Windshields? Yay or Nay?

[Raf900]

I think the f 16 looks good as you can get on the zl1000. I would like a fly screen in tint to better see my cluster on bright days zl900
I have the stock small screen on zrx1200 stable and secure at 140 plus. Tuck down at that speed and it is much better

 

[R. J.]

The F 16 also comes in light tint and is 3 inches taller. It is better for taller riders. National Cycle also has an F 15 and a F 18. All 3 has mounting plates that come with them but I was not able to use them on my ZL 10s head light so I put neoprene washers on the inside and outside of the shield a long with a SS fender washer over the outside neoprene washer as to wear the 2 bolts go through the shield to mount to the head light. I also had to buy button head S S allen head bolts about 6 mm longer. http://www.nationalcycle.com/f-series-mt.html .

 

[Ed]

To fit the small F16 on the Zero, I attached the bottom directly with the two lower headlight mounting screws in the upper slot and the top is attached to the meter housing with Velcro. The curvature of the meter housing and the inside of the windshield give the Velcro plenty of surface area and the dark tint doesn't allow the Velcro to show thru. I cut off the bottom two holes so it's actually 2" shorter and lower, what with the the small aspheric lenses's tucked up in there. It's a tight fit to get behind it but it makes a big difference compared to the stock FX dirtbike-like shrouds. I don't think the provided hardware would work with a lot of bikes.

 

[R. J.]

F 15 touring. https://www.amazon.com/National-Cyc...ords=national+cycle+f15&qid=1614389556&sr=8-1 . F 18 sport. https://www.amazon.com/99-02-SUZUKI...ords=national+cycle+f18&qid=1614389889&sr=8-2 . F 16 touring. https://www.amazon.com/National-Cyc...ional+cycle+f16+touring&qid=1614389975&sr=8-3 . F 16 sport. https://www.amazon.com/RPM-National...ational+cycle+f16+sport&qid=1614390158&sr=8-4 . F 15 sport. https://www.amazon.com/99-02-SUZUKI...ational+cycle+f15+sport&qid=1614390280&sr=8-2 .

 

[Trojan441]

I never had a windshield for years and then bought a BMW with a shield on it, up to 120 mph and no effect what so ever. The ZL400 has been over 100 mph with the Givi 604 which fits at two-points to the handlebars, see Avatar pic and it has never rattled or come loose and affords a terrific amount of protection for its size, 15 1/2 inches by 14 1/2 approx' inches Height & Width
I would never ever ride a road touring type bike without a windshield, to me it's a no-brainer, not only does it protect you the rider and pillion if you have one, but it also protects your instruments and front of the machine. My new ZL400 will have a Givi A23 Windshield with an appropriate fitting kit, already posted details and the ZL600A restoration project already has a Give A23 windshield and kit heading my way from the States! I cannot recommend their products enough.

Many Japanese bikes of the 80s had questionable handling without Windshields being fitted, poor rear suspension usually. As a bonus I arrive drier and my leathers are cleaner too, so less work there and I arrive fresher at my destination, when visiting a Lady friend, after a 50 mile ride, so I feel they are an attribute and contribute to a win win situation. Do yourself a favour, buy one and you will never look back!

 

[Trojan441]

When you write about buffeting and rain hitting you with a windshield on are they the right size for your bike and you as the rider? What should happen is the pattern of air flow should cause a reduction in turbulence around the rider and flow higher over his/her head and round the body, so in theory for the rider, less buffeting and getting wet. An unfaired/naked machine has more air-resistance than one with a windshield and a naked machine can have a higher resistance figure at speed than a motorcar!

 

[R. J.]

For a correct windshield heigth. While stitting on your bike in your normal riding position you should be able to look over the windshield with out streching. The correct air flow will then flow properly over the shield then over your helmet. Even when it's raining a windshield is better than not having one.

 

[Trojan441]

For a correct windshield heigth. While stitting on your bike in your normal riding position you should be able to look over the windshield with out streching. The correct air flow will then flow properly over the shield then over your helmet. Even when it's raining a windshield is better than not having one.

Yes, my Givi 604 is set at that height, see photos, the A23 screen is now fork mounted rather than handelbar mounted, with clamps and support brackets, see photo on my new buy Zl400 post.

 

[Ed]

An unfaired/naked machine has more air-resistance than one with a windshield and a naked machine can have a higher resistance figure at speed than a motorcar!

A motorcycle can never have more drag than a small car. It takes less than 50 RWHP to get a big unfaired bike to 100 MPH. A small car would take at least double that. Tucked in on a good sportbike, it only takes about 25 RWHP.

 

[Trojan441]

A motorcycle can never have more drag than a small car. It takes less than 50 RWHP to get a big unfaired bike to 100 MPH. A small car would take at least double that. Tucked in on a good sportbike, it only takes about 25 RWHP.

