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Iron Butt
Posts: 742
North Orange County CA | There is a current thread that is discussing console relfection on the windsheild. While responding to that thread I realized that the adjustable windsheild on the vision when raised, also changes angle and presents a much flatter profile to the wind.
My nice aerodynamic Vision suddenly has a windsheild that aproximates the angle of the screen mounted to the batwing fairing on my electraglide.
Since I tend to raise the sheild as we go faster to try and direct the flow over our heads, I wonder if I am not creating more turbulence, increasing my wind resistence and reducing my gas mileage.
Perhaps a taller sheild mounted to the fairing at the original angle would be more effective at reducing buffeting for my passenger and not create as much drag.
Comments? Personal Experience? What say you guys and girls? |
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Tourer
Posts: 374
Tucson, AZ | Funny you should mention this. Yesterday (Sunday, 08/03/08) i was riding and kept getting pelted with bugs so i raised the windshield. I started to think of fuel mileage and clicked over to instant mpg's and really did not notice a change. Common sense tells me there should be some difference but with no winds, and the cruise control set, on a level road i saw no difference. I raised and lowered about 6 times and each time the instant mpg stayed the same. If there is a difference it is slight so i will not worry.
mike v |
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | I tested this theory a few weeks ago. With the windshield down I set the cruise to 70 mph and watched the instant economy. It was showing in the 40 to 42 mpg range. After a couple of miles I put the windshield all the way up and mpg dropped to about 4 mpg. Repeated several times, and the economy changed accordingly. I also noticed the mileage drops like a rock when it is very windy, which is every afternoon when the t-storms are about to roll in off Tampa Bay. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 72
Eden Prairie, MN | The point of the winshield, and the way it moves creates a vaiable envelope for the rider AND the passenger. When it is all the way up it creates a very quiet zone behind the Screen. I trim the height for best feel, in windy conditions, very very cold and very hot days and when it is raining. The mileage may drop a little, *hadn't really noticed it) but I would consider it worth it. I love the electric widshield! It is one of the best features. I was thinking about how the taller windshield might give me a little more wind protection at lower angles, and them even more protection when it is all the way up.
It is still the most areodynamic bike I've ever riden and I especially like the way it cuts through the wind even on Gusty days.
I never thought of the winshield as feature to improve areodynamics. I guess you guys feel different. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 21
Plano, TX | Have you noticed that the winshield changes the handling? When I put it up, I feel like the bike has a sail. I've had a time or two where it felt like the bike was being pulled around the lane and no amount of leaning, pushing or stearing was going to make it better. I've gotten used to just leaving it down.
Any suggestions? |
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Cruiser
Posts: 247
| had that feeling of being pulled around today on the turnpike. 90 miles of rough handing 70 to 80 mph. got a brainstorm. stopped at a rest stop and moved as much gear as i could out of the trip trunk and into the bags. i also put the zipper up on my jacket and zipped the vents shut. problem solved. went back to riding with one hand. seems rudimentary but a leather jacket, computer and a couple bottles of water that high up can make a difference. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | When I first bought the bike I used to atomatically raise the windshield before getting on the freeway when my wife was with me. (happy wife....) I left it down once and she really didnt notice any diffrence. So, Ive been riding with it down ever since. Only time I raise it is for rain. Considering my e-glide had a 4" blade on it, the Vision had to be better as long as the w/shield was still there. |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 9
| I have the Victory accesssory tall windscreen which I cut down 25mm or so so that I could still comfortabley see over it when it is fully down. This morre vertical angle does as the first post wondered; on it's own it performs about as well as the regular screen with a Laminar lip. Interestingly, I have in my basement an aftermarket screen (I think Jurock -can confirm if anyone needs me too) a little taller than stock which I purchased this season which is almost identical to my curent cut down setup. I havent tried it yet so can't comment on the optics for when you need to extend it for whatever reason, but it is cheaper than the Victory tall and no risk of scratching it while cutting it down. I should mention I'm 5'8" and ride without a passenger. I continue to experiment, trying to get that excellent coverage I desire; the main hurdle being low frequency "trumming" sound in my modular helmet. There was someone selling plastic "hoops" tha adhere over the top of the helmet; I think he no longer sells these so may try to rig something up. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1350
| I don't use my windshield for gas mileage. :~ Maybe you could buy a Vespa with a windshield for better MPG? Commuting gets the best gas mileage maybe a coworker would let you ride bitch? |
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Visionary
Posts: 1359
New Bohemia, Va | redrider, it would be best they get a Wing or HD, their windshield is not adjustable. What a drag... |
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Visionary
Posts: 1229
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | I lost about 10 miles per tank when I went from the Ness 13.5" windshield to the 17.5" stock size.
Also, the motorized windshield travels 3", but being the windshield is at about a 45 degree angle, it only raises it verticaly by 2". |
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Adjustable Windsheild