Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories Wind Vest Installed

Installed the new Wind Vest shortly after arrival, have only made a short ride for adjustments due to rain. So far, I can feel the difference in wind direction away from the face, didn't get that feeling of helmet flight. The Vest looks great, but I did have to make one adjustment due to the Jim Henderson spacer kit, that was to drill matching holes in the plastic to lower the shield back down to the point of just looking over the top of shield.

Robert

Robert,
I have the Windvest as well as Jim's Spacers. I had to raise mine all the way up before it rerouted the wind completely. That put it where I could look right over the top. It seemed to work the best if you aligned the edges of the shield with the angle of the forks. I really like it. It does what it is advertised to do....

Hi Robert & Donald,
I want pictures. Any available? I use a Memphis Shades 19" 'Fats' with the mounting kit for a Suzuki Marauder 800. Fit is good, but I have modified the mounts to keep the brackets from slamming into my tank if it slips without my noticing. The way I have it now creates a lot of head buffeting and it all comes from below, so lowers would eliminate the problem. I can adjust it more, so I'm OK, but I would like to have other options.
Take Care & God Bless,
Dennis

Dennis, here's a close up of the newly installed Windvest. I have a couple more views in my gallery.

Robert

Hi, your windvest looks really nice, begging your pardon, I'm surfing the windvest.com website, and I can't find a specific model for the America / Speedmaster, may I ask from which motorcycle did you select your windscreen? Suzuki Marauder?? I've seen one for the Rocket III, but somehow, don't think that's the one I'd need. Thanks :-)

Michael, thanks I like the looks also. I also did not find any America specific models, so I called WindVest directly at 408-377-7323 in Campbell, California and spoke with "Al", he told me they had not yet encluded the Triumph line in their adds, but they do have them available. He took my order over the phone, and said there would be a small delay because of the extra spacer between the bracket and shield(two week wait). The price a little on the steep side at $329.95 plus shipping and tax, so far worth the price. The size I ordered was the 14 inch. Best of Luck with your selection.

Robert

Dennis,

Mine looks exactly like Robert's, except I bought the 16 inch version. These are very thick shields and the mounting for them is first rate, no annoying stems or clamps running down to the forks... If you look close at Robert's picture you will notice a "dimple" or "depression" near the top.. that is what breaks up the airflow and eliminates the buffeting.
As far as ordering, you can send them an email and they will call you... I spoke to Al also when I ordered mine and he was very knowledgeable and professional. I ordered mine in the dead of winter and told him it would be a few months before I could try it out. He assured me that if I didn't like it I could still return it.
I left it on all last year and I really like it - no complaints about anything except maybe the price. They are a bit expensive. But, you get what you pay for....

And if you want to take it off for a day or so, how long does it take to take it off and reattach it? Can the mounts be left on the handlebars? If thats where it mounts to, that is?

Hey Robert,
I am sold. I love the way it looks and it's obviously very functional (meaning it does what it's suppose to do). I guess I'll be selling my Memphis Shades combo. You got part numbers?
Dennis

Thanks for the Feedback, much appreciate it :-) May I ask, was the selection of a 14" screen based more on personal preference, or your height?? The windvest website had a clause somewhere on the page about recommending riders 5'10" and up to use a 16" screen (I"m 5'10"), but if the 14" works well for you, then it's still a possibility for me, didn't necessarily want one that was all that high. Thanks again for your feedback! :-)

Hi Donald,
What kinda dollars we talking here? If I spent $5 more than the cost of new brake pads and a new front tire, my bride's gonna freak.
Happy Easter, The Tomb Is Empty!!!
Dennis

Mike,
I'm 6' and went with the 16" screen. If you look at Robert's picture, there are 4 holes on each side of the actual screen that give you a bit of up and down adjustment. They also include some chrome plugs to put in any holes that are left open.... I started out with a National Cycles screen and it was like going from a Yugo to a Cadillac when I got the Windvest....

Dennis,
First of all, call me Don or Grump.... every time I hear "Donald" I get the urge to screw up my hair and fire somebody....
Second, the Windvest is over $300, it was intended for HD's after all. So your bride will freak and the tomb may get refilled....
But, hey, Happy Easter anyway...

OK Don,
With screwed up hair, and the urge to fire someone I guess Grump is a good name. Maybe I can convince Raynea that we can sell my windscreen on ebay to cover the cost, "Oh well honey, we were a couple hundred short".
Ride Safe,
Dennis

Thanks for that tidbit:-) I think the 16" would be the appropriate size shield for me, so many possibilities: Givi, Windvest, Slipstreamer, National Cycle, Sprint Manufacturing Fairing, decisions, decisions (and not enough money for any of them at the moment) Thanks again!!

Dennis,
I just got back from my sister's place for Easter, in San Luis Obispo, you asked about the Windvest Item numbers. According to the Invoice that accompanied the Windvest here is the list.
Item number / Description for the Triumph America.
60-5000 Standard 14" - Clear
20-1045C Front Load Bar
40-1045C Front Load Clamp Kit
50-1046C Mini Extention Kit
50-1045C Extension Kit
And the reason I picked the 14" shield is that I'm only 5'7" in height which is perfect for just seeing over it.
Had a great Easter.

Robert

Hey Robert,
You and your bride constantly fill my head with memories.
I told Raynea last week that when we do go back to California, we will rent a bike(s) to make the SLO run north along the coast. Thanks for the part numbers, I am 5'10" so I should probably get the 14" also. Do they make a real wide one? I am 5'10" wide too? (LOL)
God Bless,
Dennis

The Windvest is a pricey little thing, - but, in the end, I was glad I bought one. For the Speedmaster,because of the different handlebars, Windvest had to modify the shield by making a cutaway to accommodate the speedometer (see pic below).



