Blue Ridge Height

[Slagiatt]

Has anyone sat on an F3 with the Blue Ridge windshield installed?
In the BRP video, they say you will be "looking through it, not over it." Is this true? All of the pics I've seen so far (admittedly not optimal for answering this question) appear to have the driver's entire head over the windshield. (Too bad the Route 66 was discontinued before it ever got started.)
Anybody seen it in person and viewed it from the driver's seat? Just curious...
If it's too low, I'll be encouraging after-market windshield makers to fire up their design teams.
:f_spider:

[SpyderGTL]

Was at the International Motorcycle Show in Dallas yesterday and Can Am had an F3S with the "Touring Escape Package". I think it had the Blue Ridge windshield, though I can't say for sure. I'm 6' tall and felt that I would primarily look over the windshield. After riding the demo in December without any kind of windshield, I did think that this particular windshield would be tall enough for me. I would like to compare it to the taller windshield, though, before I make a final decision on which one to get.

101303


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[SPYD3R]

IF YOU ARE TALLER THAN 5ft 2in. YOU WILL BE LOOKING OVER IT..... :gaah:
and YES, i ordered mine with the ROUTE 66, and was told a week later that this windshield was discontinued...
Dan P
SPYD3R

[LV2RYDE]

IF YOU ARE TOLLER THAN 5ft 2in. YOU WILL BE LOOKING OVER IT..... :gaah:
and YES, i ordered mine with the ROUTE 66, and was told a week later that this windshield was discontinued...
Dan P
SPYD3R
My STL 2014 had Route 66 winshield, we all complained about distortion.
Can-an was planning to use it , but because of all complains and they even change it to some customers at no cost. that is why it was discontinued.
Pone of Girls on Spyders picked up her bike and she said with blue ridge, if you look through it, it is distorted. You have to look over it.

[SPYD3R]

My STL 2014 had Route 66 winshield, we all complained about distortion.
Can-an was planning to use it , but because of all complains and they even change it to some customers at no cost. that is why it was discontinued.
Pone of Girls on Spyders picked up her bike and she said with blue ridge, if you look through it, it is distorted. You have to look over it.

good info, thx...

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

JMHO, since I don't have an F-3 this is only a guess .....but I'm sure something from MADSTADT could work .............it will just take someone daring to try it .............I'm surprised Madstadt hasn't looked at it yet......or maybe they are :dontknow:.........Mike :thumbup:

[zuni]

The distortion at the top of the Blue Ridge is minor and for me at 5' 10" it only comes into play 10' out from the nose of the bike (laid a tape on the ground to see). Since there are few options at this time I would say I am happy with the purchase. As for aftermarket I have been sending pictures and video to a vendor so they can start coming up with ideas. Using the existing mounts the manufacturing would be challenging with the depressions molded in to recess the covers. There are some very creative vendors out there so we will have to see what they come up with.

CJ JAX

[Tom in NM]

On my F3 with the Blue Ridge shield, I look over it - easily. I am 5'7". To look through it, I need to be bent over and almost laying on the gas tank.

The front of the F3 has a very different angle/rake, so an equivalent height shield ( from another Spyder ) will be lower/shorter, from the riders position. It is also my impression that you are farther away from the shield. My dealer brought out the Blue Ridge and the 'standard short' shield and held them up in front of me while I sat on the F3, I was sure the Blue Ridge would be perfect - it looked big. But, once attached, that angle/rake made it a lot lower.

I have no way of measuring it, but the air/envelope surrounding the rider does seem to be significantly more stable than what I experienced on my ST-S - so, for most of my body, there is significantly less 'buffeting' and turbulence. There is a lot less 'noise' in your head if you wear in-ear headphones ( and no helmet ), even with the majority of your head above the shield's top.

As shown in CJ's post above this, there is distortion, but I think the photographs 'exaggerate' it - we humans, see through it just fine. At least I do.

For running around town, country roads ( speeds under 55mph ), I think the Blue Ridge is great. Even short expressway hops at speeds 65mph plus it works fine. While I am not a Touring Rider, out here in New Mexico, we have a lot of space between things ( and big bugs ), so I am looking for something that gives protection for those type of rides.

