| Author | Message | ||
     Geoff |
I want to replace the short stock windshield on my '08 Uly XB12X with something taller. I've narrowed my choices to the Buell Tall Windshield (#58214-06YB) or Zero Gravity Sport Touring Windscreen. Let me know your thoughts on these two. I'm not a fan of big wide shields, and I don't like the Madstad setup. | ||
| Fj1200 |
I've got the Buell tall windscreen attached to one of the adjustable mounts, can't recall which one. It's not obnoxiously large which I like and does an acceptable job of blocking the wind but I wouldn't call it quiet or calm. I'm thinking of adding one of those deflectors to the top to see how much that helps. | ||
| Ourdee |
I used the tall screen for the XT. I'm 5'7" with a 31.5" inseam and for me it worked. Your results may vary. Cheap test would be to duct tape a piece of cardboard to your low shield and see where the wind hits you at 60 mph. My goal was not to have wind buffeting my helmet. Smooth air or no air. In between is bad. I also use a shoie rf 1200. Checkout the close out price on this one right now: https://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/hot+deals/shoe i+clearance+sale/shoei_rf-1200+helmet+-+ruts+matte +white+-+xs+sm+md+or+lg?gclid=CjwKCAiAjNjgBRAgEiwA GLlf2iFpjzqbzr-T4iEYkjAfY4XK2NLKAN2oBQv0kOVYZb1aXm F1G29TwBoCGd0QAvD_BwE | ||
| Littlebuggles |
I like the short wind screen with the Palmer adjustable brackets, really changes the flow of air over the the rider "pocket". The Madstad brackets are pretty similar and you don't have to pay postage from the UK. | ||
| Tootal |
I'm running the Madstad also. Basically you can run it down and back for warm and dry riding. When it rains or gets cold it's up and out but wear earplugs! It does help a lot in those conditions. A lot of the wind comes up from the sides of the "tank". Memphis Shades has some deflectors that attach to the forks that they say really help. Next step for me. | ||
| Skinstains |
Take a look at California Scientific. I have tried several and found this to be the best for me. | ||
| Ratbuell |
No windscreen. Klim 1200 modular helmet. Earplugs. Zero head-bobble and the helmet is nice and quiet (my last was a Shoei Neotec and the Klim is a bit quieter). I have - and I forget the brand - a tall screen that I have used in COLD weather, just to take the air off my body. There's some noise and turbulence, and definitely more headshake than the no-screen setup, but it does take the push off my torso.  It was originally black on the lower half; I painted it orange to match my bike and added a factory Uly badge/sticker. It replaces the entire flyscreen and attaches with the same six screws that hold the flyscreen on. I've thought about adding a vent to cut turbulence, but honestly...I just ride without any screen at all and it does just fine for me. 6'4" rider. | ||
| Hangetsu |
I've been running this one for years and quite like it. https://zerogravity-racing.com/products/buell-ulys ses-xb12x-06-10?variant=29852952529 Head's in clean air (I'm 6'2"), wind is of the chest, it's inexpensive, and it looks good. | ||
| Geoff |
Ironically, I decided to go with a Zero Gravity tinted windscreen. I ordered a new one today from an eBay seller named ZG Outlet for only $77.95 with shipping. Best deal I found online. My service manual doesn't cover windscreen removal. What's the trick for removing the windscreen from the flyscreen on a 2008 Uly? Do you just pull them apart? | ||
| Littlebuggles |
Yup, plastic pins that push through the rubber grommets in the fly screen | ||
| Hangetsu |
If it's a new unit, the hardware should be included. The bottom two fasteners are a pair of lock-nuts and screws that mount very securely metal washers and rubber bushings. It's secure, and there's no crushing pressure on the plastic. The top two are, as Littlebuggles said, plastic pins that snap in through rubber grommets. Very secure under wind-blast, but they can be popped out by pressure form the inside. That has never been a problem for me though, and mine's gone nine years of 365 day/year commuting in Colorado and Oregon weather with no issues! I'm very pleased with it. It's simple, sturdy, and it compliments the sporty nature of the Uly. Glad you went with that one. | ||
| Dr_greg |
I had good luck with the Laminar Lip deflector attached to the stock windscreen. Although I'm not tall at 5-8. --Doc | ||
| Tleighbell |
I got buffeting with the Laminar Lip. Also 5'8". Seat height could be a factor. Probably every situation and preference is different. | ||
| Ourdee |
And weather you have long or short legs. | ||
| Hoover_uly |
I have the Palmer tall windscreen and brackets as well as the Buell short screen. The Palmer set up is ok for colder weather but it does generate some buffeting no matter what the adjustment. The Buell short provides the least buffeting and is best for warmer weather. Memphis shades were a great investment for me. They stop the wind blowing in over the airbox. Still looking for the perfect combo for winter. 6' tall 34" inseam. Does anyone know if a laminar lip will fit on a Palmer tall windscreen or if a Palmer tall and Buell tall are similar? | ||
| Motorfish |
I agree with Hoover on the Memphis Shades lowers. They seem to cut down the buffeting. | ||
| Slash6 |
I have tried no shield, little shield and big shields. Nothing cuts the buffeting like adding the Memphis Shades lowers - have to take them off here in Texas in the summer. I also think a lot of the "dirty" air that hits your helmet comes off of the mirrors. The setup I have is mostly acceptable so I have not tried any alternative mirror setup, although I know that some have. | ||
| Dualsportdad |
i have had a tall windsheild on my Uly from day one. i am 6'6" and the wind hit me right at the faceshield of my helmet. it's extremly loud and pulls back on my head while riding. i'm considering going to a stock low windshield in hopes of getting into some cleaner air. i have tried madstad brackets with the tall shield on there and the buffeting on the top of my helmet was unreal. it seemed like no matter what i did i couldn't get it "right". | ||
| Blake |
I'm with Joe, at 6'-3" other than keeping the breeze off my torso, taller windscreens only add aggravation to the riding experience in the form of head buffeting, noise, undesirable steering inputs, and visual obstruction. The two-stage laminar flow stock screen design is brilliant, nothing but nice clean quiet air at helmet level. If it's cold, I just add another layer. Helmet design can make a huge difference in the felt aerodynamic forces and associated noise. | ||
| Benherald |
Nice! Learning a lot from here. Thanks for the tips, fellas! | ||
| Natexlh1000 |
On a long highway trip in nice weather, I typically take off my screen and put it in a bag for later. I haven't experimented with anything since doing so costs money each time. | ||
| Mark_weiss |
I salvaged an aftermarket windshield from a mid 90s BMW R100GS/PD. It works quite well for winter riding, mounted to a set of Palmer brackets. | ||
| Gobadgers |
I know you said you do not like the Madstad setup, however, just to show, I do use the tall XT shield on Madstad brackets. I have a full Madstad shield, yet rather like the XT shield better as like you mention, it is not as bulky The full Madstad shield is good for those really cold days or when I know that I'll be riding in rain. I only use the tall XT shield about 10% to 15% of the time. Otherwise, use a tinted shield I cut down for warmer/summer weather. I have 4 different shields that I can interchange on the Madstad brackets, and I like that flexibility. Also like the ability on these brackets to adjust tilt and height.    | ||
| Geoff |
Gobadgers, nice windshield setup. What year is your Uly? | ||
| Ourdee |
2010 XB12XP | ||
| Gobadgers |
Geoff,thanks. She is a 2010. By some accounts might have been the last one made. The bikes background; she was to be used by HD as a police demonstrator but made right when Buell was shut down. Bought from George Petropoulos of HD Police Fleet Sales. He worked with Buell on the XP project and purchased her when Buell shut down. He had purchased a 2009 XP too. Both sat in his garage with his other Harleys and he never rode them. I was lucky to get it from him 3 years later with a couple hundred miles on it. | ||
| Gobadgers |
Yes, Ourdee knows the bike. Between he and I, we probably have the two extremes on Buell physical bike sizes. | ||
| Geoff |
Gobadgers, nice history. I questioned your Uly's age because I don't see many with black engine cases. It appears Buell introduced black cases in '09. The dealer who sold me my XB12X bought it at a wholesale auction. It had one previous owner, according to some papers I found under the seat. The original owner didn't ride much. My bike is an '08 with only 7k miles. It's completely stock except for the Hepco & Becker luggage. In terms of styling, I like this luggage better than the larger bags on the XB12XT. Back on topic.... I replaced the stock windscreen on my Uly with a Zero Gravity windshield. I'll see how it works when the weather permits. | ||
| Gobadgers |
Geoff, 08 and on are blessed with the nice improvements in the engine that come from the racing program. I think the 08 engine looks nice myself. The non-blacked version looks more like an engine to me. Sounds like you found a really nice bike. And low miles too. You need to get out and enjoy it. I really don't understand these folks that have low mile bikes. The memories of miles ridden are priceless to me. Windshields are personal things. As the many comments above show, each person experiences the ride differently. I'm 5'11" and the air currents around my helmet would be different than a person 6'3" riding the same bike. I like the short windshield myself. Enjoy being in the open air in the summer. Like you, don't like the looks of the tall wider shield, but in the rain it works well with the water up over the top. And once or twice in fairly cold weather it makes a big difference on warmth. The really nice thing about the Uly is the luggage and utility it brings. Usually I just put the tank bag behind on the seat as in the picture. It is set up to clip right in there. But if need to carry more have a nice piece of soft luggage to put right across the rear seat and move the tank bag to the tank/air box. Even loaded, everything feels very balanced. This bike has the small side bags and larger top bag. The side bags may look nice, but do not have much carrying capacity. The side bags sit back a little farther than on other Uly's I've seen and so that is why they have the turn signals set so far back. Without the bags the signals look a bit overextended way back there. Thought about setting up the rear signals so that I can easily move them up higher when not using luggage. The other cosmetic wish. I've not been a fan of the front fender beak. Wish Buell would have just extended the lower fender another 2 or 3 inches forward. You could take off the beak and it would look natural. As it is, with the beak off it looks out of place.  | ||
| Ourdee |
Is that a Drummer under it? |
