Windshields: Two Reviews and an Inquiry

[JRD]

I'm riding a 2017.
I'm 5'11" with a 30" inseam. 190lbs.

National Cycle Street Shield: this is a medium-sized, clear universal mount windscreen that the previous owner had installed. 17" tall and 16" wide.
The good!

• The four-point universal mount is surprisingly stable.
  
• Takes a good amount of wind-blast off your chest. You really feel it above 65mph or so.
  
• Looks clean with a retro cruiser style that doesn't clash with the CB.
  
• Pops on and off with relative ease, making it available when you need it and gone when you don't.
  

The bad!

• The air crests right up at head level and ups the noise factor, considerably, necessitating ear-plugs at speeds over 55mph. If I could just cant it down slightly so the wind crested a few inches lower, I think it would be perfect.
  
• It effects the handling slightly. Just adds a bit of buffeting and shake to the front end. Not substantial, but enough to feel slightly less smooth confidence than the CB normally delivers.
  

Dart Marlin s3 flyscreen: I had previously had this installed on my RE INT650 where I absolutely loved it. Big enough to work but small enough to keep a clean look. Crested the wind perfectly off my chest but let my head ride in clean air for no head-buffeting or increased noise. Had to call Dart and get them to dig a lost unit of their discontinued 2017 mount out of a back office somewhere. 12.5" tall and 11" wide.
The good!

• Takes a moderate amount of wind-blast off your chest. You really feel it above 75mph or so.
  
• Looks clean with a more modern style that elevates the CB without clashing with the retro style. Works particularly well, esthetically, with the more modern 2017 tank.
  
• Low-profile, unobtrusive mounting hardware.
  
• Doesn't effect handling noticeably.
  

The bad!

• Replaces the solid, stock headlamp assembly mount with thinner custom mounts that accommodate the windscreen. Due to being flat, stamped out aluminum, any buffeting to the windscreen causes the headlamp and front blinkers to wobble slightly while riding. Doesn't effect anything mechanical, but slightly disconcerting. Wobble flattens out above 55mph.
  
• Due to the CB being a longer bike than the RE, with a longer headlight assembly and longer screen mounting hardware, the dynamics are different than the ER and the turbulent air hits you at head level and ups the noise factor, considerably, necessitating ear-plugs at speeds over 55mph. If I scoot up basically onto the tank, I can get the same distance from the screen as on the RE and up above that lip of air, but it is not a position want to actually ride in.
  

I'm thinking that for now I'll stick with the Street Shield and just only use it for longer rides. I think maybe the move is to go bigger, but also stick with a detachable unit. That way I can have a clean ride with no windscreen while I'm in town, but then snap a touring screen on if I'm going to ride up to NorCal or something for the weekend. Anyone have any recommendations? Any experience with the Street Shield EX? Or big ass Plexifairings? I would love to hear ya'll's experience  and suggestions.

[peterbaron]

I used Street Shield EX on all three CBs, but I am 5'5", so your head sticks out a bit more..
I have no complaints, even after one day/1,150 km hwy riding.


Street Shield



Street Shield EX

[Tev62]

I'm riding a 2017.
I'm 5'11" with a 30" inseam. 190lbs.

National Cycle Street Shield: this is a medium-sized, clear universal mount windscreen that the previous owner had installed. 17" tall and 16" wide.
The good!

• The four-point universal mount is surprisingly stable.
  
• Takes a good amount of wind-blast off your chest. You really feel it above 65mph or so.
  
• Looks clean with a retro cruiser style that doesn't clash with the CB.
  
• Pops on and off with relative ease, making it available when you need it and gone when you don't.
  

The bad!

• The air crests right up at head level and ups the noise factor, considerably, necessitating ear-plugs at speeds over 55mph. If I could just cant it down slightly so the wind crested a few inches lower, I think it would be perfect.
  
• It effects the handling slightly. Just adds a bit of buffeting and shake to the front end. Not substantial, but enough to feel slightly less smooth confidence than the CB normally delivers.
  

Dart Marlin s3 flyscreen: I had previously had this installed on my RE INT650 where I absolutely loved it. Big enough to work but small enough to keep a clean look. Crested the wind perfectly off my chest but let my head ride in clean air for no head-buffeting or increased noise. Had to call Dart and get them to dig a lost unit of their discontinued 2017 mount out of a back office somewhere. 12.5" tall and 11" wide.
The good!

• Takes a moderate amount of wind-blast off your chest. You really feel it above 75mph or so.
  
• Looks clean with a more modern style that elevates the CB without clashing with the retro style. Works particularly well, esthetically, with the more modern 2017 tank.
  
• Low-profile, unobtrusive mounting hardware.
  
• Doesn't effect handling noticeably.
  

The bad!

• Replaces the solid, stock headlamp assembly mount with thinner custom mounts that accommodate the windscreen. Due to being flat, stamped out aluminum, any buffeting to the windscreen causes the headlamp and front blinkers to wobble slightly while riding. Doesn't effect anything mechanical, but slightly disconcerting. Wobble flattens out above 55mph.
  
• Due to the CB being a longer bike than the RE, with a longer headlight assembly and longer screen mounting hardware, the dynamics are different than the ER and the turbulent air hits you at head level and ups the noise factor, considerably, necessitating ear-plugs at speeds over 55mph. If I scoot up basically onto the tank, I can get the same distance from the screen as on the RE and up above that lip of air, but it is not a position want to actually ride in.
  

I'm thinking that for now I'll stick with the Street Shield and just only use it for longer rides. I think maybe the move is to go bigger, but also stick with a detachable unit. That way I can have a clean ride with no windscreen while I'm in town, but then snap a touring screen on if I'm going to ride up to NorCal or something for the weekend. Anyone have any recommendations? Any experience with the Street Shield EX? Or big ass Plexifairings? I would love to hear ya'll's experience  and suggestions.

Try adding a screen extender to the National Cycle Shield. Fix it so it is parallel to your screen and barely higher. That may well smooth out the turbulance. Worked a treat on two of my bikes. Go clear, small, 280mm.

   

[1973cb750]

i just ordered a puig custom 2 https://www.ebay.com/itm/236403561214 hopefully itll work for me im 6'0

[clearviewx]

I have the Street Shield EX. No problems with it.

[JRD]

I have the Street Shield EX.  No problems with it.

The EX looks like it is only one inch taller than the standard. How does the wind crest? Where does the turbulance hit you? How tall are you?

Thanks!

[peterbaron]

If not mistaken, these are the hight specs of each windshield:

* Puig Custom II - 16.1"
* Street Shiekd - 17"
* Street Shield EX - 18"

[Cormanus]

JRD, I hate to preach, but you should be wearing earplugs all the time unless you're riding very slowly. No helmet can save you from hearing loss once you get to 50 or 60 mph.

I can't remember what windshield the Ferret uses, but I know he cuts it down.

[1973cb750]

JRD, I hate to preach, but you should be wearing earplugs all the time unless you're riding very slowly. No helmet can save you from hearing loss once you get to 50 or 60 mph.

I can't remember what windshield the Ferret uses, but I know he cuts it down.

I been a mechanic for years so my ears are shot from impacts and loud crap your saying instead of ear buds blasting white lion and la guns i should try hearing protection??

[Cormanus]

https://www.campaignforbetterhearing.us/...motorcycle


It's up to you, mate. I'm accompanied everywhere by tinnitus. Sometimes it's the loudest thing for miles around. Even if your ears are shot, I'm sure you can make them worse.