Tom

[Copperman]

I was at Flatout yesterday (E Washington St) and they have an F3 S on display. No windshield, though. It's very nice and looks much nicer in person than in pictures.

Just FYI.

[zuni]

On my F3 with the Blue Ridge shield, I look over it - easily. I am 5'7". To look through it, I need to be bent over and almost laying on the gas tank.

The front of the F3 has a very different angle/rake, so an equivalent height shield ( from another Spyder ) will be lower/shorter, from the riders position. It is also my impression that you are farther away from the shield. My dealer brought out the Blue Ridge and the 'standard short' shield and held them up in front of me while I sat on the F3, I was sure the Blue Ridge would be perfect - it looked big. But, once attached, that angle/rake made it a lot lower.

I have no way of measuring it, but the air/envelope surrounding the rider does seem to be significantly more stable than what I experienced on my ST-S - so, for most of my body, there is significantly less 'buffeting' and turbulence. There is a lot less 'noise' in your head if you wear in-ear headphones ( and no helmet ), even with the majority of your head above the shield's top.

As shown in CJ's post above this, there is distortion, but I think the photographs 'exaggerate' it - we humans, see through it just fine. At least I do.

For running around town, country roads ( speeds under 55mph ), I think the Blue Ridge is great. Even short expressway hops at speeds 65mph plus it works fine. While I am not a Touring Rider, out here in New Mexico, we have a lot of space between things ( and big bugs ), so I am looking for something that gives protection for those type of rides.

Tom
Tom is right about the photo appearing to show more distortion than there is. If you look at the spot about 1" down you will see a small line of distortion. Everything below that is just camera angle effect. He is also correct about looking over the windscreen when ryding. As I mentioned the top distortion line is only evident at a spot 10' in front of the bike for me at 5' 10"

CJ JAX

[Slagiatt]

Went down to see it today. Comments in another thread ("Sat on an F3 Today")
Loved it!
Can't wait for mine to arrive.

[doctorlbug]

The wind noise behind the Blue Ridge is incredible, but when you lean down on the gas tank, it is so quiet.
If I had to do it again, "which I am going to have to, to reduce the turbulence," I would wait for a taller windshield. I'm 5'11".

[den1953]

I'm thinking the Blue Ridge might benefit from and adjustable bracket like the one from Mastad. Another solution might be by adding a Laminar Lip to the top of the Blue Ridge.

[Big F]

Has anyone sat on an F3 with the Blue Ridge windshield installed?
In the BRP video, they say you will be "looking through it, not over it." Is this true? All of the pics I've seen so far (admittedly not optimal for answering this question) appear to have the driver's entire head over the windshield. (Too bad the Route 66 was discontinued before it ever got started.)
Anybody seen it in person and viewed it from the driver's seat? Just curious...
If it's too low, I'll be encouraging after-market windshield makers to fire up their design teams.
:f_spider:

I wonder why the R & D people at BRP didn't come up with the proper windshield to begin with???????????
THE BIG F

[den1953]

I think the BRP marketing gurus and the bean counters got together and decided to re-purpose the windshields from the ST to fit the F3. The Route 66 which would've been taller was a disaster and they took it off the market. That just left us with the Blue Ridge and nothing taller or wider.

[Mike,P]

I'm thinking the Blue Ridge might benefit from and adjustable bracket like the one from Mastad. Another solution might be by adding a Laminar Lip to the top of the Blue Ridge.

This will more than likely be my solution.. If I think the Blue Ridge is a good all around W/S I will tint it then add a Laminar Lip for long rides for the wifey... The experience I've had with them on various motorcycles has been great...

[Jharpo]

Has anyone sat on an F3 with the Blue Ridge windshield installed?
In the BRP video, they say you will be "looking through it, not over it." Is this true? All of the pics I've seen so far (admittedly not optimal for answering this question) appear to have the driver's entire head over the windshield. (Too bad the Route 66 was discontinued before it ever got started.)
Anybody seen it in person and viewed it from the driver's seat? Just curious...
If it's too low, I'll be encouraging after-market windshield makers to fire up their design teams.
:f_spider:
I have the Blue Ridge windshield on my F3S. I am 5'9" and in the cruiser seating, slouch a little bit. I am looking completely over the windshield, thank God. If I were looking through the windshield, the distortion would run me nuts and give me a headache. I believe they discontinued the Rt. 66 shield for that very reason, the distortion. I really didn't think BRP could make a windshield with more distort than the ST shield, but they managed to do it again. The Blue Ridge does do a great job keeping the wind off the torso. Except for the distortion, I love it. I will be purchasing a CalSci windshield as soon as it is available.

