Windshield - buffeting and bugs

speedway16 · 04-28-2003, 06:31 PM

Opinions needed...

I'm getting tremendous amounts of buffeting (and bugs)...almost unbearable. Seems like the wind hits me right at neck height. I'm 6' 00" and ride with an Arai helmet. My bike is an '02 SA with standard handlebars and the standard (18") BMW windshield.

I've searched previous 'windshield' threads, but couldn't find anything conclusive. Some people recommend shorter, some recommed taller.

These seem to be the options:
1) BMW's tall windshield
2) Cee Bailey's - various models
3) Zero Gravity - I think they may have quit making windshields for the "S"
4) BMW Santa Cruz (Wunderlich) has the "Shadow" windshield - anyone got feedback on this model?

shannonnunley · 04-28-2003, 08:57 PM

don't forget gustaffson... mine minimizes buffeting and looks cool (except from the front)

shannonnunley · 04-28-2003, 09:05 PM

shovelstrokeed · 04-28-2003, 10:31 PM

Speedway,
Try changing your jacket. I'm 5'11" and my S and VFR are the 2 quietest bikes I own. Had to take the shoulder pads out of my Joe Rocket Phoenix or wear my Airtech 1 jacket. Lotsa wind comes off the shoulders and blows right up inside the lid.

Ed

Kurt E. · 04-29-2003, 05:04 AM

Speedway:

I'm asking the same question. The stock windshield on my '99 allows airflow over my shoulders and under my Arai. Even with earplugs in, wind noise is overwhelming.

Zero Gravity is out of the "S" winshield business. I'm leaning towards Cee Bailey, since they've got a bulletproof reputation and are considerably less expensive than BMW replacement windshields.

Nitro · Nitro's Garage

Probably the Cee Bailey 16" Convex will deflect air a bit more over the stock short BMW, the concave one is virtually the same as stock. I personally do not like the look of the long and the turing ones.

DanceswPavement · 04-29-2003, 06:48 AM

Parabellum makes shields for bmw's. I swapped the stock (tall version) for a 20" and it cut down on the noise, though I wouldn't say it's quiet. They come in several heights.

BMW Atlanta · 04-29-2003, 07:00 AM

I am 6'2" and wear an Arai Signet. I have a Prep with low bars and standard (low) windscreen. I wear earplugs and find wind is not an issue what so ever for me. I have experienced more turbulence on "S" bikes with the comfort bars and screen then the low "non" comfort set up,........seems like a contradiction to me.

island_dude · 04-29-2003, 07:02 AM

I have an Arai and I am exactly 6' 0" too. I was once bothered by the buffeting (the bugs are always a pain). I get the collar of my jacket up to the base of the helmet and the noise drops hugely. Riding position makes a huge difference. Leaning way forward helps some. Oddly enough, riding curser style causes the wind to hit my chest and avoid the helmet. It gets dead quiet even without ear plugs. I am growing to like the stock shield more and more though. I guess I just expect a slightly windy ride. I find that it works pretty good up to 110 (haven't had the balls to go higher).

MoDog · 04-29-2003, 09:06 AM

shannonnunley...what is the height and model of your windscreen?

Otherwise, I went with the lower bars on my '02 and got some relief with the stock 18" screen, but I've been "looking for answers" as far as the bug issue goes. I do a lot of long days, and the bugs do get on my nerves...especially along the waterways and farm land.

I may well try the Convex from Cee Bailey's next. A friend down in Laramie tried the 24" Cee Bailey's Touring shield, and he said that it made the air flow in such a way as to cause the screen to "suck down" and cause evn more buffetting than the stock 18 incher.

Gustaffson makes a MRA style screen that's +2 more than the MRA. I wonder about that one as well. I tried a 22" Parabellum when I had the higher bars and found it pretty nice for protection, but (to me) there was a low frequency wind hum that I found to be pretty annoying, plus the darn thing sure shook around a lot in the airstreams of nearby traffic. I've thought about trying a 20" now that I've switched to the lower bars.

As far as I'm concerned, the "S" is the perfect sport touring bike for my style of riding...the major shortfall (other than the gas tank) is the windscreen. I'd sure like to hear from anyone who has tried any of the other options...especially the newer ones like Cee Bailey's and the MRA copy.

shannonnunley · 04-29-2003, 09:54 AM

http://www.bikescreen.com/product2.htm

I believe mine is the 21 inch (bought it used). I got tired of the stock windcreen after a few long rides. I like the gustaffson because I didn't have to sacrifice too much form to get the functionality I wanted. Also, very sturdy plastic that doesn't rattle around. Buffeting is minimal and the shape of the windscreen flows with that of the ferring.

Dave Hopkins · 04-29-2003, 02:46 PM

Scroll back up to “shoverstrokeed” post and read carefully! I have a two piece suit that is too big, when I wear it on a sport bike the wind lifts up a cup shape on top of the shoulder that not only give me buffeting, makes too much noise, pulls me all over the road. My preference is a one piece suit that is slightly snug top to bottom. I feel it is far more important to have a smooth top shoulder and have the wind flow around your helmet than to try & hide behind a behemoth windscreen.

speedway16 · 04-29-2003, 05:33 PM

MoDog- I'm showing my ignorance...you mention Gustaffson's MRA style screen...what's an "MRA" style? I'm in the military so I'm pretty good with acronyms but this one has me stumped.

Everyone-

1) Has anyone tried the "Shadow" windshield offered by BMW Santa Cruz? I think it is a Wunderlich product.

2) Has anyone else tried the Parabellum products? Good? Bad? I like the fact they advertise a free 30 day trial on their website. Seems like they are very BMW savy.

3) How about Cee Baileys? Anyone else had a problem with Cee Bailey's touring model 'sucking down?'

Thanks for all the feedback

shovelstrokeed · 04-29-2003, 05:43 PM

David gets it!
Ed

MoDog · 04-30-2003, 07:13 AM

Speedway:

MRA is a windscreen made in Germany. It wasn't at first available in the U.S. but it is now distributed by Wunderlich (I think)...it may be the "Shadow" that you refer to. Anyway, when the screen wasn't available stateside, Gustaffson copied it and added two inches of height to it. It's on the the Gustaffson website. I looks interesting. I wish I had the time and money to try them all.

http://www.bikescreen.com/product2.htm

RBMann · 04-30-2003, 01:34 PM

At 6'2", I have a 22" parabellum which dumps all the wind, buffeting and noise into my faceshield. It does help keep the wind and rain off the torso which is good for winter commuting. When I use it people ask why I did not buy an RT.

I have the stock comfort BMW shield, which is OK for a compromise.

I also have a 11" Zero Gravity that I use the most. The wind blast hits the chest, makes the least noise and the wind pressure takes some weight off my wrists. I like the looks too.

RB