Knight and I battle over Cal-Sci shield....

[Kratos]

The other option is the madstad, but it looks too bulky to me. :sour: Someone just inboxed me and is gonna allow me to try the BRP 23" ultra. They want to try my cal sci. (Gotta love SL). Hey you never know, it might work. Knight is willing because the temps were too low to go out today and he didn't like that.

Thanks to the person who inboxed me. :thumbup:

 

[Kratos]

Knight and I try the 23" BRP Ultra Touring Shield....

Actually Knight and I like the look of this shield better. I would of thought the touring would look less sporty, but it's something about following the contour lines of the bike that works for me. Now that we are ok with the look, we took it out for a ride. And I will say it works for me a whole lot better than the Cal Sci did. I have better chest and arm coverage. I still have some head buffeting, but it's less than the Cal Sci. It's a shorter shield but I think the reason that my head buffeting is less is because my head is not in the "direct" stream of the wind like it was with the Cal Sci. This thinking is what makes me feel like going to the 25" Ultra Touring Shield would actually work against me than for me. It would make the shield taller but not tall enough, again putting me back in that direct stream. Now I'm just guessing, and I could be wrong, so the only thing to do is maybe try one and see. The other option would be the combine the 23" with madstad brackets, but I'm not comfortable drilling holes in a $200+ dollar windshield. :shocked:

All and all if Knight and I don't do anything else and we settle for this 23" the way it is, it would benefit the winter season and work for us, and I'm sure I'll get use to the little head buffeting we have. It's definitely about 60% less than the buffeting I got from the Cal Sci. If the guy who has my cal sci likes that shield, this will be a good trade. If the cal sci doesn't work for him, apart of me thinks that I might try out the 25" Ultra to see if I'm actually wrong on the head buffeting theory.

 

[Bob Denman]

...And it don't even look bad! :2thumbs: hyea::yes:

 

[Kratos]

...And it don't even look bad! :2thumbs: hyea::yes:

No it doesn't. Gonna do some more testing at lunch to see if I can change the buffeting by where I'm sitting on the bike and my posture.

 

[pro10is]

When it comes to windshields you have to make a choice.

Option 1: Use brute force. You stop the wind using a large physical barrier i.e. a tall/wide windshield. This will work, although for someone of your height the windshield will need to be very high.

Pros: Good wind protection.
Cons: Ugly on an GS/RS. - You will always need to look through the windshield. - Impacts gas mileage.

Option 2: Use aerodynamics. This is a bit trickier, you deflect the wind by diverting it around and over you. This is the idea behind the Madstad system. You can use a much smaller windshield and mount it in such a way as to create an airflow where you sit comfortably in the dead spot. This actually works quite well and is why the Madstad windshields are so popular. You have to use trial and error to adjust the windshield just right. Once you find the sweet spot you lock it in and you're done.

Pros: Good wind protection. - You don't need a large windshield. - Less impact on gas mileage. - Looks better (subjective). - You look over the top of the windshield for a better view of the road and scenery.

Cons: Requires patience to get it just right. - Adjustments are tricky.

Some people go with both. A large windshield and the Madstad brackets. I personally don't see the logic or need for this but to each his own.

Once you address the windshield on a GS/RS you then need to address the wind coming from the sides. The RT and now the ST both have effective side deflectors and a wide cowl, the RS has a narrow cowl and no side deflectors. If you add the BRP or aftermarket side deflectors you will see a marked improvement in wind protection.

 

[Kratos]

When it comes to windshields you have to make a choice.

Option 1: Use brute force. You stop the wind using a large physical barrier i.e. a tall/wide windshield. This will work, although for someone of your height the windshield will need to be very high.

Pros: Good wind protection.
Cons: Ugly on an GS/RS. - You will always need to look through the windshield. - Impacts gas mileage.

Option 2: Use aerodynamics. This is a bit trickier, you deflect the wind by diverting it around and over you. This is the idea behind the Madstad system. You can use a much smaller windshield and mount it in such a way as to create an airflow where you sit comfortably in the dead spot. This actually works quite well and is why the Madstad windshields are so popular. You have to use trial and error to adjust the windshield just right. Once you find the sweet spot you lock it in and you're done.

Pros: Good wind protection. - You don't need a large windshield. - Less impact on gas mileage. - Looks better (subjective). - You look over the top of the windshield for a better view of the road and scenery.

Cons: Requires patience to get it just right. - Adjustments are tricky.

Some people go with both. A large windshield and the Madstad brackets. I personally don't see the logic or need for this but to each his own.

Once you address the windshield on a GS/RS you then need to address the wind coming from the sides. The RT and now the ST both have effective side deflectors and a wide cowl, the RS has a narrow cowl and no side deflectors. If you add the BRP or aftermarket side deflectors you will see a marked improvement in wind protection.

The only problem with the deflectors is the exhaust fumes trapped around you. They say some bikes don't have the problem, but most do. I wonder if I could be one of the few without the issue...?

 

[pro10is]

The only problem with the deflectors is the exhaust fumes trapped around you. They say some bikes don't have the problem, but most do. I wonder if I could be one of the few without the issue...?

The exhaust fume issue does exist but it's not that bad. You may get some exhaust smell when stopped but it dissipates quickly when in motion. Exhaust smells are common in motorcycling since you're often sitting right next to the muffler. The Spyder exhaust is cleaner than most and the small exposure does not constitute any appreciable health concern. It's simply a manageable nuisance.

 

[major911]

All and all if Knight and I don't do anything else and we settle for this 23" the way it is, it would benefit the winter season and work for us, and I'm sure I'll get use to the little head buffeting we have. It's definitely about 60% less than the buffeting I got from the Cal Sci. If the guy who has my cal sci likes that shield, this will be a good trade. If the cal sci doesn't work for him, apart of me thinks that I might try out the 25" Ultra to see if I'm actually wrong on the head buffeting theory.

I'm glad to hear that shield is working better for you. The Cal Sci works perfect for me. I couldn't have asked for a better fit. According to Cal Sci website table I should have a med shield based on my height however that would not have worked at all. The XL is just the right height to direct the airflow over my head with little to no buffeting at all and no turbulence behind the shield. I'm looking right over the top of the shield instead of thru it so it's just what I was looking for. I think this worked out good for both of us. :thumbup:

 

[Kratos]

I'm glad to hear that shield is working better for you. The Cal Sci works perfect for me. I couldn't have asked for a better fit. According to Cal Sci website table I should have a med shield based on my height however that would not have worked at all. The XL is just the right height to direct the airflow over my head with little to no buffeting at all and no turbulence behind the shield. I'm looking right over the top of the shield instead of thru it so it's just what I was looking for. I think this worked out good for both of us. :thumbup:

Yep, good trade. :thumbup: