wormgear
Expert Class
Posts: 339
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posted February 21, 2008 03:56 AM
My Final Report on Windshields
I've done quite a bit of reading on the subject and made a couple of purchases now in search of the perfect shield. I've come to the conclusion that FOR ME there isn't one.
There's just not enough adjustment available from the bike. Add an inch or so to the travel and I think I could find windshield Nirvana.
The stocker is great full down, providing me with lots of clean unshielded air (wind) in my face from about the top of my shoulders up. Raising it to full up doesn't get me out of the wind but produces so much turbulence on my face that I feel like one of those bobble-head figures.
My Kawi tall shield (+2 I think over stock) is close but not perfect. Full down I have to stretch my neck a little to get the clean air and full up I have to duck down a little to avoid turbulence on the top of my helmet.
My c/b euro cut (+5? Over stock) provides a great quiet zone with no buffeting from about ¾ to full up but lowering it to full down puts me in the same turbulence as the stocker does at full up.
I experience back pressure (the feeling that my head is being pushed forward and down) on both taller shields when they are up and I suppose that's just the nature of the beast. I wonder if the CalSci is any better in that respect since they have a different style vent.
I notice a considerable decrease in these negative conditions on the rare occasion when I'm not wearing a helmet, but of the two different helmets that I wear I don't notice any real difference between them in this regard.
BTW I'm 6'0" with a 32" inseam and I was surprised by various contradictory reports from guys my size. It must be that your riding position has a lot to do with it as well as what seat you're using and what if any risers you have.
Anyway I'm glad the shield is easy to change because I'll be swapping them around depending on the season and the type of feel I'm looking for at the time.
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GodDamnit there's always such a big temptation to be good, to be good! (Tom Waits)
  
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fish_antlers
Administrator
The Truth is Out There
Posts: 21895
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posted February 21, 2008 06:51 AM
interesting.. I havent tried alternatives since I'm almost 6'4" I know the stocker is no good for me. Thanks for the info!
Maybe there's a way to increase the travel for the 5" over?
thoughts?
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What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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TedG
Moderator
Posts: 8222
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posted February 21, 2008 08:10 AM
I am going to cut down the Kawasaki accessory windscreen about an inch and narrow it. I have found that with the helmet/screen combo I can lower it about an inch from full up and the air flow is cleaner and quieter. The issue is more about clean air then a protective bubble. With the cut down shield, it should be good fully down. The real problem with the Kawi shield is the flip at the end in the full down position, cutting most of that away may clean things up.
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Ted
2000 Green ZX12 sold
The fast color!!
Green 2005 ZX10R
2009 Concours Black ABS
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