windshield report

[xprof]

I'm 6"1", 32" inseam, and I ride with an open-face helmet. When I picked up my new R1200R at the dealership it was an 85-mile ride home, so I had them mount a Cee Baily 20" screen. It was well made, but blasted my face and made my ears ring; really not acceptable for a long haul. So I phoned CalSci and ordered an XL screen, no special shipping. It arrived in 2 days! It is a MUCH better fit for me. Mark was easy to deal with, and offered a $60 rebate if I would ship the Cee Bailey to him. He invited me to do a ride-in should I need any modifications (I don't). I may fiddle around with it a bit, changing the mount angle and adding swirl edging, and will report any improvements, but even without improvements this shield will do very nicely. I am happy to recommend CalSci to all my overly-tall colleagues.

[orhog]

We keep hearing good about the CalSci screens. Tell your tall pals I listed a XL in the buy, sell and trade, I need a med. Maybe I will have it cut down. And by the way what is Swirl edging?
Rich

[xprof]

Swirl edging is something sold by SAENG (Surface Airflow ENGineering) that slips over the edge to supposedly create a slightly larger "bubble". Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I've used it successfully in one application for the past 17 years, but it didn't work for Eilenberger. I've got some on order, I'll try it on my shield, and will report back in a week or so. BTW: Mark offers to cut the windshield to any length, without charge.

[snag]

Mike,

Same height, same inseam, same problem. My 20" C-B just beats me to death. I have considered both the Micro-Swirl and cutting the lip off of the C-B and raking it back a bit. I would be real interested in your results. The Micro-Swirl sounds like it may be a "fix", but not the solution. I am a firm believer in managing airflow with properly shaped surfaces rather than wake/vortex generators that force air where it does not want to go (years of sailing, flying and my ex Hayabusa). I am thinking that a cut down lip-less 20" C-B with some standoffs for the lower mounts would help, but am reluctant to cut the C-B up.

I've done a bit of reading on the CalSci and am seriously considering getting one this winter (it's -20C here right now and rideable weather is still 4 months away). If you feel that you need to rake the CalSci back and add the Micro-Swirl, that tells me that you are still experiencing some turbulence with it. Can you provide some more detail about the kind of buffeting, if any, that you are experiencing with the stock installation of the CalSci? I really do think that the stock BMW windshield mounts are not meant for larger (higher) windshields as they do not have enough rake to them. I find that if I move about 6" closer to the C-B, all is milk and honey. The wind flows off of the C-B and over my helmet; move back and the flow breaks up. Sounds simple, I would try the lower mount standoffs first if you are experiencing turbulence.

Keep us posted.

Doug

[xprof]

Thanks Doug! I completely agree with you, but the SAENG guy also makes his argument in terms of airflow management. The CalSci is just fine as is, and I would be happy with it without any changes, but I'm always looking for improvement (kind of like Eilenberger). I sort of feel that there are a pair of vortexes streaming back from the upper corners past my ears, and that if I could force them outwards an inch or so I would be slightly happier. I'm installing a new saddle and bar-backs, and once I get my position settled I may indeed try spacing out the lower mount a bit. If you have already done so, I'd appreciate a discussion of how you did it.

[xprof]

Oh, and BTW, there's such a thing as too much rake. On my last bike of 17 years I had a Rifle "Superbike" handlebar fairing that was strongly raked, and not quite high enough. I went to them and asked for the tallest screen that they could possibly make, mounted it, and: no difference! The rake was so extreme that lengthening the screen just put the edge about 6" closer to my face, but in a straight line, so all the air was still delivered right into my eyes. I solved that one by installing the ridiculously overpriced SAENG "Wing Tip", which created actual still air around my eyes, to the point that I could cycle in cold air without glasses. But it looked real funky, and induced some annoying airflow farther down that flipped my beard up in my face if it got too long. The CalSci isn't perfect, but it is close to it, and the best that I have found so far.

[xprof]

Took the CalSci windscreen for a 200-miler today, with Santa Ana winds reported up to 70mph. It behaved just fine, in crosswinds and speeds up to 90mph. I don't think it needs a rake adjustment or swirl edging; it worked just fine as is. And I would have been real uncomfortable without it! Oh, and half-way through the run I added a set of bar-backs, which made the riding position noticeably more comfortable. I'm getting it dialed in; what a great bike!

[snag]

Mike,

Thanks for the report. So no buffet and and quiet? I probably wont be getting into the bike swing of things for a couple of months yet, but I will keep an eye on this thread. Haven't thought through the standoffs yet, maybe I wont have to your reports continue to be positive. Here's hoping!

Doug

[xprof]

Doug,

I won't say NO buffet; there's still some turbulence around my ears (because the windscreen is narrow, only 12" at the top?). And wake turbulence from cars ahead can't be fixed. What I will say is that, whereas the Cee Baily 20" practically beat me to death, the CalSci XL gives me a pleasant ride, that gets smoother the faster I go. Could I smoke a cigarette or whistle Rigoletto at highway speeds? Probably not, but I never wanted to...

