Windshields...

Hi all: Has anyone fitted a "Slipstreamer" type screen to their XJ? [from BikeBandit]. I'm thinking of getting the S-03 original or the sport in a tint and wondered how well they work......thanks for any input or suggestions for other "screens or half fairings..

Dave

 

Have you ever ridden behind a windscreen or is this a whole new avenue for you?

I'm just asking because it does change things quite a bit in a number of ways. A lot of people swear by them; I don't 'do' windshields. I have had both windshields and fairings before which is how I know that I don't like them. But it's totally personal preference.

I'm wondering if this would be a new experience or you already have an idea.

 

I have a Slipstreamer Hellfire on mine. I like it quite a bit, you still get a little buffeting on top of your helmet, but not bad. I really wanted to go with the "Spitfire" I think it is, looks way better, but I was afraid it wasn't big enough. I kind of don't like how mine looks, as nice as it works.

Some people told me it would act like a sail and make the bike squirrely, I haven't found that to be true.

It's not as nice to ride as a full fairing, which I had on the CB 750, but much less miserable than no windshield at all. I ride every day in Portland, OR, so I hate having no windshield. Personally I don't see the Pros of having not having one, maybe somebody can tell me.

Unless you are trying to look tough, but I do that by being myself

I guess some people like the "wind in their face", but I don't much care for windy days, let alone 70 mph wind trying to tear my helmet off and making my ride a test of endurance.

 

My 750 came with a slipstreamer enterprise that I have cut down to get more airflow over the top.Hot down here most of the year and buggy.Had an FLH fairing on the Sporty up north,great for the colder climate.I like fairings for the protection and the look of it,personal preference.You will feel buffeting in heavy wind.Am now searching for an oem sport fairing locally to match the trunk and hardbags

 

Hi there BigFitz....yes I had windscreens on Honda CX500 as well as both a BMW R80 and a Yammy XS1100. I found the full fairings to be prone to sidewind as well as "containing" the noise - all except the "Windjammer" half fairing which was fabulous.....I preferred the windscreen adjusted to "screentop at eye level" and played with the angle to deflect air up and over...Once I had experienced the joy of bug free teeth and a drier ride, I never went back. Sure they look a bit geeky [to some] but as a newbie 60yr. old.....who cares?!

Retread - I hear you....we don't have that much heat up here....
Maximike - Is there ample adjustment on the slipstreamer? Looks relatively standard and stable mount.....

Thanks all

Dave

 

I've ridden without windscreen (on the Honda CL350 I had last year) and with my XJ as pictured in my avatar with the Vetter Quicksilver fairing. Even with a full face helmet and leather jacket, I had one or two memorable bug strikes last year. One might have been a bee, it went just under the chin of my helmet and hit the exposed part of my neck. Hurt enough that I pulled over to check for a stinger, but all I found was a welt! A bonus to riding with a fairing or windshield, you can comminicate with your passenger better due to the lower wind noise.
Once I was used to a windshield, I took my bro's Nighthawk for a spin (without a windshield) and the wind felt.....excessive. Does enhance the sensation of speed, though! Now he has the Hellfire on it, seems like a nice mounting system, and he is pleased overall.

 

Yamma, well with the Hellfire I have, it mounts pretty securely, not a quick release deal. It screws on at the forks and handlebars. I imagine if you can mount it to the bars themselves it's pretty adjustable, but I have square stock bars, the weird 82 750 Maxim adjustable bars, if you know what I mean. So you have to use these adapters so you can attach the mounting bars to the mirror mounting points, so you are a little limited on how you mount it, on my bike, I can adjust it back and forth at the mounting bars a little bit.

I have a previous topic about square bar windshield mounting, on here somewhere, because I had to figure it out when I put it on.

 

Yammadol,

I love riding with a windshield and have a couple of bikes with them. Keep in mind a couple of things which you probably already know...be sure that you can easily see OVER it. There are plenty of posted suggestions on "windshield forums" for getting the height correct for you. Some guys think that riding with a windshield means that you are suppose to sit behind the plexiglas....not the case at all(or mine would have to be three feet tall<LOL>)...the windshield merely creates a "bubble" of still air for the rider, who is peering over the top of it all the time!!

Also, the hot lick is a MADSTAD windshield mount! It allows up and down AND the ability to rotate the top of the windshield from straightup to roughly 45 degrees back for warm days....check it out, it's SWEEEEET! I have one on my Vstrom 1000 and as they used to say in the commercial....I wouldn't leave home without it now.

jeff

 

Thanks for the input guys - the madstat website is cool - I think if I had a stock shield or fairing, it would be the way to go. Having ridden with screens in the past, it is vital that the height is perfect and the rake throws the airstream far enough to the rear. The biggest mistake, I think, is having the screen too upright. Looking through a plexiglass is also, i.m.h.o., a big no no.........try it at night in the rain.....As for quick release, once it's on, it stays on....If I can find a windjammer, I'll go with it [ + madstat] ...if not, then the slipstreamer it will be.

