Can anyone look at the photo and see clearly what the problem is in relation to the screen height/ rake and where my head is. I posted previously to give my fairly negative experience of the Madstad screen but essentially the wind noise is awful at anything over 45mph and the airflow at anything from 25mph means I have to keep my visor closed otherwise it gets hit by the wind and jiggles my head about. I was hoping to be able to ride at 70mph in comfort for long runs which is why I fitted it . Looks pretty awful on the bike but as it’s quick release I thought it would be functional when required. Of course the bike without any screen is far more comfortable at anything up to 60 mph and the airflow just sorts itself out no problem so the screen is sitting in a corner of the garage gathering dust ... I contacted Madstad and the supplier in UK (HPS) about a month back including photos and asking advice but neither has got around to replying. I’ve tried the screen in all positions and where it is now is at its least uncomfortable so any thoughts ? I bought the 20” as recommended for my height but I do wonder given the slightly more upright riding position on the SS whether it’s actually not tall enough despite at it max height...anything at less rake than it’s max as shown creates buffeting. Thanks in advance.
It could well be that the screen is a little short to be fully effective, one way of checking is to stick an extension on the top of the screen and see whether that makes any difference, try taping about 2" of card or similar on top of the screen blade. If that improves things you could then add a clip on extension rather than buy another screen blade from Madstad.
Hello, just to introduce myself, I am not paid by Madstad and I ordered mine directly to USA. I had a Madstad screen on my previous 2013 road glide HD during seven years. It was not nice looking but so good for riding... even for passenger. You have to take into account the length of the windshield. According to me the good length is when the shield is just below your nose and never eyes below the shield. Angle is very important. It is said 60° from ground but it also could be between 55 and 60°. To work properly the Madstad needs have some fresh air going from inside bottom to inside top of the screen. I could be wrong, but according to the picture I am not sure there is enough space above your light to get sufficient fresh air going inside the shield. Be sure that if there is no air on the internal side of the shield it will not work. Have you any possibility to try a shorter one?
Funny as you receive two answers which are completely different.... However to look at the road through any windscreen when riding a bike is not the best solution, but it is just my opinion.
Interesting thank you... regarding the air flow there is a big gap under the screen so it’s not that, and I am looking over the top of the screen which is about level with my chin... so theory wise it should work ok ...but doesn’t. Over the last few years I’ve had 2 Tiger 800s, both of which I fitted with Madstads with superb results... I had a 2016 HD Road Glide that I put a Madstad on but that was less effective and in fact had to set the screen so high up to work I was looking through it... useless in rain but easily lowered to see over the top but losing the value of it. With my current issue I’ve had the 2 different Triumph flyscreens (the slightly taller one called ‘Touring’ screen for some odd reason ).. but they both directed the airflow onto my chest which then redirected it up my neck into my helmet which was slightly uncomfortable, and not wishing to tuck a neck warmer up my helmet all the time I took them off. I’ll have a think about a windscreen extension so thanks for suggesting that...I’ve tried ducking down to see if that helped ... which it didn’t unless I was so low I was looking through the screen where it was slightly better... It would have been good to get some response from Madstad as they must be the experts with their screens..I’ll chase them up again but in the meantime I’ve added another couple of pics to see if these give any clue as what maybe is wrong with the set up. Thanks again for suggestions
You can buy a clip on top screen which creates an air gap between the two forcing the air up and over you Have a Google
The basic problem is that in a tuck on a race bike the rider fills the gap behind the screen to provide a smoother total airflow. With an upright screen you displace air and get dirty air flows and eddies over, under and round the screen. These then batter the rider! Raindrops mostly follow the external flow so screens are not without benefit. However rider size, posture etc., all matter as much as screen size, angle. You would need hours in a wind tunnel to optimise things and most screen reviews are so personal as to be meaningless. The one thing that seems to smooth dirty airflow is an adjustable aerofoil clipped to the top of the screen and you need to play with them and tune the air gap. Screens? A bit of a lottery!
That’s a shame as the madstad on my tiger is great! The only thing I can suggest is have a ride around and with your Hand, the non throttle one, place it around the screen, like a deflector, and see what happens. Start at the top and look at underneath too as it could be getting reflected up by the shape of the tank. Looking at your photos I think it could be raked back too far and the gap between headlight and screen is too large, try putting a bit of card down there to reduce, not block, the gap. Try with it more upright if that works and you don’t like looking through the screen maybe a Slightly smaller one would work
Thanks for suggestions ... I’ll give them a go and report back... yes the classic bike style and upright posture don’t lend themselves to smooth airflow ... fingers crossed that potentially an add on spoiler will allow me to drop the screen a bit so will get smoother airflow whilst seeing over the top. .. I’ll check them out
@cliverdee, To give it a try, could you temporarily add a 8-10" high, plastic plate (or rigid cardboard) at the bottom inside of the windshield to create an internal airflow. Separation 2-3" between the screen and the plate should work.
Looks to my novice eyes like the wind may well be coming from under the screen, I'm told you want some to lessen the vacuum which causes backflow. When I had my Street Twin I tried a few and found the Puig Custom screen to best. No longer have bike or screen
Had the same problem on my 09 America even after I bought a 2 in. higher aftermarket screen. Talking to the screen manufacturer he said that they would exchange the screen for a model they make that has a forward scooped lip at the top of the screen. I'd seen several articles that recommended this but I thought that would look terrible and decided to adjust the rake. I bought some 1 inch rubber bottle stoppers on line, and long screws and installed them in the upper screen mounts between the screen and the support rods. The stock screen had rubber washers there to dampen vibration. These "spacers" tipped the screen forward, changing the rake just enough to move the turbulence over my head. You might be able to see them in the avatar photo which also shows the reflection of the tank console and speedo. It all cost less than $5.
As you've said, the Madstad screen works well on the Tiger 800, being a massive improvement over the stock screen. I had one on mine and it transformed the bike - just as @crispey has confirmed with his own Tiger. Maybe this type of screen just won't work with a naked, retro style bike. I've had two Bonnevilles and had a dart fly screen on the first, which deflected some wind off your chest, but not much. I didn't bother on the second one and just got used to it, although it starts to get tiring at speeds over about 75 mph. Interestingly (or not!) I now have a BMW R nine T with no screen and which is considerably more powerful than the Bonneville but I never feel like the wind is an issue on this bike the way it could be on the Triumph.
Ha, thanks... and interesting you also suggest that it may just be big screens & classic bikes don’t work well. I’ve now adjusted the Madstad to the lowest point with a very slight rake forward as in pic ... it’s a bit less noisy and seems ‘ok’ ish but the helmet visor has to be fully down at anything over 30 mph.... it does actually allow faster speeds as long as you tuck down behind it so not sure how long a trip at speed is feasible... it was suggested fitting an adjustable spoiler to the top of the screen such as an MRA but I’ve not gone that route as I think I’ll be only trying to look through or around the plastic mountings, and feel I’ve spent enough. Given mostly I use the bike with no screen it’s not worth the extra expense on a chance. I did have a Triumph flyscreen and the slightly higher ‘touring’ screen and these deflected the airflow onto my chest but then irritatingly up under the collar of my full face helmet .. the open face Shoei in the pic was ok with the flyscreens for what little benefit they brought. Enough is enough and for what the Street Scrambler is intended for its 100% better with nothing ! ... in my humble opinion thanks for all help & advice