[Tom in NM]

. . . . . 30" to the lip of the shield, 19" up from the seat ( crotch area ).


http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=101833&d=1423244749


Note:


The angle of this Spyder distorts the height & length lines, but the inches are correct.
For me, the crotch area is the 2nd band back on the seat. The seat does continue to slope down the further back you go.
Remember, the air/wind will not be coming back in a straight line, it will be pushed up and curved.


I hope this helps, but you really have to sit/ride on one to get your personal feel and fit.

Tom

[chuckk]

tom... thanks for posting these measurements.. i'm planning to sit on an f-3 for the first time soon... i only want to buy one windshield, so i will use these as a ​guide...
. . . . . 30" to the lip of the shield, 19" up from the seat ( crotch area ).


http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=101833&d=1423244749


Note:


The angle of this Spyder distorts the height & length lines, but the inches are correct.
For me, the crotch area is the 2nd band back on the seat. The seat does continue to slope down the further back you go.
Remember, the air/wind will not be coming back in a straight line, it will be pushed up and curved.


I hope this helps, but you really have to sit/ride on one to get your personal feel and fit.

Tom

[bullant12]

I have the Blue Ridge on my F3 and I am 5'7".
I love it!

[Ronbo]

Has anyone sat on an F3 with the Blue Ridge windshield installed?
In the BRP video, they say you will be "looking through it, not over it." Is this true? All of the pics I've seen so far (admittedly not optimal for answering this question) appear to have the driver's entire head over the windshield. (Too bad the Route 66 was discontinued before it ever got started.)
Anybody seen it in person and viewed it from the driver's seat? Just curious...
If it's too low, I'll be encouraging after-market windshield makers to fire up their design teams.
:f_spider:


Im 5' 9" and look over the top completely. The windstream hits my upper shoulders, neck and head. It's way better than nothing and looks good. I'll be getting a taller one for winter riding, freeway riding.

Ron

[DB Dan]

I have the Blue Ridge on my F3S & I added a MRA Xcreen clamp on extension. It's very adjustable & is approx. 4"ht x 10" wide. It depends how far ahead your looking as to whether or not you look thru the windshield & extension which is fairly effective in diverting majority of 'buffeting' wind.
If I measure from flat area in front of instrument cluster the B/R is 14" in height. Remember, your sitting back further & lower than other Spyders!
I'm 6'-4" & this set up works for me....Would I have preferred the taller RT 66 = absolutely- but not if it allowed too much distortion.:sour:

[Genet]

I installed the blue ridge on my F3 this past week . I'm 5 10 and it's way to short,my entire head is exposed to the elements.
i went back to the dealer to see if there was a taller one,.......none.
will need to wait for the after market guys to come up with one.
it was a bummer when I went for a ride.i even got the bar to move the u fit to # 5 thinking it would put me a little lower in the seat.....not.
all in all,I'll live with it for now because the bike is awesome and it midigates the wind issue.
gene T

[Tom in NM]

I have the Blue Ridge on my F3S & I added a MRA Xcreen clamp on extension. It's very adjustable & is approx. 4"ht x 10" wide. It depends how far ahead your looking as to whether or not you look thru the windshield & extension which is fairly effective in diverting majority of 'buffeting' wind.
If I measure from flat area in front of instrument cluster the B/R is 14" in height. Remember, your sitting back further & lower than other Spyders!
I'm 6'-4" & this set up works for me....Would I have preferred the taller RT 66 = absolutely- but not if it allowed too much distortion.:sour:


. . . . I would have ordered it on the spot if it sat behind the B/R. The MRA Xcreen looks like a good option. I just need to think about it a little. Thanks for posting about it. :thumbup:


I have been looking at another solution and I may put risers on the B/R. It looks like the shield anchor (up front hardware) might pivot. If it does, I will fabricate some blocks to raise the back of the shield up. It should only take some risers and longer bolts. I will have to play with it - it may not raise up enough to make a difference, the whole shield may have an ugly angle, or it may not have clearance in the front to pivot or pivot at all.

