Page 1 of 1

Touring Windshield

Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 7:27 pm
by Nutzi013
It's starting to get cooler here in North Carolina, and the Speedster Windshield is becoming less and less sufficient. I'm thinking about purchasing a Touring Windshield for my R, and I was wondering what input you guys and gals could offer. I'm about 5'11" and have a low seat; I don't mind feeling a little wind so that I know I'm still riding, but I'd like to cut down on the buffetting a little bit, especially on the highway. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks.

Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 7:32 pm
by wncbmw
It doesn't get too cold in Chapel Hill! :P

Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:04 pm
by Lost Rider
I just switched from a sport screen to a touring screen myself. With the sport the wind hit my shoulders and helmet. For the most part I like the sport screen quite a bit. With the touring there's very little wind on my shoulders, and the wind hits me about mid-face shield.
I like the way the sport looks better, but on my upcoming trip I know I will be glad to have the touring.
I'm 5'11"
Good luck.

Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:12 pm
by Nutzi013
I guess I should have been more specific: are there any particular brands of Touring Shield that you guys can suggest? Is the BMW shield the way to go, or are there less expensive/better alternatives out there?

and no, it doesn't get that cold in Chapel Hill, but I'd like to be able to show up at class without having to bundle up like the kid in a Christmas Story

touring shield

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 11:11 am
by joel
Nutzi013, my bike came with the BMW touring shield on the bike. I remove it for most of the year, but slap it on in October for the cooler months. I am always amazed at how much noisier the bike is when the shield is on. I am 5'11 and the shield does keep the air off of my chest, but directs the air right at the top of my helmet. This creates some buffeting. Others on this board have indicated that the Cee Bailey shields are better than the BMW shields, but I think it all boils down to compromise. For every action their is a reaction, and if you want to block air there will always be a trade off.

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 12:40 pm
by munchmeister
Nutzi:
I bought this setup for a 2800+ mile trip to Canada and it worked very well for me, at 6'-0" standard seat (plus my beaded seat cover, another great purchase). I don't want to be in too much of a "bubble" but my fly screen just did not offer much protection at all. This worked very well to take the pressure off the chest and I did not suffer any buffeting, even in some pretty strong winds in Wyoming and Alberta, Canada. Like Goldilocks... just right.

OEM Sport Screen plus Laminar Lip http://www.laminarlip.com/

Image

Touring Shield

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 2:28 pm
by jsp1948
Greetings from Massachusetts ! FTR: The temp on this morning's commute (25 miles of suburban backroads) was about 45*
Anyway ... I bought the 'official' BMW Touring Shield last year for a couple of reasons - 1. I thought it looked the best of the larger 'touring' shields (as opposed to the smaller 'sport' shields) 2. I reasoned that the brilliant engineers @ BMW would design a rig that was easy to install and aerodynamically efficient. In addition the were a number of fairly favorable reviews on this site.
So now, a year and a half later, I'm ready to weigh in ... I like it !
It looks good and works reasonably well. I'm 5'7", riding a low seat and can see over it (which is a must IMHO). The only neg on the deal was the install ... bit of a bitch. The bolts are too short and harder than the metal (magnesium ?) they screw into... thus, strippage. Very Bogus ...
But, I got it on (and don't dare remove it) and it does take a lot of sting out of a chilly AM spin.
You've no doubt seen references to the "tank wings" that folks write about occasionally ... they would probably be very helpful too ... I consider them every September as the weather cools. But, being a frugal yankee (they are $115 or so), reason that I've only got a month or so left anyway and I can tough it out if I have to.

I had an old R80RT with a full fairing, which I rode late into the year; a windshield on a naked bike isn't quite the same (to say the least).

Good luck whatever you decide ... there are a bunch of other options.

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 3:28 pm
by TicTac50

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 4:56 pm
by NHighCotton
I'm 5'7" with a standard Bill Mayer, I like the BMW touring shield over the bubble, the bubble didn't do much for me.

The touring shield knocks the pressure off my chest and helmet, plus I can ride with the face shield up without eating bugs.
Don't care much for the looks though, like the naked look but wouldn't go on a long ride without it.
Presently I've got it off, just takes a minute to strip :wink:

I have heard that this shield http://www.ztechnik.com/products/index.html is also better that BMW's, :smt102

Few more choices here - http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productlist/246/

Posted: Wed Sep 13, 2006 8:46 pm
by Sit
I have both the BMW sport and touring screen. They both use the same mounts, so during the nice weather, summer months, I run the sport screen since it keeps the wind off my body and makes it nice for long rides. Once the weather changes, I put the touring screen on as it keeps more of the weather off my body. It does make it a bit louder, but I have not noticed a lot more buffeting. I find if I sit up tall, it is quieter since I am more in clean air. They may not be the best screens, but you can switch between them and the mounting arms dont stick out and look odd like some others.