Suggestion for windshield for my 97 Standard?

[texaninsouthfl]

When I purchased my 97 Standard, she had 4 or 5 inch risers, baby apes and no windshield. Obviously the stupid hangers had to go. I didn't want the expense of replacing the risers so I got a 33 inch wide bar with a modest 3 inch rise and 6 inch pullback. This leaves me with a bit less upright, very slightly more aggressive riding position than that of the stock bars. I also added a Slipstreamer Spitfire, handlebar mounted windshield. It provides the modest protection I was seeking for around town and mid distance rides (100 -200 miles) while allowing plenty of air for hot Florida weather.

So while I'm pretty happy with the sporty, sort of small Spitfire, I'm thinking that the trip to Eureka Springs will call for something larger that provides a bit more protection and relief from buffeting.

Beyond the scarcity and expense of the OEM Tourer screen, I'm not sure I want something THAT big... but I'm open to suggestions. So the requirement is a screen that looks good, provides decent protection, minimizes buffeting and is reasonably priced. (under $300, preferably well under)

Suggestions?

[texaninsouthfl]

I'm somewhat surprised that the denizens of this forum, who never seem to lack for ideas and opinions on pretty much anything, have no suggestions for me... ah well.   

[Skeeter (Va)]

I like my National Cycle shield.  Just replaced the shield itself after 14 years of use.  Search it and see all the different choices.

[Willow]

I have this to offer.

I ride without a shield.  If you ride around Florida without a screen for any significant distance, you won't have any problem making the ride to Arkansas.

My wife rode for a couple of years with a bar mounted screen.  I didn't really care for it.  She has since used a couple of Memphis Shades offerings.  They have some abbreviated screens and the remove very easily.

I don't have any experience with the other manufacturers.

[Rams]

I got my Valkyrie with a Memphis Shades windscreen on it.  Liked it but, it had blemishes from past encounters and then I took a major chip in it.  So, it has been replaced but, I would still advise you to at least take a look at what Memphis Shades has to offer. 

Everyone is different, I like having a wind screen but want to be able to easily see over it.  Don't really care for the shorties but, I have a friend that took his and cut it down to what he liked.  They ain't cheap but, nothing of quality is.

[texaninsouthfl]

I have this to offer.

I ride without a shield.  If you ride around Florida without a screen for any significant distance, you won't have any problem making the ride to Arkansas.

My wife rode for a couple of years with a bar mounted screen.  I didn't really care for it.  She has since used a couple of Memphis Shades offerings.  They have some abbreviated screens and the remove very easily.

I don't have any experience with the other manufacturers.

In my previous riding life, I rode sport bikes and never had much more than a fly screen or little sport fairing... and never thought much about it. This go 'round I've found that I don't enjoy being beaten up  by the wind blast, grit, bugs and rain as much...  Ergo, the Spitfire handlebar mount fairing. It takes some of the pressure off my chest at highway speeds. My buddy has a Tourer and I rode it back about 200 miles from central Florida and really didn't care that much for the big screen. I don't know... I'm planning to get the combination light bar/wind wings unit and maybe just the improved air flow management will be enough.

[Willow]

In fairness, Texan, I should tell you that my Interstate has a fairing and I do enjoy sometimes riding without the wind on my chest.   

[texaninsouthfl]

In fairness, Texan, I should tell you that my Interstate has a fairing and I do enjoy sometimes riding without the wind on my chest.   

I see you're from Olathe... as a kid, I lived in Topeka for 8 years. What I seem to remember most vividly is the F5 tornado in 1966 and how freaking cold the winters were.

[Rams]

In fairness, Texan, I should tell you that my Interstate has a fairing and I do enjoy sometimes riding without the wind on my chest.   

I see you're from Olathe... as a kid, I lived in Topeka for 8 years. What I seem to remember most vividly is the F5 tornado in 1966 and how freaking cold the winters were.

Might explain the use of that windscreen from time to time in the winter riding excursions. 

[tank_post142]

take my bike for a ride with the fairing on it and see what you think. i have all the hardware plus an 8" and 12" windshield as well as lower fairing mounted wings, all for a memphis shades fairing. if you like the fairing ride i'll give you the whole MS setup. you'll just have to buy the fairing itself. i could take mine off in 2-3 mins. then you can pop a MS windshield on in less time, for around town riding. tank

you'd just have to buy this part:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/MEMPHIS-SHADES-BATWING-FAIRING-HONDA-1500-VALKYRIE-/300664526585?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item46010096f9

 oh yah, i have the big bike parts plate to move the headlight forward and down slightly, so the headlight matches up nice with the front lip of the fairing.

[Thulsa Doom]

Mine has Memphis Shades. It's been invaluable for winter riding.

[texaninsouthfl]

take my bike for a ride with the fairing on it and see what you think. i have all the hardware plus an 8" and 12" windshield as well as lower fairing mounted wings, all for a memphis shades fairing. if you like the fairing ride i'll give you the whole MS setup. you'll just have to buy the fairing itself. i could take mine off in 2-3 mins. then you can pop a MS windshield on in less time, for around town riding. tank

you'd just have to buy this part:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/MEMPHIS-SHADES-BATWING-FAIRING-HONDA-1500-VALKYRIE-/300664526585?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item46010096f9



 oh yah, i have the big bike parts plate to move the headlight forward and down slightly, so the headlight matches up nice with the front lip of the fairing.

Hey Tank, check your messages.

[MarkT]

Few will argue that any other brand screens are as good as the OEM.  Provided they have tried the OEM, of course.  I've had only Rifle and OEM on mine - no comparison.  Of course the problem is, the OEM is expensive.  But it's not the shield itself that costs a lot.  It's the hardware.  Most Tourers that get in a wreck, are going to have the plastic ruined, but not the hardware.  So there's your source.  Look for bikes that have been wrecked and parted out - buy the wrecked shield for a song and buy new plastic for it.  See what pinwall has.  Check with http://www.findmypart.com  FYI, I got my OEM for my standard from a friend who gave it to me in exchange for some welding on his trailer.  He had cut down the plastic.  I bought new plastic, and I was in business.  I have since replaced it twice, once from stupidity - ran my garage door into it when it was too high on the lift - and the other, it was ruined when the bike flipped in the deer incident.  Last time I checked, the plastic was $150 - no doubt higher now, but it is polycarbonate, not acrylic.

[fiddle mike]

Your risers and bars sound similar to what I have on my '97.  I have a Memphis Shades bug catcher. When I took a slow low-side, a couple years ago, the windshield actually prevented some costly damage.  I hammered the mount flat and re-mounted and continued to use the windshield.

[olddog1946]

I use a Memphis Shades shield, I love the way it will come off in less than 10 seconds..I don't like how easily it scratches..I have to wax it every time I clean the bike..it comes in different heights so easy enough to get one you can see over.

I agree with Mark T that the OEM is indeed the best but unfortunately the most expensive and taller than I prefer.

[Blues]

One thing I really like about the OEM is the recurve at the top.  I haven't actually ridden behind an OEM screen, but it looks like it would be very effective.  I have what I think is a Memphis Shades screen.  I like the mount... quick and easy to remove or readjust... but I haven't found the right position to stop the turbulence.  I think when I lean the shield back for better flow over my head, that it allows more wind to come through the headlight cutout, causing more buffeting.  Just can't seem to get it dialed in right.

I've been thinking about a batwing, but that is a drastic addition... same as with hard bags.  They would seem to be very functional, but also seems like more to rattle and vibrate!

I do want to change out my screen because it isn't exactly pristine optics anymore.  I may go back with MS, but I'm always open to other ideas.  I have had a fly screen before on a harley, but hard to remember just how effective it was.  Seemed okay at the time...

[texaninsouthfl]

One thing I really like about the OEM is the recurve at the top.  I haven't actually ridden behind an OEM screen, but it looks like it would be very effective.  I have what I think is a Memphis Shades screen.  I like the mount... quick and easy to remove or readjust... but I haven't found the right position to stop the turbulence.  I think when I lean the shield back for better flow over my head, that it allows more wind to come through the headlight cutout, causing more buffeting.  Just can't seem to get it dialed in right.

I've been thinking about a batwing, but that is a drastic addition... same as with hard bags.  They would seem to be very functional, but also seems like more to rattle and vibrate!

I do want to change out my screen because it isn't exactly pristine optics anymore.  I may go back with MS, but I'm always open to other ideas.  I have had a fly screen before on a harley, but hard to remember just how effective it was.  Seemed okay at the time...

Not much rattling and vibrating on a Dragon... you must be remembering your Harley riding days... lol.

[Blues]

Sorry... I mean exterior rattle and vibration... bumps, patches, manholes... I've gotta work on my suspension.

[Reb]

I have an f-4 replacement OEM windshield on mine. Swoops back more than the original. I tend to like it better.

[Art708]

  I have the Switchblade windshield in 3 different heights. I can tailor my wind for however the weather may be......love 'em!

[texaninsouthfl]

  I have the Switchblade windshield in 3 different heights. I can tailor my wind for however the weather may be......love 'em!

How is the buffeting with the Switchblade series?