In the meantime, I have actually started to like the exposure - but I don't think I will once the bugs show up.

Tom

[GunDoctor]

Have the BR on my F3 and it works quite well, even on the freeway, no wind hitting my bell Sena setup with communication. I guess I am the only one with a perfectly clear shield. We have another F3 coming in next week which will also have the BR installed.


Another Day To Be My Kid's Dad [emoji379]

[Ronbo]

I have the Blue Ridge on my F3S & I added a MRA Xcreen clamp on extension. It's very adjustable & is approx. 4"ht x 10" wide. It depends how far ahead your looking as to whether or not you look thru the windshield & extension which is fairly effective in diverting majority of 'buffeting' wind.
If I measure from flat area in front of instrument cluster the B/R is 14" in height. Remember, your sitting back further & lower than other Spyders!
I'm 6'-4" & this set up works for me....Would I have preferred the taller RT 66 = absolutely- but not if it allowed too much distortion.:sour:

Got any pics? Thanks for all the info. Oh, do the clamps look like they might scratch the blue ridge?

Ron

[Ronbo]

My STL 2014 had Route 66 winshield, we all complained about distortion.
Can-an was planning to use it , but because of all complains and they even change it to some customers at no cost. that is why it was discontinued.
Pone of Girls on Spyders picked up her bike and she said with blue ridge, if you look through it, it is distorted. You have to look over it.

Was The distortion bad enough to make it unusable

[den1953]

From my desk chair s I used a tape measure and 19 inches up from that is the upper part of my chest, not quite but almost to my collar bone. That being the case I wonder if I''ll be eating bugs with that windshield. There will have to be a Mastad bracket for it by then or a Laminar lip for it as I'm not crazy about bugs in the face. Maybe the aftermarket will have a better windshield soon.

[Bagger]

A photo of someone sitting on a F3 with the Blueridge would be great. That way, we could see where the top of the shield will impact vision over the screen.

Tossing on a helmet and giving us some idea of rider 'size' would be helpful as well.

[Tom in NM]

A photo of someone sitting on a F3 with the Blueridge would be great. That way, we could see where the top of the shield will impact vision over the screen.

Tossing on a helmet and giving us some idea of rider 'size' would be helpful as well.

. . . . that didn't look over the BR windshield, my neighbor's 8 year old daughter.

Really, it is 19" up from the seat ( see my earlier post in this thread ). The aerodynamics do push the air up from that, but yes you will eat bugs if your mouth is open.

Somebody else posted that if they leaned forward that it was amazingly calm - that is true, if the top of the shield is level with the middle of your forehead, it is perfect, but with your feet and legs being forward, it is not comfortable or sustainable. That works for intermittent curtains of blowing sand, but not for long rides.

Yes, it is hard to keep bugs from getting in your teeth when you grin from riding an F3. ( and are not wearing a helmet )

Tom

[den1953]

I currently ride wearing a half helmet and also own a full face. I'm not crazy about the full face and only wear it when it's cold outside. Anywhere from 50 degrees farenheit and up I wear the half helmet. I could maybe try a 3/4 helmet with a flip down face shield if the Blue Ridge isn't going to keep bugs out of my face. Hopefully the aftermarket windshield manufacturers will step up to the plate before bug season is upon us.

[John C]

{Hopefully the aftermarket windshield manufacturers will step up to the plate before bug season is upon us.[/QUOTE]

Recently spoke with the folks at Madstad, they have some photos of a prototype shield and bracket that they recently made and installed on a Spyder F3. Mark mentioned that it was worlds better than the stock wind screen, but not quite as good as they want it before going into production with a system for the F3. I'm not sure what wind shield was on the F3 that he didn't think worked very well, but he mentioned that it sent air to hit you right in the face. They are looking for a local F3 owner who would be willing to let them have their trike for a few days so they can perfect the design. For doing this, they would offer a huge discount on a Madstad windshield system for his or her Spyder.

They are located at 20721 US Highway 301 Dade City, FL 33523 U.S.A.

They sent me a few photos of the one they had already made, but I'm not sure how to post photos to this site? I'm sure if you are interested they would send them if you asked. That might also give them some idea of how much interest there is for a good, adjustable windshield system for our F3's.