[AmostThere]

Just tried the CalSci XL 21.5" on a freeway ride. Similar issues to others with buffeting, etc. so it is not "The One." I did notice that it is thinner material than the CeeBailey. It is also manufactured much flatter than the CB and really depends on the tension from the mount attachment points to provide curvature. Not sure that either of those things matter, just observations. Anyway, the CalSci is added to my For Sale pile of screens, unless I can return it...

[ScottSuff]

I'm going to give the Z Technic V-Stream a try while I wait on a scout fairing. I'll post a report on it after I test in out in a couple weeks.
http://www.sierrabmwonline.com/technik- ... 3923784a7a
ScottSuff

[AmostThere]

I'm going to give the Z Technic V-Stream a try while I wait on a scout fairing. I'll post a report on it after I test in out in a couple weeks.
http://www.sierrabmwonline.com/technik- ... 3923784a7a
ScottSuff

Does their price include the mount for the Z? (which is said to be a PITA to install)

[AmostThere]

I spoke with Mark at CalSci this morning. He said that the main reason he has not really been able to optimize his shield for the R1200R is that he hasn't had one around. He invited me to come up there and hang around for a few days while he tinkers with his design and with the mount. He felt the end result might be a drastic improvement in his offerings for our bike. Its about a 400 mile ride for me and I'd probably need to do it on a 3-day weekend. I know that's a short ride for some of you but for me it is a bit of a problem. Any other volunteers in the Sacramento area?

By the way, I really like the way that we can call CalSci and speak with Mark personally. Or talk to Page at Aeroflow. Or James Gordy (RIP) at LumaLink. I don't think I've ever had that kind of experience in any other field of interest where I get to talk with The Man (or The Woman) who actually designs and builds some fine product. In fact, they usually pick up the phone!!! It really is fantastic, even more so when compared with the voice mail Hell I get into everywhere else.

[Caroanbill]

NON US USERS - the Calsci screen will rub against you indicator lenses - Mark thinks is ain't a problem, but it is . Fortunately it turns out the screen is softer than the indicator lens - so it's the screen that's wearing.

I'm debating whether to (a) slowly sand or file mine back to relieve the pressure (it would only take about 4-5mm to fix it), or (b) try to space out the base of the screen. Problem with (b) is that the screen has a hard enought time adjusting to the bracket as it is.

Cutting the screen is a no-no for me. I cut my Parabellum to clear my indicators and one tiny overcut became a crack and ate my screen - it just shattered across with the oriodnary wiggling needed to get it off the bracket.

Since I also want to sand the edges (the cut is a little rough and isn't polished off) I'll probably sand and file away ... levaing no tiny nicks or tears this time! (yes, I am mechanically inept .. )

[xprof]

Well, I tried SAENG micro-swirl edging on my CalSci, and it just added an annoying buzz. No Joy there! Next I will try raking the screen a little bit, which will also stop the rubbing on the turn indicators. Waiting on a tool or two; will report when it is done. In the meantime, I'm having a blast riding the bike in this summer-like Southern California weather. But rain is coming, and we do need rain!

[deilenberger]

I spoke with Mark at CalSci this morning. He said that the main reason he has not really been able to optimize his shield for the R1200R is that he hasn't had one around. He invited me to come up there and hang around for a few days while he tinkers with his design and with the mount. He felt the end result might be a drastic improvement in his offerings for our bike.

Be great if you can manage this.. he was quite enthused when we were working bi-coastal on his shield on my bike, but obviously that slowed things down since we had to do email exchanges between modifications.

By the way, I really like the way that we can call CalSci and speak with Mark personally. Or talk to Page at Aeroflow. Or James Gordy (RIP) at LumaLink. I don't think I've ever had that kind of experience in any other field of interest where I get to talk with The Man (or The Woman) who actually designs and builds some fine product. In fact, they usually pick up the phone!!! It really is fantastic, even more so when compared with the voice mail Hell I get into everywhere else.

It is the advantage of dealing with enthusiast-vendors. They actually care if you're happy with their products.

[ScottSuff]

Well, I hope the Z-Shield I have coming has a mount with it. I assumed that, we'll see in a week or so I hope.
SS

[deilenberger]

Well, I hope the Z-Shield I have coming has a mount with it. I assumed that, we'll see in a week or so I hope.
SS

Scott - sorry no one got back to you.. yes - the Z-Shield comes with a mount.

[celticus]

So am I still the only one around here who owns a Givi windscreen? I have not used mine much as I don't like the looks of a larger screen on the R1200R. However when I put it on the bike today it did not seem as ugly as I had thought before. I will take it out for a spin tomorrow. The small screen is fine for me in the warmer months. Maybe hypnosis or the therapy they used in "A Clockwork Orange" would be easier so I can warm up to a larger screen. I am off to a rally in mid February and who knows what the weather will be like then. If it buffets me to too large a degree tomorrow it is very easy to remove.
Are larger screens all that much warmer?

Mark

[tobes]

Are larger screens all that much warmer?

Mark

I'd say so. Keeping that cold wind off you makes a big difference. On another note I saw this chart displayed on another forum for guaging how cold your cold ride actually is: