Windshields

krylonics · Post by **krylonics** » Tue May 22, 2007 12:28 am

Considering the impending Cicada swarm that is going to hit the Great Lakes region I was considering a windshield. I was wondering if anyone would like to share there firsthand experiences. I was considering the Cuppini short shield for 07 Buddys from Scooterworks. Granted its not tall enough to give me full protection but with my shield down on my 3/4 helmet it should be decent. Its gotta be better than a shrimp sized bug to the chest at 50 mph, right?

codemonkey · Post by **codemonkey** » Tue May 22, 2007 1:21 am

I just installed my windshield yesterday. It was a giant pain but I got it on. It really helps with the wind but you get this weird wind-tunnel sound while you're riding.

Scootin_in_MS · Post by **Scootin_in_MS** » Tue May 22, 2007 2:00 am

I have the medium windshield. It goes up high enough to block my body, but ends just below my eye level. It really helps during love-bug season down here. Cicadas are a lot bigger than love-bugs, but I think it would work...

Jody

Elm Creek Smith · Post by **Elm Creek Smith** » Tue May 22, 2007 2:08 am

I have the Universal Windscreen by Prima, and it is a serious bug killer. June bugs have recently been coming out of the ground, and the only one that has hit me so far got me on the knee. It felt like a rock at 50 mph. We'll get our share of cicadas pretty soon, too. I won't be without a bug killer. The little one is too small, the big one is too tall.

ECS

rajron · Post by **rajron** » Tue May 22, 2007 2:35 am

I’m a believer in the windscreen,
Even without bug infestations windscreens, in my eyes, is a great addition and perhaps the best modification that can be done to these little scoots. I run with the small screen and though it is small it provides huge amounts of protection over a naked scoot, stability at speed has significantly improved. The midsize seems to be a good compromise over the smaller screen which offers minimum protection but great stability, but if you like a fully buffeted ride the large screen is a must, my wife uses the full sized screen on her People – she says its dorky but wouldn’t consider removing it. Several choices and all them providing a better ride on the scoot and protection against the bugs.

soundofsingles · Post by **soundofsingles** » Tue May 22, 2007 4:56 am

I got the small one and I've found that the main thing that it's done is create a lot more wind noise. Yes, it does take some buffeting off of the chest, but the bugs that are at eye level still hit at eye level (I'm 6'). I kinda wish that it was either and inch higher or an inch lower. I may consider cutting it down some so that not so much wind is being redirected at my face.

I'd recommend considering the Prima Universal one as it seems to have a little more adjustabiblity.

healingpath · Post by **healingpath** » Wed May 23, 2007 7:38 pm

I'm wondering if anyone who has added a windshield has noticed any increase in their machine's performance? That is, I just added a short shield to my bike - I expect that fine tuning its position lies ahead - and rode into town this morning (my 30 mile commute). I noticed a significant increase in the bike's speed/power - a full 5mph - , and in its ability to maintain that increased speed, and this is on the up-hill portion of the ride (coming home is more down hill). I guess this isn't an illusion. What with the wind being redirected up and away, instead of having to fight my torso, it looks like the bike breathes a sigh of relief and performs better.

Being a newbee to 2-wheelers, I'd appreciate some feedback from more experienced riders. BTW, I too noticed more wind noise, which I'm hoping I can remedy with some more subtle positioning of the windshield. Any advice here is appreciated also.

Keys · Post by **Keys** » Wed May 23, 2007 10:57 pm

Yes, you will see a slight increase in useable power and in top speed. The reason is that the windshield is slick and relatively streamlined. We, as human beings with jackets and stuff aren't. You can get the same effect if you scootch back and tuck your head way low so the only thing the wind is catching is your helmet. Puts a crick in your neck, though...

--Keys

krylonics · Post by **krylonics** » Wed May 23, 2007 11:55 pm

Thanks for the replies. Lets not forget how cool they look. That may be my main motivation.

EBee · Post by **EBee** » Thu May 24, 2007 1:19 pm

I also have a short screen...one of the best things about getting it was that the rear view mirrors are out much further and give me a MUCH MUCH better view. And it made such a difference in my ride. Before the screen I felt like I was going to blow off at 50 mph...

I'm also thinking it improves MPG...

weaseltamer · Post by **weaseltamer** » Thu May 24, 2007 1:31 pm

Keys wrote: You can get the same effect if you scootch back and tuck your head way low so the only thing the wind is catching is your helmet. Puts a crick in your neck, though...

--Keys

haha you said scootch!!

krylonics · Post by **krylonics** » Thu May 24, 2007 7:39 pm

Keys wrote:Yes, you will see a slight increase in useable power and in top speed. The reason is that the windshield is slick and relatively streamlined. We, as human beings with jackets and stuff aren't. You can get the same effect if you scootch back and tuck your head way low so the only thing the wind is catching is your helmet. Puts a crick in your neck, though...

--Keys

I ride like that just about any time I'm going over 40. It cuts down on the wind a lot, it's fun, and probably looks realy dorky. Happy times.

polianarchy · Post by **polianarchy** » Fri May 25, 2007 3:04 pm

I love my medium-sized windshield. It's the Universal one from Prima. The only time I don't love it is when the wind gusts are over 25mph. Then I feel like I'm wrasslin' for control over my handlebars, which is quite frightening!

healingpath · Post by **healingpath** » Fri May 25, 2007 6:16 pm

polianarchy wrote:I love my medium-sized windshield. It's the Universal one from Prima. The only time I don't love it is when the wind gusts are over 25mph. Then I feel like I'm wrasslin' for control over my handlebars, which is quite frightening!

