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Message started by DanGill on 06/21/07 at 08:58:10

Title: Windshields
Post by DanGill on 06/21/07 at 08:58:10

I'm new to this. I just bought a 2006 S40 after over 25 years on four wheels. The bike had the small Suzuki windshield, which seems a little inadequate to me. I'm 6' 0", and I'm getting a lot of wind noise and helmet buffeting. The little shield does keep the wind off my chest, but that's all.

What windshields have you had experience with? I intend to commute on this bike, and I'd like to have more coverage, even the handgrips. I like the look of the Slipstream Falcon and the Hellfire.

Title: Re: Windshields
Post by verslagen1 on 06/21/07 at 09:16:03

You can do a couple of things, raise it, lower it or buy a new one.

You can lower it, the helmet buffeting occurs in a narrow band just above the windshield. If you lower if a few inches the buffeting occurs at the neck which aides ventilation in your helmet. ;D

If you raise it to just below eye level the buffeting will be over head.

I have a memphis demon and I'm 6'. I'm confortable up until 70 or until a head wind kicks up. In which case I duck a little sport bike style.

Title: Re: Windshields
Post by firsts40 on 06/21/07 at 10:07:46

If it is the windshield made for the S40 by Suzuki, I do not think you can raise it because of the way it attaches to the forks. It can only go up so high. Take a look at where it is mounted to see if it is as high as it will go. I have one on my 06 S40 also, but I am 5'10", and it isn't that bad for me.

Title: Re: Windshields
Post by mclay on 06/22/07 at 03:08:32

Hey Dan,

You and I are the same height....and I experienced the same problems with the stock shield.

You might want to consider shaving the stock shield down to "fly screen" dimensions. You can still keep the original mounts (although I'd take them off temporarily when cutting). I'd say my shield is now around 10-11 inches tall....more rounded looking, almost like a mini-police type shield. The beauty of this mod is you can make the screen any shape you want....I wasn't particularly fond of the trapezoidal shape of the stock screen.

Tips and tricks if you decide to do this:

Mount some adhesive backed velcro strips (softer material) to the bottom of a hand-held jig saw to avoid scratching the shield.

Line your shop table with a towel as well.

Use a quick release clamp with rubber ends and essentially work your way around the shield in small increments using the saw....basically clamp, saw a small section, unclamp, rotate and repeat.

A couple various hand files will work for smoothing out any rough edges.

Don't forget the most important tool....a sharpie for drawing your new shape....washes off with a small amount of acetone (be careful though).

I'm much happier with the shaved screen....no more buffeting. I still get the benefit of less pressure on the chest though.

This may seem like alot of trouble, but it's cheaper than buying a whole new shield and trying to sell the old one.

-mclay

Title: Re: Windshields
Post by Mister_Breeze on 06/23/07 at 03:54:17

I put the stock shield on the wifes 06 also and am not that happy with it either. We are having the same problems as you speak of, and there really is no adjustment to speak of with the fork mount. Not even close to being "nose high" for the wife and she's only 5' 1".

I'm thinking of getting a piece of Lexon and cutting my own and still try to keep the stock fork brackets, so it wasn't a total waste.

I see a lot on ebay for under $100 new, but am afraid of getting another piece I don't need.

Title: Re: Windshields
Post by barry68v10 on 06/23/07 at 06:05:32

Quote:

Not even close to being "nose high" for the wife and she's only 5' 1".

Do you mean the shield itself is nose high, or the wind flow is nose high, or something else?

My shield is just below neck high and it directs airflow to the top of my helmet at around 60 mph...

Title: Re: Windshields
Post by SpeedyG on 06/23/07 at 09:37:13

Hi,

I have a new S40 with the Suzuki shield. I'm only 5'4" and sometimes wish I had a taller shield, but I like the look of this smaller shield and it sure does make a difference on the chest than no shield at all.

I know Memphis Shades makes a bunch of handle-bar mount shields. Might want to check them out.

Colleen

Title: Re: Windshields
Post by DanGill on 06/23/07 at 13:35:40

Well, I'm definitely going to replace it eventually. I took it off today to try the bike without it, and while the buffeting is a little less, I did miss the coverage. I don't want to shave it down, because I want more coverage for the cooler months, not less. And a friend dropped my back and scratched the top of it today. He's a rider, but he never learned not to park the bike in neutral with the nose pointed downhill. :o

He's still my friend, though.

Title: Re: Windshields
Post by justin_o_guy on 06/24/07 at 04:55:01

I have a little Givi mini on the Guzzi. I can hardly tell the difference in wind at 60 or 100. Its just hitting my arms & mid face on up & the little thing doesnt hardly stick up 10 inches over the handlebars. Its $100.00 I thnk. Ill try to find the receipt so I can give model # & price. I will also look( first) & see if it will mount on the Savage. OOps, I have S40, So, I can look at that,

Title: Re: Windshields
Post by Mister_Breeze on 06/24/07 at 05:46:29

barry68v10 wrote:

Do you mean the shield itself is nose high, or the wind flow is nose high, or something else?

My shield is just below neck high and it directs airflow to the top of my helmet at around 60 mph...

I would like the shield to be about "nose high". When I ordered the suzuki OEM, I just saw the height and thought it would be enough, but it's not. Probably 15" from the bars would be ok but not from the forks. Another thing is the newer S40 has the drag style bars and have been wondering how these aftermarket shields work out with that too.

