Madstad Windshield help

[mdr]

For those who purchased the Madstad system and screen, I'm wondering how you found your "sweet spot" and where it is on your Spyder. It would help to include your height/inseam, size of shield, risers, and pics if you have them. I adjusted the Madstad about 6 different ways yesterday, but I'm still getting pretty bad bobbing and noise over 60 mph. I'm 6 feet tall, 32 inseam, 4 inch risers, 22 inch madstad screen. I love the design and the way it looks, just hoping I might learn from some of you who have made it work. Thanks!

 

[musicarcade]

I am 6' tall, 31" inseam, and no riser w/ a 22" screen.
After several adjustments I placed it as high as I could get it and tightened that sucker down. I had some vibration wobble at first and finally figired out I needed to tighten down the cowling more.:doorag:
You can kind of see it on my SIG pic

 

[mdr]

I am 6' tall, 31" inseam, and no riser w/ a 22" screen.
After several adjustments I placed it as high as I could get it and tightened that sucker down. I had some vibration wobble at first and finally figired out I needed to tighten down the cowling more.:doorag:
You can kind of see it on my SIG pic

Do you have it all the way up and flat, or all the way up and angled in or out? Thanks.

 

[musicarcade]

I have it up as high as I could get it, with it slightly tilted back towards me.
i'll try and get a photo.

 

[Rando]

I hate to say it but you might need to swap it out for a 24"

 

[mdr]

I hate to say it but you might need to swap it out for a 24"

Yeah, I actually thought about that but I'm not sure if a higher shield necessarily provides better protection? I used to have the large F1 slider and I had it all the way up and it really wasn't effective. I don't mind getting wind--I used to have a harley with no shield--I just hate feeling like a bobble head doll over 60 mph. I tried different helmets and still had the same effect yesterday. When I slid far back in the seat and hunched down I did have a better pocket--just not sure how to direct the shield to get that same effect?

 

[effgjamis]

I am 6' 2" and using the 24" shield.
I have it adjusted at full height with about a 5-10 degree top to rear of bike.
I have a nice pocket provided I do not lean way back in the seat. I also find that my riding partner is feeling some head bobbing until movement clost to me.
I have talked to Mark ( Madstad ) about this and he is making me a larger sheld and platform. ( this will be a proto item until it has been tested) I am happy that he has selected me to test his product. I am only about 1.5 hours away.
Back to the existing shield, I have had the 24" for the Chicago and Quebec events. and Qite happy. However, I need to sit up straight and would like a little highter shield. That is what prompted Mark to consider a larger shield and base.

 

[mdr]

I am 6' 2" and using the 24" shield.
I have it adjusted at full height with about a 5-10 degree top to rear of bike.
I have a nice pocket provided I do not lean way back in the seat. I also find that my riding partner is feeling some head bobbing until movement clost to me.
I have talked to Mark ( Madstad ) about this and he is making me a larger sheld and platform. ( this will be a proto item until it has been tested) I am happy that he has selected me to test his product. I am only about 1.5 hours away.
Back to the existing shield, I have had the 24" for the Chicago and Quebec events. and Qite happy. However, I need to sit up straight and would like a little highter shield. That is what prompted Mark to consider a larger shield and base.

Thanks, Effjamis. I tried it straight up with no angle and straight up and out, so I'll use the specs you mentioned and see how it works. Mark over at Madstad is great to work with, and it's cool he is building a larger shield for you to test. Have you noticed a negative effect on your mpg with the 24" shield?

 

[Rando]

I used to have the large F1 slider and I had it all the way up and it really wasn't effective.

I have the same shield and it works great, then again I am only 6'. My wife has the CHAD and if I had to pick another shield, I would get a CHAD.

 

[effgjamis]

I have the same shield and it works great, then again I am only 6'. My wife has the CHAD and if I had to pick another shield, I would get a CHAD.

I have had a CALSI, EVOIII, F1, Rifle and now the Madstad.
All of the others work do a degree but mileage is effected, in my case, very poorly.
The MadStad has, at this time Performed for me better than all, with the exception of the Rifle which only consumed gas as compared to the MadStad.
I think you can read into this message that I am more than Happy with the Madstad shield and its setup as this thred was started for the purpose of discussion of the MadStad, however, we all have our own opinions about the results we achieve by our styles of ride and wishes as to what is best for us.
So at this point, my vote is for the Madstad.

 

[Desert Spyder]

The MadStad will drive you mad to adjust for sure. I'm 6'1" and 30 inseam using the 24 in shield. I put my brkts on the opposite side of the cowling (RS to LS) which will put them upside down. I can get a little more height this way. There is about a 3" gap on the bottom between the shield and the cowling and I would guess the shield is about 75 degrees or less. My eyes now peer just over the shield when I'm driving but I'm a sloucher. Very little turb. I gauge this by how well my helmet speakers works (audiohelmet.com) which are a cheap set.
When I first put the shield on it definatly hit the gas tank. Now its a respectful 22-25 mpg which is not great but respectful in Spyder standards. I just wish the MS was easier to adjust so you can change it on the fly.

