Need a new windshield

tpasco1995

tpasco1995

Joined
Jan 29, 2024
Messages
98
Age
30
Location
Columbus, OH
Bike
2003 ST1300A
So in the most terrifying moment of my short time riding, a box truck being used by a landscape company with the door half-open (one of those deals where they bought a former Uhaul or Budget truck and removed a few of the door panels so it is only half a door at the bottom and is never truly closed...) had a socket drop out on the highway and smack the windshield this morning.

A nice spidery chip just left of center on my stock screen. I'm grumpy.

It looks like the windshield forum has been dead for a while, so is there an updated cluster of suggestions for good aftermarkets with minimal buffeting and decent fit?
 
Was it a 10mm?
Did you get to keep the socket?
It almost sounds like you want to improve on the original screen... at 6' and 33" inseam, the stock works great for me.
Ummm, I don't remember if you're on the 13 or the 11, my experience is the 1300 usually in the lowest position, highest when it's raining or cold.
 
tpasco1995 said:
So in the most terrifying moment of my short time riding, a box truck being used by a landscape company with the door half-open (one of those deals where they bought a former Uhaul or Budget truck and removed a few of the door panels so it is only half a door at the bottom and is never truly closed...) had a socket drop out on the highway and smack the windshield this morning.

A nice spidery chip just left of center on my stock screen. I'm grumpy.

It looks like the windshield forum has been dead for a while, so is there an updated cluster of suggestions for good aftermarkets with minimal buffeting and decent fit?
Click to expand...
Take a look at these guys. They are nowhere near California

California Scientific Motorcycle Windshields

calsci.com calsci.com
 
Sadlsor said:
Was it a 10mm?
Did you get to keep the socket?
It almost sounds like you want to improve on the original screen... at 6' and 33" inseam, the stock works great for me.
Ummm, I don't remember if you're on the 13 or the 11, my experience is the 1300 usually in the lowest position, highest when it's raining or cold.
Click to expand...
I'm 6'1" with a 34" inseam. Stock windshield is honestly entirely fine if it's viable to find one in solid shape; I have the hardware set at the higher position (ST1300). I know there are some aftermarkets where people were complaining of buffeting, and the most recent one (SlipScreens maybe?) had to have another deflector screen added to the top.
And the socket was more in the realm of an 18mm deepwell.
 
I also use a Cal-Sci and it does work great. 1 inch wider to help protect the passenger a bit more. It did that well.
 
tpasco1995 said:
You could land a plane on that extra wide, goodness.

Their tinted looks really nice.
Click to expand...
I suggest you do a search for windshields on this forum. I reviewed my Calsci windshield and kept it on the bike as long as I had it. I also bought one of their shields for my VStrom when I got that bike. Unfortunately, quality dropped around the time I got the VS (Jan '19) and a number of guys complained about their shields after I got mine. I think Dad was retiring and passing the business on to his son (and he complained about son's work ethic (or lack thereof) online). No idea what quality they offer today. The big complaint then was the laser/router cutting of the shape was left raw - unpolished and sharp. I also remember someone complaining when the laser or router completed the pattern circuit, there was a discernible bump.

My only complaint about my Calsci shields was the port in the middle. They blather on about how it lets air in to wash up the inside of the plastic, reducing turbulence and yielding a quieter air pocket. Since the shield is open at the bottom, I wonder about this. I also rode with the shield all the way up and I looked through the top couple of inches. I left my helmet's visor open. The problem occurred in the rain. Said trapezoidal opening in the middle was perfectly positioned to accumulate large drops of water which were then propelled up and inward directly into my eyes. YMMV.
 
I have a V Stream shield for an ST 1300 I recently found in my stash of parts in the garage and I'm not far from you. $100 plus shipping or I could meet you part way between Cinti and Cols on 71 and we could stick it on your bike? PM me if you want

Or if you are going to Oh-Stoc I can bring it up with me
 
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There are lots of quality after-market windscreens for the ST, and opinions of riders about them will vary. Settling on a screen is a personal matter and even two riders of 'identical stature' may make different assessments of a particular screen - IMO. I liked the Puig touring screen on my ST very much, but that is just my feeling.

On my past FJR1300 I tried a few screen configurations/lips and settled on one that was 'pretty good', and for me that is about as good as a screen can be. It's windy up there :)
I did enjoy experimenting with them though.

Good luck with a new screen. The main thing is to enjoy shopping, looking, fitting, and experimenting, and the pleasant rides that follow.
 
I just bought my ST (2009, w/30k miles) a few weeks ago & have the "wobble" on highway at 70+. It is definitely the "front wheel wander" & not the rear getting squirrely.
I previously had a VFR800a (man, I loved that bike, but so did the thieves who put it in a truck & drove away with it) & it was always ROCK SOLID at all speeds (even past 150...)
And I see so many "mine is rock solid" post that I know something must be wrong on mine. It has never been wrecked, so no frame tweak.
This definitely feels like buffeting from turbulence, & way worse when near/behind large vehicles, but clean air does not cure it either.
Tire pressure good, preload set on rear shock, I've tried it with and without the top box (same), I am adding a fork brace later this week, am going to make sure the front wheel is step-by-step tightened correctly & was doing windshield research when I came to the conclusion that the one I have on there - installed by previous owner - is for Goldwings (!?). It is a Vstream ventilated windscreen & when I go to their site, the only one with the built-in vent is for a Goldwing. It is already too tall for my liking & I plan to cut it down a couple inches - I am 5' 9" & even at the lowest am always looking through it & don't like that, but could this be the heart of my "wobble"...?

Could I simply have just way too much/the wrong windshield? Was this one simply not meant for an ST? Or did Vstream make this for the ST & no longer do? (for reasons like wobble?)
So I plan to take 3" off the top of this, but would love to know if others t hink this is the wrong screen for my bike, because this wobble/wiggle is a whole lot of BS, and I'm not having it.
A 700lb bike that wiggles in the wind? C'mon. I have 40 years riding & plenty of highway time, so I know what it's like to get pushed around by the wind, but know this isn't right.

And how do you START a post? (I can reply to others' posts - I think- but can't start one of my own) I know my first one has to be vetted, but I simply see no "post" button anywhere on this page/interface
Image 7-30-24 at 7.38 AM.jpeg
 
I'm one of those "mine doesn't do that" kinda no-help guys, but I was going to suggest checking the front wheel is mounted correctly, but looks like you're already there.

The details are here in the Articles section, so I guess you found it. As you noted, there definitely IS a "correct process", including the correct wheel spacers are on the correct sides and oriented properly.

Glad you navigated through the Post process. Others will be along with better ideas.

Meanwhile, welcome! From Birmingham Alabama.
 
Sadlsor said:
I'm one of those "mine doesn't do that" kinda no-help guys, but I was going to suggest checking the front wheel is mounted correctly, but looks like you're already there.

The details are here in the Articles section, so I guess you found it. As you noted, there definitely IS a "correct process", including the correct wheel spacers are on the correct sides and oriented properly.

Glad you navigated through the Post process. Others will be along with better ideas.

Meanwhile, welcome! From Birmingham Alabama.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Yes, I've researched the articles & read those. This is a great community of helpful info & I look forward to being here a while. And yeah, I checked the front wheel bearings & fork seals, they both seem good - dunno what fork oil is in there though, so switching it up would at least give me that much more understanding. Just trying one variable at a time until I've licked it. Keep the rubber side down.
 
Yes, I have had the "take it off" thought & will probably do that first. 4 screws, why not? Head bearing not checked yet, will do.
Tires are clean & not worn strangely or abused.
Thanks,
 
K-Cro said:
Yes, I have had the "take it off" thought & will probably do that first. 4 screws, why not? Head bearing not checked yet, will do.
Tires are clean & not worn strangely or abused.
Thanks,
Click to expand...

