Dressed for Summer Riding

[PAVALKER]

Had the trunk off for a few weeks, but I added a new shorter shield from Cee Baileys. Took it to Bike Night tonight and it seems like I'm getting more air, but no buffeting that I noticed.  Was a pleasant ride....but aren't they all.

[J.Mencalice]

Lower windshield with less turbulence?  How's that?  Is it hitting you in the chest as opposed to your helmet/head?  Or is the angle of the shield sharper with a different deflective pathway? ???
I'm looking to either heighten the top of my shield with an expanded windshield or add a clamp-on wing to the top of the stock one.  Right now I get a lot of buffeting on the top of my helmet and am looking for a cure.
 

[Jess from VA]

What helmet do you wear?  And what seat (big boy)?

I'm in a (DOT) half year round.

I have always wanted to try a shorter shield on my SV for summer, but on my big boy seat I am looking well over my OE shield already.  

Last time I rode with no shield (not a valk), my half helmet chinstrap tried to strangle me.

BTW, that bike is looking mighty fine.  

The shield in your sig pic looks a bit taller than OE (15.5).

[PAVALKER]

DOT half helmet as well.  No helmet shield, just prescription auto tinting glasses.  Ultimate Low Rider Seat.  Baker Air Wings in open position, POD Vents in open position and fork deflectors still on.  I did notice air flow in the facial area, but it seemed to be coming around the shield, not directly over in the shield into the head area.  I have not yet had it on the super slab highway at higher speeds, or in the rain,....but  at 55-60 on a 4 lane, it was nice.  And it is nice looking well over the shield.  That dark tint is dark, but still see thru even later in the eve.  I did pack my clear goggles that fit over my glasses, just in case there was too much wind or a pop up shower, but neither happened.  The finished edge  on this shield is polished smooth as glass....best edge I've seen on a shield.  Optics are very clear (less dark tint of course) with zero distortion.  I considered a Clear View Sport Shield as well, but the price of this shipped was hands down a no brainer......and I wasn't sure I would like it that short so I went onN price.  And I can still hear my radio pretty darn good too. I didn't notice much difference in radio sound, maybe just a little bit more volume....maybe.  Full Evaluation still in progress......

As far as I know, that shield pictured in my sig is an OEM....it measures same as OEM and I get the little rainbow reflection from that as well....which also indicates, to me, it is OEM.  I also have a BBP larger shield that I like in winter weather.  

I have to say...with the Super Valk Conversion, ability to add and remove the trunk easily,  Air Wings, Fairing Bra, and three options of shields, two options plus with seats,...this is the best flexibility in a bike that I have ever experienced.  I love this damn bike.....and will just continue to get additional stuff to add/remove as needed or wanted.

[Gavin_Sons]

Lower windshield with less turbulence?  How's that?  Is it hitting you in the chest as opposed to your helmet/head?  Or is the angle of the shield sharper with a different deflective pathway? ???
I'm looking to either heighten the top of my shield with an expanded windshield or add a clamp-on wing to the top of the stock one.  Right now I get a lot of buffeting on the top of my helmet and am looking for a cure.
 

do what Hal47 did to his shield, he heated it up and bent a curve at the top edge. Looks like a Eurocurve shield now

[flatsixrider]

Looks great.   So does that Scout in the background.

[PAVALKER]

Out riding around most of the day today.  I was checking air flow and the air is right at the top of my helmet.  No buffeting but more cooling air flow. Sweet spring smells and even a few occasions of animal decay were more apparent it seems.  On the way home I was sitting up stretching my back to  get taller and see if buffeting would come into play on the way home.  Whap.....big ole bug of undetermined species and origin smacked me dead center in forehead.....had to chuckle since I saw it coming but don't usually get smacked in the head or face with the OEM height shield..... Relearned some old lessons.


Not sure I would try this, maybe someone else has already has and knows if this works or not, but to get a little air divert lip, I have heard and even seen some add a piece of door trim around the shield.  Heard that little bump on the edge either diverts or disrupts the air flow. 

[Jess from VA]

This stuff has been around for a while.  It probably only gives you an extra inch+ of wind deflection, and  looks a little funky.  I also think a big heavy bug that would have got you without it may still get you with it, but who knows?  I also think you would only need it on top the shield, but it probably looks better all the way round.

http://www.motorcycle.com/products/saengta-stealth-edging-3529.html

http://www.saeng.com/

http://www.saeng.com/product.php?id=581&category=80  ($14.90 a foot, 3 foot minimum)





I have the Scorpion  EXO100 DOT half with the drop down shorty face shield, and not only is it the most comfortable helmet I've ever worn, but I use the little shield more than I ever thought I would (even with IS fairing and windshield).  Cold, or direct sun (double dark with shades), or wind, or freeway, or bugs, and especially the rain (keeps my prescription glasses much cleaner than without).  The bill (not the drop down shield) blew off on the way home from Inzane last year (from repeatedly sticking my face up in the wind to blow the rain off my face shield).  I decided to get another, and like everything else you ever liked, they stopped making it.  Only ones I could find left are a few XS whites (I need XL).

They have a replacement with the drop down half shield, but did away with the warm zip-on neck curtain and now only have a Y chin strap.  For $130 I want a neck curtain (but I may get one anyway).  At least the mark of Zorro on the back ones is blacked out now (I painted my chrome one black on the EXO100).  And it looks like they added rear vents, the EXO100 only had front vents and do little.

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/helmets_and_eyewear/open_face/scorpion/exo_c110_helmet.html

[PAVALKER]

This stuff has been around for a while.  It probably only gives you an extra inch+ of wind deflection, and  looks a little funky.  I also think a big heavy bug that would have got you without it may still get you with it, but who knows?  I also think you would only need it on top the shield, but it probably looks better all the way round.

http://www.motorcycle.com/products/saengta-stealth-edging-3529.html

http://www.saeng.com/

http://www.saeng.com/product.php?id=581&category=80  ($14.90 a foot, 3 foot minimum)





I have the Scorpion  EXO100 DOT half with the drop down shorty face shield, and not only is it the most comfortable helmet I've ever worn, but I use the little shield more than I ever thought I would (even with IS fairing and windshield).  Cold, or direct sun (double dark with shades), or wind, or freeway, or bugs, and especially the rain (keeps my prescription glasses much cleaner than without).  The bill (not the drop down shield) blew off on the way home from Inzane last year (from repeatedly sticking my face up in the wind to blow the rain off my face shield).  I decided to get another, and like everything else you ever liked, they stopped making it.  Only ones I could find left are a few XS whites (I need XL).

They have a replacement with the drop down half shield, but did away with the warm zip-on neck curtain and now only have a Y chin strap.  For $130 I want a neck curtain (but I may get one anyway).  At least the mark of Zorro on the back ones is blacked out now (I painted my chrome one black on the EXO100).  And it looks like they added rear vents, the EXO100 only had front vents and do little.

http://www.motorcyclegear.com/street/helmets_and_eyewear/open_face/scorpion/exo_c110_helmet.html

Whoa...that's more than a little funky.  Not for me....LOL  And I don't need that or the door edge trim as this shield is all good for me.  In the colder months I can put one of the other two on that I have; stock or even larger with the Showchrome shield.  I was just posting that option for some that might need to try a cheap alternative to some possible added wind protection.

Helmet looks nice, and the flip down visor is a plus there.  It might be time for a new helmet for summer, I have some barely used Full Face Modular ones (Goldwing Yellow in color)  with mic and ear phones in place for occasional winter or cold weather use. 

[Jess from VA]

I have a beautifully painted Dragon-teeth-drooling full face that was worn 2-3 times (medium expensive Icon).  Scared kids at the gas station.  I hate them.  Smoking a cigarette inside one with the shield down (or up) is nearly impossible. 

Yeah it's funky.... except on your all black with black shield it might disappear.... almost. 

Like all helmets, they have to be tried for fit before ordering.  I rode all over to find the EXO100 when new, and discovered I needed an XL rather than my usual L.  The liner comes out to wash.  And I cut off half the very long chin strap and keeper (melted the edge) and put on a quick release clip.  On and off in 2 seconds with gloves on.

[BF]

I have a beautifully painted Dragon-teeth-drooling full face that was worn 2-3 times (medium expensive Icon).  Scared kids at the gas station.  I hate them.  Smoking a cigarette inside one with the shield down (or up) is nearly impossible. 

Yeah it's funky.... except on your all black with black shield it might disappear.... almost. 

Like all helmets, they have to be tried for fit before ordering.  I rode all over to find the EXO100 when new, and discovered I needed an XL rather than my usual L.  The liner comes out to wash.  And I cut off half the very long chin strap and keeper (melted the edge) and put on a quick release clip.  On and off in 2 seconds with gloves on.

Jess....Are the Scorpions an oval or more of a long oval helmet?  I've got a long egg shaped noggin' and have a hard time finding something that fits without having to take a hammer to it.   

[Jess from VA]

Bruce, I thought they were more A) round or B) oval.

Since I'm oval and the Scorpion fits me so comfortably, I'm assuming they're oval.

My exo100 (and I'm going to assume the new C110 is pretty much the same) is the largest, best coverage (down to the ears) half I've ever had, heavier than the real lightweights, but still pretty light.  But when I got the right size, it was just really comfortable.  The only thing to do is call around and find who has some to try on and go and see.  And I was never able to find any kind of a discount over MSRP (other than a buck or two), so tax and shipping are the only variables.

I heard some complaints of mushroom head about them since they are a large half, but that also means a safe half.  With some things (like helmets) you really should choose function over form.  (And yes I'd be a lot safer in a 3/4 or modular, but I won't wear those)

I do have an oval head (think Bruce Willis with no hair).  I'm just glad it's a fore-and-aft oval; side-to-side oval would really look funny and suck in a stiff wind.

Oval head.