 

[mdr]

The MadStad will drive you mad to adjust for sure. I'm 6'1" and 30 inseam using the 24 in shield. I put my brkts on the opposite side of the cowling (RS to LS) which will put them upside down. I can get a little more height this way. There is about a 3" gap on the bottom between the shield and the cowling and I would guess the shield is about 75 degrees or less. My eyes now peer just over the shield when I'm driving but I'm a sloucher. Very little turb. I gauge this by how well my helmet speakers works (audiohelmet.com) which are a cheap set.
When I first put the shield on it definatly hit the gas tank. Now its a respectful 22-25 mpg which is not great but respectful in Spyder standards. I just wish the MS was easier to adjust so you can change it on the fly.

Thanks for the feedback. I hadn't heard of switching the brackets--interesting idea. It seems like most taller folks went with the 24 inch screen, so I may have to move up to that size if I can't make the 22 work. My spyder is in the shop right now for service, so when I get it back next week I'll play around some more. I agree that it would be great if it was easier to adjust.

 

[Campverdefela]

Thanks for the feedback. I hadn't heard of switching the brackets--interesting idea. It seems like most taller folks went with the 24 inch screen, so I may have to move up to that size if I can't make the 22 work. My spyder is in the shop right now for service, so when I get it back next week I'll play around some more. I agree that it would be great if it was easier to adjust.

I am 6ft and have the 22" madstad setup set all the way up, slightly angeled back and with about 3" of space between the windscreen and the metal cowl panel. This works just fine for me but you have to understand that the system set up like this was never meant to totally block the wind but to diffuse it, thats why even the stock setup has that air gap to allow air to circulate behind the windscreen.

 

[mdr]

"This works just fine for me but you have to understand that the system set up like this was never meant to totally block the wind but to diffuse it,"

I don't mind the wind at all--never even had windshields on my motorcycles. I like feeling the wind which is why I bought the spyder. However, I am getting so much turbulence that it is taking the joy out of the ride over 60 mph, and making things so loud that my ears are suffering as a result.

Thanks for providing the angle you use. As soon as I get my spyder back from the shop, I'll try your suggestion.

 

[Minister]

Yeah, I actually thought about that but I'm not sure if a higher shield necessarily provides better protection? I used to have the large F1 slider and I had iall the way up and it really wasn't effective. I don't mind getting wind--I used to have a harley with no shield--I just hate feeling like a bobble head doll over 60 mph. I tried different helmets and still had the same effect yesterday. When I slid far back in the seat and hunched down I did have a better pocket--just not sure how to direct the shield to get that same effect?

Hi
I'm about your size, 6.0, 32 inseam. I have the 22 in. windscreen and after several adjustments,( the last being after I got to Spyderfest,) I finally got it dialed in. You don't need a taller screen, just the right position. I found you need to tilt the brackets out at the bottom to get plenty of airflow underneath. I have it on about a 75 degree tilt, and for the first time on any of my bikes, I have no head buffeting yes!!
P.S. It's not even all the way up. hyea:hyea:

 

[mdr]

Hi
I'm about your size, 6.0, 32 inseam. I have the 22 in. windscreen and after several adjustments,( the last being after I got to Spyderfest,) I finally got it dialed in. You don't need a taller screen, just the right position. I found you need to tilt the brackets out at the bottom to get plenty of airflow underneath. I have it on about a 75 degree tilt, and for the first time on any of my bikes, I have no head buffeting yes!!
P.S. It's not even all the way up. hyea:hyea:

Since my last post I was able to find the sweet spot with the madstad. I get very little turbulence up to 80 mph, which is faster than I probably should be driving! I ditched the little wrench they sent along to make adjustments, and found tools that made the process much easier. I've had it locked in the same place for months.

 

[bone crusher]

For those who purchased the Madstad system and screen, I'm wondering how you found your "sweet spot" and where it is on your Spyder. It would help to include your height/inseam, size of shield, risers, and pics if you have them. I adjusted the Madstad about 6 different ways yesterday, but I'm still getting pretty bad bobbing and noise over 60 mph. I'm 6 feet tall, 32 inseam, 4 inch risers, 22 inch madstad screen. I love the design and the way it looks, just hoping I might learn from some of you who have made it work. Thanks!

You might've done better with the higher shield...would help you with this problem...I spoke with Mark and he advised that I get the highest one possible...I am 6'1" and have risers...