First time posting...Figured I would give my experience with my first modification. After lurking and learning a lot from all of you I decided to go for the Madstad windshield for my recently purchased 2014 Terra. The design makes sense to reduce the buffetting...and now includes support brackets connecting the top of the bracket to the top of the triple clamp. I am thinking this is from High Five's recomended modification to his. After ripping around town and on the highway to and from work I have concluded the following: -The angle and height is crucial to keep my head from sounding like it is in a bass drum. Still haven't found the optimal configuration. I've tried the 55,60 and 65 degrees and between with some being better than others but still making my head ring! Could be my helmet combo (Scorpion Exo-700). It is basically unbearable and wonder how much damage I am doing to my hearing. I am also wearing earplugs. -The windshield reflects the headlight, high beam reflects less, but is like a flashlight shining in my face the entire ride. Also the edge of the windshield sucks up the light and illuminates like a lantern. Some sort of rubber trip around the bottom edge might help as well as an anti-glare film. If I cannot remedy both of these issues I will be selling the windshield . and looking for something better. The TCI windshield looks like the next best thing...Or just forget all windshields and cold/rain riding...
Bill (BMP Plus) was installing a windshield on a Terra at the NW Fall Gathering. I think it was Coffee's bike Bill installed it on, he could also give you some feedback from his ride home. Don't think it was either of the brands you mentioned.
Interesting - After using 2 different handlebar mount shields for 8k miles, I bought the Madstad setup 2 weeks ago. It has turned the bike from a 300 miles a day bike to a 500 miles or more a day bike for me. 18 inch shield - I'm 5'11" 32" inseam and a custom seat about 1" higher than stock. The alum plate that the brackets mount to also gave me a place to mount a ram ball so I could get the gps mounted above the instruments. Thanks to Highfive for getting this setup with Madstad! Jim
Jim, that is promising to hear. What is your approximate angle and height from the lowest setting? I have mine around 60degrees and about an inch above the lowest height setting. Also, are you experiencing any issues with headlight reflection? Thanks for your input.
All the way up and mostly forward - the way you would have it for most protection. Haven't used it at night, so don't know about headlight reflection. I try not to ride at night much anymore, so not a big deal for me. My wife is 5'5" and I can lower the bike for her - she likes it about half way up and mostly forward. Jim
It was a Slip Streamer Spitfire and he was installing it on the Cofee's Terra. I already had one on my Strada when I got it originally from Bill....so two had it at the Gathering. I like the windshield very much! No bass drum effect, no ghosts in the night from light because it doesn't get anywhere near the headlight area and fits in the little channel just above the headlight cluster and not actually attached, great at freeway speeds. Only negative is the adjusters seem to want to loosen up with vibration. I green loctited part of the fasteners and tighten the finger screws extra snug. And if you're doing serious off-road--particularly steep up hill--there's a chance the windshield might bump you in the chin. I give a 9 out of 10. That all said if you resolve buffeting and you're still getting light spill...try some vinyl tape strategically placed to find the best black out. Then replace with some masking tape and spray areas flat black. I did that to the backside of my headlight assembly where I was getting some spill.
I contacted MadStad Engineering to figure out what to do with the windshield. Mark was very helpful and we discussed size, shape and tint change. A new windshield is on its way. Mark picked out the Sport CR style which is a little more narrow and in the light gray tint to keep the windshield from glowing. Customer service has been excellent! Hoping the new one will work out.
