400 Windscreen

4656 Views 23 Replies 10 Participants Last post by NormanB, Sep 9, 2004

Hoosier Scooter

Discussion Starter · Aug 24, 2004

I have 400 miles on my new 400! Still keeping under 4000rpm's, and loving it. But, cold weather is coming, and I want to continue riding year round! I know there are a lot of opinions in many different places on the Forum about windscreens. The Givi seems to be liked by many riders...but, quite a few people seem to be 'waiting' for the Clearview model for the 400. Is that because the Clearview screen for the 650 is much better than the Givi? Also...I haven't found any input from 400 riders on the Laminar Lip. How have riders found that ? Does it give the same protection as the Givi? Clearview just told me today that their new 400 shield is in preliminary design, and that, "serious road tests and final design changes will take place this Fall. If all goes well then new replacement options should be available by Jan.1, 2005." I need something for cold weather riding. So...one more time...is it the opinion of experienced riders that the Clearview screen has a good chance to be superior? And, how about the Laminar Lip vs. Givi? Iwant to stay warm in cold weather riding! Help? :?

1 - 20 of 24 Posts

pauljo

· #2 · Aug 24, 2004

Hoosier Scooter said:
Iwant to stay warm in cold weather riding! Help? :?

Buy an electrically heated vest or jacket liner from Gerbing, Widder or one of the other vendors. I also recommend electrically heated Winter gloves. These items are a bit pricey, but they last for years and are convenient to use. I wouldn't be without them.

A windscreen can help deflect some wind chill - but it won't keep you warm. Electrically heated clothing will cold make temps an non-issue. The only thing that stops me is the arrival of that snow, ice, salt, stuff.

billmeek

· #3 · Aug 24, 2004

I'm one of those holding out for the Clearview. My decision was based on the posts from the 650 riders with most prefering the Clearview over other brands. Several 400 riders are quite happy with their Givi screen. One screen the just got my attention is the ERmax. I'm going to look for some additional reviews on it The only screen I personally would not buy is the Gustafsson. Customer service is too important to me and other peoples expreiences on the forums have been very negative.

Like Paul said, the screen will provide some protection from the elements, but other accessories are required to ride in comfort in the cold.

Hoosier Scooter

Discussion Starter · #4 · Aug 29, 2004

Thanks for the clothing advice...I will make that purchase. But, I still am trying to decide what to do about the 'chill factor'! Will a Laminar Lip do the job? Has anybody ridden in cold weather with it? Or...will the Clearview be better to wait for in 2005? Or...will the Givi be the best cold weather choice? Opinions, anyone?

Randy

· #5 · Aug 29, 2004

Hoosier Scooter wrote

Thanks for the clothing advice...I will make that purchase. But, I still am trying to decide what to do about the 'chill factor'! Will a Laminar Lip do the job?

The Laminar Lip will not do what you want, it works by lifting the air above your helmet to stop buffeting.
What your after is better all around protection and this comes with a larger windshield.
I know the Clearview shields well from other bikes and I like them and the service also. .Since they did not have a windshield for my 400 I went with the Givi...Bottom line --he Givi works, I do not see how the Clearview can be a better shield -As good, yes- better I doubt it.
After all there is a limit to how high and how wide you can go and it seems the Givi is as large as anyone can want.
Windshield construction is first class -as is the Clearview- Fit is fine -it's ready now and I don't think I will have to eat my words about the Givi being just as good.
So why wait

Of course you realize this information may only be worth what you paid for it

manowell

· #6 · Aug 31, 2004

Randy said:
Hoosier Scooter wrote
... I went with the Givi...Bottom line --he Givi works, I do not see how the Clearview can be a better shield -As good, yes- better I doubt it.
After all there is a limit to how high and how wide you can go and it seems the Givi is as large as anyone can want.

Do you have a picture of your 400 with the Givi shield? Did you order it online? If so, were you happy with the price/dealer?

Randy

· #7 · Aug 31, 2004

No-Yes-Yes
I think there are some pic't in the photo section
I ordered from OneidaSuzuki (online)
I am never happy spending money

But Oneida seems to have a good rep.here and there price was good and so was the service . :wink:

Hoosier Scooter

Discussion Starter · #8 · Sep 3, 2004

Thanks, Randy! Your opinion seems well founded and I bet most riders would agree with you. I will probably just go with the Givi instead of waiting for the Clearview. I appreciate your input!

bechtoea

· #9 · Sep 3, 2004

Actually, I have found the Laminar Lip to work quite well. I am six foot and the Lip has moved the "blast" up to the top of my helmet. As far as the rest of my body goes in cold weather, I always dress enough to where I can't feel the wind anyway.

I went with the lip because I figure too much coverage sux when the weather warms up again. I used to have a full dresser with a Vetter Windjammer and even with vents in the windshield that thing would cook ya. Great in the cold though.

Just my opinion.

billmeek

· #10 · Sep 3, 2004

Different strokes for different folks. That's one of the things I enjoy about reading the forums. People make diverse choices on equipment. It's interesting seeing the logic behind their selections.

ted clement

· #11 · Sep 3, 2004

You might try advertising for a used GIVI on this forum. I bought one from a guy who didn't like it and saved a few bucks. It really blocks the wind off the face and hands, but the distortion bothered me for a good while till I got used to. One of my buddies tried it and now has one with absolutely no complaints. A second buddy is about to buy one and cut the top off a bit so as to look over rather than thru. I'm going to let him be the guinea pig as i don't like to look thru a windshield either.

Randy

· #12 · Sep 3, 2004

I am a short rider and like to look over the top of a shield so I have cut my Givi down.
I did it in steps the first cut was 2 inches and so on till I got it were I could look over the top yet the wind blast went over the helmet.
You will find it is not hard to cut the shield, in fact the first few cuts (total of 5 before I was happy) I cut on the bike, if you do it this way use a metal cutting blade-slow speed - and tape the shield.
I also picked up about 3 mpg........
One last point, easy does it, you can always make it shorter, so don't cut to much at once. :wink:

ted clement

· #13 · Sep 3, 2004

Randy, what effect did shortening the W/S have on air flow? Do you still get the backdraft behind your head, or is it hitting top of helmet, or flowing over?

Thinking of doing the same to mine.

Randy

· #14 · Sep 3, 2004

Assuming you cut to the right height the air air will now come off the top of the shield and (in my case) just touch the top of the helmet, no buffeting and I don't really think about.
Take you self to a long road get up to 60 and (at the risk of looking nuts) raise your hand in front of your helmet palm forward you will feel just how high the wind is hitting as you get over the windshield.
My last cut gives me about 3 inches of view over the top with no wind hitting my face and even the rain will "flip" up -well most of it - .

Not sure I know what you mean by "backdraft behind your head" I have no problem .

ted clement

· #15 · Sep 4, 2004

Randy, thanks for the info...thats what I wanted to know. The "backdraft" (whatever its called) is the wind from the GIVI swirling over the helmet and pushing the head forward. Several folks have mentioned this and I noticed it right away with mine. Prob with the shorter shield, much like the original, that doesn't happen.

Bleeder

· #16 · Sep 4, 2004

This is always an option.

Two wheel golf cart

Peace

NormanB

· #17 · Sep 4, 2004

Bleeder said:
This is always an option.

Two wheel golf cart

Peace

Thats an Olde Burger!! :shock:

Hoosier Scooter

Discussion Starter · #18 · Sep 8, 2004

Laminar Lip + Handguards

So, bechtoea...
If the Laminar Lip does indeed keep the chill off by raising the buffeting above my helmet, will the Handguards from Suzuki for the 400 keep the windchill off my hands? I always use leather gloves, but the wind is still
'c-o-l-d'...so...instead of replacing the good looking original windscreen with the 'biggie' Givi, maybe a combo of the 'Lip' and the Suzuki 400 Handguards will do the job! Anybody out there put those two together on their 400? Or, opinions?

bechtoea

· #19 · Sep 8, 2004

I believe that the LIP does provide the wind protection that I am looking for, but remember that I am looking for a balance between the odd cold morning and the beating sun and 95+ degree days.

If I was really serious about cold weather riding, I would go with the handguards and a full face helmet just for cold weather, but keep the lip. Right now, I wear an open face and I am good to about 45-50 degrees. Much lower, and my hands and face are done. But with a full face helmet and a set of handguards, I think I would be alright. Note that my ride to work is 25 miles, almost all highway @60MPH.

But I am not 20 years old anymore. If I see below 50 degrees, I take my truck.

pauljo

· #20 · Sep 8, 2004

bechtoea said:
But I am not 20 years old anymore. If I see below 50 degrees, I take my truck.

I've been 20 twice, and looking at the third time pretty soon... But I still love cold weather riding. With the proper gear, staying warm is no problem. It is invigorating, and best of all - no bugs!

1 - 20 of 24 Posts

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