Madstad Windshield for F3T?

[newbert]

I'm considering purchasing a Madstad windshield for my 2016 F3T, mostly for its adjustability. I hope to get it set just right to protect me from the wind in cold weather, but still provide airflow when/where I want it. (I currently have the OEM windshield.)

Can anyone provide their experiences with the installation process for these windshields? Does it simply fit right into the existing bracket or is it more involved than that? Also, how useful do you find its adjustability feature?

Thanks!

 

[MagYukon]

Hi,

I have a Madstad on my F3T. As I had the TallBoy one and it was too short, I wanted something that i can be sure will fit. The adjustable feature is not something I use a lot, but it was really usefull at first to get the proper setup.

As for installation, it came with all its hardware. you remove the original brackets and it fit right in the original holes.

 

[Peteoz]

My experience matches MagYukon’s exactly, Newbert

Pete

 

[Plugger2]

Plugger2

I'm considering purchasing a Madstad windshield for my 2016 F3T, mostly for its adjustability. I hope to get it set just right to protect me from the wind in cold weather, but still provide airflow when/where I want it. (I currently have the OEM windshield.)

Can anyone provide their experiences with the installation process for these windshields? Does it simply fit right into the existing bracket or is it more involved than that? Also, how useful do you find its adjustability feature?

Thanks!

I didn’t like the Madstad and bought Lamonster windshield and liked it a lot better

 

[AsphaltEagle]

Madstad

I really like the Madstad. I've had several on different bikes.

Also they are really good people to work with. I'm lucky enough to live only an hour away from them, so i just drive in for my new windscreens.

I highly recommend them. Easy to install and adjust to your liking. Mine in on a 2018 F3 limited.

 

[newbert]

I didn’t like the Madstad and bought Lamonster windshield and liked it a lot better

Could you elaborate on what you didn't like about the Madstad? You seem to be in the minority in this thread (at least so far...)

Thanks!

 

[Peteoz]

Could you elaborate on what you didn't like about the Madstad? You seem to be in the minority in this thread (at least so far...)

Thanks!

While you are waiting to hear from Plugger, here’s my 2c, Newbert. I find that the Madstad doesn’t give me as much Freeway protection as the F4. This is because I am 6’7” and 330lbs, and the F4 is wider at the the top. The F4 has cutouts at the bottom corners that help airflow in hot weather. The Madstad, without cutouts, helps with warmth around the hands and sleeves in winter.

I actually have the F4 mounted on the Madstad adjustable brackets just to bring the screen up to mouth level. The point of all this waffle is that everyone is built differently, and has different riding requirements, so you won’t know how it works for YOU until YOU try it I would probably be using an F4 mounted to the OEM brackets if they made a 27” screen, but they don’t.

You only have a couple of inches of play, up and down, with the Madstad, but you can also move it forward and back fairly easily to get a bit more protection from rain. If this adjustability is your key requirement, go with the Madstad, and wear any shortcomings (and I believe there are no major shortcomings apart from the fact that you can’t clean it with just paper towel and water when you stop for gas )

Hope this gives you some food for thought.

Pete

 

[newbert]

While you are waiting to hear from Plugger, here’s my 2c, Newbert. I find that the Madstad doesn’t give me as much Freeway protection as the F4. This is because I am 6’7” and 330lbs, and the F4 is wider at the the top. The F4 has cutouts at the bottom corners that help airflow in hot weather. The Madstad, without cutouts, helps with warmth around the hands and sleeves in winter.

I actually have the F4 mounted on the Madstad adjustable brackets just to bring the screen up to mouth level. The point of all this waffle is that everyone is built differently, and has different riding requirements, so you won’t know how it works for YOU until YOU try it I would probably be using an F4 mounted to the OEM brackets if they made a 27” screen, but they don’t.

You only have a couple of inches of play, up and down, with the Madstad, but you can also move it forward and back fairly easily to get a bit more protection from rain. If this adjustability is your key requirement, go with the Madstad, and wear any shortcomings (and I believe there are no major shortcomings apart from the fact that you can’t clean it with just paper towel and water when you stop for gas )

Hope this gives you some food for thought.

Pete

Thanks for your response, Pete. The two of us are built differently - I'm 5'8", 210 lbs - so the F4 being wider at the top probably isn't an issue for me. What makes me consider the Madstad is that I figure that I can configure it one way for hot weather (increased airflow), and another for when the weather turns colder, like now (decreased airflow). Are my assumptions correct about that?

...And I don't understand your statement about cleaning that I highlighted above. Is the Madstad more difficult to clean than other windshields?

Thanks!

 

[Chefex]

I would go with the F4 customs 25 inch windshield. I have that on my 2018 F3 Limited, and does exceptionally well blocking the wind. Just my opinion.

