Author |
Message |
Madstad
| Posted on Sunday, November 30, 2008 - 05:47 am: |
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Anyone interested in a fully adjustable (height and tilt) windshield system for the Lightning? If so, I've created one and need a couple of test riders, preferably in the central Florida (Tampa - Orlando - Lakeland - Dade City) area. Don't know how many of you XB owners would be interested in seriously effective wind protection, but I would like to hear from you. I've seen some of the offerings that are just extended flyscreens but they don't look so hot, don't work that well and you sure can't adjust them or change their shape. My adjustable bracket system attaches over the top of the flyscreen and accepts a variety of shape and size shields. The best part is it can be adjusted for your height and riding position to get the smoothest air possible and the protection you want. It has already been tested by one very happy XB rider but I need some more opinions before I make a production version. Here are some photos: http://tinyurl.com/mad-lightning-1 http://tinyurl.com/mad-lightning-4 http://tinyurl.com/mad-lightning-5 http://tinyurl.com/mad-lightning-6 http://tinyurl.com/mad-lightning-7 A quick turn of the adjustment knobs and the brackets move up/down 3 inches, and tilt back/forth 25 degrees. Takes about 5 seconds to make changes. I have a US patent on this design and have been selling it worldwide for the Suzuki V-Strom for over 2 years. Just Google “MadStad” and you’ll get plenty of info, including a YouTube video showing how it works. A Texas XB rider requested I adapt this to the Lightning, so here it is! Let me know what you think either via this foum or send me an email to: mark@madstad.com. Thanks! - MadStad |
Sticks
| Posted on Sunday, November 30, 2008 - 06:31 am: |
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Interesting. I ride pretty much year round on my XB. At times I've wished for additional wind protection. My bikes mission has changed somewhat since I originally bought it. I wasn't intending to only own bikes and no car, it's both by choice and circumstance. I haven't missed more than a day or two of riding this year. I live in Seattle so the logistics aren't doable for testing, otherwise I'd hit it in a second. How does the original flyscreen hold up? |
Ustorque
| Posted on Sunday, November 30, 2008 - 08:38 am: |
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very cool set-up. this would be a nice set-up to have on hand for a longer touring ride. do yourself a favor and contact the custodians and let them know you are posting to gauge interest, i would hate to see such a cool product disappear because you are not a sponsor here. i bet you'll find a lot of interest around here for that set-up. |
Jaimec
| Posted on Sunday, November 30, 2008 - 10:42 am: |
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What's the effect on handling (if any)? |
Krueger08xb12s
| Posted on Sunday, November 30, 2008 - 11:35 am: |
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Madstad, where'd you get the rear rack?? Where's it mounted? |
Ferrisbuellersdayoff
| Posted on Sunday, November 30, 2008 - 06:20 pm: |
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+1 on the rack |
Point_doc
| Posted on Sunday, November 30, 2008 - 06:38 pm: |
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Madstad, Nice job! |
Madstad
| Posted on Monday, December 01, 2008 - 04:28 pm: |
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The test bike in the photos belongs to an XB rider in Texas. He reported no change in steering stability and drove with that shield at up to 90 mph. He is 5'11" and that shield is 18" tall. I'm going to wait for 2-3 more test riders to report back before tweaking the final design. As for the luggage rack, I don't know where he got that from but I'll ask him! |
Propower418
| Posted on Monday, December 01, 2008 - 04:41 pm: |
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The rack looks like a Ventura Bike Pack system. I have one and it bolts up to the pass peg mounts under the seat. I would love to have a windshield like that and have been looking for one a long time. Please keep me posted |
Strada
| Posted on Tuesday, December 02, 2008 - 12:26 pm: |
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I would love to have a windshield like that and have been looking for one a long time. There's been one available for several months! http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/142 838/403864.html?1224101653 |
Hardcorps
| Posted on Tuesday, December 02, 2008 - 03:07 pm: |
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I would love to try that out for you, but I live in michigan and will not be riding until the snow melts. Let me know if you do want a test done up here. |
Spiderman
| Posted on Tuesday, December 02, 2008 - 03:55 pm: |
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I was just about to email you this thread LOL |
Froggy
| Posted on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 02:21 am: |
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Strada setup is freaking nice! I will have it available for sale soon as I will be switching to a Uly setup
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Steeldrummerj
| Posted on Monday, December 08, 2008 - 01:56 pm: |
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I'm in melbourne, and I'd love to try it, but I don't have a bike to put it on at the moment....Mine was stolen. Give me a couple weeks and I'll have a replacement bike. |
Saratoga
| Posted on Monday, December 08, 2008 - 03:50 pm: |
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I have an 09 Ss and live just outside Tampa- very interested. Will send you an email tonight. |
Madstad
| Posted on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 - 11:16 am: |
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The problems with the Strada brackets shown above (besides that they violate my US patent) are: 1. You have to drill holes in your flyscreen. If you want to take the brackets off you will have four open holes showing. 2. You are mounting to flexible plastic rather than solid metal. That will cause vibrating and flopping around especially with larger shields and at highway speeds. My MadStad system bolts to the metal instrument housing and does not harm your flyscreen. It pops off in about two minutes so you can easily go back to naked anytime. Dozens of windshield options are available because I use a standard Suzuki V-Strom hole pattern, so you don't have to buy the shield from me. |
Froggy
| Posted on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 - 11:48 am: |
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Drilling the holes was no problem, and the cost of the flyscreen are cheap enough that if it really bothered me I could get a new one. I have had absolutely no issues with vibrations or flopping. Strada's setup uses the standard Ulysses windshield mounting, so just about any windshield for the Ulysses will work. I would love to try your setup Madstad, let me know when you make it in translucent hero blue. |
09ltrain
| Posted on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 - 07:30 pm: |
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I live in Texas and am interested in your screen. If you have not gotten the number of testers you want let me know. |
Strada
| Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2008 - 04:15 pm: |
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The problems with the Strada brackets shown above (besides that they violate my US patent) are: Utter rubbish! You didn't even have a design solution to fit them to any Buell before I did! (Message edited by Strada on December 21, 2008) |
Prowler
| Posted on Sunday, December 21, 2008 - 05:03 pm: |
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Madstad, I've got a set of the Strada brackets on my Uly and they work great (no hole drilling required). (personally, I wouldn't have bought them if they looked like your brackets, although I'm sure there are others that think your brackets look great) I had to edit my post because I looked at your patent disclosure and it indeed looks like it may cover the Strada brackets. You may want to follow up with legal folks if you believe it to be the case. The only real difference I found was the height/angle adjustment systems (yours being infinite and Strada's being indexed/3-position each) I guess that could be enough of a difference to not infringe, only your legal folks will know for sure.... (Message edited by prowler on December 21, 2008) |
Newbolt
| Posted on Monday, December 22, 2008 - 09:54 pm: |
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I meet with Mark last week as I had agreed to test his setup. I can say that the adjustment system is top notch. It bolted up perfectly to Lightning screen holes and has stayed secure. The system is easy to adjust and the range of adjustment is remarkable. I have only ridden a couple hundred miles with it on, but it makes a big difference. Mark is a stand up guy and great to work with. I will get some pictures of the screen mounted and post them in the next few days. I have no idea about the patent stuff, but I can say that his works. |