RoboBrackets & Windshield Installed

[Tom in NM]

My RoboBrackets arrived yesterday and I got them installed - the last minutes were in a torrential downpour of rain and hail. The install took about 30 minutes and was easy.

Like Deb, Brian and others have mentioned, these are quality parts. I also ordered the 20" windshield that Mark of MadStad Engineering has paired with the shield and I am amazed at the protection and riding comfort it offers. :2thumbs:

I have not tweaked it yet, but there is no buffeting, wind howl/roar from my helmet is gone, air flow is pleasant, and 75 MPH feels and sounds like 35 or 40. I am sure this is the world that the CHAD riders tool around in, but I am amazed that such a "small" shield delivers such a good riding environment.

I have a lot more testing ( just another excuse for riding ) and adjusting to do, but I wanted to share my first impressions. Quality = A , Install = A , Functionality = A , Ease of Adjustment = B , Looks = A .

Mark is a great guy, making a great product for Spyders and other motorcycles. If you are in the market for an adjustable windshield, take a look at these at http://www.madstad.com/s.nl;jsessionid=0a0109491f43a24b8c15bbd043398bcf8378806d0033.e3eSc38LcheTe34Pa38Ta38Mchb0?sc=10

I have also posted some assembly pictures in this Album: http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/album.php?albumid=506
For comparison, I am 5'7" and have the RoboBrackets set to the lowest position and angle to start.

I really needed a windshield solution. I had high expectations for the RoboBrackets, high enough that I knew I could easily be disappointed. That did not happen - they have actually far exceeded what I had hoped for in performance and looks. This is really going to increase my Smiles per Miles!

Tom

 

[vtrider]

The new shield and Robobrackets look great! :2thumbs:

It just gives me another reason for waiting on the aftermarket to catch up and offer better and new options for the spyder. The Robobrackets and shield has been on my list of items that I'm interested in.

 

[bjt]

:thumbup:

 

[Tom in NM]

I love this set up . . . .

Last night I adjusted (up 1 1/2" , out 1/2" and angled it to match the cowl slope) the setup of my RoboBrackets and 20" Windshield from MadStad and took it out for a "test". An Extreme test.

Just as I was leaving my driveway gate, a weather front came through. According to the NOAA (National weather service), NW wind 22, gusts to 40MPH. From where I was, that was at least about 10 MPH low.

Took the Spyder through flying debris, walls of blowing sand and branches onto the expressway. At one point, with the wind to my back, I was going 50MPH and the gusts "stopped" and I seemed to barely moving faster than the junk and leaves blowing down the road. It seemed very calm. That didn't last long.

On the expressway, at 80 MPH, it was an experience. When the gusts came from the side, it was like someone body-slamming you trying to knock you off the Spyder. The lights on the expressway were all rocking, signs vibrating and you could see the gusts rocking semis and cars - and the Spyder too - most of the time, I had to grip the Spyder with my knees and thighs to feel secure in the seat when the side gusts hit.

The shield did a great job, it was firm and stable. In comparing it to other similar rides, it evened out an amazing amount of turbulence. Steering was fine and outside of the slamming of the gusts, the Spyder had no issues. Heading into the wind, there were times that the wall of wind would drop the speed about 10 or 15 MPH, but going 80 into 55+ gusts being channeled thought the canyons, I expected that.

I hate my helmet ( HJC Symax II ) - it is way too loud and seems to magnify sounds and transfer the wind noise directly to my skull. It is so sensitive to any wind turbulence - it is a hearing threat even with earplugs at any speed over 45MPH. With the RoboBrackets and 20" MadStad shield it was great, without earplugs even in these extreme conditions. There were a couple of times I had to tuck my head down - when I did that, absolute calm, the only thing I heard was the engine.

The only negative I have in regards to the RoboBrackets is the flip side of their 2 major 'strengths' - adjustability and stability. With so many options (it feels like an infinite #) for adjusting them, getting them both the same, takes some care. For most adjustments, you also have to take off the shield (which is very quick, easy and requires no tools) and adjusting the brackets themselves takes a 10mm wrench and ellen wrench (included with the shield). It takes me about 10 minutes to make an adjustment, but I expect that to improve with "practice". Realistically, I expect to only have two or three basic settings, based on the different seasons and type of riding I do or whenever I get a new helmet. I will mark the brackets for these positions and only change the configuration a few times a year. Given that, I would much rather have the flexibility, stability, functionality and clean good looks that the brackets and small shield deliver than less options and a faster adjustment period.

Tom

 

[Latemarch]

Great report :thumbup:

I'm thinking that this might just be my next windshield because though I really like the CHAD, I still get some buffeting at the top of my helmet. :sour:

 

[bjt]

The only negative I have in regards to the RoboBrackets is the flip side of their 2 major 'strengths' - adjustability and stability. With so many options (it feels like an infinite #) for adjusting them, getting them both the same, takes some care. For most adjustments, you also have to take off the shield (which is very quick, easy and requires no tools) and adjusting the brackets themselves takes a 10mm wrench and ellen wrench (included with the shield). It takes me about 10 minutes to make an adjustment, but I expect that to improve with "practice". Realistically, I expect to only have two or three basic settings, based on the different seasons and type of riding I do or whenever I get a new helmet. I will mark the brackets for these positions and only change the configuration a few times a year. Given that, I would much rather have the flexibility, stability, functionality and clean good looks that the brackets and small shield deliver than less options and a faster adjustment period.

