Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories Slipstreamer S-06 Spitfire anyone?

Hmm, seems like this might be a continuation of the 'Windshields for Americas" thread...

I've been looking around thinking about buying a shield for a while now. I don't think I want a full blown shield like the Fats or similar, but something a bit smaller, just so I don't have to hang on the the handlebars at anything over, say, 60Mph. I'm 6'0" and with my gut, present a fairly large sail for the wind to hit. I like the look of the Givi A600/601, but it looks a bit small for me. Then I ran across the Slipstreamer S-06 Spitfire which looks kind of similar to the Givi, but maybe a bit wider. It's also pretty darn cheap.. I've seen them for around $50 w/hardware! Has anyone else used the Spitfire, on a Speedy or an America? They come with universal hardware for either 7/8 or 1 inch bars and claim that they are easily detached and reattached. I'm thinking that a dark tinted one would blend right in with an all black speedy

Cheers,
Brad

I've got the Viper model and since I only use the shield on long trips it comes in handy to be able to take off easily. It has pretty good coverage as well, and I didn't spend alot of money. Can't go wrong with one.

Hows the buffeting on the Viper?

I have one of the Vipers also. The buffeting can be noticable if the angle of the shield is not correct. I have mine set to just forward of parallel with the forks and that seems to minimize the buffeting. Like John, it's only in for long/highway trips.

The part I like the most is the quick release system. Literally on and off in seconds. The mounts (that stay on the bars) are fairly inobtrusive.

I don't have a Spitfire, but I do have the Viper. Like Phil says, it takes some adjusting and testing to get the angle right so there isn't buffeting, but it's not that difficult.

I don't use mine on a regular basis, only a handufl of times a year on trips, and the post hole thumbscrews have taken a beating. I've replaced them with allen head screws from the hardware store and I get a tighter fit. With those t shaped nuts I just couldn't get them tight enough without using a pair of pliers on them. Finally one of them snapped it's head off. No biggie though, a trip to the hardware store took care of that. Just wanted to warn you that these cheap screens might not hold up to daily use.

Also, the Viper doesn't look nearly as big as in that pic. It's about the perfect size for me though. Just enough to keep the wind off, but not so big it feels like you're on a Gold Wing. All-in-all for $60 or so, it's been a worthwhile purchase.

How about the Tombstone? Anyone have this one? Looks pretty cool & alittle bigger than the Flyscreen I was considering.

http://www.slipstreamer.com/Product/Cruisers/cruisers.html

Think I might get a viper for the Georgia trip. Who sell em online?

Check that. I just found the link.

As Phil and Derek said the buffeting can be reduced with playing around with the angle of the shield. I keep mine at the same angle as the forks. I do get some buffeting around the top of my helmet but I think that's to be expected. For what I paid I'm happy with it.

I looked at the Viper, and had read good things about it here, but mostly from America owners.. the way it's cut out seems to complement the shape of the America bars (or buckhorns), but I'm thinking it might look kind of weird on a Speedmaster with it's drag bars. Does anyone have the Viper on a Speedmaster (and could maybe post a picture with the bike and screen)? I'm also interested in how tall you guys are with the Viper.. The specs say it's 17 1/4 inches high, and based on my crude measurement, I'm thinking that I need something a bit shorter.. maybe I'm wrong on this one, but I came up with between 15-16 inches for me at 6'.

Cheers,
Brad

Not a great pic, but it should give you an idea.



I'm just a 1/4" under 6' tall. The Viper's just the right heighth for me. I can see over it in a normal riding position, but I can also go into a slight tuck and get behind it if it starts raining.

I just ordered this one I like the look and the quick release

Brad, I tried to put a picture here but I screwed something up. I have a Slipstreamer "Cobra" on my TBA. Its a little different style and the price is right. Check out my photo album, there are 2 pictures of the shield. Or if one of you guys can put the pictures here for me.
Steve_Sixmil

put the pictures here for me.

You mean these two?



Saw those as well.. it's kind of in between the Viper and the Spitfire in size.. How is it?

Cheers,
Brad

Thanks Brad, I don't have the patience sometimes with computers. Anyway, this shield works pretty good for keeping the wind off my chest. I don't feel like I am being pulled off the bike. Now that I have the Corbin seat, it put me lower behind the shield. The wind catches me just at the top of my helmet. my wife doesn't like the shield because the curved part puts the wind right on her on the back seat. The one option I do like about the Slipstreamer like someone else here said is that the shield comes off in a matter of seconds and the 1" handlebar clamps is all thats left.
I rode a KAWI 1000 for 10 years and never used a shield. I'm older now and like the Idea that I'm not fighting wind on long trips.I bought this thru BikeBandit.com, it was under $100,including shipping. My saddlebags just came today from them.
Steve

Quote:

---

my wife doesn't like the shield because the curved part puts the wind right on her on the back seat.

---

Hi Steve,
My wife says she doesn't care so much about the wind. She just likes riding with me because she can "squeeze on me without worrying about a response".
I have a Memphis Fats 19" cut down to 17". Not all that happy with it, so I am still looking before I commit to a $300 WindVest. The S-06 Spitfire is one I am considering - just too many curvy variations in the Cobra for me. I have some Memphis Shades lowers also, so I think the Spitfire will work OK with them, as should the Viper.

Hi Curly, One of the RAts here in Indy put a Tombstone on a T-bird and didn't like it. he tried it on our Nov. ride, didn't quite cut the cold.
Steve

Thanks Derek.. that picture does reassure me that it looks just fine on the Speedy. Like Ken, I'm looking at getting something for the Georgia Rally, so I need to order something soon. I was originally looking for something minimal, which is what got me checking out the Givi and the Spitfire. But with all the positive feedback about the Viper and now seeing how it looks on the Speedy, I'm starting to swing towards it. I'll probably wind up ordering one or the other this weekend (the wife likes the viper over the spitfire as well ) I'll most likely wind up going with the viper, and if I don't like it, I can always sell it and try the Spitfire. Hey Dennis, if you get the Spitfire, be sure to let us know how it works out for you!


Cheers,
Brad

I just talked to a guy today because he had a Spitfire on a Honda. He said that it directed the air to the top of his helmet. He also said the quick release was great. We live in Fla so don't need it except on longer rides. It looked a little small on his Honda (which was smaller than a BA). After looking it over I came home and ordered the SHO-D (Police style) for my BA from Bikebandit.com. About $90 with shipping. You also might want to look at the Cobra model. I'll let you know how it works out!!

Thanks for the reply Steve..I'll probably end up getting something alittle bigger now (not too much bigger as I don't like big windshields)...the one on your bike looks alright.

Torn between the Spitfire and Viper, I went ahead and ordered the Viper last night.. at $65, what the heck Got it from a place in texas, Wing Things (they are geared towards gold-wings but have stuff for other bikes as well). Anybody heard of these guys? They have some pretty good prices. I'm also baffled as to why almost all the mail-order places use UPS ground. FedEx ground is usually half the price and take half the time to get to you. I found this out due to my E-bay sales days. It takes a week or more for UPS to get something from Califorinia to Florida, where FedEx can usually do it in 3 to 4 days, and significantly cheaper to boot! Oh well, at least I'll have it in plenty of time for the Georgia rally

Cheers,
Brad

Hi Brad...I won't order from anyone in the US if they use UPS...apparently...there's a brokerage fee when stuff hits the Canadian border if UPS is the carrier.
The exchange rate & other taxes are enough, when ordering out of Country.
I'm still undecided which Screen I'll end up going with.

there's a brokerage fee when stuff hits the Canadian border if UPS is the carrier.

I think thats true for most (if not all) of the cargo carriers except for the USPS. I used to ship everything FedEx Ground and ran into the same problem when shipping to Canada.. required some type of brokerage arangement, extra paperwork, extra fees, etc.. wound up using USPS for all my shipments to Canada to avoid all of that BS.

Cheers,
Brad

I ordered the Viper the other day from MAW. I'll let you know how it is, IF we get some riding weather here.

Hey Matt.. get your viper yet? According to the FedEx tracking system, mine should be arriving tomorrow

Cheers,
Brad

Yeah, I got it last week. This Friday the bike comes out of storage. I have the spotlights to put on too. Gotta get an oil filter and oil. I have new brakes front and rear that have to go on. I ordered sparkplugs from Brent. Gonna be a busy weekend.