Windshield performance

[Uncle George]

Started looking for a windshield I might like. I promise I read a bucket load of archives about windshields and feel like I just need to ask. Pardon me if I missed it somewhere.

I kinda like the looks of those windshields that extend out to cover your handgrips. I figure they would block more wind but also imagine that they would not slipstream as well as the smaller slim ones like the Spitfire and such. They look like they would be more easily messed up if you dropped the bike, BUT I WOULDN'T LET THIS INFLUENCE MY DECISION IN ANY WAY. Anyone out there have this type of shield? How does it do going down the highway? Wish you hadn't got it? Or do you just love it? Thanks.
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My escape pod and "Spartacus" http://home.earthlink.net/~g.teague/

[wheezeburnt]

Uncle george:
I have a plexifairing III on my CB900C. Its a BIG shield, with lowers that extend about 8" down the forks, and sweeps out to provide protection to the end of the handlebars. Overall, I really like it.

Pros: fantastic protection from bugs and rocks, cold and wind. Great in a rainstorm. I've set it up to just see over it, and it provides a fairly quiet environment behind it. Provides excellent wind protection up to about 120 mph (I chickened out at that point)

Cons: Its heavy, and catches a lot of wind from crosswinds. Its very hot in the summer; blocks TOO MUCH wind (I sometimes switch to a Spitfire off one of the other bikes for july and august). It mounts on the bars and forks, and generates a gentle undulation (slow-motion wobble) between 85 and 100 mph. This is likely unique to MY bike. The bike is faster with the Spitfire than with the Plexi.

HTH
brent

[onu2002]

[Uncle George]

[MillenniumRebel]

[onu2002]

[rnr262]

I had a big shiled on my V Star and prefer it over the little Spitfire I have on the Rebel. The spitfiire is great in town, but I hate it on the interstate. It moves way too much, which is most likely operator error on instalation, but I can't seem to tighten it, secure it enough.
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01 Vulcan 750
05 Rebel

[Uncle George]

[Uncle George]

[Duke]

[rnr262]

[glw]

I have the Spitfire on my 250 and ride the freeway at 75 everyday. It works just fine. However, it uses a two point mounting so sometimes it does buffet a bit.
I recently put a National on my 450. It uses a four point mounting and is rock solid. p.s. I'm bad. I sometimes go 85 on the 450.
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GLW
2004 Rebel 250
1987 Rebel 450
1985 Magna 700 (project bike)
Where you look, there you shall go.
Applies to motorcycles, and to life.

[wheezeburnt]

In my experience, it is impossible to install a two-point handlebar mounted small windshield like the spitfire and NOT have it wiggle at superlegal speeds. About the only way to avoid it is to install it at such an acute angle that the wind is buffetting your head.

RE: the issue of aerodynamics: I have about the largest windshield, short of a Vetter fairing, that you can put on a 900c. But, because of its aerodymamics, I get one of the highest mpg consistently of all the riders of 900s on the 900 forum. This no doubt has something to do with how I've tuned the bike and my riding style, but the dirty big windshield also plays a part in wind deflection, because I have old, boxlike Shoei hardbags and a huge mother Vetter topbox on the back, sitting so high you can only see my head and shoulders over it. Those airdams alone should move me closer to the bottom of the list.

So, as Duke suggests, don't try to correlate windshield surface area with air resistance. Shape is way more important.

Brent

[MillenniumRebel]

my 2 point mounted one doesn't move at speed

I suspect it might be a matter of brace angles and attachment points
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[BarryC]

I have the Spitfire from Jacks and like it a lot. It fits the Rebel nicely and gives me good protection from the wind. Granted, I do not have the knowledge or experience to compare it to other windshields, but it satisfies my needs.

[xepath]

We have a Spitfire on our Rebel, works pretty good at least my fiance likes it allot. It does move at highway speeds not much you can do about that. I have a Memphis shades Hellcat on my Vulcan 800, it is a handlebar mount 150 bucks or so, but the mounting hardware is all metal and it is larger than the Spitfire but not as big as the fork mounted shields. I think it would make a great Rebel shield for someone wanting more protection than the spitfire no, movement at even 90 ok a little at 90, and easy to mount, and much cheaper than huge shields. Check out the Hellcat by Memphis Shades.
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2005 Honda Rebel Candy Orange (hers)
2004 Kawasaki Classic 800 Vulcan (mine)

[clerkgal]

I have the Spitfire and it does need to be tightened up from time to time. No biggie. I put a small piece of velcro on the tach to stop it from vibrating. (I Polish, give me a hammer and some duct tape and I go crazy!)
**No runny eyeliner anymore**

[Autumn]

Speaking of runny eye-liner I have a question....I've noticed that when I ride first thing in the morning and it's a wee chilly out, my eye-liner and mascara start to run, I've had that happen to me a few times, and since then I just don't ride first thing in the morning.....I wear my sunglasses, and my faceshield along with my helmet.....and my makeup still runs.....any helpfil advice?

Thanks!
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Rebel on Wings

[MillenniumRebel]

don't wear makeup when you ride ......... put it on when you get where you're going

or maybe wear moisture proof 'sport' makeup
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[glw]

My wife recently got permanent eyeliner. It will never run, essentially a tattoo. Boy, were her eyes puffed up for a week.
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GLW
2004 Rebel 250
1987 Rebel 450
1985 Magna 700 (project bike)
Where you look, there you shall go.
Applies to motorcycles, and to life.