 

I bought a SlipStreamer HellFire Sport Fairing.
It's got an extension on each side that's aero-shaped to not cause handling problems at high speed.

Upper Fork Tube Mounts and Clamp-on Handlebar Stays which are Ball-sockets and completely adjustable.

I put it on, ... to see if I was going to like it!
I've never taken it off, ... although you can add a handful of hardware and rig it to be removable.

It almost disappears.
It makes a long ride at highway speed ... comfortable!

 

.I get MORE LOOKS while riding the "83(full fairing) than I ever did on the '81.I ride along the river going to work,and the school kids who are waiting for the bus almost all turn their heads.Kids these days have quite a sensitive "fashion-sense".Feeding the ego is fun...Esp. while riding through the city. AND,when I cruise the local highways,I'm able to turn my head w/o being buffeted.HOWEVER,it makes front-end maintenance a PITA.I have yet to pull the thing off the frame and fuss with the wiring.(Maybe,when it gets colder,and in UPSTATE NY it does get COLD!!)Hmmmmm,wonder if I'll be able to ride further into fall/winter if I stay tight behind the fairing and am not getting chilled directly?

 

http://www.bikebandit.com/national-cycl ... 1&t=1&td=1

They have 2 versions one with the half circle cut out thing on the sides and one that looks like mine both called plexistar 2. The cut out one is on bikebandit non cut out is around. looks like this works well for me (6'2).



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Yammadof, I have the Slipstreamer III. I love it. I put it on my 81 650 Maxim. It's my first bike, and I haven't had a lot of experience riding without one. I find it a lot easier to ride on the highway then before I had it installed.

 

Not the best picture of the windshield Here (Photobucket)

I'll check later and see if I have a better one at home.

Edit. BTW, I bought mine at Bike bandit as well. And I agree that it makes it a little more difficult for maintenance.

Edit 2: Fixed the link.

 

I use the slipstreamer spitfire, I like it, on the smaller side but I like that, looks good and does the job.

 

here you go Yamadof, my slipstreamer spitfire

 

Now that looks sweet!! I'm gonna guess that the width of your bars is somewhere round 30-32 ins....My seca is at 35ins and my only debate is:
Do I want hand coverage? In Britain, riding all year, the answer was a definite "yes"............but here, for summer / good weather...I'm not so sure. By the way, what luggage cases are those? - they look good! Thanks for taking the time to post the pic!!

Dave

 

those are yamaha hard bags I bought from a user on this sight. Very happy with them and they are hard to find. Had to pay a good $ for them but it was a fair deal given they mounted right up with the brackets and blinkers etc. The spitfire definately won't give you any had coverage but I liked the slim profile. The hellfire from slipstreamer would give you some hand coverage - nice shield as well especially for the price.

 

Yamma, if your looking for hand coverage. The Slipstreamer III is great. I took a better pic. Here: photobucket

 

I have a National Cycle Street Shield EX on my 82 Seca. Taller and wider than the SlipStreamer, but still does not provide much or any hand protection.
Not sure if this link will work for you
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set= ... 106&type=3

here's the vendor site
http://www.nationalcycle.com/catalogue/ ... ield.shtml

 

Well folks, thanks for all the comments and pics....I'm thinking the slipstreamer 03 is too tall - so, eman and maybe4, could you guys do me a BIG favor......and post the height of your screen measured from the center of the headlamp? [That way I can judge where eye level is...] I'm wondering whether you both are looking through your screens or over? Xjazz: You're right with your measurements - I think the national cycle screen is way tall for me.....thanks ++ for the pics

Dave

 

I'm 5' 10" and I'm looking through it. But it's designed that way. You would have to be pretty tall to be looking over the III.

If your looking for a compact windscreen, this isn't it.

 

Thanks ++ eman - makes my decision a whole lot easier! - [I'm 5' 9"]!

 

Generally I like to look over the screen not through it. You don't need to be looking through it to get the airflow deflected over your helmet. Generally you want the screen to be at nose level - at this height you have the option of looking over it or through it.

the height of the screen is 15" and I position it about 1.5 inches above the headlight which is optimal for me.

 

Thanks ++ maybe4 - thats what I'm looking for.....will go that route in the spring. Thanks all for the help.

Dave

 

some where a guy posted how he installed a buell blast 500 windscreen on his 650 maxim. he did it in front of 3 rivers stadium so how exactly do you install that simple, i'm interested in this mod it looked good to me.

 

The spitfire is what I have on my xj700 airhead, as well.

Dave F

 

Hey Dave [hogfiddles]....thanks for the reply....do I see at least 7 "projects"? I've got 1 on the go and the missus is already thinking "live in the garage" type thoughts...lol

jarhead - nothing yet on the buell.......

Dave C

 

This is the buell thread I believe.... http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=34565.html

Looks like it picks up the mounting bolts to the headlight bucket.

 

Thanks for the link, iwin....kind of a smaller nose fairing.....looked into Buell bikes while there...interesting machines..think I will stay with the XJ...

Dave