-BT

Just for general info, I reinstalled my Windvest on my '03 TA today on the buckhorn bars I just installed. Things are a little tight, but it was no major problem. I rerouted my clutch cable through the Windvest mounting bracket, just to give the cable a little more slack, but since I don't plan on taking it off, that isn't a problem.

throb,
Sorry, I missed your question before. The entire assembly mounts to your handlebars with 2 clamps, with 2 allen head bolts in each clamp, just like your bars clamp to the risers. You can take the whole thing off in about 5 minutes by removing those 2 clamps, but the heads are not metric, they're 3/16. They give you a regular 3/16 allen wrench with the Windvest, but it's easier with a socket mounted allen bit.
And just so everyone understands, these shields don't block a lot of wind, they just redirect the airflow so you don't get battered about the head while you ride...

I just wanted to let those of you who sit a little tall in the saddle like me that the Windvest rocks!!!

1. get the 16"
2. adjust it exactly in line with the forks.
3. the bar will not obscure the speedo in this configuration
4. enough wind still gets to you to make if feel like you are on a bike
5. buffit is minimul
6. Just like my wife expensive but worth it.

Yeah, mine comes courtesy of UPS today, Thanks much to the guys up above who posted pictures of their set-ups (especially the gent with the Speedmaster), tonight, I'll get a feel for how my Speedmaster feels with it on. And then next week, my Corbin Seat Backrest will come in. I'm all set for the EAST COAST RAT Rally !! Woohoo

After a weekend of riding with the Wind Vest on, I can honestly say that I'm glad I bought the sucker, I definitely figured out that above 50 mph or so, I need to ride with my helmet visor closed, otherwise there's a little action there. Then again, I may still need to tweak the orientation of the vest, might be off a little from the axis of the fork tubes. Thanks again guys!!!

Here's a pic of the Windvest mounting to the handlebars, the buckhorns I installed recently.....



It just keeps getting better and better...

I have a 03 Speedmaster and was considering installing the wind vest. How do you like it? Did they have to modify it for the speedometer?

What height did you get?

Thanks for your help.

Deborah

Hello Deborah, I'm 5'10" so I got the 14" windvest. I decided on the height based on the threads in this post, and also on the recommendation of the gentleman that I talked to when I placed my order. I really like the thing, easy to install, when you specify SPEEDMASTER, the thing will come with the notch already cut to accommodate the Speedo. It helps my ride out alot, the bike picks up faster at higher speeds, and my mileage has gone up a tad, or it would have, if I'd just let off that evil throttle. EVIL!!

Score another one for Windvest - mine just arrived on the friendly brown truck. Just in time to help me watch it rain. For days. And days....

Read any good books lately?

Nother day! Suns up, rain's gone. Westvest installed and it's good. All good. 45's good. 75's good. 90's, uh, well you get the idea, no more blurred vision from head buffeting. Did I mention I like it?

Good deal, the shiznits was expensive, but there's no point in not paying for quality. I've been really happy with mine!

give me another testimonial. I spoke to Al @ WV twice this week and today told him I was going to wait a couple of weeks. Install a piece of cake? A lot to get used to after riding shieldless?

mert

Hi Deborah,
Get in touch with HabuBA. He's got one installed and about 150 miles from you. Ride down to see him and AmyLee, and check out his WindVest.
Ride Safe,
Dennis

Mert,
Mounting is easy, there is a chrome frame that the actual shield mounts to, and the whole thing just clamps (2 clamps - 2 bolts each)to the bars. There are several holes drilled in the shield so you can move it up or down on the mount so it works best for you. Take a look at my pic above. The only installation issue is the speedometer may hit it slightly - that can be corrected by merely grabbing the speedo and bending it's mount upward a bit.

As I've mentioned before, it doesn't really block a lot of wind, it just creates a turbulence that rolls the wind over you so your head no longer gets knocked about.

I hated the idea of putting a windshield on my bike, but this one I can live with. I don't plan on taking it off.!!

Grump,
I hate the idea of a windshield too. It's an aesthetic thing. But when I wear my lid,which is pretty often lately, aat 50 mph or more my head feels like it is going to snap off.
At least they have an excellent rturn/refund policy.
Thanks again Grump.
mert

John,
I bought mine in the dead of winter. When I told Al the WV rep. that it may be a few months before I could really evaluate it - he said I could still return it at that point.

I was impressed by his customer service attitude.

That's cool.

Now that I've put some miles on my WV I thought I'd chime in. First, like Grump said, it's easy to install (20 minutes?). And (like he said) it doesn't block wind like a large windshield does.

Pros - my buffeting problem is history - it looks good on the bike AND IMO it blocks a significant amount of wind, as in, it routes the stuff overhead.

Con - I've got the 16" shield, the upward curve in the shield distorts what's immediately ahead of me. It also does a good job of reflecting the white speedo. That matters because I live on a Forest Service road and I spend time dodging rocks, holes, and small gullies (your tax dollars at work, folks). After a few days, I'm getting used to it, so it isn't anything I'd consider sending the shield back for; but the road seems rougher than it was...

Happy? Oh yeah! Return it? No way. No how.

roadie,
The trick is to set it up so the top of the shield is at eye level. I never look "through" mine, actually when I'm riding I forget it's even there. (Except for the death of the midget that used to sit on my shoulders and slap me senseless at anything over 45 mph....!)

Grump - Good idea! Think I'll give that one a try. Freedom and I got together for lunch yesterday after a nice long ride in the rain. The shield did a good job with the weather and I had no problem seeing through the downpour.

I must be deranged, I enjoyed it...