Windshield and cruise speed

[collinsxuwei]

Dear all,

 

I am wondering how much speed improvement can a windshield make to a cruiser. My Dragstar400 can cruise comfortably at 95km/h, but can a windshild help to push the cruise speed to 100-105km/h without stressing the engine much?

 

Any recommendation on where to get a good windshield?

 

Thank you.

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

I have a much smaller cc bike than you but I find on a cruiser without a shield the windblast can be tremendous at highway speeds. A windshield can indeed increase the "average cruise speed" by allowing you to go faster in comfort.

 

I recommend the "GIVI Aero" type windshield for 400cc cruisers as its smooth curved shape actually can create a laminar flow type effect (a smooth flow of air over the nose and the rider). I haven't seen any displayed at my regular bike shops - maybe ask LAB or other big accessory shops. I was quoted $160 for a "Givi windshield" but I managed to find the model I wanted in fairly good condition from a scrap parts bin. FOC

 

For reference the "Aero" shield looks something like this:

 

 

It does reduce drag over the rider giving me a +1-2km/l boost in fuel efficiency on highway commutes. Average cruising speed raised from 80kph to 100+ partly due to the lack of sense of speed behind the shield! Insects, etc do not impact the shield during backroad trips. They are lofted over the bike thanks to the laminar flow.

 

I also did some kopitiam engineering theory on the subject back in my Phantom Knights days:

http://motocracy.wordpress.com/2010/05/05/all-about-windshields/

[maxxmadness]

@collinsxuwei

 

your dragstar max speed should be around 130 - 150kmh, doing 100 - 105 kmh should not be a problem and will not stress your engine.

 

unless you are looking for a quieter ride and wind protection, you dont need a windshield to attain + 10kmh from 95kmh

[lunloon]

a windshield should help you when doing 120 and above. for the rider than the engine.

[collinsxuwei]

Thanks for all your advise. Went to LAB, but it was so crowded, not an ideal place to choose windshield. Is there anywhere else to recommend?

 

For those with a windshield on the cruiser, is there noticeable speed increase?

[collinsxuwei]

Thanks for all your advise. Went to LAB, but it was so crowded, not an ideal place to choose windshield. Is there anywhere else to recommend?

 

For those with a windshield on the cruiser, is there noticeable speed increase?

[Pandoras Kitten 3]

Speed increase as a direct result of aero mod is minimal as lunloon's vast experience states. We're not talking about full fairings after all, just reduce drag on the rider's vertical body.

 

But you will enjoy less windblast and greater comfort once you get used to it = able maintain a higher average speed overall.

[collinsxuwei]

Thanks a lot for the advise :-)

[maniahk]

hmm draggie shld be able to cruise 100 odd without much stress on rider.. unless u'r used to riding 110+.. den a windshield will come in handy.. e engine wldnt n shldnt feel much stress, but ur handlebars will feel heavier.. tho u'll only feel it in e first couple of days.. after which u'll wonder how u'll ever ride w/o a windshield.. that being said, there's no real nice windshields in sg for cruisers i feel, haha.. all too small