I read about these two items in an earlier thread and wanted to follow up with a couple questions to those of you who have used them...

First, I'm 6' tall.

Q1. I like to look over the shield by a couple inches...I notice the National Cycle website recommends a short version of the Plexifairing 3 for the Vulcan 750...20 1/2 inches high measured above the top of the headlight. The Plexifairing 3 is available as tall as 23 inches (in their catalog). My question to you 6-footers out there is can you see over the 20 1/2 inch shield without cutting it down?

Q2. Someone commented that the ball-and-socket mounting system for these has allowed one of the balls to pop out of the mount when going over a bump. Can anyone comment on that? I'm hoping that paying maximum attention to precise installation would eliminate that flaw, but perhaps not.

Q3. General question about the protection from each of these... I like good weather protection, like I get from the windshield and full fairing on my Concours, but I'm not too crazy about the looks of the Plexifairing 3 with its big plastic lowers. So...can anyone comment on the benefits of the lowers on the Plexifairing 3 vs. the lack of lowers on the Plexistar 2? If there is noticably better protection from the lowers on the bigger windshield, I might sacrifice some looks to get it!

Q4. Last but not least...does the 4-point mount keep these from flexing at highway speeds? I don't know how thick the acrylic is on these, but given their size, I wonder if they might shimmy around a bit at speed...particularly the larger Plexifairing 3. Any experience with this?


Many thanks...sorry for the long list of questions.....

Roy

I didnt have a plexifairing 3, but something very close, or may have be it... dunno it was on the bike when i got it... i dont have measurements off the top of my head but i can take them tonight but i think it was a 20". i am 6'1 and when i sit up i can see over it easy, and with just a lil slouch you get just under the lip.

weather protection is pretty good... didnt realize how much it gave b4 i broke it(i broke a lower on it so i got a smaller windshield) great for during the fall and winters here in texas, but the summer blows... almost all the wind is blocked... going 80mph with the thing on felt like 20-30 mph without...so ventilation wasnt happening..

lowers didnt do too very much...i guess cause they were small and so high up...just helped keeping too much air getting sucked up behind the shield. you may wanna look at a plexi star with some fatts lowers... i've heard they work better. plus u can pull them off for when you want the extra air

IMHO if you want maximum protection, get the plexi star with some fatts lowers...

I have the plexi-star2 and I'm only 5'8" so I had to tilt the screen down at more of a angle so I could see over it. When I first installed it, it was the same angle as the forks and was a good 2 inches above my line of sight so it might be just about right to a inch to short for you.

Woody,

It's possible to adjust the rake angle on these using the standard mounting hardware?

VV, yes it is, depending on where you put the fork clamps at. With mine leaving the fork clamps alone and just using the upper rods I can change it about 15 deg. and 2 in. Raising the fork clamps wuld get you a little more but you increase the gap around the headlight.

I just got one of these today. Actually it was the Plexistar 2. I am 6 ' 2" and when I got the windshield about the right height, and pitch, I find I have a HUGE gap between the headlight and the shield. Is this normal? I can just see over the shield, and its great at protection, but it looks kinda funny.
http://fortcollinsbikefreaks.org/M4M.jpg

wow... i could park my bike in that gap.....there should be a very minor less then a 1/2 inch gap.....

Definitely not the way it looks in the NC catalog!

I'm surprised you get any protection at all with that huge gap. But, hey...maybe you have the best of both worlds...protection when you want it and all you have to do is duck down near the speedometer when you want to feel the breeze?? That's better than those fancy electric windshields! LOL! :D

--Roy

No seriosly. I don't feel any blast of air through the gap really. The key chain sorta "floats" a bit but even that goes away when I put my tank bag on the bike. I don't feel anything. I had it lower, but my helmet was in a huge blast of wind. So now it has that big gap.Maybe other people have pictures of their bikes with these sheilds? Maybe post your height as well. Like I said I'm 6' 2".

