need windshield advivce for XS11 Special

[jchigbee]

Would appreciate any info or personal preferance for purchasing a windshield for the XS11 special. Where to purchase, brand, shape / size, etc.

[rover]

I really like the windjammer, but they are not made anymore, you would have to find a used one, and there was one here recently. If you do find one and need mounting brackets, I can make you a set as good as the original for cost.

[dfrooney]

I bought this one from denniskirk.com

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/produc...Id=&leafCatId=

Keeps a good amount of wind off my body and deflects bugs up and over me. I do still need to wear eye protection.

It's cheap too...only $55 and easy to mount.

[Big Pat]

Spitfire

I have the Spitfire model on my '81 Special. It looks great but only works OK for me @ 6'2". Most of the wind hits at collar height on the highway.

Big Pat

[MartyA]

I have a Vetter (IV I think), my first and only, and I like it a lot. It came with the bike but was not mounted. I rode the XS for a couple of years before I decided one day to try it. I had gotten used to speed limits by the feel of the wind pressure on my chest and helmet, but the first time I rode with the Vetter there was no wind, I looked at the speedo and I was doing 90, waiting for the wind to hit. Very weird for the first few minutes. But otherwise, it is not that heavy and does not impact my bike handling abilities, such as they are. It is terrific if it is cold, keeps a lot of wind and rain and bugs off you. In really hot weather though you do get some heat from the engine, but I just go faster.... The compartments are handy for maps, extra light bulbs, pop bottle or two.
If I had a second XS, I would have a handlebar mounted shield, just to have some variety. But I like a windshield, that Vetter has spoiled me.
Don't like the headlight, way too dim. I'm considering putting on those fancy LED's like TC describes and maybe then I can step up the wattage of the headlight a little, maybe an HID, if it won't melt the fairing.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there JC,

There are many factors that you're going to need to consider. When are you going to be riding, what will the weather be? If very cold, the larger the shield the more protection you get, the warmer you can stay, but the larger Frame mounted fairings are a bit heavier, and can make it harder to see the ground. They can also detract from a "Sporty" look depending upon how you want it to look!

The handlebar fairings also come in many styles, from very simple essentially little chest protectors that keep the bugs and bottles off of your chest and face, but don't necessarily provide much protection for your hands, arms. Then they have the larger ones that wrap around the bars and headlight areas to provide a larger deflector zone for your hands/arms and even knees! The larger shields will cut out more air flow, so in the hotter summer, you may feel more heat from the engine/road cause you won't be getting much from the wind!!

How high you sit in the saddle will also affect the overall height. Mine gives me some bothersome turbulence at highway speed when I'm sitting up, but when I'm in my long distance reclined position, it flows over my head nicely!!

If you can, find some friends with bikes with shields and try them out on the road to see and feel the differences! HTH.
T.C.

[jchigbee]

Thanks for everyone's time and input /info I really appreciate it, now I know where to start.