For the sheer fun of it, first take your mirrors off and take a test run. Go from there if justified.

 

Sorry did I mention I was a newb as well :0)

So I take my mirrors off and the buffetting is better what do I do then, run with no mirrors or....? (ie: what does it tell me if things are better with the mirrors off given I won't ride without them?)

Sorry me thick as well!

 

I hate to give you bad news, but no one here can answer your question. There is only one constant with the buffeting problem, it's different for everyone. For every solution that one person finds, that same set-up will be bad for another. There doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason, even people of the same height can't always use the same screen. We're all in the same boat, buying and trying screens, brackets, mirrors, etc in the hope that a fix is just around the corner.

I really like my V-Strom a lot. It's the best all-around bike I've owned, except for the buffeting. In the past two years I've run a Madstad, different mirrors, and 4 different screens. I'm still searching for something I'm happy with. I'm very close to giving up and just selling the thing.

 

Can one adjust the CalSci screen up and down (like the stock screen) or are you limited to one height setting only?

It is best to ask this of Mark at California Scientific.

My CalSci screen is positioned right at the top of the headlight. Lowering it would partly cover the top of the headlight, look goofy, and maybe screw up the air flow. Raising it might put too much pressure on the screen & mounts when running at high speed.

I like my CalSci screen pretty well, and don't know if anything is better. I don't notice much buffeting, but it doesn't keep rain off my helmet shield (I'd hoped for smooth airflow to get the rain drops over the top*). The Cee Bailey Perfect Strom is a possibility; the V-Stream might be too tall for you.


*I'm going to try MotoSolutions "Raincoat."

 

Thanks for the input so far folks. Yes I understand it is a very individualistic thing. I was just hoping to go with something that worked best for the majority of the folks given the difficulty I have with getting/returning stuff up here.

I am interested in the MadStad given on Murph's site he offer's a money back guarentee which is something. I have an email into Murph to get his opinion.

I've also sent one to the folks that sell the Lip, I'll send one to Cal Sci as well to bet their perspective. Asking for info is cheap!

That's pretty strong talk Wingspan, sorry to hear that. I could live with where it is now on my Wee, I guess being exposed to the screen buffetting at the lowest level was a blessing in descuise as I know how bad it could have been.

 

I thought the Madstad would have helped more then it did, I am only 5'7 btw.
The fact that it is adjustable is awesome and worth it, so I dont think it was a waste of money.

 

My experience with other bikes is a laminar lip attached to the stock screen did as much to improve laminar air flow as any aftermarket screen.

 

Another laminar vote here. 6' 1'', ride a Vee with a Sargent seat. Have experienced Givi and Windstrom shields. Mounted the Laminar "touring lip" on the OEM screen last week. Very pleased with the results. :thumbup:

 

Yes as expected different replies from different folks :headbang:

I sent Cal Sci an email and they got back to me very quickly but his advice was not quite what I thought it would be (ie: not very scientific and or backed up with a miriad of technical detals and such like their web site).

My VStrom has 63,000 miles on it. No madstad. Just our shield. It's works just fine, hugely better than stock.

Mark

Hmmmmmm :headbang:

 

Madstad and Givi. Best combo going.

 

Use the short Suzuki Euro screen it works the best.:thumbup:

 

I have tried stock (not good)...stock with MADSTAD (almost acceptable)...GIVI with MADSTAD (very good), but because I was still getting some turbulence on top of helmet I wanted something taller (6 ft and sit very tall in saddle.

I now have the tallest CALSCI (3 inches taller than the GIVI) on stock mounts and am happy...80-90 mph with visor open and only the breeze from air from the NACA vent...have not tried it with the MADSTAD, but it is a big screen and I like it closer to the fairing and a bit more rigid.

I have 3 screens and a MADSTAD and I think I am through...

Cheers

yes, you can move the CALSCI to any of the three positions that the standard screen using the standard mounts allow

 

I had great informative/helpful replys to my emails to Madstad and the "Lip" folks.

After some more back and forth I'm going to go with the Madstad as it will be better than I have now and there's that money back gaurentee thing (I found a distributor in Canada that will honour the gaurentee and they are only $14 more than ordering it from the states.

Thanks again eh I knew I could count on you folks to provide some clarity/advice/support.

 

I put a vent hole in my stocker, similar to the calsci (pm me if you want a template...) and with a madstad, am happy with the combo.

 

Great news for sure.

Thanks!

 

Running the stock screen on a Madstad with the old Laminar Lip from my KLR. Best I've found; I would imagine the proper Lip would also be quite effective. (Five nine or so, original seat).

 

//I've also read that folks purchase the CalSci screen and then use the MadStad bracket on it. Isn't the CalSci screen good enough on its own? Could I not get the same success with using the MadStad on my stock screen?

Can one adjust the CalSci screen up and down (like the stock screen) or are you limited to one height setting only?//

Yes you can. And there are four heights of CalSci available.

Many of us have the Madstad and CalSci because we want maximum flexibility from hot/humid to rain to freezing.

I've had the Givi and it's good, but not as good.

The Laminar Lip is a "crutch" product. It's designed to correct the airflow problems of a poorly designed windshield, and does so.

There is an explanation of how turbulence occurs on the CalSci website, along with a link to about every other windshield known to man.

The owner of CalSci is a research physicist (and V-Strom owner) with hundreds of thousands of motorcycle riding experience. Neat guy.

Left - Givi, Right - CalSci Tall.

 

Has anyone else tried cutting the "CalSci" hole in their stock screen....?

How about doing that with the Madstads, could that be a poor man's solution?

Can someone point me to any posts where this has been done with results reported?

Thanks!

 

Has anyone else tried cutting the "CalSci" hole in their stock screen....?//

No, but I did tape over the NACA duct in the CalSci to see what sort of difference it makes.

Some people have added spacers behind the stock windshield to diminish the low pressure area that creates the buffeting.

 

And what happened when you covere the duct over?

In regards to spacers, does one try to get as much backward lean on the screen as possible (ie: add spacers to the bottom two screws) to simulate what the Madstad is trying to do.

Or what position did most folks find works the best when using the spacers?

I am 5' 9" tall and saw about a 50% reduction in buffetting when I put the screen up to its highest setting versus the stock low setting.

Thanks.

 

The air flow is quieter ans smoother with the duct.

 

Got the Euro mini screen when my buddy went to England, and my problem was solved.
Earplugs are required with this screen, but the buffetting and all that updraft which I had thought was caused by the fairing is gone also. You would think that you lose a bit of protection in height and width, but the shield more than makes up for this by completely stopping that side and bottom updrafts. The cold weather and rain protection is really good. When trying taller shields, the wind and rain blew in from the sides, and right up into the bottom of my helmet. Everyone seems to have a personal solution to buffetting though.
One suggestion- make a small shield out of a plastic garbage can to mount on your madstad to see if a smaller screen might work for you.
I made a small windshield out of a $4 plastic "cat eye" shaped trash can from Big Lots, and things improved, so I went for the Euro shield.
Just tape two pieces of paper together, then trace the stock windshield holes, and trace and cut a pattern for a small shield. Cut it with a jigsaw. Saves an investment on a short shield till you find it may work for you.

 

I cut down the stock shield to use in summer, track days etc. Then painted the back of it black.

 

Stock windscreen, Madstad and Scorpion EXO-700 helmet. Buffeting completely gone. I'm 6' tall. The helmet actually made the biggest difference for me.