Prima windshield and 65

mrandmrslindholm · Post by **mrandmrslindholm** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 2:19 am

Got my shipment from Scooterworks this week. It was like Christmas. I was so excited. My husband installed my Prima windshield and with the new mounting plate, put the top case back on. I took my Buddy out for a spin and got him up to 65 mph before I ran out of pavement. There was more in him! Scooterworks also sent me a free Genuine keychain which was really cool. That was on my list to purchase.

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 2:42 am

Even at 44 years old...yeah I still love getting pachages ,too!. Just like Christmas!...Glad you liked your stuff.

easy · Post by **easy** » Fri Sep 09, 2011 3:41 am

yeah me too I got a ncy clutch and ncy bell housing waiting for me when I get home.

Post by **ericalm** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 12:11 am

Windshield, FTW!

(That's for the windshield haters out there.

)

Raiderfn31 · Post by **Raiderfn31** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 12:29 am

ericalm wrote:Windshield, FTW!

(That's for the windshield haters out there. )

I like the clean look and dont go 60+ at extended intervals. When I go interstate, Ill have one. Plus I like the wind in my FF.

mrandmrslindholm · Post by **mrandmrslindholm** » Sat Sep 10, 2011 2:46 am

The windshield has been great. I am bit on the small side so I was getting pushed around by the wind. The windshield has cut that down considerably. I had a great ride tonight and am going to want to ride all day tomorrow (we are supposed to get temps in the 80s). Plus, my husband passed the test today and now has his permit. So, we just need a loaner until we can pick up an Italia for him. Then, we will be off and running.

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 2:06 am

Yep, there are people on this forum who swear by windshields, and those that can't stand them.

I'm with you though. I don't like feeling buffetted by the wind, and kinda like cutting down bug splatter and rain drops a bit too.

Besides, I like how Little Bit looks with the windshield. Like he's more serious, or something.

HowHH · Post by **HowHH** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 2:49 pm

When I got my Blackjack, I also got a windscreen in the deal (seems to be the short Cuppini Buddy). I wasn't crazy about the mounting hardware, but I really didn't like the way the handling was affected as well as the wind noise and helmet buffeting. I'm not a tall rider by any means (under 5'6) so I'm not sure why it didn't send the over my head like others' have reported.

Anyways, I gave another shot recently. The wind has been nice on the warm days of summer, but now that it's starting to cool down again I was motivated to cut down on the cold air. Also, on long higher speed rides, the constant wind pressure on the chest was tiring.

First, I tried out the windscreen again. No matter how I adjusted it, did not like the handling/turbulence/noise.

Decided to cut off a couple of inches in height. Handling improved, but still a lot of noise and helmet turbulence. Also, the air circulation through the helmet was adversely affected, thereby fogging up more easily.

Before taking the plunge to try an alternative windscreen, I decided yesterday to cut down the screen even more. Took it down an inch, then another inch.

Conclusion: I think I can now live with it. Acceleration seems noticeably faster and easier to reach higher speeds. Also the front end now does not lighten up. Feels more planted. More wind noise than without a screen but tolerable. No wind pressure on the chest. Wind is now seems to on neck and shoulders, but overall a warmer ride in the cool morning and hopefully warmer as the temps continue to drop.

Still not crazy about the mounting hardware. Somewhat crude and looks tacked on. Not consistent with the quality of the rest of the scooter build. Check out the screen in the thread started by MB member, rexma: viewtopic.php?t=19019&highlight=goggles. It looks like the mounting hardware is under the handlebars, as on a Vespa. Too bad this is not available here.

MYSCTR · Post by **MYSCTR** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 12:27 am

To each their own...

We have three of the Cuppini short windshields and love them.

Our daughter has her scoot in Austin and the first thing she called to ask was would we bring her windshield down so she doesn't have to "hang on so tight". I think that means so she can drive faster as anything under 45 really does not seem to make much difference - well maybe to her.

Speaking of hardware - we did not like the Prima hardware so again to each their own yet we could see where it would block pretty much anything.

Freedom from the wind, freedom to go faster!

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Tue Sep 13, 2011 5:31 am

Howhh: Can you provide a picture of your scooter from the front? You have me curious how tall your windshield ended up being.

The following picture was from a couple of years ago...taken right before I switched to a modular full-faced helmet, and before I went with high-viz yellow jacket & helmet.

I kinda look like I was wading here....

Anyway, it shows how high my windshield is compared to my helmet (I'm 5'4").

HowHH · Post by **HowHH** » Thu Sep 15, 2011 10:48 pm

michelle_7728 wrote:Howhh: Can you provide a picture of your scooter from the front? You have me curious how tall your windshield ended up being.

