield. Any bike shop can order an aftermarket windshield that mounts to your handlebars. A few to your downtubes. Just go to your local shop and they'll have a book you can check out probably.


Tod

[John]

National Cycles has some nice ones that will fit our bikes. I have the PlexiFairing III with the lower extentions on mine and I love it. Here's a pic of it.
Click on the pic to enlarge.
I got mine from JC Whitney for around $170

[greyranch]

windshield

Hi Cobia, I recommend the Slip Streamer Spitfire S-06 windshield.Works great on my bike 79 Standard XS.There is a picture of my bike in the Photo thread if interested with this windshield.There are some on ebay right now,clear,for 40 dollars plus shipping.Good luck,Brad

[Cobia]

Windshields

I was thinking along the lines of a 4-point mounting system. It seems that it would be a stronger installation.

I saw this one, the Hellfire Windshield SS-24, that looked like it fit the bill. Any thoughts or experiences with 4-point systems?

[prometheus578]

Thoughts

I don't like how the upper support struts mount so high up the windshield. I wouldn't like to have to stare at them all day.
I have a National, like John does, 'cept I don't have the long one with the "lower extensions."
All my 1100's and 850's have National's "Plextar2" windscreens.
Four point systems: Mounts on the forks and the handle bars. I have no problems with them.
Personal preference.

[MAXIMAN]

As most of the old timers around here will tell you ...I'm not opinionated...

I suppose it depends one what you are doing. But for me...I do LONG road trips and personally I wouldn't use a windshield for touring like this.

A frame mounted fairing is far and a way superior. A fork mounted windscreen will deflect much of the air flow from speed of the bike. But if you ever have to fight cross winds they suck.

A windshield will act as a rudder in cross winds and will make it much harder to handle the bike while riding at highway speeds.

A frame mounted fairing distributes the force of the wind onto the frame...not the fork (ie steering system).

Just something to think about.

[mro]

Not gust to be disagreeable, but..

A frame mounted fairing distributes the force of the wind onto the frame...not the fork (ie steering system).

I ride thru the wind farms on Vasco Road regularly. Wind can blow 50+ MPH at times and as you pass thru the cuts in the hills wind can go from head on to the side in a second.
Have had a windshield like in pic on the G and fairings on the specials and nakid on the hot rod. While the fairing seems to handle it well the windshield does too. Best wind protection for sure are fairings, best handleing go nakid, or second best a windshield. YWSOFEMV


mro
your windshield or fairing experience may vary

[Pat Kelly]

Full fairing (w/lowers) is great for long trips and winter. Provides XSellent wind and weather protection. Has storage compartments. It is large and adds about 60-80 lbs to the front of the bike.

OEM Pacifico:
1-

Wife has this clear windscreen on her Virago with 4 point mount to the forks and handlebars. Comes down to about her knees (behind and lower than the turnsignals in this photo) and is wider than the hands. Removable with 4 large wingnuts. Comes off in about a minute. Also has great protection from the elements She says she's never experienced and problems with stability or effects from sidewinds.

Plexifairing III:
2-

A sportier small windscreen. Keeps the windblast off your chest but head and hands are in the wind. Mounts to handlebars (two point) and is removable with two large threaded knobs. Adjusts for tilt with two wingnuts. I've had this screen on my E at well over 100 MPH (emphisis on "well over") and it was stable. Here it is mounted on my LG.

Deflecta-Shield:
3-

That LG now has a fork mounted cafe sport fairing. Attaches to forks and headlight bucket mounts. A little less wind protection from the wind. It is also stable at over 100 MPH. It is a PITA to remove and re-install. I'm concidering using Dzuts fasteners for mounting to the brackets.

Maier sport fairing:
4-

4½-

Lots of choices. You just need to decide what kind of riding you will be doing most and if the windshield or fairing will be mostly for function or looks. The sport fairing (#4) is mostly for the looks but is almost an functional as the windscreen in #3 (which was very noticeable to me for alieving fatigue). I still use #3 on my E when I remove the full fairing (#1) as a nakid bike just beats me up anymore.

[Wildkat]

I ride without one now...

nothing like the feeling of being sandblasted by gnats to get your blood pumping...



but when I did ride with one... I had the cafe style fairing with windshield on the 81... didn't like it as the top was right in my line of sight and really threw off my perception.

I've got a sport fairing/ windshield on my FJ that is pretty much just for looks unless I am riding on the tank (which really has nothing to do with the XS, I guess)

I've ridden John's Twilite Special with the lowers and it's REALLY nice... High enough to not hinder the view... and does a great job of blocking the wind all around... although it does affect the gas mileage a bit, but not too bad.

[AlanB]

Hi Pat,

I have a similar fairing on my SG (twin-lamp version!) I found a hinge with a removable pivot pin in my local hardware shop; meant for closet doors.

I mounted one half to the bottom lip of the fairing, the other half on a bracket on the bottom yoke. I then made a pair of mounts which curve up from the top yoke and mount onto the screen screws.

I just undo a couple of the nylon screen screws (usually hand-tight!) and the fairing tilts forward, which gives plenty access to the wiring and front-end. Pulling the hinge pin allows it to be lifted away.

I can do pics shortly, if you wish..... but not now! The fairing shell is off being painted this week.

AlanB

[planedick]

More adjustments

I have a Yamaha full fairing, but the windshield was way too tall. Somewhere I heard or read that the windshield was supposed to be just a little lower than your line of sight, meaning normally you would look over the top, so I got out the sabre saw, but it's still high enough to look through when riding in a slouch position like when dodging a swarm of bees. Actually I couldn't dodge 'em, just major bee guts all over the fairing and windshield. Yuk...... Had to go to the local pressure car wash so I could see through it again. Double yuk... Neither the wife or I received any stings though.

[Cobia]

Windshield suggestions

Hi,
Thanks for all the feedback.

Pat, Maximan, and Planedick, true, that the full fairing provides the most protection and probably the most stable ride in winds of all directions, but it just feels too darn clumsy and cumbersome for the XS. I just took one off that I'm selling on this very site because of that and the fact that I live in So FL where it's hot most of the time.
But you do need some protection from the sandblasting/bugblasting/etc you get from riding on the I 95 superslab at speeds exceeding 75 MPH even with a full face helmet. I normally try to stay off it but sometimes you just have to get there ASAP and the debris and the buffeting is a little uncomfortable. Not to mention if you start getting a drizzle, after all I live in S. FL where if you don't like the WX just wait 15 min.

Prometheus578, I was thinking the same thing about those struts I didn't like that either so...

Pat, thanks for all the pictures and the descriptions of the handling.

So with all the info I went on ebay looking for a compromise and... drum roll please.... found this one for $50:




Not a four pointer but it's large enough to tame the highway and small enough to not be an obtrusive sail.

I'll let you know how it feels afte I put it on next week.

BTW - I found an original, new luggage rack for the bike, the one for the adjustable backrest. Unfortunately it did not include the backrest, so I'm looking to complete the setup. Needless to say if hear about one, let me know.

Thanks Xsesives!!

[Pat Kelly]

Cobia,
That's what I have in photo #3. A good, stable choice. Are you getting the removable mounts? Makes it easier to clean the gauges and headlight bucket.

[greyranch]

windshield

Hi Cobia,that is the windshield I have and recommended in an earlier post.You will be pleased with it and the price is right.I have the tinted one and looks great with my rectangular headlight,Brad