Which windshield should I get?

[Crazcnuk]

You have to take your time and make sure the windscreen is mounted square to the bike, if you want to do high speed.

As I mentioned I had my Shadow 1100 up between 215 and 220kph a few times with my D2 and never had an issue.

The Turbo that is on my Special right now starts a wobble around 180kph. I just slow down.

[Cobia]

Spit Fire

I have a slipstreamer spit fire and have had the bike up to 100mph+ without issues. The recommendation from the manufacturer is to install it at the same angle as your forks.
Good luck.

[GARTHXS]

maier sport fairing

I have a maier sport fairing and it blocks the wind from your chest, and I did a 300 mile trip early this year it really helped , but it did produce a lot of helmet buffeting and it did wobble over 90mph , I also have a vetter that I have not installed because it seems to be a commitment, I wish it would just latch on and not have to rewire and take off the headlight.

[crazy steve]

As a confirmed windshield user, I almost never ride without one. The fatigue reduction on long rides is well worth the trade-offs, plus not having to worry too much about dodging road debris/bugs is a good thing too. As to 'wind-steer', I've never had much more trouble with that than the guys riding naked bikes, but I've also never ran the monster-sized shields either. As far as fuel economy, I've never noticed any real difference.

One thing not mentioned in the previous posts is how important it is to PROPERLY fit the windshield to the bike/rider combination. Every rider fits on the bike slightly different, and even seemingly minor differences in height/angle can make huge differences in how well it all works. Generally speaking, the top of the shield should be at the same level as the tip of your nose; you should be looking OVER it, not through it. For angle, I've had the best success getting the top as close to my head as possible. The tip to make the angle the same as the forks will get you close, but try experimenting. Too upright, and you'll get buffeting of your head. And I have yet to find a windshield that will 'bolt-on' as-is and fit/work properly; I've altered the mounts on every one.

What am I using? An ancient 'Cyclear' (now Memphis Shades) is my favorite, as it's mounting system is more conductive to adjustment. This is a mid-sized shield; similar to the 'Classic Deuce' they now sell, but with a four-point mount. I will note that I've had trouble with 2-point mounts 'rotating' on the bars while riding for extended time at high speeds and have had to 'pin' the mounts to the bars with a drilled/tapped hole and a bolt. The plexi on the Cyclear is getting weather-checked, so I watch Ebay for good used ones.

As far as the 'ventilation' thing, if the shield is doing it's job, you won't have much. I quit wearing black riding gear years ago (white helmet, silver jacket) and will never go back. That got rid of a LOT of heat on warm days.

'78E original owner

[cywelchjr]

I have a maier sport fairing and it blocks the wind from your chest, and I did a 300 mile trip early this year it really helped , but it did produce a lot of helmet buffeting and it did wobble over 90mph , I also have a vetter that I have not installed because it seems to be a commitment, I wish it would just latch on and not have to rewire and take off the headlight.

It sure is a bit of a commitment. It's almost like getting married, with the exception of no sex (wait, that's not different is it?) and it doesn't talk back to you (unless you count the buzzing of the headlight adjuster that mine does), so I guess it is just like being married.

[Korr]

+1 for the Slip Streamer Spitfire! I've had them on two of my bikes. They work really well for me. Get the smoke color. They are the lowest priced ones out there in the shape/universal fit design. They sell for about $70. Everybody else is about $100+

Here's the link

http://www.slipstreamer.com/Product/...g/pricing.html

[Bigfoot]

Don't be suprised if you think that your bike is falling apart the first time you ride it after install. I am not sure how bad the windshield will make it but the Vetter amplifies the engine noise and funnels it right back at you.

[CatatonicBug]

Don't be suprised if you think that your bike is falling apart the first time you ride it after install. I am not sure how bad the windshield will make it but the Vetter amplifies the engine noise and funnels it right back at you.

Thanks for that one! I can just imagine myself panicing with the increased noise. I just about did that a few weeks ago, when took it around the block to test my new brakes, and didn't wear my helmet. I had never heard it without my full-face on before, and couldn't figure out what had happend to make it so much louder.

