I ordered and installed a plexi 2 from National Cycle a couple of weeks ago. I have not seen much in the way of reviews on this screen so I thought I would throw out my 2 cents. First I am 6ft 2in so my review may not be applicable to everyone. My first ride down the interstate at 70 mph I was really impressed at the amount of air deflected. It made a huge difference from a comfort standpoint. Now for the negative side. For me it created a lot of extra wind noise around my helmet. I didn't notice any buffeting to speak of, but the increase in noise left me resorting to using ear plugs.
I would like to hear other peoples results with this windscreen. For me personally, (and I realize I am taller than the average rider) I think the screen needs to be a couple of inches taller to deflect the air above my helmet. For the shorter rides I have been doing lately I took the screen back off.
I haven't seen any taller windshields and am actually considering going to a shorter windshield that leaves my helmet in clear air but takes some of the air pressure off my chest area.
I currently use a full face Bell helmet. Does anyone know of reviews of helmets regarding quietness?
(08-28-2013, 08:58 AM)air charlie_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I ordered and installed a plexi 2 from National Cycle a couple of weeks ago. I have not seen much in the way of reviews on this screen so I thought I would throw out my 2 cents. First I am 6ft 2in so my review may not be applicable to everyone. My first ride down the interstate at 70 mph I was really impressed at the amount of air deflected. It made a huge difference from a comfort standpoint. Now for the negative side. For me it created a lot of extra wind noise around my helmet. I didn't notice any buffeting to speak of, but the increase in noise left me resorting to using ear plugs.
I would like to hear other peoples results with this windscreen. For me personally, (and I realize I am taller than the average rider) I think the screen needs to be a couple of inches taller to deflect the air above my helmet. For the shorter rides I have been doing lately I took the screen back off.
I haven't seen any taller windshields and am actually considering going to a shorter windshield that leaves my helmet in clear air but takes some of the air pressure off my chest area.
I currently use a full face Bell helmet. Does anyone know of reviews of helmets regarding quietness?
I had a Kawi ZRX with a converted round headlight ass. that I put the Plexi 2 on for a while. I think must of wind noise is coming from underneath the fairing up your body. I put a set of lowers on which really helped a lot. Try this, take it for a ride and put the palm of your hand at chest high and see if some of the noise goes a way. If it does a set of lowers will help you out. Let me know how you make out
I used a large handle bar mounted clear fairing on my 550 way back in the day. Oh man it sucked my mileage down. Today I can afford the gas, but with a small tank, it would make touring a PITA to stop for gas so often. And I'd still like to get better mileage than I would in a car.
I've heard the Schuberths are relatively quieter helmets. I have never used them myself , so not able to offer a first hand experience on the same . Just good old earplugs for me so far.
(08-28-2013, 11:57 AM)Rboe_imp Wrote: [ -> ]I used a large handle bar mounted clear fairing on my 550 way back in the day. Oh man it sucked my mileage down. Today I can afford the gas, but with a small tank, it would make touring a PITA to stop for gas so often. And I'd still like to get better mileage than I would in a car.
Rboe, I think CA200 has reported his mileage has increased pretty significantly since installing his NC full screen. Maybe they are more aerodynamically shaped now?
I was not happy with my windscreen. PM me and I'll tell you why.
Meowguy, that was the deflector style wasnt it? The smallest of the 3 NC makes?
Charlie,
Did some searching last night, can't find a pic with lowers. My memory is coming back been a few years since i owned this one. I had to have a buddy custom make my lowers because of the radiator on the zrx. We mounted them to the radiator brackets forcing the air away from my legs. Worked great and put the rider in a pocket of clean air.
Thanks for the responses. I will have to check on the Schuberths helmet. The cycle shop was pushing me toward a Shoei that they claimed would be quieter, but it was a $500+ helmet. I would have to try one and see before I spent the money.
Hopefully, my post didn't come off as too negative. I think if I were 5ft 10in tall this windscreen would be perfect. For me it was actually quieter if I stood up just slightly (couple inches off the seat), then my helmet was more into "undisturbed" air. That's why I am thinking maybe a shorter windscreen. I am considering maybe going with the comet fairing with the touring windscreen. I originally wanted more wind deflection than this would give but now I am thinking maybe it would work (plus I love the look of it).
Back in the 80's I had a Kawasaki 750 with a windscreen made by windjammer. It was taller than the plexi 2 and in my opinion a better looking screen. After a google search and ebay search they don't appear to exist any longer.
Ok I am rambling a little but had another idea. I saw a nice CB 650 on craigslist cheap (it did not run, but appearance wise looked very nice). This CB had a matching fairing that appeared to be a factory Honda fairing. Has anyone considered going with a full blown fairing. I don't know how they attach or if it would even be possible. (I don't know if it would block air to the oil cooler, etc. )
I have had a Plexi II on since right after I got the bike on April fools day. I did post some pictures , you might be able to find it
on another thread. I took some flack because of the way it looked but as you know they work well. In the 80's NC Plexi wind
shields were cutting edge. I sold 100's of them when I worked for a dealer and also when I had my own store. I know my wife had 4 or 5 in the early 90's because I had to cut them down for her!