Just installed my Givi windshield....

[Greengoose]

Just got back from work. I ride 47 miles one way. The new windshield is an absolute must for tall drivers. I still need to use my face shield on the highway. In town its so quiet and peacefull without the wind noise.

I also just broke the 500 mile mark...Whooo Hooooo I can open her up some more.

If I really needed to get totally away from the wind or rain. I can lower my head behind the windshield if necessary.

Best $121 ive spent so far.

[jas340]

I'm still waiting on mine. The wind noise and buffeting is so bad even with ear plugs that I don't want to ride the BK over 45 mph. I sure hope I am as happy with it as you are. If not, I'll stick a laminar lip on the Givi, but only if Covert says if it's any good.

[Roger Buente]

Just received and installed my Givi on 9-27-03. The difference is amazing.
It is almost eerily silent compared to the stock screen. I only get noise now from wind gusts or passing trucks. It works extremely well and riding into work at 39 degrees the screen gives more protection especially in the hand area with the extensions at the bottom of the screen. Good quality and probably well worth the money. Much better than the money I wasted on the SAENG wind strips. I am 5' 11" so a taller person might still get some noise.

[mick6502003]

Just got back to Charleston, SC from Charlotte, NC. Had the GIVI windshield installed at the US Distributer. It's on the verge of being great! Far less noise and buffeting as well.

I've read elsewhere that some folks thought it flexed too much. I can't support that claim. I rode back from Charlotte on I-77, US 378, SC 61 and whether the trucks were coming at me or I was passing them, I found no more flex than I would have expected had I added three inches to the stock lexan. I don't think it flexes any more than the oversize screen I had on my Goldwing.

It does not eliminate all the buffeting, but it is so much reduced that I think it's a damn good bet.

At city/suburb speeds, say, up to 45 or 50, there is virtually no wind or wind noise that I can discern.

I also had them install the Model 52 Trunk in silver to match the bike and the optional break light system. Looks good and is easy to work. Will remove like a suitcase, if you want.

[Guest]

[ajwood]

My take on a laminar lip is that once you depend on air pressure to guide the flow of air over your helmet, buffeting (instability) is increased in streering.
Cross-winds at highway speeds and gusts (from semi's) would bring new variables into the bike.

Drag inducing deflectors add resistance to steering.
Suzuki angled the stock windshield so that wind gusts and maximum speeds wouldn't detract from the Burgmans overall controllability.

I ordered the Givi tall screen today, knowing that I'll have windshield material in front of me instead of high velocity deflected pressurized air over me, using any other way.

[Peter T.]

Installed my GIVI and I'm not as pleased as I thought I would be. The wind noise doesn't start till 35 - 40 instead of 30 - 35 as with original widshield. It is quiter, I can hear the transmission whine up to about 50 -55mph and then it gets lost in wind noise. At 70+ mph my head gets a lot of buffeting. My neck was sore last night after 6 hours of riding, my longest ride to date. So I'm not sure if its the long ride or the new windshield. There was steady pressure on helmut with old windshield. At low speeds, 0 -30, the GIVI creates a dead zone between me and the windshield. This allows engine heat to come up and it is uncomfortable. Not a good thing for us high temperature high humidity folks down south. As the cool weather approaches it should be good. Handlebar extentions keep wind (and light rain) off hands helping to stay warm. I'm keeping the old widshield because I think I'll need to put it back next spring when things get hot again. I need the additional air circulation.

[flintbobbi]

AJWood, GreenGoose, and anyone else - I'm 6'2" and am needing a taller windshield. The stock one is fine up to about 50 mph, but above, that, the wind buffeting is just plain nasty. I just bought my bike, and could use some advice about shields. I've read about the Laimnar Lip, but would prefer trying an extended Shield. I emailed ClearView for a quote, and found a Givi shield model D257ST for $118 plus shipping. Is this the tallest shield out there? Those people that are about my height - does the Givi do enough? Would the Givi AND the laminar lip be enough? (do I need to hunker down behind the shield if I go above 50?)

