In Search Of: The Perfect Windscreen

[Spud]

So I put on the Rifle this weekend. The angle optimizers lined up perfectly. I got to the windshield itself. I started installing the 6 nylon screws. Things didn't seem to be quite lining up. I've put on the stock and yamaha touring and swapped them many times--they line up perfectly. I finally got all 6 nylon screws into the threads on the new Rifle's w/help of a second set of hands while I had to bend the screen a bit. The threads did then line up and I was able to tighten them. I do fear however that they won't be re-usable after I pull them out again, and I don't love the idea of a bunch of tension where it's now mounted.

I think I'll give them a call and ask if they've had this issue before w/other FJR customers. Anyone else experience this?

A really short ride on the bike seemed to confirm that the shield is fantastic. I noticed smooth air with no buffeting and no back-pressure. I can't wait to get it out on the road for a real ride.

 

[Ed Sidders]

So I put on the Rifle this weekend. The angle optimizers lined up perfectly. I got to the windshield itself. I started installing the 6 nylon screws. Things didn't seem to be quite lining up. I've put on the stock and yamaha touring and swapped them many times--they line up perfectly. I finally got all 6 nylon screws into the threads on the new Rifle's w/help of a second set of hands while I had to bend the screen a bit. The threads did then line up and I was able to tighten them. I do fear however that they won't be re-usable after I pull them out again, and I don't love the idea of a bunch of tension where it's now mounted.

I think I'll give them a call and ask if they've had this issue before w/other FJR customers. Anyone else experience this?

A really short ride on the bike seemed to confirm that the shield is fantastic. I noticed smooth air with no buffeting and no back-pressure. I can't wait to get it out on the road for a real ride.

I used a tiny rat tail file on the windshield screw holes to give them a little relief....Learned a long time ago to never put anything together in a strain.......Ran a tap thru the threaded holes in the blocks to clean the threads.....Report Later..........

 

[Spud]

Did you have the same issue with a Rifle? I considered doing just what you said but then wondered how secure the screen would be mounted if there was some play in the mounting holes. I called Rifle--the lady was very nice and is sending me a set of extra nylon screws as I told her I didn't think mine would be re-usable. Maybe I'll pull it when the new screws arrive and do what you suggest.

 

[Excaleng]

Did you have the same issue with a Rifle? I considered doing just what you said but then wondered how secure the screen would be mounted if there was some play in the mounting holes. I called Rifle--the lady was very nice and is sending me a set of extra nylon screws as I told her I didn't think mine would be re-usable. Maybe I'll pull it when the new screws arrive and do what you suggest.

I experienced a slight hole mis-alignment also when fitting my Rifle screen and got around it the same way you did through gentle persuasion. I think I'll use my Dremel to slightly modify the holes and remove the slight strain on those plastic screws.

 

[Ed Sidders]

On mine the three right hand screws went in OK along with the center left hand screw.The only holes that really needed any work was the top and bottom on the left side...My personal opinion is that all the holes were a tiny bit on the small side so I opened all of them up just a little..I didn't want any undue strain on the lifting mechanism or the windscereen material..I did not check to see whether the blocks or the windshield holes were not spaced right as it was obivous the cure was to slot the windshield side...I don't recommend using a dremel because it will remove material before before you know what happened , a small rat tail file gives you much better control.Then you can use a hand held Dremel cone shaped stone to slightly radius the edges of the holes.This helps prevent cracks from starting....Ed

 

[Spud]

Interesting--seems a common issue with the Rifle. The lady I called there was very nice, and stated something to the effect that she was the one that personally lined things up to get the holes set. I think I'll forward a link to this topic to her as it appears they may have a slight misalignment on whatever tool they use to locate the holes. I also think I'll pull my screen off and re-mount with the replacement screws their sending after a little touch up work with a file.

 

[Auron]

Got a chance to try out my Cee Bailey +0+2+MRA and I must say it's awesome. I'm 5'10 and not very wide but I'd highly recommend mounting one to an aftermarket shield that isn't a whole lot taller than stock. Being able to adjust the flip even one notch seems to make a difference, you can't have more customization IMO.

 

[SoCalFJR1300]

Was talking to CAL SCI a few days ago, guy at customer service told me thay don't tint ANY of their higher than stock windscreens because it's "not safe".

They must be worried about possible lawsuits or something if someone crashes with a tinted touring size screen.

 

[FjrSwed]

Ok i finally decided to go for the rifle windscreen.

Impossible to say and read what could suit me best. I have to try i hope for the best.

I was just wonder if anyone can find out real pictures on a fjr with the different colors on the windscreens. I had a smoked one on a ninja a cople of years ago and it really was nice looking. I never look thru it do so perhaps that must be to reconsiderer now. The clear one is ok, but a colord one should be nicer.

I'm 5,10-5,11 with a 31 inch insame so i think the plus 3 will do nicely but i'm about to mail Rifle and ask for their opinion.

Many thx Peter

 

[Spud]

The pic at the top of this page is the "medium bronze" I ordered on mine.

The website also has the "medium bronze" on an FJR (below). On sizing, I went with the +3 and I'm between 6' and 6'1", and I think it's plenty tall, although I haven't had it out on a road trip yet. I don't think you want bigger than that at your size.

 

[Riona]

I just bought a new-to-me 2009 FJR1300AE and rode home the 50 miles from Tacoma to Redmond, WA on a bright March day.

I already want to swap out the wind shield, so the first thing I did was join the forum and read this post.

I'm female, 5' 8" with a 31 inside leg, 160 lbs. I wear a Schuberth helmet. I found I could not get a good position for the stock screen, unless I put it all the way up and ducked down behind it (which isn't tenable for very long ..).

So, rifle or v-stream or cee bailey are the names I see mentioned most, with rifle coming out ahead. But all you guys are bigger than I am. Any short riders (or female drivers ?) out there willing to comment ?

If I do get a tinted screen, what looks good with the titanium finish on my AE ?

Thanks,

Riona

 

[Ed Sidders]

Any one had any neck/shoulder soreness after going to the bigger screens like the Rifle?

I've run stock or Yamaha tall on all 3 of my FJRs and never had a problem until I put a Rifle +3 on last June. Figured it might be the helmet since I also got a new Nolan 104. Changed to a Nolan N90 and added 1 inch risers, but still in pain. I've used the Nolan 103 and older for years, and didn't have problems with my Scorpion or other Nolans until now.

I ride with the Rifle down mostly, but run it up to just before back pressure on windy rides. Neck hurts after 250-300 miles. I used to do 400-500 mile days with nothing but a sore ***. Hate to admit I am getting old, but it seems strange the pain started after the Rifle, when I rode 1000 miles to SW-Fog about 6 months before with a stock w/s and a Scorpion in pretty reasonable comfort.

It's really amazing how this screen works for me , really shows how different people view things... I bought Mine from Zippp on this forum and can't find anything to complain about...I'm now shrinking from 6'3'' to about 6' and 235# ,42x34 pants size, I don't have the nerve to mention my wife's size but this is the finest screen we have used since the original Windjammer on a Honda 750-K4...I also use a Nolan N-90 lid.......

 

[escapefjrtist]

I just bought a new-to-me 2009 FJR1300AE and rode home the 50 miles from Tacoma to Redmond, WA on a bright March day.
I already want to swap out the wind shield, so the first thing I did was join the forum and read this post.

I'm female, 5' 8" with a 31 inside leg, 160 lbs. I wear a Schuberth helmet. I found I could not get a good position for the stock screen, unless I put it all the way up and ducked down behind it (which isn't tenable for very long ..).

So, rifle or v-stream or cee bailey are the names I see mentioned most, with rifle coming out ahead. But all you guys are bigger than I am. Any short riders (or female drivers ?) out there willing to comment ?

If I do get a tinted screen, what looks good with the titanium finish on my AE ?

Thanks,

Riona

Swing by the PNW Tech Meet in May and you'll see a lot of different ideas regarding windshields. I have a Cee Bailey lite gray on my '09.

--G

 

[FjrSwed]

Thx for the respons, i would say that the dark grey goes away. The medium bronze looks really nice but not sure it would match my bike.

I got the desert metallic paint. Have mailed to rifle yeasterday waiting for some feedback regarding the size recommended for me and the question about the drilling that was not 100% that someone meantion.

 

[blufjr]

Any one had any neck/shoulder soreness after going to the bigger screens like the Rifle?

