[jlh]

I was on a ride on my 2009 Burgman 650 Executive with a medium crosswind coming from my left. I was doing about 95 KPH (60 MPH) when I met a tanker truck and caught a vicious turbulence which ripped my windshield off except for one screw. The windshield swung around violently and struck my hand. I was able to get it under control with my left hand and come to a stop safely. I think this should never have happened. It could very easily have put me down and caused serious injury or killed me. The windshield was original and had never been off the bike.

I complained to my local dealer and to Suzuki Canada. They said that there has been no recall on the windshield so they offered me no warranty or replacement assistance.

I was wondering if anyone else has had that happen to them. If so Suzuki should pay attention and look at better way of attaching the windshield.

 

[Buffalo]

I don't remember anyone reporting the windshield coming off before.

It's possible that the windshield was not installed correctly in the first place. The bikes are shipped from Suzuki without the windshield being attached. That is part of the assembly the dealer does when they receive the bike. If they under or over tightened the well nuts they could have worked out over time.

 

[JohnK]

I've not heard of that happening before either. Especially since members have used the same screws and well nuts to put even bigger shields on than the OEM.

 

[Buffalo]

John it looks like you and I both left a word out of our first sentences. I intended to say "I don't remember" and I think you meant to say "I've not heard".

 

[JohnK]

It's **** getting old and senile. :sign5: I'LL go in and edit both.:banghead:

 

[Dave_J]

It's **** getting old and senile. :sign5: I'LL go in and edit both.:banghead:

John, edit out your **** too.

Just so you all know, if you didn't all ready, the well nuts are designed to pop out under extreme impact to help save your life. But if the nut is not tightened correctly or had been abused in some sort, I could see it failing.

Just glad your OK. Mother Suzuki will never accept the blame. Make you wonder why they now have installed 6 well nuts on the 2013's, hummmmm. ottytrain2:

 

[MacDoc]

I wondered why they switched to 6 anchors on the 2013

I've noticed the Clearview on my 2009 Exec really looks vulnerable when up in high turbulence and I leave it down or just up a hair and mine is the smallest of theirs.

OP you may want to point that out to Suzuki Canada as it clearly indicates a design concern.

 

[WELDER DON]

From my riding experiences with trucks, watch & move as far away as possible when meeting a truck with no air dam on top. Also If you get anywhere near even any kind of close to the rear of a said type truck the wind turbulance behind it will be VERY bad. Also tractor/trailer trucks pulling any kind of tanker trailer with an upward pointed cone on the tank makes a whirlwind, easily visible in a light rain,unsafe to ride anywhere close ! The Worst is a cement hauler truck because of the perfect hurricane behind it's peculiar shaped cone on the back. I't may be worse in Texas because of our high speed of 70 or 75mph. I just like to remember that a head-on approach speed of 75+75= 150 mph can be a bit-h on a scooter pushing all that plastic like a sail on such a low weight. The Don

 

[Spwoody]

The first week that I had my 650 I was riding and hit a pothole in the road. When this happened, one of the screws that holds the windshield from the back came out. I suspect that it was never really put in properly at the dealer.

 

[Scootereno]

I would guess a 4 year old bike would not be covered.
I too wonder about the installation or better yet the maintenance of it.
Those screws can loosen over time and need to be checked occasionally.
I wonder if anything else is loose?

PS- Welcome to the forum!

 

[BurgPnoMan]

Zip-ties

After reading this, the thought of the windshield coming loose was always in the back of my mind. I just bought an '07 Burgman 650 that has the Givi shield, so it is even taller than the stock one. I replaced all of the well nuts (some of the original rubber was dry-rotted and cracked) and noticed there was a gap in each of the lower "snap-in" slots for the cover (just above the headlights). I took a couple of HD zip-ties and looped around the windshield and back through the mounting frame, then snipped off the excess. The ties are rated at 50-lbs strength each. I figured this added 100+ pounds of backup reinforcement. Probably overkill, probably never need it, but if it helps me sleep better at night.......

Cheap insurance and a 10-minute project.

 

[LeDude]

I am guessing that the windshield was not installed properly, I have a standard 650 with my own DIY wind deflector on top of it I have been some horrific gusty situations.

Exec owners have the advantage of lowering the windshield in super gusty conditions.

 

[MacDoc]

I never had cause for concern on the standard 650 I had, my Exec tho does not look secure with the screen up more than 1/2 " - makes me nervous in high turbulence - way too much movement for my taste.

When full down it's fine.

 

[mikeyMarine]

I noticed maybe a trend here that the windshield thing was on 650's and am curious if this is correct, I remember 6 nuts on the 08 400 and both my givis split down the middle but stayed attached instead of popping off when something large and screaming went thru them from behind, anyone have a 400 pop off or a 650 not come off ? and what kind of shield ?

 

[MacDoc]

I sold my Givi after a week - did not like the shape or the build - felt flimsy compared to stock and compared to the excellent Clearview offering. That was for a 650 tho.

 

[Scootereno]

When checking out the 2013's both the 400 and 650 windscreens felt and seemed more flimsy/flexible then the earlier models. I wonder if they are they now cutting corners and making them thinner or using different resins?

 

[MarilynsPrince]

Last week I noticed my Clearview vibrating more than usual. I've had problems in the past with the 2 anchor screws breaking the plastic on the trim piece. I've repared it three times now. I think the XL Clearview adds a bit more stress and flex than the OEM shield. When I removed the shield to inspect it this time, I found one of the 2 upper anchor srews had pulled out the rubber nut, and that was why it was vibrating more. I jimmy rigged it so it won't pull out any more! But I can see how it could suddenly come off, especially if it was already a little loose. Glad you were able to pull over safely!