Help me decide upon a windscreen for my '83 1100E

[Gorminrider]

With the cooler temps having arrived, I'm giving serious thought to installing a small windscreen on my 1100E. Its been quite some time since I looked at what's available, especially one that would accommodate a large headlight. So, I thought I'd ask for some help from others who may've dealt with this matter.
Thanks in advance,
Willie

I Haven't really liked any windshield except a Real Vetter ,..... by a long shot. buuut I just put a "Police Style" windshield on my CB450S..slipstreamer..a "deal"- and I was chilly that day so I bit!
It is really big-intended for a different bigger bike entirely (had to mod the mounting-note the empty holes where I made it narrower) . Definitely more shelter than a spitfire-a Spitfire just didn't do enough for me for the eddies and different noise ...these unfaired windshields do tend to create more eddies behind them...If you are a long way back from it (on an "L" or laid-back" seating) I can imagine it being worse than NO windshield, smacked by eddies at highwat speeds...

My New Police style: yes it looks monstrous but it's not really that bad..or is it? per eddies I feel the chill more on my sides versus my front without any shield it but it's less and is also MUCH better on my hands because it's so wide...noise: well it's different. It oscillates a bit at the top of my helmet but I think it's less than the helmet noise I had around my ears with no fairing. I'm still deciding on whether to keep it. Noise is less with visor open and It is sheltered (warmer) behind it while I can look easily over the top of it- my electric vest will take care of the side chill... BUT passing a semi on the highway...without much bike mass- well, I'm pretty sure I'm going to feel it and not in a good way.

YOU should note that these police style ones will cover your turn signals and be careful per the mounting method. Slipstreamer has a police-model for ujm bikes ..thing about this monster is that it is thick plastic -it does not wobble due to thinness which even Vetters van do

windshield CB450S_202211.jpg

[Suzukian]

I was most definitely NOT referring to the Hugon fairing. I take it you're not familiar with the style of windshield that is on EVERY police motorcycle in New York. Been that way for a century.

My bad. The way your sentence read, well, to me it read as a negative. Yes, I am aware of those huge fairings, and know some police officers who say they are great for around town, and moderate speeds. There are many variations of that style fairing. Some go up and you see through it, some you look over. I guess that is something you would have to decide for yourself. Any bike I have ridden with that style fairing I noticed has produced air eddies and currents that are unfavorable. Even as aerodynamic as the Hugon was, and this is my second one, produced, in high side winds, an effect on the handlebars. It was totally controllable, but noticeable.

If you're going to bop around town, those big square fairings will keep the chill off of you. I commuted for 4 years on my '83 GS750ES 45 miles to Sikorsky, all year long. In the Winter, I mounted my Velorex sidecar, so I wouldn't slip on ice, and with special straps I ordered from Germany, I could easily travel in 8" inches of snow.. The large carrying space allowed me to carry all the gear and tools I could possibly need, even a small tent. The best thing to me is to make sure your hands aren't getting wind. That robs so much heat. I had a set of Vetter "Hippo=Hands" many years ago. It was like an oven in there. I just found them ungainly and gave them away, something I soon came to regret.

When it comes to keeping warm, what works is far more important that how something looks.IMHO

[Gorminrider]

added thought: You may also have to change your handlebars.... When I add an effective windscreen or fairing, I can feel a more noticeable weight on my handlebars.... It can be "got used to" but the inevitable thought or trial is more rise! on handlebars " and so on.

An extra sweater under a bulky riding jacket coat can save you from all this

[Suzukian]

It's amazing how much a thin Windbreaker Jacket can make you so much warmer by sealing you up. They are getting hard to find, they used to be everywhere, but not anymore. I saw some at the Local Harley dealer. I didn't have time to check them out.

[Rob S.]

When I add an effective windscreen or fairing, I can feel a more noticeable weight on my handlebars....

Try a frame mounted model.

[willie]

That's a great looking 1100G, Bill, and the windscreen was the basic style I was hoping to get feedback on. So thanks for posting the pic. As for the Hugon, I'll admit that in the 50 yrs that I've been into bikes, I don't recall every seeing that particular fairing. Very interesting. Thanks for posting pics and info.