Love my new bike. I'm at about 150 miles thus far, and loving it. The wind buffeting is the only issue of importance right now.

thx for any help.
Flint in SW Phoenix.

[jas340]

I would not go with the Givi. I heard the Clearview comes in 3 different height sizes. It all depends on whether or not you want to look over or through the screen. Looking through the screen can be dangerous under certain circumstances if it is dirty or covered in salt spray. Being in AZ I don't think it would be too much of a pblm. No ocean and few bugs if you stay away from the farm fields. To sum up. Givi is taller but head buffeting is stiil annoying. I,m 6'0.

[pauljo]

I replaced my Givi with a Clearview several days ago, and I've ridden about 150 miles now with the Clearview. It is a tremendous improvement over the Givi. I am 6'6" with a 34" inseam. The Clearview comes in 3 sizes - I got the largest. It is about the same length as the Givi, but it sits up straighter, so it is effectively taller. The Clearview was $139 including shipping. It does not move back and forth as much as the Givi, and it lifts the airstream several inches higher. The Givi was awful when following a truck, SUV or any vehicle with a "dirty" airstream behind it - and there are many of those on the road. The air coming around the screen that brushes arms, shoulders & top of helmet seems much smoother with the Clearview. I love my Givi E52 trunk, but the Givi windshield was a disaster in my opinion.

[allwalk]

Hey there pauljo!

Would you happend to have a web link for the clearview and How much you asking for your used Givi?

[pauljo]

http://www.clearviewshields.com/

They don't list the Burgman shield yet under products, but there
is a toll free number you can call. The guy there is very good to talk to.

I had experimented with a SAENG Winglet on top of the Givi, and the mounts for it are still on the shield (3M tape). Supposedly they can be removed with the aid of some heat from a hair dryer. Or, I could sell the shield with the Winglet (the Winglet cost more than the Givi).

I'd consider $50 for the shield (you deal with removing the Winglet mounts) or $75 for the Givi plus the Winglet. Plus $20 to cover UPS shipping. Payment by check - I don't do PayPal. The Winglet goes for $135 from SAENG, so that's a cheap price to play with it. I'd prefer to sell them as a set, because the Winglet without the mounts isn't of much use. Anyone interested can email me off forum at pauljo@cox.net.

You can see the Winglet at http://www.saeng.com/2018.htm
(Mine does not have that black tape strip across the top.)

And, yes, the Winglet did help the performance of the shield - but it still didn't work as good as the Clearview for me.

[Peter T.]

I ordered 4 feet of Stealth Edging from Saeng to put on my Givi windshield. As far as wind and noise are concerned it made no difference. What was very noticable was a strong air pressure on the back of my helmet that pushed my head forward toward the windshield. It took a fair amount of strength to hold my head up upright. Stealth Edging is back in the box to be returned. Looks like I may have to invest in the Clearview. Also Stealth Edging is a lot bigger than it appears in the web site pictures. It creates a big black line in your vision that is very distracting. Don't waste your time on Stealth.

[allwalk]

Thanks for the heads up Peter T.

[ajwood]

Based on the above comments, I just cancelled $126.00 Givi order and have just got off the phone with Clearview.

Clearview is going to setup a 'focus group' before committing designs into production for us.
This means that they'll take until the first few months of 2004 to ship any windshields.

If anyone would like to be a tester of the Clearview AN650 winshield, e-mail them at sales@clearviewshields.com
Give them Name, Address, Phone and Dates available for testing. Various sizes and shapes of windshields will go to various testers of the Focus Group.
They'll need about 8-10 AN650 riders. You may need to go to Baily, CO for testing...Maybe not. In any event, the windshield you test won't cost anything and like all product Focus Groups, make sure you are fed and paid.

Colorado Winter riding weather is not conducive to all comforts but that's part of the test.

[allwalk]

Hey ajwood thanks for the info regarding the clearview shields. Being up here in Canada pretty well rules me out as a tester in any focus group. However I did send away an email to the link just to show my interest in there product. Hopefully the more replies they receive around the globe will help them in there decision to go into production. Keep us updated.