Tire brand?

Asking because some have experienced more wandering with some brands than others.

Want it or not, tires are part of the suspension, with different flex, rigidity, shape, deformation, contact patch, it all adds up. Some tires may work better than others with your set up.

In its native set up, the 1300 may not be the best tracking bike, but this is not necessarily just a 1300 issue. See here....

www.fz09.org

High Speed wobble after new tires

www.fz09.org www.fz09.org

Once dialed in, it can be quite enjoyable!

 
K-Cro said:
I just bought my ST (2009, w/30k miles) a few weeks ago & have the "wobble" on highway at 70+. It is definitely the "front wheel wander" & not the rear getting squirrely.
I previously had a VFR800a (man, I loved that bike, but so did the thieves who put it in a truck & drove away with it) & it was always ROCK SOLID at all speeds (even past 150...)
And I see so many "mine is rock solid" post that I know something must be wrong on mine. It has never been wrecked, so no frame tweak.
This definitely feels like buffeting from turbulence, & way worse when near/behind large vehicles, but clean air does not cure it either.
Tire pressure good, preload set on rear shock, I've tried it with and without the top box (same), I am adding a fork brace later this week, am going to make sure the front wheel is step-by-step tightened correctly & was doing windshield research when I came to the conclusion that the one I have on there - installed by previous owner - is for Goldwings (!?). It is a Vstream ventilated windscreen & when I go to their site, the only one with the built-in vent is for a Goldwing. It is already too tall for my liking & I plan to cut it down a couple inches - I am 5' 9" & even at the lowest am always looking through it & don't like that, but could this be the heart of my "wobble"...?

Could I simply have just way too much/the wrong windshield? Was this one simply not meant for an ST? Or did Vstream make this for the ST & no longer do? (for reasons like wobble?)
So I plan to take 3" off the top of this, but would love to know if others t hink this is the wrong screen for my bike, because this wobble/wiggle is a whole lot of BS, and I'm not having it.
A 700lb bike that wiggles in the wind? C'mon. I have 40 years riding & plenty of highway time, so I know what it's like to get pushed around by the wind, but know this isn't right.

And how do you START a post? (I can reply to others' posts - I think- but can't start one of my own) I know my first one has to be vetted, but I simply see no "post" button anywhere on this page/interface
Image 7-30-24 at 7.38 AM.jpeg
Click to expand...
Welcome, yes, you had to wait for a post before you can post, I think maybe 24 hours too, you go to the forum you want to post in and there will be a button on the top right. This is going to work for now though.

Your preload... how many clicks in before it started to give you resistance? Try running it all the way in then all the way out so you can see if resistance changes.

Only times I had happy feet like that was (1) a poorly installed front wheel and (2) not enough preload for the gear I was carrying, once these bikes are dialed in they are solid. Both times the speed was at where you are noticing.

That windscreen...
 
Dunlop Roadsmart III & I've seen the post https://www.st-owners.com/forums/threads/problems-with-roadsmart-tires.170049/ where DUnlop engineers blame "uneven wear" that rider was seeing on the "highway weave", but my tires do not seem to have uneven wear pattern. SO it's a chicken/egg scenario for me. WHich came first? are the tires responsible for wiggle, or is the wiggle responsible for uneven wear on the tires (which I don't seem to have), exacerbating the weave...?
For now, I'll install the fork brace - which many say does help some - then try "naked" sans windshield.
Since my tires have plenty of tread (& cost more than other things), I'm leaving them for the last measure to try.
A lot of hate for the Dunlop RS 3s in that thread, but some "these are great for me" too.

One comment in that thread "so for what's it's worth I install a SuperBrace on it while the RoadSmarts were still on...the ST1300 responded immediately to the SuperBrace...no more front end wobble!!" My superbrace arrives Thursday.
 
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