Well, consider:

Coefficient of Drag: Street, faired motorcycles are notoriously inefficient aero-devices with Coefficient of Drag (Cd) figures in the .6 range. For example a Suzuki Hayabusa has a Cd of .561 whereas a Kawasaki ZX-12 has a Cd of .603. Modern cars often have paid close attention to aerodynamics and may have Cd figures of .3 . Stream-liners may have Cd figures of under .2, perhaps as low as .15 or in some cases figures of .10 have been achieved.

https://www.rbracing-rsr.com/aerohpcalc.html

"The average passenger car on the road today has a drag coefficient (the measure of air resistance) of about 0.33 (a lower number being better). Even a large, blocky car like a full size SUV or my ’87 Westfalia camper rate around 0.4. A racing motorcycle with a smooth, full fairing and professional rider in a full tuck? 0.6!
In other words, those 5’9” jockeys crunched up behind the windscreen of a tiny Moto3 grand prix bike create more drag in the air than a Chevrolet Suburban."
https://canadamotoguide.com/2016/05/04/motorcycle-aerodynamics/

Car have more rolling road frictional resistance too, having 4 wheels!

Apparently the Honda Super-bike is boasting Honda Fireblade CBR1000RR a drag C of D of possibly 0.27, against the average cars 0.3!

Of course C of D, differs from C of D x A. Motorcycles generally have 3 x the C of D, but only a 1/3 the surface area so total drag remains about the same regardless of speed, unless the car is less than 3 x the surface area of the motorcycle!

 

[Ed]

Rolling resistance of the tires is insignificant as it only accounts for a very small percentage of total drag given the right air pressures. C of D is only a part of what matters. It doesn't factor in frontal area which is what gives motorcycles less drag. I did the math and the smallest car can go 100 mph with about 65 HP. Most unfaired bikes take about 35 HP. The Gold Wing is probably the worst but still manages to get better fuel mileage than the average small car. And don't forget about the unavoidable skin drag when trying to reduce turbulence.

 

[Trojan441]

Rolling resistance of the tires is insignificant as it only accounts for a very small percentage of total drag given the right air pressures. C of D is only a part of what matters. It doesn't factor in frontal area which is what gives motorcycles less drag. I did the math and the smallest car can go 100 mph with about 65 HP. Most unfaired bikes take about 35 HP. The Gold Wing is probably the worst but still manages to get better fuel mileage than the average small car. And don't forget about the unavoidable skin drag when trying to reduce turbulence.

Geoff Duke the Norton rider in the late 40s early 50s was the first rider t have a tailored one-piece leather racing suit to reduce drag when racing.

 

[Ed]

This is one of my favorite videos.

 

[Trojan441]

Just curious what you guys think about windshields. No, I'm not planning to put one on my ZL, but I've never even rode a bike that had one. What's it like? Do they vibrate and go crazy at high speeds? Keep the rain off of you maybe? Less fatigue on long rides?

A friend was asking about a bike he's looking at that has one and I didn't really know what to tell him except to try it out and see what you think. Take it off if you don't like it. Personally, I really don't like the looks of them on most bikes.

Get one on your ZL, and you will appreciate their benefits!

 

[Trojan441]

Givi A23 Screen showing fitting for bolting to the fork telescopic legs. Clamps fit on the forks and the screen brackets fit on to them, you use neoprene strips, bought separately, 1/4 inch/ 6mm thick by 2 inches wide to fit in between the fork legs and clamps. Then clamp up and adjust.to clamp too and adjust

 

[R. J.]

I agree with you 441. Once you mount a shield to a bike you always want one.

 

[ZLrider]

Well you guys have made a great case for getting a shield, but for some reason I just don't think I want one. Maybe because I'm weird about keeping vehicles stock. I tend to shun anything aftermarket that shows. I also don't commute, just buzz around town with some trips to nearby towns. If I ever get an urge to take a real road trip a shield will be on my shopping list.

 

[Trojan441]

Well you guys have made a great case for getting a shield, but for some reason I just don't think I want one. Maybe because I'm weird about keeping vehicles stock. I tend to shun anything aftermarket that shows. I also don't commute, just buzz around town with some trips to nearby towns. If I ever get an urge to take a real road trip a shield will be on my shopping list.

Screens are an accessory fitment, but my bike is so proud of it's fitted windshield in a" Zen" way, an un-faired bike is such a crap ride after you have had a screen fitted to a machine n' got used to it. Anyhow, it also shows it is a Rider's machine and not a toy! Plus they stop flies going in your eyes and spam sandwiches!.

 

[R. J.]

Talk about in your teeth. Here in FL we have love bug season twice a year. Early Summer and early Fall. During those times I don't ride on the street. https://www.antipesto.com/blog/flor...de Florida their,summer (August to September). .

 

[ZLrider]

Sounds like you guys don't have face shields on your helmets. I've never ridden without one and if I ever took a bug to the face I can't remember when. One thing that does "bug" me though is if I'm riding into a stiff head wind my damned helmet will get pushed back and the shield contacts my nose. I will fess up to being rather well endowed with a predominant proboscis, so maybe I'm alone on this one......