To me it looks like you just got the wrong windshield there Insured...I have the Plexistar 2 also and have only a gap at the sides. see: http://tinyurl.com/pgn2z They make these things for several bikes and from what I have seen the diffrence in them IS the way the cut out is done around the headlight.
Did you order yours through National Cycle or just buy it off someone? I'm pretty sure it is not the one reccomended for our bike.

KM

Hello Knifemaker,
I purchased the tinted STREET SHIELD EX™ CONTOURED WINDSHIELD from JC Whitney. It is made by National Cycle. The dimensions are approximately 19-1/2"W x 18-1/2"H (22"H overall). I am 6' tall and can see over it just fine. I really like the quick off / on feature. It can be removed in a few seconds and installed in a few seconds. It protects the gauges from rain very well and provides a path for the wind that eliminates the helmet lift from the wind. The installation takes at least 30 minutes. Lots of small parts and you have to get the windscreen positioned just right to clear the gauges and to be even on both sides plus level.

Because the windscreen is supported only by the two points it will shake. What I did to fix that was I took a rubber door stop and cut it so it was shorter than the stock doorstop that I purchased at the Dollar Tree, 3 for a dollar package. I cut the piece from the low end that is tapered. I cut a piece of wood to fit exactly inside the doorstop and glued it in there to provide a good mounting surface. Then I got some good double sided black tape and stuck it to the bottom of the doorstop and onto the headlamp. The windscreen rests on that door stop and does not shake. A good fit and the black doorstop does not detract from the looks. Sort of resembles the old automobile hood ornaments of yesteryear.
Regards,
Sam612

I recently installed the Slip Streamer SS-24 Hellfire. Four point mount. Fits perfect, no mods.About $100 shipped

Never posted a pic here before so here it goes, my plexistar II http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b6dd11b3127cce881ae24cf4f100000016108RZOXLZm4M

How tall are you? Is your helmet in the wind? By the way. you have a nice clean bike.

I'm only 5' 8" but I have the shield tilted back more than normal so I can see over the top better. I can feel the wind hitting the very top of my head without a helmet(or maybe it's just the low pressure area behind the shield) but don't notice any wind when I'm my helmet.

Now that my thread has generated 15 replies, let me try to bend the thread back to two of my questions that remain unanswered...

--Someone said in another thread that the ball-and-socket mounting system for both of these shields has allowed one of the balls to pop out of the mount when going over a bump. Can anyone comment on that? I'm hoping that paying maximum attention to precise installation would eliminate that flaw, but perhaps not. If these can come unmounted for ANY reason, while underway, I'll go with another product.

--Do these shields--particularly the bigger, Plexifairing 3--flex at highway speeds? The ads don't say how thick the acrylic is on these, and given their large size and windage, if they are made of thin acrylic, I wonder if they might shimmy around or flex at speed...particularly the larger Plexifairing 3. Any experience with this?

Upper 70's and sunny here today...a good day for a ride!...

-Roy R

I was out last night. 70 to 80 on the interstate. Haven't had any problems. What a beautiful night.

I had a ball pop out when installing mine. It took a terriffic whack to pop it back in. I believe it had probably already been partly popped out as well.I doubt it will ever come out in normal use. Just don't pull on the plexiglass if you need to adjust it.

I've been up to 90 indicated with no problems. I say indicated as I am having seriuos doubts that the bike is running so fast. I got passed by an 18 wheeler when I was doing "80" the other day.

If the mounts are in tight they won't come out without a fight, have to turn the rod at a hard angle to pop them out. I had one on another bike that did pop out when I was adjusting it but don't think I had it in tight. As for flex, I have never noticed any.

The shield I have on mine does flex - I only noticed it because it has a cutout near the brake master cylinder. At speeds above 70, it would rub until I adjusted it further away. I would think it will still rub if I go fast enough but I am not about to find out how fast that is. All plastic shields will flex a little at high speed but it usually is not a problem.

VV, I have had a PF3 on two of my bikes, and it does not flex (up to 100 mph) and I have never had a socket pop loose in me. IMHO, it is a great shield for the money

Pick

:pepper: I got a nat. plexi fair 3 and have no problems with it bending while riding. Read the instructions twice before you install it. Instructions come with a how to for croping (cutting) the shield for your specific size. I am 6'2" and have not cut mine yet. If i seat straight up i see about 2 inches over it. When i need to shield (i live in alaska) myself i just get lower and have the full cover of the shield. I love it and would not change it. You will end up with a gap around the headlight, it do not bother me. Very easy to take out and reinstall when you want it. my .02. :rockon:

Great...thanks for all the info...sounds like a good deal for a full coverage shield.

--Roy

see: http://tinyurl.com/pgn2z KM

Ooh... Hey, KM, i noticed you have custom 'plate' in place of that little glovebox, that gives you more rack space... is that commercial aftermarket, or custom-built thingy? Same question for that dashboard plate you have.

Thanks!

I have a love-hate relationship with my Plexifairing 3 windshield.

1. I very much like the coverage, especially since I often ride my bike to and from work ~ a 20-mile round-trip, spring through fall ~ and I don't want to show up with splattered bugs all over me! The other day I got caught in a thunderstorm, and I was dry from below the knee to the top of my head. This is precisely why I chose the Plexifairing 3 over the Plexifairing 2 or some other kind of windshield.
2. When all the clamps are tightened, the windshield stays secure, even on the interstate. Every once in a while I need to make a slight readjustment (usually the fork clamps) ~ e.g. after hitting a large, unexpected bump. Therefore the gap around the headlight varies between .5" and 1" ~ but the wind that comes through isn't significant enough to matter, even when I'm using a loaded tank bag unstrapped.
3. What I don't like are the optics, especially in the top 2-3" of the windshield. I'm 5'9" and I look right through that section when I am sitting up straight. The visual is distorted, if ever so slightly, but still enough to be occasionally annoying. I tried adjustments that enabled me to look over the top, but I really couldn't get it low enough ~ plus, again, it's the full coverage that I value most. However, I've only been using it for 1,500 miles, so I think I will wait and see if I adjust!

So far so good with the installation of Plex. 3, but the instructions appear
to be messed up at step #5 where it says to install the Pivot Mounts
snuggly . . . then at stop #9 it says "IMPORTANT" to place Tape under
Pivot Mount..well the Pivot Mounts were put on way back at step #5,
so I guess I have to take off my Pivot Mounts and put the tape under
them (between the bar and the Pivot Mount) and start over with installing
the Pivot Mounts ? ?











.

I guess what the person who wrote the poor instructions was trying to say
is that. . . in step #9, now that you have found the correct location for the Pivot Points, tape must be placed under them. ? ?

Well, don't they read backwards in Japan? LOL

I hate to admit this, but there is one more advantage to the Plexifairing 3: when you drop your bike, it protects the mirrors, exhaust, turn signals, foot brake, etc.! I've allowed my bike to fall over twice in my own driveway (once while at a dead stop, and the other time while very slowly ~ too slowly ~ doing a 360).

:BLAM:

And both times, the outer wing of the windshield took the brunt of the fall ~ getting scuffed up a little bit in the process, but protecting the rest of the bike! I'd rather replace the windshield someday (maybe) than the exhaust pipe!

:D

I didn't think you where supposed to actually look through the windshield? I have mine set so I can see just over the top in a normal riding position. It creates a nice wind tunnel effect to keep flying objects moving over my head (at higher speeds). The optics on my windshield are poor, so I wouldn't even consider trying to look through the thing...lol.

I don't think there's really a particular way you're supposed to have a windshield positioned.
Mostly personal preference as to what works best for the rider.

I didn't think you where supposed to actually look through the windshield?...