Tom

During my portion of the RoboBracket testing I brought this up to Mark and he said he's looking into another bracket design that adjusts differently to make it easier to go between set adjustments or just easier to adjust in general. I'm waiting to see what he comes up with. opcorn:

 

[Dragonrider]

I've got mine and installed it - Mark sent the new 22" windshield & it really works! mine is full up & 1.5" out.

 

[Tom in NM]

I was out today . . . .

I've got mine and installed it - Mark sent the new 22" windshield & it really works! mine is full up & 1.5" out.

. . . . . but there were still crosswind gusts up to 40 or more. That made for interesting turbulence when meeting a semi with each of us going 60 plus on a two lane road.

In the Valley, where it is a little more protected, I could ride at 55 without a helmet or goggles. My eyes are pretty sensitive to wind for some reason and in the past, I could never ride over 30 with just my glasses.

Still, like you Dragonrider, I cannot get over how well this works. Here is a shot of the Spyder today and you should be able to see how I have mine adjusted.

Love this shield and mounting system.

Tom

 

[Some Guy]

I installed my RoboBrackets before heading off to Gatlinburg yesterday. While the range of adjustment is impressive, the faults in the design make these brackets a total PITA to adjust! :gaah: The nuts on the fixed adjustment points are directly next to the nuts for the windshield mounts. :shocked: This makes it impossible to install a better adjustment system like wing nuts and thumb screws. Having to use little bitty tools to make the adjustments is ridiculous. After seeing several CHADs, I can say RoboBracket adjustment system is FAR inferior and very annoying. I guess once I finally get it all dialed in, I guess won't have any more problems...unless I find summer and winter settings need to be different, then it's back to the annoying drawing board!

 

[bjt]

I installed my RoboBrackets before heading off to Gatlinburg yesterday. While the range of adjustment is impressive, the faults in the design make these brackets a total PITA to adjust! :gaah: The nuts on the fixed adjustment points are directly next to the nuts for the windshield mounts. :shocked: This makes it impossible to install a better adjustment system like wing nuts and thumb screws. Having to use little bitty tools to make the adjustments is ridiculous. After seeing several CHADs, I can say RoboBracket adjustment system is FAR inferior and very annoying. I guess once I finally get it all dialed in, I guess won't have any more problems...unless I find summer and winter settings need to be different, then it's back to the annoying drawing board!

Realizing it's a pain to adjust, I still prefer the Madstad over the CHAD (mainly based on looks). As I said, they are looking into a new bracket that is easier to adjust.

 

[Firefly]

When are and deb coming down? Did you get your Spyder fixed???

 

[NautiBrit]

I installed my brackets this weekend and tried both the standard shield and the F1 slider. The standard shield doesn't provide much extra coverage, but the F! can be fine tuned to work. I did make the mistake of leaving the slider portion in place and it proved to be too much weight and pressure for the brackets to hold. I have now removed the slider and adjusted the shield to move the air over my helmet.

As mentioned, the brackets are a pita to adjust and have been the only drawback to what is a very good product.

 

[Tom in NM]

Which standard?

I installed my brackets this weekend and tried both the standard shield and the F1 slider. The standard shield doesn't provide much extra coverage, but the F! can be fine tuned to work. I did make the mistake of leaving the slider portion in place and it proved to be too much weight and pressure for the brackets to hold. I have now removed the slider and adjusted the shield to move the air over my helmet.

As mentioned, the brackets are a pita to adjust and have been the only drawback to what is a very good product.

When you say standard shield, do you mean the stock BRP shield? I have the BRP Sport Touring which I am planning on trying next year for Summer riding, but will pass on that if it does not do much.

Tom

 

[NautiBrit]

When you say standard shield, do you mean the stock BRP shield? I have the BRP Sport Touring which I am planning on trying next year for Summer riding, but will pass on that if it does not do much.

Tom

Yes, I mean the stock shield.

 

[mrb]

I can only repeat what the others have said. This is a brilliant system. It works so well and yet it does not "overpower" the appearance of the Spyder. It looks clean, uncluttered and streamlined - and did I say it works really well!!:2thumbs:

 

[Dragonrider]

Rain is an issue for this system - two thoughts- a strip of high density foam on the bottom keeps the water off my instruments, and a strip of tyvek tubing, slit along its length and placed on the top edge of the windshield keeps the drops from collecting on the top and hitting you in the face (for those of us who don't use full face helmets...).

I am surprised about how really well this system works - short of a faring, you would be hard pressed to do better.

If you get one, I recommend replacing the nylock nuts with wing nuts, until you have the setting that works for you, then replace them with the nylocks for permanence...

 

[NancysToy]

Rain is an issue for this system - two thoughts- a strip of high density foam on the bottom keeps the water off my instruments, and a strip of tyvek tubing, slit along its length and placed on the top edge of the windshield keeps the drops from collecting on the top and hitting you in the face (for those of us who don't use full face helmets...)

I am quite surprised at this. Our CHAD keep the instruments, back of shield, and helmet faceshield much drier than anything else we have used on the Spyder. Since this system uses the same principle and spaces the windshiels away from thne cowl, I would have expected similar results.

 

[Latemarch]

I am quite surprised at this. Our CHAD keep the instruments, back of shield, and helmet faceshield much drier than anything else we have used on the Spyder. Since this sytem uses the same principle and spaces the windshiels away from thne cowl, I would have expected similar results.

It may be dryer than most but it's not dry enough

The rain comes up the CHAD gets to the top and then the drops fling themselves at my face and neck. I was just trying to figure out a way to put a ridge up there to direct them to the right and left and a piece of clear vinyl tubing at the top will be just perfect. Thanks Dragon....:2thumbs: