[scottc_ohio]

I have a 1300C. I bought the bike because I like the sport styling of the bike. I am interested in getting a windshield but I do not want some big ugly thing. I am looking for something small that will still maintain the sport look.

Any suggestions?

 

[Retro Rich]

Lots of options out there; look at the Memphis Shades line, they have a great product with excellent customer service (not only initial sales, but folllow-up service if necessary as well). Some that come to mind that are slimmer and sportier are the Pop Top and Alley Cat shields. Just make sure you at least consider the correct height (they have measurement guidelines on their website based on your height/sitting position) or go buy a local bike shop and use one of their "measuring shields." Sometimes if you get the wrong height, it can create a lot of head buffeting at higher speeds for people.

 

[BigD1300c]

Dude, I know where u come from, check out the "fly screens".

 

[Green Ghost]

Slims

I think the Memphis Slims, looks good and performs well on the C. At only 18 inches wide and in hieghts of 15 & 17 inches. Strong mounting points with additional up and down adjustment for your C Model. All the hardware can be polished to a chrome like shine. As Rich stated the handlebar mounted shields are easy to install and look very well on the C model. Alley Cat, Hell Cat, Shooter, Ect. make nice shields, but the fork mounted shields offer good looks with a soild mounting point. And if you ever want more protection you could go to the fats and use the same mounting kit. Plastic and plates is all that would be required. GG

 

[Retro Rich]

That's Right On!

Alley Cat, Hell Cat, Shooter, Ect. make nice shields, but the fork mounted shields offer good looks with a soild mounting point. And if you ever want more protection you could go to the fats and use the same mounting kit. Plastic and plates is all that would be required. GG

+1 GG, excellent points as always.

 

[Scar]

Scott: I sent a PM last night, but signal loss was somewhere during that time also (I am using an wi fi signal from somewhere ) so I don't know if you recieved the info.. here it is --

Windshield on my bike is the Memphis Shades Pop Top and I purchased it from http://www.xtremerevolution.com/Store/VTX.aspx

OK, that takes care of the "PM" -- NOW, what the others have said about shields.

The Pop Top, Alley Cat and Big Shot all use the same fork leg mounts... so you can use whatever size you want without even removing the mounts.

I am 5' 8" and have the Mustang seat on the bike.. I use a 3/4 helmet with flip up visor.. I have the Pop Top down to about a 1/4" or so from the headlight and raked all the way back.. no buffeting up to about 115MPH indicated... There is still airflow so you don't "cook" in the desert during the summer.

I have tested the Alley Cat and Big Shot (have them all for testing purposes) and the Pop Top is best for me -- I ended up cutting the Big Shot down to the proper height for my dad's Retro -- One thing I found with the Big Shot was that it stopped so much air their was a circular "void" around the helmet and it retained road fumes.. I like the fresh air.. I haven't heard others complain about this, but I don't know how many have performed all these experiments.

The Alley Cat was better than the Big Shot for me, but too much buffeting.. If I where to use that one I would have to cut it down.

Seems that proper height and angle are critical to achieving the right airflow.. you will have to experiment and of course it depends on your needs (I do desert crossings) -- Also I like the shield way down low totally out of my line of vison.. if the shield is too close to line of sight then it is distracting when going through the hills.. around corners, up down, angle changes on the bike, etc... I have done a lot of testing with all these shields.

Again, these are MY preferences.. I NEED AIR, but no buffeting.

The Big Shot is taller than the Pop Top, but wider... it can be cut down to whatever height you want for a custom fit.. There are many options here, the Pop Top just turned out perfect in airflow for me.

Some like the "cone of silence" (wind-wise) and for me that presented too many other factors that was unacceptable.. good luck in you search.:cheers:

 

[ArizonaVTX]

Check out the Windvest. I have one and love it. It really maintains the look. No buffetting either.

 

[Steve H.]

Scar, what size cut out 7" or 9"?
Also what is buffeting?
I am thinking on getting the POP TOP it looks good and after what you wrote will sute me fine. I like air flow in the summer but not the bugs.

 

[BigT]

Bugs? I don't think anybody knows more about bugs than the people that live in La. an southeast Texas. There are times of the year when the bugs are soooooo bad you can't even ride. I would rather ride when it is real cold than put up with those damn bugs. T.

 

[ArizonaVTX]

Buffetting is your head vibrating in the air stream created by the windshield. I have a Memphis fats on my Suzi Volusia and the buffetting is not good but can be somewhat controlled by the angle of the shield and installing lowers. On my VTX I have the windvest which is considerably smaller and sportier and there is no beffetting. It's just big enough to keep most of the bugs off of me and deflects much of the air although not as much as the bigger shields. It also mounts to the handlebars so there are no issues with light bars.

 

[Scar]

Scar, what size cut out 7" or 9"?
Also what is buffeting?
I am thinking on getting the POP TOP it looks good and after what you wrote will sute me fine. I like air flow in the summer but not the bugs.

9" cutout is the way to go.

What ArizonaVTX said about buffeting -- It's when turbulent air disrupts around the head area and your head/helmet tries to shake your eyeballs out... The smaller shields throw the air up and away from your body and there is a "breeze" left around the head area (when properly adjusted) -- You can breath fresh air, avoid the bugs and can't even see the shield in your line of sight when riding..

I've tried the larger shields that create still air around the head and that was unacceptable for me for all the reasons previously mentioned -- Buffeting can be achieved with any shield if not properly adjusted.. some shields have no provisions for adjustment.. The Pop Top, Alley Cat and Big Shot can be adjusted for rake and height... the "C" model has more room for backwards rake adjustment than the "R" model due to the mounting design. :cheers:

 

[Steve H.]

Thanks Arizona and Scar for all your help. I will order one today.

 

[Toadman]

Couldn't be more happier with the pop-top. With the mustang seat lower than stock I don't have to raise the shield from it's lowest fork bracket setting. Raked it back at fork angle for a clean look(5'11"). I might go up an inch and see if there's a difference at speed with buffeting, but I like how it hugs the HL perfectly as if OEM. It was a toss-up between clear, solar and gradient tint so I rolled the dice.

 

[Shutterbug]

Toadman, your shield looks very similar to my Memphis Shades Shooter windshield.

 

[Steve H.]

Toadman your shield looks awsome. Cant wait till mine comes in.

BigT, your a right about the bugs. Come the end of June those june bugs are out by the thousands. Will need windshield to keep those bugs out of my shirts and teeth.

 

[XHombre]

Scott, for my money, the Windvest is the hands-down winner.
Why, you might ask?

1. Superior build quality to all the rest. The bracket is a super high quality chrome but it does not overly draw attention to itself. The shield is virtually unfettered with attachment points as they are extremely small - almost unnoticeable.

2. Easy on - Easy off, plus the shield is adjustable up and down as well as for angle of attack. I set mine to follow the line of the front forks exactly.
Very, very sharp, sporty and sleek. Low coefficient of drag is an added plus.

3. The Windvest allows you to still feel like you're "in the wind" while doing its primary job of relieving the windload from your torso, chest and face. There is no adverse turbulence and what little buffeting exists is at or above the forehead. I've cruised at an honest 125mph and was amazed that the ride was as "smooth as silk".

4. Overall design makes it nearly invisible as it does not draw attention to itself. That said, my Windvest draws more comments from fellow riders as well as from passersby, than almost any other of the $6000 worth of goodies
on my X.

Whatever you end up buying, it will be more comfortable and safer than riding without a screen or shield. Many of my comments are predicated upon choosing the proper size for your application and then setting it up correctly (not hard to do). Most of the shield's attributes have been comparitively analyzed and contrasted with the best features of other top brands. The Windvest is more expensive than many , if not most, others. IMO, it is worth every penny. :icon_peac Safe riding!

 

[cronicdrummer]

iv got the shooter and love it..!

 

[Ken_r_mer]

unique feature of the windvest

If you look at the windvest profile, you will notice a "reverse curve" at the top lip of the windshield. That curve is what displaces the airflow up higher than normal over the rider's head. That curve in the windshield may be equivilent to 2" - 4" of additional shield height on a straight shield.

I HAD a boat with a "flybridge" and the same concept was applied but in a more extreme format. A full reverse (45 degree up and away) wind deflector at waist height actually diverted the wind over the driver's head. Amazingly simple principle.

Not sure why the other shield mfrs. don't apply the windvest concept other than the concern for image distortion when viewing through the shield at the top rim.

 

[X46290]

I saw these on ebay but wasn't sure about them. Going to do some more investigating. Great thread.

 

[rcook52459]

memphis shade hellcat here.easy to take off to ride around town.