Cafe windshield vs larger?

[Burkalicious]

Hello all,

I drive a new Vulcan 900 Custom and have seen people talking about cafe and standard windshields, and was just wondering what are the benefits of the smaller cafe windshield vs the larger standard one?

[ALStensby]

Smaller shields will essentially help to divert the air flow around you without being visually obtrusive. The larger the shield, the better the air deflection. Additionally, it'll pick up rocks, bugs etc. I use a Memphis Shades sport shield for my Mean Streak but have quick detach since most of the time, I ride without it.

[BamaMike]

A small shield can also help your mpg, while a large shield will hurt mpg.

[sisooktom]

One of the main benefits of the Cafe shield IMO, is that it doesn't look out of place on the Custom. That of course is totally subjective, but I've seen pics of Customs with Memphis Fats/Slim on them, and the look is....not for me. I plan on putting the Cafe shield on once the weather starts to cool off.

[jaseman]

Both have their pros and cons.

The larger the shield, the more air it'll deflect around your body. As well as bugs, rocks and debris. You'll be warmer in cool whether, and dryer in the rain. But it can also create more wind buffeting, and reduce top speed and fuel milage, since your pushing that much more air around you.

The smaller the shield, the less it is affected by the air. It's gonna be out of your line of vision more, while still taking some of the wind off of your body. It also won't alter your top speed or mpg nearly as much. But they do offer less protection than a larger one, and on cold or damp days, don't offer as much protection.

Personally, I prefer a small cafe' or flyscreen. Just enough to move some air around me, while not creating the drag that a large piece of plexi does. I just haven't found one that I think looks good on the Meanie.

[Spl170s]

the cafe will only deflect a small amount of air off your chest region most likely....but not much. personally i think it is really meant for someone who want to duck down behind it at times for some protection when needed.

i was totally against a shield on my bike too (which looks to be a twin to yours)......because i don't like the looks of a shield on them either.....but i soon realized how nice it was once i put mine on. you can find pics of mine in a post week or so ago showing mine. now, that i have mine, i really enjoy it. i also bought mine with a quick detach mounting feature so i can remove for around town...but i find i leave it on now that i have it. check mine out..see what you think.....it gets the air off my chest and my head for the most part.....does what i need anyway. i was also looking at the cafe one, but i know i wouldn't have been happy with it now that i see what the one i got does for me, the cafe just wouldn't have got enough of the air deflected....but its all a matter of choice.

[BlueCruiser]

I just finished a 1,500 mile trip with the Cafe shield on and it made riding more pleasurable. I did not feel I was getting blown off the bike at highway speeds. You will get more wind and wind noise on the helmet area though. Earplugs take care of it. You cannot really duck behind this shield since it is so short.

One odd effect with this shield is no engine noise.

Some of the Harley's I rode with had fairings and were getting bounced around by the wind gusts but I had no problem.

Bottom line is that I like it and it works for me.

[aKorn]

I also don't want a big windshield as i don't like the look og big shields. I have a "solo Shield" from rifle coming this week.RIFLE Fairings: Rifle SoloShield(tm) for All Cruisers

I like the fact that it's not tall, very adjustable and is easy to remove. I'll post pics when I get it mounted this weekend.

[BlueCruiser]

Just be aware that one drawback to the Cafe shield is that it not a quick on and off type. It did improve my mileage slightly to 58 mpg.

[CootoronScooter]

The cut down sportshield I have keeps most of the wind off my chest and deflects most of the bugs off of my visor/glasses.

[Bcrewcaptain]

full size for me...riding daily, yr round, I need the protection, for short rides, I'll pull it and just wear the full face helmet, but with a 30mile trip each way on the interstate doing doing 75, its worth it. Bugs and rocks hurt at that speed. Plus the fact the money I have into the windshield paid for itself in a year, without it on I'd have one nasty helmet and jacket by now.

[sbg8r]

Originally Posted by BlueCruiser

Just be aware that one drawback to the Cafe shield is that it not a quick on and off type. It did improve my mileage slightly to 58 mpg.

So how long did it take you to install it...

[Baitis]

I have a one of the smaller easy to remove shields and it makes a big difference above 50mph. Not crazy about a shield, except during winter, but it does make some rides more enjoyable.

[BlueCruiser]

The Cafe shield installs in about 30 minutes. It is just awkward to tighten the fork clamp bolts due to the curve of the shield. Not a shield that you would want to take off and on repeatedly.

[Idaho]

Just put the whole windshield/fairing thing on and you can look like most of the other bikes out there. I am amazed at how many bikes I see set up like that. Each to their own, good luck.

[dude500]

I have the cafe windshield and I like it. You definitely feel the wind when you're sitting upright and there's no obstruction to the view, but it keeps a good amount of pressure off my chest so I don't have to hang onto the bars.

Occasionally when I'm in a hurry (and going 95mph) I lean in and put my head right above the speedo, and it feels great. I wouldn't be uncomfortable in that position for 30 minutes. Oddly enough it's very quiet there, and I realize that absent the wind, the engine itself doesn't make much noise at all.

[cm900red]

Originally Posted by CootoronScooter

The cut down sportshield I have keeps most of the wind off my chest and deflects most of the bugs off of my visor/glasses.

Does this windshield give you anymore protection when the cafe style and is it any easier to remove if you wanted too? Also who makes this windshield?

[doug4958]

I run with the stock windshield for the V2k LT. I ride with it raised to near its highest point and I still get a lot of wind, it's about 4 or 5 inches above my eyes, by bike is the Vulcan 2000 custom I added the OEM windshield.
But I really like the ride with it at 80mph the wind is ok and I can keep my helmet on.
So I go for the bigger taller windshield, I also have the tall windshield on my 900 LT, the 900 LT windscreen is much wider then OEM for the V2K.

[doug4958]

So I am saying that the more relaxed that I can ride down the road, the more focused I am, and the safer the ride.