Choosing Wind Screen for 2011 Burgman 400

[scooterkal]

I've been trying to decide on an aftermarket wind screen for my '11 400 Burgman, and I'd really like to hear from any of you that have wind screens made by, apparently, the only two manufacturers (Givi and Cee Bailey) that have screens for my Burgman.

I can't seem to navigate kiwi Dave's website very well...I've tried to contact him by e-mail, but his link isn't working for me. My local dealer wants about $300 for the AF266 Givi screen, and I'm not sure if I can get them to install it for that price. They want $240 for the non-adjustable DT266.

Since I know very little about aftermarket screens for Burgmans, and since I'm trying to get the most value for my $$, I was hoping any of you here that have used aftermarket screens could make a recommendation based on your experience.

I'm now about 5'7" and 190# since my back surgery last year. I occasionally get pretty battered by the wind hitting me on my helmet as well as my torso...even in "clean" non-turbulent (15mph) air riding through open areas of the countryside around here.

I'm really having a great time on my Burgman, and am hoping to ride with a little less fatigue when going on my 1-2 hour rides.

I've installed replacement aftermarket shields on cruiser-style bikes in the past, and I know that most screens are compromises.

I would really appreciate any help you all could make available to me. Thanks.

--Andy

[Daboo]

Regarding Kiwi Dave not answering your email, you may want to check your spam folder. Your mail provider may have directed it there instead of to your Inbox. Kiwi Dave is pretty good at answering those emails.

There's two more windshield options than you mentioned. Besides the standard Givi and the adjustable Givi Airflow, and the CeeBailey's, there's also the 7Jurock and Saeng/TA Microswirl Edging.

I've heard good things about the CeeBailey's and 7Jurock screens. A nice part about them is you can buy them in different heights. Also, if you already have handguards, they will work with them.

I didn't like the standard Givi, but then I've only ridden with it once. The two things I didn't like are that I would have to look through the windshield, and it creates too much of a calm pocket of air behind it. I can see (no pun intended) where looking through it in rain or when the dew covers everything in seconds like I've encountered before, that it would be like looking through a bathroom window. And IMHO, it just didn't feel natural to have the air that calm behind it. I like a little bit of air flowing over my chest and it was like there was none. Some may like that, but I found it stifling.

I used the Saeng/TA Microswirl Edging for a couple years. When I first bought my 2007 400, I commented on how surprised I was on the OEM windshield. I was being blown everywhere and later figured out that it was simply the material is too flexible. The only option at the time was the Givi standard windshield, so I started looking for other options. I found this edging and bought it as a stop gap measure...and kept it because it worked and until I was offered a chance to review the Givi Airflow windshield. Some people will say that the edging doesn't work. I found it did. It has a metal core that firms up the windshield enough to do its job. Saeng/TA says its design forces the air out like the windshield is a couple inches larger. I don't know how to prove that outside a wind tunnel. But if you're looking for an inexpensive option to stiffen the windshield, this is worth considering. The Grade 2 is pre-owned, but far cheaper than the brand new material. You'll need 5 feet, if I remember right. They say it has minor blemishes, but the product I received looked like new.

I was fortunate to be given a Givi Airflow windshield in return for a review. I made it clear before I accepted that I would only accept the windshield if I could write what I really felt about the windshield. In other words, I wasn't going to be bought. You can read the review here. viewtopic.php?f=24&t=48661 If you haven't bought the handguards yet, I think this is the way to go. The price of one of the other aftermarket windshields and the handguards comes to about the same price. And unlike the others that are a fixed height, you can adjust this one in seconds without tools. I lower mine all the way in the winter because I want as much visibility as I can get in the rain and dark. In the summer, I'll raise it up some to block some of the air. I've ridden with it all the way up when fighting high winds and found it worked great...except I don't like looking through the windshield. And I've taken the upper portion off and ridden like that in the hot summer. There isn't another windshield option that flexible that I know of.

Chris

[scooterkal]

Chris, thanks for your reply.

I've viewed and printed your review from 2010 last night, and found that it covered most of my questions about how the AF266 mounts and works in various riding conditions.

I've ridden bikes with windshields high enough that I've had to look through them, and other shields that I've cut down because I really didn't like getting stuck in a heavy rain and having everything fog up on me...it happened once, gave me a scarey ride...everything fogged up: sun glasses, helmet shield, both surfaces of the windshield. I couldn't see the edge of the road I was on, and couldn't see oncoming traffic...kind of like riding in a white out snow condition, and didn't have the opportunity to pull off the road to clear any of the fogging...didn't know where the siding of the road was .

