Madstad adjustable windshield

[Verismo]

I have to say that the guys at Madstad did an absolutely FANTASTIC job helping me work out the buffeting problems on the new Valk.  I ride with earplugs, and even then, the bup-i-ta, bop-i-ta, bup-i-ta is fierce on this bike with the perpendicular stock windshield.  (I am 6' tall, for reference.)

I worked with a gentleman named Cody who was very patient, competent, and efficient, both in his work and in communicating with me via email what I wanted to do for the bike.  I do not work for or with Madstad but I like to give credit where credit is due and these guys rock.  I sent Cody a few sketches that I drew with my very unartistic hand on my phone, and he sent me professional cad representations back.  We tweaked them to my liking, then he cut them and sent them to me.  I have a ton of windshield options now that fit different scenarios.  Some work better than others, or fit my taste more, but ALL of them are better than the stock, and a couple of them are right in the sweet spot that I like.  

The brackets that he shipped work with the stock windshield mount and stock windshield, and allow for several inches of adjustment both vertically and with the angle.  I have used the easy fix of adding small tabs to the stock mount before I got the Madstad, and had pretty good success getting some air under the shield, but this setup works much better for me and allows for adjustment between city and highway driving, which is really nice.  

The current loadout I'm using had just a tiny bit of buffeting still in it, so I added a Puig visor to it.  I see well over the shield and can now ride open face about as fast as I like to go, which is not at the rev limiter, but quick enough to avoid getting beaten up by interstate traffic.  

[Verismo]

Here is a link to the full album on photobucket with all of the permutations, including those with the stock shield:  <iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://s1036.photobucket.com/user/verismo1/embed/slideshow/MadStad"></iframe>

[AdrianR]

Looks cool!  I like the seat too! What kind of seat is that? My old lady would love the extra cushion...

Anyway...seriously...can you do over 100mph without your frickin' glasses blowing off your head and eyes rattling around so violently that you cannot see the road good enough?  ThiS IS huge for me.

[Verismo]

Looks cool!  I like the seat too! What kind of seat is that? My old lady would love the extra cushion...

Anyway...seriously...can you do over 100mph without your frickin' glasses blowing off your head and eyes rattling around so violently that you cannot see the road good enough?  ThiS IS huge for me.

I had the seat done locally here in San Antonio.  His website is http://www.motoseatz.com

As far as triple digits riding, I really don't do that much, especially with a shield.  But with the Madstad setup, it's definitely stable up to that speed. It's very well constructed.  The Puig visor I have on is a little cheaply made.  It's effective, but I wouldn't trust it into triple digits.  I was riding today and the wind is a little stronger and choppier today and when I was up around 80 I wanted the visor closed, but it was still very nice.  If I had glasses on, it would've been no biggie.  I could still turn my head side to side with no wind pressure on it.  I really can't recommend this setup more.  If I had a handle-bar solution that was as effective as my windshield I'd be in hog heaven!  

[Emir]

To be honest I did no like it.
Maybe it is effective for the wind but looks unnatural on the bike. and ruins the look.
for my opinion the best is without any screen. if you need so much then only option is the  boulevard screen.
when i get my bike there was honda tall screen on it and after the day of purchase i got rid of it.
of course it is personal choice.

[Verismo]

To be honest I did no like it.
Maybe it is effective for the wind but looks unnatural on the bike. and ruins the look.
for my opinion the best is without any screen. if you need so much then only option is the  boulevard screen.
when i get my bike there was honda tall screen on it and after the day of purchase i got rid of it.
of course it is personal choice.

Well lucky for me you don't have to ride my bike.   Mine came with the boulevard screen and the OEM tall screen.  The boulevard does almost nothing to the wind, and the OEM without tilt causes severe buffeting.  I actually like the way the current setup looks(just my opinion, kinda fits the roadster attitude). But my opinion is probably hugely influenced by the very nice buffet-free riding I do, much in the same way my opinion of the look of the radiator pods evolved after I discovered how amazing they are at deflecting heat from the rider.

[_Sheffjs_]

To be honest I did no like it.
Maybe it is effective for the wind but looks unnatural on the bike. and ruins the look.
for my opinion the best is without any screen. if you need so much then only option is the  boulevard screen.
when i get my bike there was honda tall screen on it and after the day of purchase i got rid of it.
of course it is personal choice.

Emir, that was a tad nasty.   Best to not say anything then to destroy ones hard work and personal taste on a thread.   

[_Sheffjs_]

Now as for windshields on this bike I feel that because of the air intake it creates something different that causes it to not have much in the option department. 

I have the Secdem for one year now and I was wondering about this set up pictured on this 2015 candy red found on Craig's list.  I might give this a try soon.  If it works, sweet as I like the way it tucks back unlike mine. 

[Verismo]

To be honest I did no like it.
Maybe it is effective for the wind but looks unnatural on the bike. and ruins the look.
for my opinion the best is without any screen. if you need so much then only option is the  boulevard screen.
when i get my bike there was honda tall screen on it and after the day of purchase i got rid of it.
of course it is personal choice.

Emir, that was a tad nasty.   Best to not say anything then to destroy ones hard work and personal taste on a thread.  

Awww, thanks for sticking up for my bike, Sheffjs!  Lol, but no worries, I have a thick skin and criticism can be helpful sometimes.  I seem to remember Emir saying he mostly did city driving somewhere, so maybe a shield is more of an unnecessary addition for him.  I do tons of highway driving and a good shield to ease the wind pressure is muy importante for me.

I'm coming from a 99 Standard, and not only does the hotrod chrome and metal appeal to my aesthetic more, it's just waayyyy more in the cruiser category, in my opinion.  But there is a lot to absolutely love about the new Valk,.  It's just like any brand new concept, there is lots to tweak.  I'm extremely happy with my windshield solution, but I also like the Secdem 's and Gustafson's that I've seen.  

[Emir]

To be honest I did no like it.
Maybe it is effective for the wind but looks unnatural on the bike. and ruins the look.
for my opinion the best is without any screen. if you need so much then only option is the  boulevard screen.
when i get my bike there was honda tall screen on it and after the day of purchase i got rid of it.
of course it is personal choice.

Emir, that was a tad nasty.   Best to not say anything then to destroy ones hard work and personal taste on a thread.   

   I did'nt mean to hurt any feelings.
       My mother language is not English so sometimes I can be short to explain myself in writing.
       You are right, when i re read my post I understood that i made a unneccessary comment.
       

[Verismo]

To be honest I did no like it.
Maybe it is effective for the wind but looks unnatural on the bike. and ruins the look.
for my opinion the best is without any screen. if you need so much then only option is the  boulevard screen.
when i get my bike there was honda tall screen on it and after the day of purchase i got rid of it.
of course it is personal choice.

Emir, that was a tad nasty.   Best to not say anything then to destroy ones hard work and personal taste on a thread.   

   I did'nt mean to hurt any feelings.
       My mother language is not English so sometimes I can be short to explain myself in writing.
       You are right, when i re read my post I understood that i made a unneccessary comment.
       

Hey don't sweat it, Emir! I'm glad you like your setup the way it is and I bet if we went riding together we'd both have a blast! 
And besides, I'm sure if I tried to speak Turkish, it would be much more offensive than your English! 

[Moofner]

Although it isn't my style, I applaud anyone trying out new things! I've come to appreciate having a wind deflector on top of my shield. It does an excellent job of combating the buffeting.

Your setup looks adjustable. How many bars are needed to hold it all in place?

[Verismo]

Although it isn't my style, I applaud anyone trying out new things! I've come to appreciate having a wind deflector on top of my shield. It does an excellent job of combating the buffeting.

Your setup looks adjustable. How many bars are needed to hold it all in place?

I agree with you about the wind deflector and the style.  Even my windshield and style aren't exactly matched up.  I really resent that there are no ways to mount the windshield to the forks, since that is much more stable and doesn't mess with the feel of the bars at all.  Although, Honda did a good job making the tall mounts very sturdy.  

As to how my setup is mounted, Cody at Madstad either fabricated adjustable brackets to fit onto the stock mount, or he found a set that fit the stock mount and matched them up.  Either way, it's basically just the stock tall mount-->adjustable brackets onto those-->madstad windshield onto the brackets.  I'll try to put up some close-up pics to illustrate better.



This is the windshield in the lowest position with the forwardmost tilt:




This is lowest position, rearward most tilt:



I totally get if this is not someone's style.  I definitely thought about style second when I commissioned it.  When I used a narrower shield, I observed that the majority of the wind that was hitting my helmet was sneaking around the sides of the shield.  I think part of the reason it hits you on this bike is because you're pretty far back from the bars.  So I went into the design thinking about how to get the width I wanted and then tried to guess at the style the best I could.  The two things I love about the shield are that A.  In it's utmost position there is no buffeting unless the winds are heavy, and B. In any position, I can still see over it by a mile without any obstruction.  I'll take function over form in this case, and frankly, I think a little more form is probably possible. I just haven't gotten creative enough, yet.  

I would love to hear from others about their windshield experiences.  How is the experience at highway speeds with the Gustaffson's and Secdems.  Any buffeting/instability problems?  What about visibility?

[ledany]

With the Secdem windshield I can ride as fast as possible with the visor of my Shoei J-Cruise up 

I'm 5'6" and set the windshield in a more or less vertical position.

This shield changed everything : my Valk is a tourer (comfy, quiet, no wind) or some heavy roadster (summer winds refreshing my face)  according to the circumstances and will 

[Verismo]

With the Secdem windshield I can ride as fast as possible with the visor of my Shoei J-Cruise up 

I'm 5'6" and set the windshield in a more or less vertical position.

This shield changed everything : my Valk is a tourer (comfy, quiet, no wind) or some heavy roadster (summer winds refreshing my face)  according to the circumstances and will 

That's awesome! Congrats!  Have any pics?  Do you look over or through the shield?

[Verismo]

Now as for windshields on this bike I feel that because of the air intake it creates something different that causes it to not have much in the option department. 

I have the Secdem for one year now and I was wondering about this set up pictured on this 2015 candy red found on Craig's list.  I might give this a try soon.  If it works, sweet as I like the way it tucks back unlike mine. 

I like that the shield on the red one sits back off the headlight.  Looks good that way!  Is that aSecdem?  How is it mounted?

[_Sheffjs_]

The red bike is a 2015 for sale on Craig's list and not mine the red bike has a B-wing Slipstreamer but uses MRA universal mounting kit.  

The black 1800 is mine with the Secdem using (in part) different mounting hardware as well.  

And I agree, the set up on the red bike looks like what I feel the bikes should with a windshield.   I will be exploring new windshield options soon and after looking behind the plastic upper fork covers I feel that fork clamps can be mounted facing slightly back like 45° and hardware attached.  I will look into this more in late November.   If I come up with anything good I will share. 

[Verismo]

The red bike is a 2015 for sale on Craig's list and not mine the red bike has a B-wing Slipstreamer but uses MRA universal mounting kit.  

The black 1800 is mine with the Secdem using (in part) different mounting hardware as well.  

And I agree, the set up on the red bike looks like what I feel the bikes should with a windshield.   I will be exploring new windshield options soon and after looking behind the plastic upper fork covers I feel that fork clamps can be mounted facing slightly back like 45° and hardware attached.  I will look into this more in late November.   If I come up with anything good I will share.  

Man you would be my hero if you come up with a way to mount from the forks!  I bet that would increase the feel of handling quite a bit with no wind pressure on the bars.

I like the way your black one looks, too!  Studs on the seat look good and that bubble on the Secdem looks like it gives great wind protection!  

[_Sheffjs_]

The fork mount idea is only for the bottom mount. I doubt that we will ever get away with not having at least one top to h-bars.   

[blackvalk]

I just completed a 1500 mile trip with the tall Honda windshield and the stock seat on my 2014 Valkyrie.

The two things that I noticed were, most of the wind noise coming at me was from the forks, not the windshield. I wish I could put lowers on this bike like my others but I don't think you can....Can You?

The other observation was the seat really sucks..............even with an air bladder laid on top.

I know I need to look into a new or modified seat if I intend on using this bike for long rides.

[Verismo]

I just completed a 1500 mile trip with the tall Honda windshield and the stock seat on my 2014 Valkyrie.

The two things that I noticed were, most of the wind noise coming at me was from the forks, not the windshield. I wish I could put lowers on this bike like my others but I don't think you can....Can You?

The other observation was the seat really sucks..............even with an air bladder laid on top.

I know I need to look into a new or modified seat if I intend on using this bike for long rides.

Holy crap 1500 miles?!!  I couldn't have done 15 minutes with all the buffeting from the stock shield.  And maybe 30 with the stock seat.  Kudos, sir! 

I haven't noticed much fork wind on mine but maybe personal dimensions play into that?  Anyway, there are definitely lowers for the Valkyrie.  Here is an eBay link, but I haven't shopped around for the best price:
http://m.ebay.com/itm/NEW-GENUINE-HONDA-WIND-DEFLECTORS-2014-VALKYRIE-GL1800C-GL-1800-C-/201669862392?nav=SEARCH

[blackvalk]

I will have to see if the wind is on the outside of the bike or inside by the forks.

Thanks

[ledany]

@verismo, pix of the Secdem shield :












As you can easily see in the last pic, you can adjust the length of the supporting sticks and thus the height of the windshield in a more or less upright position because you can also play with the levers on the fork. I never look through the windshield, especially when it' s raining. The only thing I regret with the Secdem windshield (not the price, it's cheap) is that it scratches quite easily and you have to be very cautious when you want to clean it.

Sorry once again for the uspide down pix.

[postoak]

Do you have to drill holes in the forks for the Secdem (looking at Ledany's 3rd photo)?  How effective is the Secdem at deflecting the wind and not creating turbulence?

Anyone have a model number for the Secdem or a link?  I went on their web site and didn't see a shield for the 1800 F6C.

[ledany]

https://www.secdem.fr/fr/catalogue-moto.php?reference=BH182PB&typerecherche=moto&marque=HONDA&modele=1800+F6+C&annee=14%2F15

Ask for the BH182 PB, and as you can see the pic is familiar ! My bike !

You don't have to drill anything on the fork, thank god !

[_Sheffjs_]

Link below

http://www.secdem.fr/fr/catalogue-moto.php?reference=BH182PB&typerecherche=moto&marque=HONDA&modele=1800+F6+C&annee=14%2F15

I feel it takes 85% of the wind turbulence out once adjusted correct.

Slowly unscrew the top bolts Honda has on the top side of the plastic fork cover and mount there. Slowly and do not force as I broke one on the way out, mother Honda did not feel grease was needed here    I currently have the Secdem however I used slipstreamer hardware.  

[postoak]

Thanks, this is the way I will probably go -- if I get a windshield.  I have no problem with wind up to 65-70, and that is most of my riding.  But, sometimes I do get on the interstate.  Plus, I think the bike looks better with a windshield -- at least that windshield and the one shown on the red bike.

[Verismo]

I just went on a 600 mile two day trip and had some cool results with my setup and thought I'd share.

I took the shorty summer shield off and put my cold weather shield on(4 Phillips screws-5 minute change).  So the setup is now the OEM tall with the Madstad brackets.  I set the brackets at the tallest height and about 3/4 tilt, and had zero buffeting the entire ride.  I thought it was cool that you can clearly see the bug genocide on the windshield and the face shield on my helmet is crystal clear.