Title: Re: Windshields
Post by Savage_Rob on 06/24/07 at 09:05:59

The top of my windshield probably reaches just below my lower lip in height and seems to be perfect for me. The wind just catches the top of my helmet (above the visor). It's a National Cycle Dakota NC125A and was on my bike when I bought her (shown below, not on an LS650). Below that is how it looks on my Savage.

http://rob.savageriders.com/images/National%20Cycle%20Dakota%20NC125A.jpg
http://rob.savageriders.com/images/Nadine%202007-05-13%20002.jpg

Title: Re: Windshields
Post by jjn on 06/24/07 at 10:26:16

I'm sure this isn't what your after, but I like this setup:

http://bikepics.com/pictures/438793/

Saw a nice Intruder 1400 with a sprt style windshield that I really liked too, but can't find the photo on the 'net.

jjn

Title: Re: Windshields
Post by sluggo on 06/24/07 at 13:42:31

here's my take on windshields

windshields, like mag wheels belong on a cage. :o

never had one, never will. i've ridden for 35years and have never even thought of one. the times i've ridden others machines with one i got much more helmet buffeting than sans windshield.

aw, just my opinion, and everybody knows what opinions are like.

Title: Re: Windshields
Post by ladyonasavage on 06/24/07 at 14:54:41

I had the windscreen on mine (I'm only 5 feet tall), it wasn't sufficient. My hubby decided I needed a new one and bought the Memphis Slim and mounted the brackets on backwards to make it tip back towards me more. It worked great! I can now ride without my head getting blown off. It was a bit pricey, but it was worth it for the comfort. Now I need a new seat so my bum doesn't hurt so much! >:(

Mister_Breeze wrote:

Title: Re: Windshields
Post by Mister_Breeze on 06/25/07 at 02:23:45

Very good news !

What year is your bike please and the size of the windshield?

Thanks !

Title: Re: Windshields
Post by ladyonasavage on 06/25/07 at 19:36:22

My bike is a 2001 and the windshield is a Memphis Slim.
I think the measurements are 17 inches high, 9 inch light size and 18 inches wide. It was too straight up? with the brackets on the right way, so husband put them on backward and it made the windshield tip in towards me, much better. I'll take a photo of it and post it so all can see.

Title: Re: Windshields
Post by geo on 06/25/07 at 20:21:58

I got the N2560 windshield from National Cycle. this has worked well. It keeps these Florida love bugs off my shirt. It looks good too.
You have to have patience installing it. I had to hack saw off the mounting rods after I was satisfied with the installation. Take your time with this installation and you will be happy with it.

Title: Re: Windshields
Post by The_Hammer on 06/26/07 at 12:40:48

I also have the memphis slim on mine, with the black tint on the bottom half to match the color of the bike. looks good, and works pretty well, definately larger than the suzuki windshield, but not too large. I will try to get a pic also.

Title: Re: Windshields
Post by ErminM on 06/26/07 at 14:38:01

I got this
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&viewitem=&item=170114429501
It was recommended to me here in forum and I like it a lot.
I am 6'2" and if I sit upright I can see over the top.
If I lean forward a bit I am pretty much behind it.
Installation is simple but does not allow for much adjustment. It also covers handles.

I took it to 85 mph and ride was ok.

I am surprised to attitude that some have against
windshields, I ride on highway a lot. Around lots of big trucks.
Windshield on my car is all chipped and pitted.
Last think that I want is rock from the truck wheel to
hit me in the sunglasses while I am enjoying the wind.
It is either full face helmet or windshield to make sure
that I can ride safe. If I was doing sideroad riding
on the weekend with nowhere to get to maybe I
would not have windshield. If you plan to ride to work
and on the highway there is nothing wrong with windshields.

Title: Re: Windshields
Post by sluggo on 06/26/07 at 16:26:52

ErminM wrote:

I am surprised to attitude that some have against
windshields,

hey, i resemble that remark ;D

it'a a matter of personal preference, i do generally wear the full face the majority of the time. i do use a chrome half helmet for bouncing around town.

personally, unless its a full dress bagger i think they just don't look right, again, just my opinion.

just imagine a wind shield on my bobber, it would look pretty out of place. for me customizing means removing stuff from the machine not adding stuff on. thats the beauty of the savage platform (don't even get me started on the s40 name change) brings to the table. you can do so much to it, or nothing at all.

if you don't want to get hit with debis, drive a cage. ::)getting hit is part of the experience of riding. how do you tell if a biker is happy? count the bugs in his teeth.

Title: Re: Windshields
Post by The_Hammer on 06/27/07 at 09:06:07

I grabbed a quick pic this morning, it's a memphis slim with black tint that goes well with the black paint of my S40.

For a bigger view:
http://w2.bikepics.com/pics/2007/06/27/bikepics-945410-full.jpg

http://w2.bikepics.com/pics/2007/06/27/bikepics-945410-full.jpg

Title: Re: Windshields
Post by ladyonasavage on 06/27/07 at 19:31:41

Mine looks just like that except I got the blue tint.
It was a girl thing, but I like the black much better! I plan on painting my bike before next season, I have to match the windshield now!