I've used the Madstad system on several motorcycles in the past, and I've always felt that being able to fine tune the angle of the shield has helped me find the sweet spot that I was looking for.

Wish I lived closer, I'd be there!

John C
Peyton CO

And I wouldn't be looking out my window at over a foot of snow!

[CreedFinancial]

I have the blue ridge on my F3 and it is great for around town to 55mph and around lower speeds. I am 5'8 and I look completely over the windshield and at 60+ highway speeds and the higher I go, the more it beats my face up. I finally had enough and added an MRA X-Screen touring blade and it has helped a whole bunch. I like that its completely adjustable and you can set it for no wind blocking to quite a ways up to make it better even for the passenger. I can hear the exhaust and other sounds much better as the wind is not deafening like it was. Has really made highway riding much more enjoyable and will probably help with helmet fatigue. That and the coast to coast seat has made highway and longer distance riding so much better.

[CA Railwhale]

This will more than likely be my solution.. If I think the Blue Ridge is a good all around W/S I will tint it then add a Laminar Lip for long rides for the wifey... The experience I've had with them on various motorcycles has been great...

The Blue Ridge is very low. What distortion I saw was right the the "flip" on the top. I'm six two and on the freeway the turbulence hit me below the neck. I went to a 32" F4 and it works just fine. With the F4, at any speed lower than seventy, I don't even need my helmet face plate down. The Blue Ridge is stylish, but fails as a windshield. As far as I'm concerned it's nothing but an expensive fashion accessory.

[BakaDean]

Being 5ft 9in the Blue Ridge is a about 3 in. to short for hwy riding. The air noise is terrible.
Who has a great looking and functional aftermarket windshield on their 2015 F3 and
what is it?

Thanks BakaDean

[TRLBLZR1]

Before buying, I was convinced I wanted to put a real windshield on my F3-S. (The Daytona version has a "cosmetic" mini which does next to nothing besides look good.) But the more I rode it, the more I realized my lid does such a great job in the wind that I lost all interest in putting on a windshield (of any size.) Especially after reading about others' experiences with the different heights available. I suppose it comes down to riding preference, style etc. (But also the right "quiet" helmet makes a HUGE difference imo.) My clearance priced/leftover 2014 SNELL approved helmet works so well that: The sound/music I added (in helmet) with $40 speakers and my cell phone sounds REALLY good, even at 60+ mph speeds. (shield closed) And I don't really even feel the wind @ 60 mph. when I'm wearing my OLD leather jacket lol. Good slipstream effect! (Maybe that's because I spent so many years riding sport bikes and snowmobiles with "lesser" helmets?)

[F4 Customs]

F4 Customs makes a great shield for the F3S, Touring and Limited. Our shield resist scratching even with steel wool is Optically perfect and sheds rain. Here are some photos of our adjustable shield for the F3S.
Don Frank
330-968-4644
www.f4customs.com151415151416151417


Being 5ft 9in the Blue Ridge is a about 3 in. to short for hwy riding. The air noise is terrible.
Who has a great looking and functional aftermarket windshield on their 2015 F3 and
what is it?

Thanks BakaDean

[SpyderHands]

Was at the International Motorcycle Show in Dallas yesterday and Can Am had an F3S with the "Touring Escape Package". I think it had the Blue Ridge windshield, though I can't say for sure. I'm 6' tall and felt that I would primarily look over the windshield. After riding the demo in December without any kind of windshield, I did think that this particular windshield would be tall enough for me. I would like to compare it to the taller windshield, though, before I make a final decision on which one to get.

101303The shield in that pic looks way too low for me and I'm 6'1". :opps:

[F4 Customs]

The shield in that pic looks way too low for me and I'm 6'1". :opps:

I am 6'1" and this is a photo with me behind a 32" windshield for the F3S all the way up. Sorry for the bad photo but wanted you to see the coverage.
151496

[SpyderHands]

:thumbup:
I am 6'1" and this is a photo with me behind a 32" windshield for the F3S all the way up. Sorry for the bad photo but wanted you to see the coverage.
151496Hi Don: Thanks for the note. I appreciate you reaching out. Did you get my last inbox message?

Have an amazing day!!!