I don't live in Illinois any more, and southern Alabama is giving me a chance to ride in much kinder weather conditions, especially at the start and end of the "riding seasons" I experienced up north.

As soon as my back gets straightened out, I'm really looking forward to riding more.

I really like the adjustability of the AF266, and the ability to remove the spoiler in warmer weather.

When looking through the spoiler, is the quality of the polycarbonate pretty decent (like you mentioned in your review), or is it something that would make me want to look over it most of the time?

I wouldn't mind a solid Cee Bailey, if I could figure out about what height and width I needed...I really don't like cutting plastic windshields. But the feature you pointed out about how the Givi air flow has some air flowing through it even with the spoiler fully extended makes me think that when the summer temps get into the humid mid and upper 90's, I might have more adjustment options (including removing the spoiler entirely).

Thanks again for the great review, and your response to my windscreen questions.

--Andy

[Daboo]

Looking through the upper portion was okay. I'm just the kind who likes to look over the windshield and get the clearest view of the scenery I'm on if I'm riding on a trip. It does help in eliminating some fatigue when fighting headwinds. As someone else mentioned, the aerodynamics seem to help it not act like a sail with air flowing over, around...and through. When I was coming back on that trip, I hit some really high head winds and I put it up higher for part of that just to help with the fatigue. The only problem I had by that time, was the bug spots.

The problem I think I'd find with any windshield I was looking for...disregarding looking through it in rain or the bug spots...is the clarity of it. The clarity was fine when new. It's still not bad. I clean it either with a soapy wash mit before washing anything else, or I use Meguiar's plastic cleaner and polish. I'm sure lots of people still have theirs looking like new, but I'm not sure I can do that. So even though I am very careful with it, I am getting some very very fine scratches in the surface. Like I said, the clarity is still good. But I'd rather be looking over them, and not through them.

When I bought the new 2008 400, one of the for sure swaps, was the windshield. I wasn't letting the Givi Airflow go with the 2007 400.

If you go this route, I think you'll find the best price through Kiwi Dave on the forum here.

Chris

[Kiwi Dave]

If anyone is having trouble with the link at the bottom of this post here is my email address, just copy and paste it into your email contact list:
kiwidave2009-sideracks@yahooxtra.co.nz

A point to note, many of my return emails are lost in either spam boxes or company server rejections, this is usually caused by peoples high security settings. I always reply to emails and messages I receive, If you don't see a reply from me with in 12 hours in your in-box, check your spam mail!

Alternatively contact me via message.

[TeeMon]

Andy,

I have a Cee Bailey screen on my 08 Burg 400. The screen is almost two inches higher than stock height and it's the "standard" shape on top. They also offer a "Euro" shape and I had that style on my previous Burg 400 - also two inches higher than stock.

Both shapes work very well for me as did the height. I was able to look over the screen and yet it deflected the wind over my torso and helmet.

The Cee Bailey screen also allows me to use the hand deflectors during the "cold" season. And for warmer weather I can easily remove them for good wind flow on my perforated gloves. I don't think you can do that with the Givi screen. At least on my Honda SH150i, I can't. The Givi hand deflectors are built into the screen and on my SH, my hands get pretty warm in the summer when I'd rather have them cooler.

My initial complain with the stock (OEM) screen was the incredible flexing. At times I expected it to start breaking apart. It was really terrible. With the Cee Bailey screen, there is almost no flexing - it is obviously very sturdy and much better made than the OEM screens are.

I would advise you to check out Cee Bailey's site and look at the various options that they offer. I am very pleased with mine.

Oh, I am also just shy of 5-7, but weigh much less than you do. And I am currently recovering from my 2nd low back surgery.
So I know your pain.

[rpl782002]

I just ordered a givi af 266 airflow windshield from kiwi Dave and couldn't be happier. I just sent him an email with what I wanted and he sent me an invoice.

Fast response and shipping

[v8eyedoc]

I just ordered a givi af 266 airflow windshield from kiwi Dave and couldn't be happier. I just sent him an email with what I wanted and he sent me an invoice.

Fast response and shipping

I odered my Givi wind screen from http://www.twistedthrottle.com and have had it on for about a month now.!! What a vast improvement over the factory screen I think it is the D66 KIT!