Here's a couple shots:

MYSCTR · Post by **MYSCTR** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 12:37 am

Looks totally sporty - almost like the speedbike windshields - works well on the Blackjack

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 4:51 am

Howhh:

It does look very nice (I like the reflective striping on the side and your topcase too), but I was really wondering where it hits you now. I don't suppose you could post a picture with you on it?

Not meaning to be a pain, but I'm curious where it comes up to on you to see that and compare it to what you said earlier. We haven't had a lot of people on the forum experimenting with windshield height (that I know of at any rate). Usually it's an all or nothing thing. This (yours) is an interesting topic.

HowHH · Post by **HowHH** » Fri Sep 16, 2011 2:23 pm

michelle_7728 wrote:Howhh:

It does look very nice (I like the reflective striping on the side and your topcase too), but I was really wondering where it hits you now. I don't suppose you could post a picture with you on it?

I'll try and get some additional pics this weekend. I still have mixed feelings about the windscreen. Cut down does seem better for me, at least, than full size. The wind protection is pretty good. It was 42 degrees this morning on my ride into work, and the lack of wind on my torso resulted in a warmer ride than similar temps in the early spring without the windscreen. It was raining yesterday on my way home, and the rain protection was pretty good as well. The air hits my neck and shoulders, but this is not very chilling.

The thing that might be the deal-breaker though is the wind noise. It's my understanding that the "dirty" air from windscreen turbulence causes more helmet noise than the "clean" airstream from a naked bike. The wind noise is less for me now than when it was full size, but still bothersome. This seems to be speed related too. At 50-55+ the wind noise with the screen is roughly equal to without. Seems noisier with the screen at 35-50.

I plan to try some things: Different helmet - I don't have the quietest helmet so may have a different result with something else. Could also add some sort of diverter at the top of the screen. I've noticed some screens have more complex shapes to divert the wind flow. Perhaps try a different screen. The Puig 970 looks like it might work, but this would be a gamble. I haven't heard of anyone with the Puig on the Buddy. Another scooter might also be the way to go. I'm considering adding a bigger scooter with integrated windscreen protection. Then I could let the Blackjack go naked. This option would be more expensive than trying another screen, but... then I'd have two scooters!

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 4:44 am

Ear plugs.

Believe it or not, you can still hear the tires of cars that are next to you, and if you have something like the Scala Rider you can still hear someone talking to you.

Also, have you looked into something like the Laminar Lip?

Dr. Rock · Post by **Dr. Rock** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 7:27 am

Have ridden with my Prima medium for over a year now.

Miss quite a few things about the open air such as 63 days over 100 this summer without direct airflow.

Love how it catches tons of crap that seems to be a magnet to me and the general slight gas mileage improvement along with a tad bit more high end, plus easy to hide in a 40mph blast. (I do live in Oklahoma). Plus it's GREAT in the colder weather, especially if geared up nice.

Anyhoo, I rode before I had it and loved it, Now a year plus into one and I love it. As stated a million times, love it or hate it.

HowHH · Post by **HowHH** » Sat Sep 17, 2011 4:31 pm

michelle_7728 wrote:Ear plugs.

Believe it or not, you can still hear the tires of cars that are next to you, and if you have something like the Scala Rider you can still hear someone talking to you.

Also, have you looked into something like the Laminar Lip?

I do use earplugs and they help a little bit. I think part of the problem is that air is getting in under the helmet skirt. I recently ordered a WIndjammer wind blocker. We'll see how that goes before the next step.

I have considered the laminar lip. I did bend one of the cut off pieces to try and make a diy laminar lip to see if it did anything. Not much, but I may not have the right curve. The laminar lip is pricey ($84), but they do have a 30-day return policy. If it works it would be worth it. If it doesn't work I can always give a Puig a try.

HowHH · Post by **HowHH** » Tue Sep 27, 2011 2:51 pm

No updated pics yet, but I do have an update on the windscreen.

Despite the benefits of the windscreen as previously described, I just could no longer take the wind noise. I went on a long group ride Saturday, and my ears were ringing even with ear plugs. Instead of just getting rid of the windscreen, however, I decided to experiment with cutting it down even more. I figured that as it now had no resale value because of my alterations, I had nothing to lose.

The top of the screen is now about 6" above the headlight. The bottom of the screen clears the headlight by about 3/8". Pretty much like a Vespa flyscreen. I now have more wind on my upper chest and shoulders than before, but the wind pressure is reduced compared to no screen at all. Makes higher speed riding more comfortable. For me at least, with the with screen so low, my helmet is now sitting in clean air, so no more bad wind noise.