Just what you describe, and some other stuff along these lines written by POCPhil is the main reason I opted for a short windshield. Here in NM strong winds are not uncommon, so this would be a somewhat regular concern, and not one that I want to deal with.

Anyone have any ideas about how to reduce wind noise when using a windshield? I've tried a couple of shield positions, and have been able to reduce it somewhat, but I still need to wear ear plugs. Someone on another forum has said that by opening his face shield a notch or two, he has had success in eliminating the noise in the helmet. I wonder what this will feel like on the face though?

peabody99 · Post by **peabody99** » Mon May 28, 2007 12:06 am

What is the general E.T.A for the cicadas? I may have to put my large screen on again (which I can only tolerate in very cold weather) I had a bumble bee hit me once in the chest and that sucker hurt. Those locusts would be gross as heck. I assume we are talking about the swarming locusts on the 17 year life cycle?

healingpath · Post by **healingpath** » Mon May 28, 2007 12:27 am

healingpath wrote:Anyone have any ideas about how to reduce wind noise when using a windshield?

Well I've tried the "open the face shield a notch or two" strategy, and at least with my helmet (Fulmer AFD4 full face) it makes matters worse, so forget that. I have now tried 3 different windshield positions - straight up; tilted back a bit; and tilted back more - and the last seems to be the best. Also, I'm learning that wearing ear plugs while riding at speed is actually a recommended strategy, both for reducing noise, and also for reducing fatigue on longer rides, not to mention the simple safety factor of saving your hearing.

I'm concluding that all of this depends on one's specific circumstances: what shield, what helmet, what position, what speeds, etc. Seems like experimentation is going to be the required approach.

krylonics · Post by **krylonics** » Mon May 28, 2007 2:49 am

From what I understand the Cicadas are due real soon. As in a week or two. My neighbor has dug a few up while planting flowers, she said right now they are just lethargic and can't fly.

ICEMAN · Post by **ICEMAN** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 4:37 am

Does anyone have the Cuppini short windscreen for a 2007 Buddy installed? if so what is your opinion of it?

sunshinen · Post by **sunshinen** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 5:56 am

healingpath wrote:Anyone have any ideas about how to reduce wind noise when using a windshield?

I have the tall windshield cut down, and that doesn't seem to have the wind tunnel sound ... unless I stretch. But I have to stretch to see over the windshield if it is raining.

Corsair · Post by **Corsair** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 11:51 am

sunshinen wrote:I have to stretch to see over the windshield if it is raining.

Have you tried using Rain X or the likes?

EBee · Post by **EBee** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 2:22 pm

Corsair wrote:Have you tried using Rain X or the likes?

I was told on another forum that using RainX on plexiglass etc. is not a good idea, it causes the plastic to break down and soften, making marks etc. Just sayin.

There are products specifically for plastic shields that's better to use. I have to go find some!

maryvu · Post by **maryvu** » Thu Jun 07, 2007 7:15 pm

My commute is long (60 some miles round trip), so I'm thinking about getting a windscreen. I'm short, so I'll probably get a small one. Even shorter now, since I just got my seat custom-shaped to accomodate my very short inseam. (details forthcoming in a separate post)

RE: Wind Noise. I use earplugs. They really cut down on the helmet and traffic noise.

later, M

healingpath · Post by **healingpath** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 12:40 am

maryvu wrote:My commute is long (60 some miles round trip), so I'm thinking about getting a windscreen.

By all means, get one. It does make a good difference, and based on my limited experience so far, I'd say that a short one, especially given your shortness, would do just fine.

I'm using ear plugs too, and that helps quite a lot. I've also been looking a bit more closely at some of the "sport" shields on bikes, which seem to be tilted back towards the rider quite a lot. So far I've tried two "tilted back" positions on my screen, and the second one - more tilted - works better, so today I just tilted it back even further, and will see how that works tomorrow.

By the way, my commute is also 60 miles RT, so I really appreciate the difference the windshield has made.

maryvu · Post by **maryvu** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 12:57 am

I notice you have a Kymco scoot. For those of you that have a Prima or Genuine windscreen, can you adjust the tilt angle on these, or is the installation limit this?

Thanks,
Mary
--

codemonkey · Post by **codemonkey** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 1:01 am

I have the prima one. It doesn't seem to be adjustable but it doesn't come with instructions and I'm not handy (I did manage to get it on though.)

pcbikedude · Post by **pcbikedude** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 10:12 pm

I got the Prima one also, without instructions. It took about an hour to install.

The benefits were immediate. The wind noise has been signficantly cut as well as the wind-pushback on me. With the Prima, it mounts on the mirror stems. They give you 2" stem extenders to screw in your mirrors. This has eliminated my blindspot behind me. The stock Buddy mirrors are not very big and my shoulders are wide.

To put it into the words of Jim Cramer, windshields are a "Buy, Buy, Buy" in my book.

cccous · Post by **cccous** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 2:03 am

FYI, 17 yr " Cicada swarm" happen in Cleveland in 1999, It happens this year over by Chicago. So here in Cleveland there will be a run on windshields in 2016.