As I understand it, in the "classic position" one should be able to look over the top edge of the windshield and see at least 200' of pavement in front of the bike. I can do this... but only if I sit ramrod straight! I'd like to shave about an inch off the top of my Plexifairing 3 (or raise my seat) so I can slouch!

Well, being 6'4" does have a few advantages...:motorcycl

There is no reason why you can't look through the windscreen (unless is really dirty)
The whole idea of being able to look over the top is you need to be ABLE to do this if you ride through rain (or worse yet, thick fog). If you are a fair weather rider, this may only be a small percent, so if you need to "sit up real straight" to do this it shouldn't be a problem, as riding through rain/fog tends not to be a relaxing activity in the first place.
Some folks do not like looking through their sheilds, but if it is clean and fairly opticaly clear, you will get alot less wind on your helmet and thus, less noise.
On my Vulcan, I had to strain abit to see over the top (thanks to getting a lower seat) but in the few times I had to look over it to see, it never really bugged me-as one tends to 'be on their toes" when riding through rain anyway.
The advantage of cutting more wind off my torso and head durring normal riding outweighed the slight discomfort. You do have to make sure the windscreen is not causing some weird optical abberation, and that it does not do anything bad if riding at night.
My FJR came with a nice windscreen, but it had these two sharp turns along the sides. It made the bike look cool, but the edge bent images and made it difficult to look through. I replaced it with a windscreen that is 4 inches wider and 4 inches taller, but opticaly clear. Unless it is very hot out, I normally keep the sheild raised so my head is almost completely out of the airstream. (The FJR has an electricaly adjustable windscreen that you can alter its height while riding)
This is less tiring on long trips and is ALOT quieter.
If I were you I' leave the shield alone for awhile and see if you like it. If you cut it down any, you can't put it back. If you can see over it if you HAVE TO then you likely have it at the right height.

KM

I'm 6' 2.5", and I've been slowly equipping my '96 Vulcan in order to do +1,000 mile trips, and a windshield, I've learned, is a must. All over this site the plexifairing III keeps popping up enough to convince me to purchase this windshield. I notice at the national cycle site there are a number of heights for this windshield.

At it's tallest it is 23" with a width of 29.75". As you go down in height, the width increases (at a height of 21.25" the width is 31.5"). Since I'm tall, is it recommended that I go for the height (the 23 incher) over the width? But will decreased width decrease protection, of say, my hands?

And finally: if I'm barking up the wrong tree all together and you folks out there think a different type of shield is better suited for me, please do advise.

Many thanks as usual!!!

I am 5'10" and run the Plex II. It sits just over the headlight and I look over the top by 1-2". If I slouch a bit I can get behind the windscreen and it definately quiets down which reduces fatigue significantly for me. As far as speeding goes you can go as fast as you want, the screen will not be an issue. I do not recommend this as I want to see you on the site for years to come.
In Mn at least - pull the ton/your done...tell it to the judge and beg for your license back.

I have a saddleman seat on the way, so I'm going to wait till that arrives to see where my eye-level falls, and I'm going to shoot for a windscreen that I can't look over unless I sit up real straight like KM's set-up. Since I'm 6'3" this may mean quite a large screen, but since everyone agrees the screen is easy to remove, I'll probably keep it off during the summer when doing short hops, and pop it back on for longer trips and in the winter. Still unsure about the size I should get, but will give National Cycle a call after the seat arrives and I get some riding in her. Thanks all.

My PF3 has never popped out of its sockets, and I've hit some good bumps.

I like the added protection of the lowers. Bugs and rain hit me mid-shin.

Hmm... I think that my PF3 has "shimmied" a little... but when properly mounted and tightened, I really haven't had a problem. I recently returned from a 1,400-mile trip that included sustained speeds of @ 75 mph, and I didn't have to re-adjust my PF3 at any point.

I too wish that it "looked better." But I have gone with function over beauty in this particular case!

National Cycle has a good write up on selecting windshield size here:

http://www.nationalcycle.com/WhyBuy/chapter3.html