[pete_s]

The Safety Issue with Plexifairing on my XS that caused me to crash at speed was I think the size of it. Smaller or sport fairings are not a danger issue.

Steering dampers will help.

The new Plexifairing may be smaller or have more rake to it. Mine old one was properly mounted and went from the middle of my grips to the middle of my forehead and gave great protection at low cost.

[mstic2000]

I had a street shield on my XJ1100 and no windshield on the 78 XS1100 that I am riding now. I can't tell any difference. I didn't think the street shield offered much protection against the wind but it sure did save my face from some nice big bugs a couple times. I had the full faring on a 83 Venture and that offered the most protection against the wind.

My own personal opinion/experience is that anything short of a full fairing, you're wasting your time for protection from the wind. Street Shield's and the likes are completely for aesthetics as far as I am concerned. If I ever do go back to a windshield if will be for facial bug protection.

[CatatonicBug]

My final answer.. for now...

Well, I got the Plexistar II yesterday, and installed it. That took about 15 minutes. I went on a highway ride to test it out, and could DEFINITELY feel the difference! Plenty of ventilation around to my body, but it felt as though the wind was coming in equally from both sides, instead of from the front. I could relax my hands and not feel like I as getting blown off the seat. I was able to turn my head effortlessly without feeling any buffeting from the wind. There was a new feeling though, that I will blame on a need to adjust the rake/height. I felt like someone had their hand on top of my head, shaking it a bit in all directions, especially at higher speeds (up to 70mph).

Now, though I am happy with the Plexistar, I'm going to trade/sell it to cowboybob in exchange for his full fairing, hard bags, and trunk. I like the protection idea, and the luggage space for future road trips. I figure if I ever get tired of the big setup, I can always buy another windshield. The fairing and bags won't always be so easy to obtain. I'll let you know how it feels once I get the fairing installed after next weekend.

[Crazcnuk]

These windshields can't make you crash, under normal circumstances. No matter what size they are.

I've got probably close to 100,000kms with several types, frame and fork mounted, full and small and a few in-between.

I ran the D2 which is the same as the National, or Plexi full size windscreen for 14 years at all speeds up to about 220kph.

I had a vetter full fairing on my CB750K back in the late 70's. I ran the full windscreen and the small Turbo on two different 750 Viragos.

I've ridden in rain, sleet, hail, snow, on ice and nice warm dry pavement, gravel, etc.

On freeways, highways, back ways, mountains, priaries etc.

I have never had an incident where I thought the windshield tried to crash me, unless the windshield was not installed correctly (Usually by the PO) and once reinstalled, they work fine.

I suspect that the type of rider that has trouble with the windshield is the same type that has trouble with steel deck bridges (the ones you can see through the deck).

It's not so much the gust of wind, or low pressure spot behind the truck or side gusts that cause trouble but an overreaction to them that causes trouble.

I assume trying to ride through a hurricane, or tornado would not be fun, but the rest is not an issue.

[LoHo]

I like my national cycle, and really enjoy all the cars slowing down when I wear my black and white 3/4 helmet:

[DenyP]

I am sorry, but you need to spend a few bucks! Not sure how else to say it. Check out some online vendors, but anything less then $200.00, look at it closely!

Best of Luck!

Deny

[Special Ed]

I didn't have time to read all the other post, but I really like and highly recomend my shield. It is by National Cycle. The model name is a "Plexistar 2."
It is my 3rd one. The first two I broke, but at around $125 a pop you can just about replace one every year. My current one is 3 years old.
It looks great, is well made, offers good wind protection, and as far as I'm concerned actually improves high speed handling. I can cruz at 80 sitting bolt upright for extended periods of time in almost armchair comfort (compared to 80 without one!)
I would post a photo but I just got a new computer and don't have that capability worked out yet! I bet if you Google National Cycle you can see one though.
Good luck!
Special Ed
P.S. First one broke when a cage hit me, the second when I dropped the bike when it slipped out of first gear at slow speed!