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06-08-2013, 05:07 PM | #1 |
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Join Date: May 2013
Location: Newark, OH
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Getting used to a windshield
I just put a Rifle 16" dark tinted windshield on my Vaquero. It's definitely taller than I'm use to considering the short shield on the vaq is the only shield I've ever used. I did the measuring and the shield lines up with the tip of my nose. I feel a little uneasy having something just under my line of sight. I assume there's an adjustment period for everyone. It's just...strange. The wind hits about an inch below the top of my helmet so it's probably the shortest I could go. I do really enjoy the improvement of buffeting though. Also I wasn't wild about the bigger shield look wise but I actually like it. Anyone have experiences to share on adjusting to a shield?
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Chris Black 2011 Vaquero 1700 Black 2007 900 Custom (sold) VBA #02389 VROC #24810 Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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06-08-2013, 10:53 PM | #2 |
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Location: Clarksville, TN
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Adjusting to the windshield ...
No need to carry a toothbrush and flose to get bugs out of teeth ... I can hear myself think again plus the radio, less wind noise ... Don't tire nearly as quickly from not having to fight the windblast ... If it doesn't show, I really love having a windshield!
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Jerry "Old Bear" Barker Clarksville, TN Americas Guardians PS MC President, Tennessee 16-A VBA #02203 "Blaze" 2017 Vaquero "Black Magic" 2011 Vaquero, 69k miles, handed down to my son for hopefully many more miles! |
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06-08-2013, 10:59 PM | #3 |
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I took a couple rides today... just finding it to be kind of annoying. Hopefully I'll get used to it because I am enjoying all the pros that you mentioned.
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Chris Black 2011 Vaquero 1700 Black 2007 900 Custom (sold) VBA #02389 VROC #24810 |
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06-09-2013, 02:55 AM | #4 | |
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Quote:
It's like day light and dark in that area to me, you just dont get as tired battling with all the wind and noises etc. Thats one of the things I noticed when I got my first windshield, always hated the looks of them but I had a 1400 Intruder that had one on it and I told the guy I got from in a trade (got it and cash for my fatboy) I would take it off. First time I rode it I knew it would never come off lol. As far as adjusting, I never really paid attention to it, but I was a sport bike rider so maybe thats why, I dunno
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06-09-2013, 03:36 AM | #5 |
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I have a 15inch on My Vaquero but its clear. It sits about even with the top of my head and the wind goes about 2 inches over my head. It did take a short time to adjust to looking through something, but I ride a lot and would never go back, I can ride 300-400 miles and not even feel tired, plus in high wind the bike cuts through it and is very stable as my body is not catching the wind. Give it a couple of week and you won't even think about it being there.
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VBA Member 02305 2011 Kawasaki Vaquero, Black Cobra Tri Ovals Exhaust Cobra Power Pro K&N High Intake Air Filter EOM 15 Inch Windshield EOM Aux Driving Lights EOM iPod Kit, iPod Touch Mustang Wide Touring Studded Seat Castrol Full Synthetic Racing Oil Kuryakyn Black Iso Grips Kuryakyn Stiletto Grip Ends Kuryakyn Offset Highway Pegs Kuryakyn Black Scythe Mirrors Michelin Commander II Tires Login or Register to Remove Ads |
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06-09-2013, 07:15 AM | #6 |
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Would this be a bad time to mention that my Victory Vision has an electrically adjustable windscreen? When it's all the way down, I get just the right amount of wind and when it's all the way up, I get no wind/rain.
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Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860 |
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06-09-2013, 08:22 AM | #7 |
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Location: Wichita, KS
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I have the 14" bronze tint Rifle windshield on mine. I'm 6' 2" and the windshield comes up to around my lip area. I can see over it without any obstruction. I hardly notice it at all and the wind hits me right at the top of my head as it should. You would probably be happier at 14". I think Rifle will let you return it for one free adjustment to the shield if it's bothering you at it's current height.
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Mike Williams Wichita, Kansas VBA Member #02104 2013 HD 110th Anniversary Electra Glide Ultra Limited 2012 Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager 2009 Yamaha FJR1300 2006 Kawasaki Vulcan 1600 Nomad 2002 Yamaha V-Star 1100 Custom 1989 Yamaha Virago 750 |
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06-09-2013, 08:36 AM | #8 |
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Peoples Republic of New York State
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That shield looks way high to me.
If the top edge is in and out of your vision or you are tilting your head back to look over it you need to lower it or get a shorter shield. This from Cee Baileys web site. You need the top of the shield to be slightly above the mouth and no higher than the tip of your nose for light colors. Dark gray and opaque black needs to be somewhere between your lower lip and your chin. I think your shield is pretty dark.
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Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4] |
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06-09-2013, 09:44 AM | #9 |
I'm six feet tall and have the stock windshield on my 2007 Nomad. It is the right heigth. I can sit up straight and see over it with no problem or settle down into the seat and hide from wind and rain. When I travel I put in 600 to 1000 mile days and could not do that without the windshield.
It is nice that it catches the bugs and rock chips and I don't miss that part of motorcycling from previous bikes with no windshield. Tim is right, yours is pretty dark and that may be contributing to your issue. You would probably not even notice if it was clear.
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Idaho (aka Curmudgeon) Blue Knights Idaho III VBA #110 VROC #24864 IBA #49753 2007 Nomad 86,000 miles Bud Smalley Pocatello, Idaho Idaho Jack Adapter |
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06-09-2013, 10:03 AM | #10 |
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Montreal QC
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One of the first things I noticed when I test rode a Vaquero was how windy it was with the stock sheild compared to my Nomad. I can just see over my Nomad one, but can see through it any time if needs be. Being a dark color probably does contribute to you being more aware of it and I wonder that close to your line of vision if it may be dangerous at night.
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Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136 |
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06-09-2013, 10:52 AM | #11 |
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Yes Chris, this is a bad time! Now go back to your corner with BD!
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Jerry "Old Bear" Barker Clarksville, TN Americas Guardians PS MC President, Tennessee 16-A VBA #02203 "Blaze" 2017 Vaquero "Black Magic" 2011 Vaquero, 69k miles, handed down to my son for hopefully many more miles! |
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06-09-2013, 01:24 PM | #12 |
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I'm in a corner all by myself. The other Vic freaks (Kris, Mike and Brad) ride XCTs. They don't have an e-shield. On the other hand, I don't have their ginormous saddlebags.
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Christopher "Monkeyman" Gray ---------------------------- Widows Sons "Overseers" Patriot Guard Rider USArmy 1987-1990 2021 Can Am Spyder RT 2018 Can Am Spyder RT Limited - SOLD 2014 Nomad - SOLD 2012 Victory Vision - SOLD 2007 Black Nomad - SOLD VMC #9367 VBA #1860 |
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06-09-2013, 07:11 PM | #13 |
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Location: Newark, OH
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I really do not think it's too high. I think if it were much shorter I would be getting buffeting as the wind isn't currently going over my helmet. I'm a little confused as to how it can be said its too high, if the height of the rider isn't known? I had my wife take pictures from the front and the top of the shield does land between my nose and lip and that's with my terrible slouchy posture.
I can see it being too dark, though being 6'4" I can see the ground pretty close to the bike. I had a dark 9" shield and was getting buffeting like crazy. I'm thinking about taking an inch off of this one and see how that leaves me. I ordered the 16" so I can trim it if needed, I just think with where the wind hits currently a 14" would be too short. I do have about 250 miles with it on there and am starting to adjust to it but do not have much to compare it with since my only other shield was the 9". Thanks for the responses. Gives me something to think about.
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Chris Black 2011 Vaquero 1700 Black 2007 900 Custom (sold) VBA #02389 VROC #24810
Last edited by c_law23; 06-09-2013 at 08:38 PM.
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06-09-2013, 07:16 PM | #14 |
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I'm with you, Chris. My ST has an adjustable windscreen. I thought it was a silly extra when I bought it. But now I think it is crazy that they don't make it a feature on all bikes. Really adds to the enjoyment of the ride. XCT's may have big bags, but without the electric windscreen , those guys are just slumming.
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Dan K Member #100 2009 ST1300: Performance exceeding even Victory riders' boasts. |
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06-10-2013, 08:11 AM | #15 |
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I'm 6'2 and just put on a bagger shield 12.5" and it's perfect for me still get a little wind in the face but zero buffeting
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