[flintbobbi]

I sent an email for the focus group as well. It's starting to get downright cool here in Phoenix (only 70 today...ugh) so I don't know if I can wait for a focus group to get a bigger shield. Had to dig through my old ski stuff to find a neck wrap and some warmer gloves for the ride to work tomorrow.

I added one item to my Burgman - an electronic thermometer, altimeter, and compass all in one device that I got at Costco for 40$. Attaches to windshield via suction cups. The Shield vibration makes me worry it may fall off, so I may have to find another way to attach it, but so far it is nice to know what the temp is at any one time. The altimeter will be nice for those longer trips up in the White Tank mountains of Arizona, and the compass for the rare times that I get lost....!

Dream trip: Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Tetons, Yellowstone, and Glacier park. Some day...some day.

[allwalk]

Roflol......sorry flintbobbi..but up here 70 is shorts riding weather. I just put my bike away last week as temperatures were consitently hovering around 32-35 degrees. I could ride in these temps but the deciding factor was the never ending forecast of rain. Snow soon to follow.

[jacvinson]

I bought "Stealth Edging" on a recommedation from a friend. It makes a big difference and is easy to install. here's the website for anyone interested.
http://www.saeng.com/4000.htm
This stuff is a molded trim that goes around the windshield and creates a bigger air pocket. I've had it on mine for about a week and it really makes a difference. For the stock Burg windshield get 4 feet, cost was $51 + shipping and it took about 3 minutes to put it on.
jac
austin tx

[flintbobbi]

Allwalk - yes, I'm a wimp. Used to feed cattle in 30 above in a t-shirt, jeans, and bare hands. Not anymore. Got used to tolerating 110 degree temps here, and now anything below 75 is jeans weather. Funny how that happens. Drove to work today in 50 degree weather. Wore sweat pants under my jeans and a neck wrap to stay warm.

Jacvinson - i've heard mixed reviews about the Stealth edging. Did you add it to the stock shield? How tall are you and what is your inseam? (to compare to my 6'2", 32 inch inseam) I like the price, but wonder if it works in the long run. Is it adjustable? I've heard of something similar that is adjustable. I think I need at least 6 inches of additional windshield on the top, and about 5 inches on the sides to protect my hands a bit more.

Also, I've seen a foreign website that shows a shield for the legs. That would be nice on occasion as well.

Wow, really sound like I can't tolerate much. Guess I've gotten to expect too much comfort - guess that happens when you can go zero to 90 without shifting.

I saw a cycle driver riding in the parking lane today when the commuter lane was full. I think that is legal in California (I think), but I don't think it is legal here in Arizona, and most other states. Anyone know of a site that indicates which states this is ok? I'm not sure i'd do it anyway. Too many stupid auto drivers that could pull over right into you without any warning. I wonder how many CA cycle drivers are killed that way...

Oh, and called ClearView Sales (Craig?) today. He said that they make four shield for the Burgman 650, but only two are in production currently - the two smaller one's. Based on my measurements, he indicated I needed the "extra- large." I didn't take offense until he told me that size is in production review - including the use of LOCAL (Colorado) focus groups for the next two months...SO, I won't be able to get a large or extra large Clearview til January. Ugh. Perhaps I will need to call Givi. Craig indicated that the larger ones had a bir more vibration than they liked, and they wanted to modify them a bit before they produced anymore of them. I think they are very customer focused, but do wish they could have something ready sooner.

Drive safe everyone.

[ajwood]

flintbobbi,

I don't know of any state that legalizes the use of a parking lane.
Besides being illegal to drive on, the parking lane has the most screws, nails and slivers of glass to roll through.

California pioneered the practice of Threading The Needle, that is riding between lines of cars that have space enough for a bike. Still, emergency lanes are taboo to travel on whilst Threading.

Ten years ago when job commuting home from Berkeley to San Francisco during afternoon rush, it was imperative to Thread which saved 20 minutes on the Bay Bridge. But just like modulating headlamps, some mean drivers look for Threaders and pull their wheel over to close the gap so no one can pass.

