Oh WOW!!! Three photos of me in a row.
Ride test report. CalSci v. Rifle v. VStream
Bike: 2006 A California model. Stock suspension with unaltered settings. Rick Meyer seat in high position.
Rider: 6’3” 210 lbs. Long arms and legs.
Weather: clear, dry, calm, 70 degrees
Speed: 0 to big numbers.
I’ve had the Cal Sci tall, Rifle +3 and the VStream screens. None is perfect and each varies from the others.
I could never get the CalSci tall to be right for me. It seemed about 2” short of eliminating wind noise. At the top setting the edge of the screen split my vision. However, there was very little back pressure, no doubt because of the hole. But, I sold it and moved on. I hope the buyer is happy with it.
The Rifle provides a very nice noise reduction at the tall setting. Quieter than the Cal Sci tall and almost noise free. I look over the top of it at that setting. However, the back pressure is significant and bothersome – despite the Rifle tilt block. Maybe I’ll put a hole in it. IMO it’s the best looking screen, probably because of the tint.
The VStream is quieter than the Cal-Sci at the top setting but not as quiet as the Rifle. I look over the top of it as well. Some back pressure but not as much as the Rifle. Much to my surprise, it is quieter than the Rifle at the bottom setting. Both provide a relatively buffet free air stream at all settings. Neither is as smooth as standing on the pegs and putting my helmet in clean air.
So, as between the Rifle and the Vstream, in my experience the Rifle is quieter at the top and the VStream quieter at the bottom. Buffeting is not a problem with either. The Vstream back pressure is less and it’s not as bothersome as the Rifle’s.
Finally, I’ve come to the conclusion that the real difficulty with the FJR windscreen – in terms of providing dead air for guys my height - is not size but the distance between the screen and the rider. With any of these screens, if I move my head 3 or 4 inches closer to the screen there is no turbulence or wind noise. None.
I think I’ll cut down the stock screen and try it for fair weather.
The Vstream mounted:
Down:
Up:
The Rifle mounted (down position)