Broken Cleaview XXL Windshield

[abliving1]

A strong wind gust hit me on the interstate last Sunday and broke my Clearview XXL windshield. It was the expensive tinted one with the vent, and it has REALLY been a good windshield for the past 15 months or so. I will probably get another windshield of the same kind, but before I do, I wonder if any of you have any advice on brand or installation? It seems like the mount points are not spread out enough for such a large shield, and the wind resistance really stresses the upper mount points. That is where the split occurred, and I am holding it in place with strapping tape temporarily. I need the larger shield for protection on the interstate, but it is often windy here in the spring and fall. My questions are:
1. Is there a more durable or reinforced wind screen available for the Burgman 650?
2. Have any of you ever had a windshield split like that?
3. Other suggestions?

Thanks!
Alan

[rtAnimal]

Sorry to hear about your problem. I just order the Clearview XXL with vent in clear about a week ago. That makes me wonder if I should of just ordered the XL size instead?

Cee Bailey's makes windshields for Burgman's. They also make aircraft windshields and other scooter, motorcycle and aircraft parts. They can make you a custom windshield in different thicknesses, tints, sizes and shapes.

Here's a link to Cee Bailey's.

http://www.ceebaileys.com/suzuki/an650burgmanws.html

Happy Scøøterïng
rtÅnïmal

[abliving1]

Thanks for the help. Unfortunately, they do not have windshields for the AN650 models after 2006. I'll keep looking, thanks again.
Alan

[B650E]

Alan,

My first XXL with vent also cracked on the top mounting holes, both sides. It was fine for just about 1 1/2 years and then a gust ( from a truck on a two lane road) hit it when I had it adjusted all the way up and cracked the first top hole. To make it last a little longer, I a stop hole on the end of the crack and then took a soldering iron and "welded" along the crack on the inside and outside. This helped, but as I kept using it, the other top hole cracked eventually and I didn't feel safe with both top mount holes cracked, so I put the OEM shield back on until I found a replacement.

I talked to Clearview about it and they said that they have a new mounting kit and also that they no longer sell the XXL because of cracking issues like this.

I did find a used XXL without vent and I'm using that now. I try to keep it in the down position when I'm traveling faster or on two lane roads to keep it from getting hit hard by gusts. When this one needs replacement, I think I'll go to an XL.

[Buffalo]

Thanks for the help. Unfortunately, they do not have windshields for the AN650 models after 2006. I'll keep looking, thanks again.
Alan

The windshields have not changed on the Standard 650s through the years so one for a 2006 Standard 650 will fit a 2008 Standard 650. The only place you will have a problem is if you have an Exec. The windshield for the Exec is exactly the same shape and size as the one for a Standard 650 but the lower 2 mounting holes are drilled in a different place to match the Execs mounting bracket. The black masking on the back of the windshield is also a slightly different shape to hide the slightly different shape of the Exec mounting bracket. I have a Clearview windshield bought in 2005 for my 2005 Standard 650 mounted on my 2007 650 Exec.

[rtAnimal]

Alan,



I talked to Clearview about it and they said that they have a new mounting kit and also that they no longer sell the XXL because of cracking issues like this.
.

I just ordered a Clearview XXL with vent from Clearview a little over a week ago. They are having a 10% off sale during March. Their website listed they had 4 available for shipment. I called them on the phone to place my order. He said the count was off in the website and they was all sold. He said it would be approximately 2 weeks before they made more of the XXL with vent and mine would be the first shipped.

I guess we'll see in a week or so when I receive my new windshield.

Happy Scøøterïng!
rtÅnïmal

[abliving1]

Thank you all again. Putting together your answers, it sounds like I should make a call to Clearview about the new mounting kit, and maybe consider the XL next time. The XXL really does bend a lot in heavy wind, and I guess I dont really need that big of a windshield--I just like as little wind as possible when riding the interstate. I had hoped that maybe Cee Baileys would have a thicker version, but when I called they said 3/16 was all they carried, but I appreciate the advice, rtanimal, they do look like good windshields and I may try one later. B650E, it sounds like your issue was about identical to mine, since my windshield is about 1.5 years old as well. Maybe the stress over time weakens the plastic around those top mounts. Guess I should take the car on really windy days.

[rtAnimal]

I believe I'll give them another call and see about this problem has been solved with these new windshields. If it has not, I believe I'll tell them I want the XL with vent shipped to me instead.

Thanks to everyone for compiling all of these facts together. That's sure better to switch out now, than found out in a year or so it's junk!

Happy Scøøterïng!
rtÅnïmal

[rtAnimal]

I talked to the folks at Clearview today. They told me the problems with the XXL with vent breaking was happening on the Executive models. It was occurring mostly when the windshield was being used in the highest position. This is the reason they stopped selling the XXL model for the Burgman Executive model scooters. They are still selling the XXL model for the standard model Burgman 650 scooters. He said they did modify the design of the XXL model windshields to strengthen the area that was breaking. This was done about 2 months ago.

Then he gave me the bad news! It will be approximately 2 more weeks before they ship my new Clearview XXL with vent model windshield. This is due to all the orders generated from the 10% off sale they are having during March.

I hope this clarifies everyone's thoughts about this problem. I know I'm relieved that I shouldn't have any problems with the windshield I was wanting. He also said that current owners of the Clearview XXL Executive model windshields shouldn't experience this problem if they don't use the windshield at high speeds at the higher settings of adjustments.

Happy Scøøterïng!
rtÅnïmal

[abliving1]

Awesome! If they have improved the design I will try another XXL! THANKS AGAIN!

[Scootertrash]

I have experienced the same cracking issues in the same places with the GIVI shield on my burgman. I thought it perhaps because I was going about 90-95 on a 20 degree day, and hit a sharper than normal bump in the hwy. While this is an expensive item to replace, i guess that we still " gotta have it" I plan to ride a bit slower perhaps, as the weather cools off next season. I have a 2x with vent clearview on order this at this time, I only hope it arrives soon. It's been a month since it was ordered. I'm told that patience is a virtue ya!

[QuantumRift]

Insurance should cover this or less deductible?

[TheBlackMoon]

WOW!!
I thought it was just something I did (like riding too fast or aggressive)! I bought a clearview (I think it was a vented XL) from one of the guys here, and a week after I mounted it, riding into a tractor trailers wind gust at about 100mph, it cracked along the top left hand stud on a trip to St. Mary's County, Md. Coming back, taking it easy because of the crack, got smacked with a wind gust again, got home and found it cracked again, in the other direction on the same stud. I drilled stop holes to keep the crack from spreading. When I was going to work, a few days later, it cracked again, this time on the opposite top hole. I took the shield off and left it in the garage for my girl to take home in the car, and have had to ride without a shield since, as I don't have new mounting bushings remount the OEM shield (which I thought had cracked, but when taken off, didn't have a crack in it... it was the cover for the thing that snapped at the right screw point).

Now I'm sure it was a manufacturing defect and not something I did. Thought it was wierd that it would crack so easily.

Btw, does anyone know where I can purchase new mount bushings, other than the dealer, for the windshields?

[Buffalo]

WOW!!
Btw, does anyone know where I can purchase new mount bushings, other than the dealer, for the windshields?

I assume that by mounting bushings you are refering to the wellnuts. Why can't you just use the ones you used on the Clearview. The Clearview on my Exec is mounted with the wellnuts that came with the OEM windshield. The Clearview had been on my 05 and the wellnuts that came with it went with the bike when it was totalled. Since I didn't have those when I got my Exec I just took the OEM windshield off and mounted the Clearview using the existing wellnuts. It's been running that way for over 51,000 miles now.

Edited to add: you might also check these threads http://burgmanusa.com/forums/viewtopic. ... ut#p432659 and http://burgmanusa.com/forums/viewtopic. ... ut#p431157

[rtAnimal]

After ordering my Clearview XXL with vent in the middle of March, it arrived today!

That sure seemed like a very long 2 weeks! Now to get it on my Burgman and seeing how much of an improvement it is going to make.

Happy Scøøterïng!
rtÅnïmal

[QuantumRift]

I've been very happy with my ClearView XXL since I installed it in October of '08 on my 650. And I've been in some horrendous winds...situations where we have been getting 40, 50, even 60 mph gusts in headwind and crosswind components. The windshield has never wavered or cracked. When I changed out the OEM I was concerned about the very few turns needed to anchor it with the fasteners, but having seen it in action I can say that I've observed a couple of things that lead me to a couple of conclusions:

To have the windshield firmly and 'RIGIDLY' attached would cause it to not be able to 'give' in gusty winds. It bobs a bit and I can see where a tight, rigid anchor points could very well cause it to crack. It has some give and that's great so it can't 'resonate' and fatigue the plastic over a long period of time.

Also, I believe the 'floating' anchor points would allow the windshield to be pushed off the bike much easier if the rider has to go thru it. I think it would rip/pop off easier, maybe not injuring the rider as much as a rigidly installed windshield.

The windshield is anchored in a way that suits the way it gets hit by the wind (headwind components)..cross wind components can catch the inside of the windshield if they are coming from "behind" you from 91 to 269 degrees (relative to the rider's position), and that would put 'reverse' pressure on the backside of the windshield, which in turn would force it be deflected in a forward manner, thus inducing the possibility it could get blown off under the right conditions. That's why I try to park my bike so the windshield or bike is nose into the prevailing wind where I work or when I'm out. I don't want that stray BIG gust or dust devil to remove my windshield....In any case I nearly always keep my "Goldwing" vent open as well, especially when parking to allow air flow thru it if windy.

[TheBlackMoon]

Some things to think about Quantum.

Buffalo, I've removed and replaced my OEM shield so many times (many of them before I knew not to tighten it "too snugly"), and the darn things been through so much abuse that the wellnuts are just worn. Not to mention that they were on pretty tight (I think the dealer actually used Lock-Tite on it, likee I found on several other screws when I first got it, like the oil drain plug and the Final Drive bolts for the cover as well as the drain and check valve). I didn't do that with the clearview (actually was warned by this forum (Ledud's page?? Can't recall) to not overtighten the bolts, but I initially thought that was the reason it DID crack, until I came across this posting, that is. I just don't know. Haven't been able to get through to Clearview to see if they offer a repair kit or a discount on a replacement. They simply aren't answering the phone; goes right to VM every time... for the last 2wks!

Weird... Just Weird.

[NormanB]

I talked to the folks at Clearview today. They told me the problems with the XXL with vent breaking was happening on the Executive models. It was occurring mostly when the windshield was being used in the highest position. This is the reason they stopped selling the XXL model for the Burgman Executive model scooters. They are still selling the XXL model for the standard model Burgman 650 scooters. He said they did modify the design of the XXL model windshields to strengthen the area that was breaking. This was done about 2 months ago.............snipped............ He also said that current owners of the Clearview XXL Executive model windshields shouldn't experience this problem if they don't use the windshield at high speeds at the higher settings of adjustments.

Happy Scøøterïng!
rtÅnïmal

No apologies for thread resurrection.
I just tried to order a Clearview XXL for the 650 Executive to be told by the UK importer that they no longer manufacture this size for the Executive (only the Standard 650).
On researching and reading this thread there was comment that that Clearview were entering a redisgn phase of the XXL to beef up and prevent failures in the 'raised position'.
Anyone available to do a local call to Clearview to determine if the redesign has been successfull or if the XXL for the Exec model is as dead as a dodo?

[NormanB]

Just had a response from Mark at Clearview:

Hi Norman. It is true that I advised BikeScreens in the UK that we no longer manufacture the XX Large shield for the Executive Burgman 650. We were concerned about structural integrity issues when the shield is raised to it's highest position. In the interest of safety, we decided that the tallest shield we will manufacture for the Executive Model is the XL.
Thanks,
Mark
Customer Service
info@clearviewshields.com
Clearview Shields
1-800-798-6089