New Wind Screen on my 2007 Ninja 250

[RhadamYgg]

Well, after my highway experience on the Tappan Zee, I needed to do something about the wind. So, I think it was $55, and a couple hours work on my part (being extrasupercareful) and I got it installed.

I don't actually have a before pic, thought of the pictures later in the process.

I had to remove the fairings, because the backings for the wind screen screws fell in to the motorcycle the instant I unscrewed them.

So, bike - sans front fairing:


Bike, finished product:


I didn't resize the images, so I hope that isn't too annoying. Its late and I need to hit the sack.

RhadamYgg

[NWTrtle]

what screen is that? Looks nice and big and should deflect the wind really well. Look forward to reading how it does in real world riding.

[Thumper]

Nice! I think I want to do something like that on my SV for the winter...something easy on, easy off, if I can find it.

Let us know how it works!

[oxbow1]

I couldn't help but notice your mountain bike sulking in the garage.

[RhadamYgg]

I couldn't help but notice your mountain bike sulking in the garage.

Yeah, it doesn't get much action these days. I keep waiting for my older son to learn how to ride his bike sans training wheels (and whining that it is hard to do on the grass) so that we can have a nice bike ride together.

RhadamYgg

[RhadamYgg]

what screen is that? Looks nice and big and should deflect the wind really well. Look forward to reading how it does in real world riding.

Michael Mims made the shield that I bought. Hopefully tomorrow I'll go for a long ride on the highway and I'll be able to say how well it works... or not.

RhadamYgg

[Flesher]

The thing to watch for Rhadam, is how much turbulence the windscreen creates. Unfortunately it can be a real bumpy (pun intended) road when experimenting with windscreens. You have an advantage with your bike with having fairings in that they will act like lowers, preventing air from coming up underneath the screen. Experiment at a variety of speeds to get a true feel for how it performs. It will really be different depending on speed.

I have a screen for my bike but most often I ride without it because at speeds above 70 mph there's just too much turbulence. I prefer the predictable windblast over the turbulence created by the wind screen.

If you do get turbulence, and are intent on keeping the screen, you may want to experiment with different helmets as they all have different resonant frequencies and will either accentuante the annoying effects, or diminish them.

[RhadamYgg]

The thing to watch for Rhadam, is how much turbulence the windscreen creates. Unfortunately it can be a real bumpy (pun intended) road when experimenting with windscreens. You have an advantage with your bike with having fairings in that they will act like lowers, preventing air from coming up underneath the screen. Experiment at a variety of speeds to get a true feel for how it performs. It will really be different depending on speed.

I have a screen for my bike but most often I ride without it because at speeds above 70 mph there's just too much turbulence. I prefer the predictable windblast over the turbulence created by the wind screen.

If you do get turbulence, and are intent on keeping the screen, you may want to experiment with different helmets as they all have different resonant frequencies and will either accentuante the annoying effects, or diminish them.

Thanks Flesher. On my late night ride - on highway at speed - the wind was a lot better; however, the wind noise in my helmet went up a lot. It hadn't bothered me so much before - so - using earplugs is less optional now.

But we'll see - until I've put a significant number of miles on it - I won't know how much I like/dislike it. For $60 or so - it isn't much to try one to work against my wind problems.

RhadamYgg

[RhadamYgg]

The larger wind screen is mostly a benefit to riding the Ninja 250, even if it looks a bit *different*.

At first, on an afternoon ride of 50+ miles to my parent's house, I thought - this isn't any better.

Then I noticed that my speed was much faster - while I was experiencing a similar amount of wind buffeting. I was also able to duck under the wind when it was really bad crossing the Parkway bridge over the Raritan river.

I did notice, that I was pushed side-to-side more than I had previously, although I don't know if it was because of stronger winds, higher altitude of the bridge (seems taller than the Tappan Zee) or the wind screen acting as a sail.

Riding 55 and below the wind screen eliminated almost all wind buffeting and was quite comfortable.

We'll see how it goes as I get more riding experience. I may try to commute to work Thursday or Friday (32 miles one way - across GWB). Although I have more mundane concerns about the local riding portion of my commute on Webster in the Bronx.

RhadamYgg