[willie]

I commuted for 4 years on my '83 GS750ES 45 miles to Sikorsky, all year long. In the Winter, I mounted my Velorex sidecar, so I wouldn't slip on ice, and with special straps I ordered from Germany, I could easily travel in 8" inches of snow.. The large carrying space allowed me to carry all the gear and tools I could possibly need, even a small tent. The best thing to me is to make sure your hands aren't getting wind. That robs so much heat. I had a set of Vetter "Hippo=Hands" many years ago. It was like an oven in there. I just found them ungainly and gave them away, something I soon came to regret.

When it comes to keeping warm, what works is far more important that how something looks.IMHO

VERY impressive background experience and informative response. THANKS! I sold a pair of like new Hippo Hands before ever trying them out. . Having picked up sewing vinyl for boat cushions and seats recently, I can see myself making a pair. Hell, I could color match them to the bike. lol Anyway, thanks for the idea.
All things considered, based upon everything I've read, sounds like dressing accordingly with a pair of Hippo Hand knock-offs would be the best all around way to go.
Anyone agree?

[Suzukian]

It worked incredibly well for me. Keeping your neck shielded is important too. I had a nice piece of denim I would shove up into the chin part of my full face helmet, with the rest tucked up inside around the sides. That helped a real lot, and the shield did not fog up. I have to admit that the Hugon fairing, if it was available, I would say get one. 30 years ago it sold for $375 dollars. They are not to be found now. I find that the main culprit is if wind gets through the front of your outfit. If you can keep the wind out of your zipper (I have a Fieldsheer Winter riding jacket that is unbelievable) then you will be fine. It's in those 10 degree rides where I find going like a bat out of hell to get to your destination, crouching low to avoid air hitting your chest, and having excellent gloves will give you about 45 minutes of guaranteed "you'll get home". I carried a sleeping bag in my side car. One night, I shivered, and lost core temp heat. I pulled over, shaking like a leaf in the wind, and slipped into the sleeping bag in the sidecar. Within 5 minutes I was boiling hot. That night I left out one layer in the Belstaf riding jacket I had, which is no comparison to the Fieldsheer Winter jacket I own now. Insulating thick layers (which I did once going from Storrs, Ct, to Philadelphia, Pa, in very cold rain, (using crushed balls of a newspaper in my jacket for insulation) can help keep you warm in an emergency.

[waltergs1000]

I use givi, up to 120 km / h it protects givi.jpg

[willie]

Ironic that a picture of a Givi should get posted. After reading the earlier posts, I went down to my basement after remembering that I had a small plexiglass screen tucked away some where. Sure enough, it was a really nice Givi. I thought I was in luck until I held it up to my 8" headlight. It came off my old SV650 It's too small from my 1100. . Guess I'll list it and put the $$ towards something for my 1100, unless of course I just dress appropriately instead.

[Suzukian]

You could cut the Givi fairing with Hot Wire. If you are careful, and you could cover any jagged edge with car molding. Just an idea I'm throwing out there.Better to use, and see if that style would work for you.

[willie]

VERY good idea! I'll take a closer look at it and see if taking that route is feasible. Out of curiosity, where in CT are you located? I used to work near the NY/CT border in Port Chester many decades ago.

[Suzukian]

I'm just North of Danbury Ct.

[willie]

I'm just North of Danbury Ct.

Back in the 70's there was a really good Kawasaki dealer in Danbury. Worth the drive from Westchester County NY

[Suzukian]

I know the one you're talking about. Long gone, but probably one of the best dealers of any dealership in town. Danbury PowerSports is the only Japanese dealership, and they are a decent bunch. They have a website and do a lot of online orders. There's a great Ducati and KTM dealership just down the road from them. The Ducati and KTM shop have a '70's feel to them, disheveled, but organized, in a messy way. They are a bit expensive, but very knowledgeable. You have to pay big bucks to have those bikes serviced, but at least they do it right. The head mechanic told me I was the kind of person who could do the service on a Duke. I think so, but they are out of my price range.