 

[Kiry]

I have a Madstad and love it. I'm a PacNW gal, and it fits the weather for me here just fine. I also have ridden in 100 deg weather fine too. It's all about what you want to achieve with your airflow.

I spent time riding at different heights and angles to get it where I wanted. The recommendations they give you are a good starting point.

Never had any issues with cleaning myself. But then I use All-Kleer motorcycle cleaner to help out with any annoying pests.

 

[Peteoz]

Yeah, Bert.....your assumptions regarding the Madstad screen adjustability depend on the size screen you get though. If you buy a screen that comes to say your top lip at full bracket extension, which pushes the air to the very top of your helmet, it will not give you much relief when you lower it 3” or so for summer. In fact, lowering it 3” will direct the wind force at your forehead and eyes, and you could experiencing serious buffeting. If you bought a screen which comes to your top lip at its lowest point, then you could raise it 3” to provide more protection from rain, but you would be looking through it during rain, and you would get no hot weather relief. That’s a bit of a waffle, but I’m sure you get the gist of what I’m saying. It’s a tricky one. I have not altered the Madstad brackets since I found the perfect height to give me the least buffeting, looking over the top of the screen. That is where the adjustable Madstad excels. You can get the height just right.

The cleaning I refer to is simply that you can use the paper towels and water at a gas station to clean your F4 screen without scratching, due to its composition. All other screen manufacturers don’t advise using paper towels as they will scratch the screen, so you need to keep a couple of cloths with you. No big deal.

Pete

 

[GaryinWI]

I am 6’5” tall, 280 and have a 24” Madstad on my ‘17 F3L. I originally got a 22” Madstad but was a little short with some dirty air at the helmet level. I worked with Madstad to make me @ all 24” shield only. Works very well now. Tilting shied back to first notch also seems to be minimal turbulence for me. Not sure if Limited and T model differ re mounting. I have had many brands of windshield and Madstad is hard to beat for quality.

Btw I have the 22” Madstad shield only avail. If anyone can use it. Like new only a couple hundred miles on it. I’d like to get $50 for it but if interested let’s talk. Perhaps a taller cold weather screen for someone??

 

[JP58]

Pete. F4 Customs now has adjustable wind deflectors for the F4 windshield. They mount to the 2 upper bolts. Going to order them for mine. The cutouts are nice for summer but hands where cold this fall.

 

[F4 Customs]

 

[Peteoz]

Pete. F4 Customs now has adjustable wind deflectors for the F4 windshield. They mount to the 2 upper bolts. Going to order them for mine. The cutouts are nice for summer but hands where cold this fall.

Thanks JP. The new F4 deflectors look like they would certainly do the job, even with Lamont’s higher Billy Cub bars. I think I’ll give them a go

Pete

 

[acpd22]

I absolutely hated the factory windshield. I narrowed my decision to a F-4 and the Madstad. The Madstad won the decision and I love it. As mentioned above, the adjustability feature helped me get it just where I wanted it but I haven't moved it since. It was easy to install and has given me zero problems since purchase. If I broke it for some reason I would buy another one tomorrow!

 

[cptjam]

The F4 is very scratch resistant. The madstad is very adjustable. Pete has the best plan: F4 shield on Madstad brackets!

 

[JeriK]

I absolutely hated the factory windshield. I narrowed my decision to a F-4 and the Madstad. The Madstad won the decision and I love it. As mentioned above, the adjustability feature helped me get it just where I wanted it but I haven't moved it since. It was easy to install and has given me zero problems since purchase. If I broke it for some reason I would buy another one tomorrow!

I have been struggling with the same question. F4 or MadStad.. I am 5'7" and have a 16 F3L with a Corbin seat. The seat pushes me back a bit further than the stock seat. I have a CalSci screen now and aside from the fact that is really ugly it has scratched terribly! I used a great deal of care cleaning it but no matter what I did the scratches just got worse. How do the F4 and MadStad screens hold up regarding scratches?

 

[Peteoz]

I have been struggling with the same question. F4 or MadStad.. I am 5'7" and have a 16 F3L with a Corbin seat. The seat pushes me back a bit further than the stock seat. I have a CalSci screen now and aside from the fact that is really ugly it has scratched terribly! I used a great deal of care cleaning it but no matter what I did the scratches just got worse. How do the F4 and MadStad screens hold up regarding scratches?

I have no experience with CalSci, Jerik, but I have been very careful with what I use to clean my Madstad and it doesn’t have scratches. However, the fact that you can pull into a gas station, wipe down your F4 screen with water and paper towel and then dry it with paper towel gives it a distinct advantage in the “least scratchable” category.

Pete

 

[JeriK]

Thanks Pete. I have to make my decision soon.. leaving in 8 short weeks for a 2 month trip and want to have this last issue solved.