After 3 years of Bay Bridge commuting, I got to know how to pace my speed and never had an accident - Except when climbing the Oakland incline section one dark November night in '93. A meteorite entered the atmosphere to my right, splitting into 3 bright green pieces that illuminated the water directly over Emery Bay. As the water became brighter and greener, I could make out wave ripples on the surface but almost lost control trying to look at it all.

[flintbobbi]

Below is a copy of the text of an email from Clearview. I responded with a request for dimensions, cost, and availability. The photos didn't appear to show that much bigger of a shield, but it was tough to tell.

Hello Burgman 650 Owners,

We have finished our revisions to our Suz Burgman 650 replacements in the
form of a GT Proto type. We have attached pictures of out GT Large.

Revisions include:

* Extra width overall and an even wider section around the mirrors, for
improved upper body and hand protection.

* Improved optics and a substancial reduction in screen distortion, for
nogotiating inclines or long and winding roads.

* Increased structural integrity due to a more complex compound shape,
reducing flex in extreme cross winds.

Changes Still needed:
Blacked out section around mounting area, to hide screen mount brackets and
dirt and debri that are difficult to reach when cleaning.

Our test rider Larry Finnel will be putting the miles on the screen this
weekend and will be availble to answer your questions by next week.

We appreciate your patience of the successful developement of quality
options designed to enhance your riding comfort.

We welcome your input!

More information will follow.

Sincerely,

Craig Stenger
Sales / Technical information
Clearview Shields
info@clearviewshields.com
http://www.clearviewshields.com
Phone:303 838 0886
Toll Free: 800 798 6089
Fax: 303 838 6894

[stu]

The Givi shield shares the basic problem as the stocker: excessive wind pressure to the back of the helmet and the neck at speed.

I was able to solve the problem for each by placing 3 oval-shaped holes--could I say burger-shaped holes?--in the shield: one centered immediately above the console about the size of a double Whopper and two about 4 inches
above that and about 2 inches from the outer edge. These 2 were about White Castle size.

If you don't mind holes in your shield, it does solve the problem---no more sore necky. Stu.

[flintbobbi]

Thanks Stu for the post. I had another email from Clearview today. It is an email from Larry (the field tester) to Craig, the marketing guru at Clearview. No benefit to me whether or not anyone buys a Clearview, but it is interesting info if you are in the market for a larger shield. Flint

Hi Craig,

Here's the e-mail I promised after talking to you this afternoon on the
telephone, describing my initial test
of the new windshield you built for me. As I mentioned in our telephone
conversation I was in hopes that
the weather would have warmed up into the mid-fifties by midday Sunday.
However, 40 F was the best it
could do. Ordinarily, I wouldn't have even considered going out for a ride,
but as this was a field test, I
figured, "Why not!". I suited up in my "leathers" from head to toe, except
for the gloves. All I could find
was a pair of unlined leather work gloves. I headed east on Harmony Road
toward Eaton, CO. with the
sun, what little there was of it, at my back. Even at speeds of 60-75 MPH,
I was very comfortable, even
my hands. The side extensions of the windshield did a good job of keeping
most of the wind off my hands.
As to wind noise, even with the helmet visor in the down position, I had
very little wind noise to contend (85%)
eliminated with. Although I didn't have my portable tape player with me, I
feel I would have had no problem in
hearing the music. By just cracking the visor about an inch from the closed
position, about 95% of the wind
noise was eliminated. I turned around at Eaton (some 20 miles east of where
I started) and headed back toward
the west and the late afternoon sun. I felt a little more warmth on my
face, facing the sun, but felt about
the same degree of comfort as when I had been heading east. Even on the
return trip the wind chill factor
was down to about 25-30F. On the return trip,what little wind there was out
of the east at my back. I could
feel it buffeting the back of my arms somewhat, but at no time did I feel
like a strong vacuum was being
formed behind the windshield.

All in all, the windshield passed the initial test in flying colors.

If the weather does warm up just a bit I will be taking a much longer trip.

Thanks, Larry Finnell