I've run stock or Yamaha tall on all 3 of my FJRs and never had a problem until I put a Rifle +3 on last June. Figured it might be the helmet since I also got a new Nolan 104. Changed to a Nolan N90 and added 1 inch risers, but still in pain. I've used the Nolan 103 and older for years, and didn't have problems with my Scorpion or other Nolans until now.

I ride with the Rifle down mostly, but run it up to just before back pressure on windy rides. Neck hurts after 250-300 miles. I used to do 400-500 mile days with nothing but a sore ***. Hate to admit I am getting old, but it seems strange the pain started after the Rifle, when I rode 1000 miles to SW-Fog about 6 months before with a stock w/s and a Scorpion in pretty reasonable comfort.

I had the same issue with the VStream when I went to Alaska. On the second day, I got this pain just below my neck, high in my shoulders. I got good wind protection and didn't feel that much pressure on my back but after four days, it was almost unbearable, enough to go home. The vstream came off and I went to a Yamaha Touring, and now it is off and I am back to the OEM. Can't beat the OEM for when you want to mix it up in the curves, lower is better.

 

[Harald]

I just bought a new-to-me 2009 FJR1300AE and rode home the 50 miles from Tacoma to Redmond, WA on a bright March day.
I already want to swap out the wind shield, so the first thing I did was join the forum and read this post.

I'm female, 5' 8" with a 31 inside leg, 160 lbs. I wear a Schuberth helmet. I found I could not get a good position for the stock screen, unless I put it all the way up and ducked down behind it (which isn't tenable for very long ..).

So, rifle or v-stream or cee bailey are the names I see mentioned most, with rifle coming out ahead. But all you guys are bigger than I am. Any short riders (or female drivers ?) out there willing to comment ?

If I do get a tinted screen, what looks good with the titanium finish on my AE ?

Thanks,

Riona

George mentioned the upcoming Tech day as a great opportunity to check out different shields. If you're in a hurry, you're welcome to stop by my house near Tacoma and try out any of my shields. I have a Vstream and a Cee Bailey that's stock width, but has a 2inch reverse contour height increase. I also have a cutdown stock shield.

I've had a few local FJR riders take me up on my offer because you can't beat a free trial when the alternative is spending money on shields that won't work for you. Send me a pm if interested.

 

[Riona]

Thanks for the offer, Harald - I'll PM you

 

[FjrSwed]

Got an answer from rifle, they have adjusted the drilling holes slightly now. So everything should fit 100%.

 

[Spud]

Finally got a chance to really try out the Rifle. Here's my review.

I've previously used the stock and the Yamaha Touring. I actually like the stock a lot for hot weather and will probably swap it on when it heats up. The Touring gave good protection but I realized there was a lot of buffeting.

The Rifle is definitely different. First, sorry but it's sort of ugly on the front of the bike, because it gives a "double decker" look due to the tuning blocks. That tilts the whole thing toward you. It also opens up air on the bottom. So, how does it work? Really, really well.

Riding with a baseball cap on (sorry, nannies, yes it happens sometimes...) on the stock or esp. the touring, there's an upward flow of air above about 25 or 30 mph that will lift the cap right off my head. Or you can lower the screen and it will blow off backward. With the Rifle, I only went to maybe 45 mph but the cap just sat on my head. Calm air.

The next big thing is how quiet it is. I'm hearing stuff in the induction and other engine noises I don't ever recall hearing. My first quick blast up into the foothills to clear out winter cobwebs, I realized I didn't have earplugs (I almost always wear them on a "real ride"). Up to 75 or it was quieter in my helmet than I've ever experienced. Again, it's the calm air.

Finally 2 days ago the weather was good enough I ran out of the office early to head to Jackson WY for a burger. Seeing the snow clouds toward Teton Pass, I routed instead over to Alpine, WY. Round trip was about 150 miles. I got a little rain, some sleet, some gusty winds and hit about 125 across the flats, so it was a good real test of the shield.

I'm very happy with the purchase. I was peeved about having to file the holes as it wasn't drilled just right, but otherwise it's clearly a nice screen with a lot of thought and engineering in the design. The lack of buffeting and pocket of very calm air should do a lot to really reduce fatigue on long, fast days. It's a keeper!

 

[KTMRIDER]

Spud,

Which size sheild and also your dimensions