FJ-09 windshield options

[fanowater]

Gth742g - try playing around with the angle of the screen. I angled both of mine back and it was a vast improvement. Perhaps due to your height you should angle it out.
Good luck. After some fiddling I have become very happy with both of my Parabellum screens.
Cheers
My touring screen is the 24 inch one and after angling it back my eyes are 7 inch above the top of the screen.  I get a very gentle breeze touching the visor, no buffeting and absolutely no roar like with the stock screen.  Will keep the fly screen on for the rest of summer.

[alejandro]

tl;dr Madstad 20 didn't work for me, nor did 22; will either try cut-off stock windscreen, try Puig, or both
 
Before I bought the FJ-09, I had ridden a Triumph Tiger with a Madstad screen, and I loved the screen.
 
So I ordered a Madstad for the FJ-09. Based on my conversation with them, I ordered a 20". I am 5'9.5" (177cm) tall and typical male proportions.
 
The 20" was not good for me. I can't say whether it was better or worse than stock, but it was noisy and buffety enough that I was unable to enjoy the ride--I was fixated on the noise and the buffeting pretty much any time I was going over 50mph. This was after adjusting the screen to the recommended 60 degrees, changing the height up and down, and adjusting it every other which way. I did notice that when I stood up on the pegs, I was in clean air; and also, if I leaned forward and in behind the screen, I was in quiet air.
 
For context: I always ride with earplugs. I know how to insert earplugs properly. I also have a "Windjammer 2" on my helmet, which is a Shoei Qwest.
 
For comparison: This combination (Qwest + Windjammer + earplugs) enabled me to ride on my previous bike (Street Triple R naked) up to 85 or 90 or so without being conscious of noise. And buffeting was not an issue on the Street Triple R, except when I turned my head or in heavy gusty crosswinds, at which point I became aware of buffeting but it was not oppressive.
 
So I talked to the folks at Madstad, and they recommended that I try their larger, 22" screen. They took my credit card again and shipped me the new screen, with the understanding that I'd get refunded for the 20" when I returned it to them. When I told them that my timing was tight because I was leaving on a trip, they shipped me the 22" expedited, which was nice of them.
 
The 22" did not solve the problem. For whatever reason, it didn't seem to make an appreciable difference. So I took my trip with very distracting noise and buffeting the whole way. It was a real bummer. I do think that I had cross-winds and gusts for 90% of my trip; but if that's where I live and that's what the conditions are like, then I need a screen that works for me under those conditions.
 
Anyway, I've emailed Madstad 3 times now (!) starting over 2 weeks ago politely explaining my results with the 22 and asking them for their thoughts, for a taller screen, or for a return authorization. I have heard nothing back from them. I just now emailed them a 4th time.
 
Maybe their service department doesn't do well with email--but in that case, they shouldn't put their email address on their site!
 
So I've given up on Madstad, and am puzzled by their sometimes-helpful, sometimes-non-existent service.
 
My next step is to try riding with no screen, and/or to saw off the stock screen, and see how that works. 
 
I've been reading all the windshield-related threads on this board. 
 
A question for anyone who knows: Do the small windshield manufacturers typically test out their screens on every model of bike they sell them for? Or do they just cut out plexi according to standard pattern; move screw-holes around on; and take your $200+?
 
Anyway, I'm curious about the Puig because of this: http://www.puigusa.com/descargas/PUIG21670.pdf
 
which looks like an actual wind test of the screen! I like the looks of it.
 
Does anyone have the Puig, or can anyone speak to it?
 
Thank you.
 

[fanowater]

Try the Parabellum screen. Their screens seem to be custom tailored to each bike.

[bunyip]

I think I have a pretty good solution. At worst it is a cheap short term solution.
 
From reading all the various comments it seems that the solution is to go in one of 2 directions.............
either a very large screen or a very small one. As I don,t like a screen anywhere near my eyeline , the small screen was my option. However some people reported that even some small screens didn,t work for them, so paying $100-200 for a screen that may not work didn,t sound like a good plan. On ebay I found some very good cheap screens, but for other bikes. So I next looked for cheap screens that most closely matched the shape and flat profile of the stock Tracer screen. I selected a 2007-10 FZ6 screen
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Windshield-WindScreen-Screen-Clear-Fit-2007-2008-2009-2010-YAMAHA-FZ6-FAZER-S2-/280953593047?fits=Model%3AFZ6
 
I fitted it as low as I could, which ended up with the bottom about 5mm lower than stock. Drilled the 4 holes and fitted it. No cutting needed , unless the 6 lateral holes upset you. I keep it in the low position , so the screen top is about 4 inches above the top screen supports.
Result- no buffeting. Wind hits me just below the neck and I am 6 ft tall. I would say it is a 90% improvement for me and am very happy. The noise and buffetting was really starting to bug me, so much so, that I was beginning to not want to ride the bike. That bad!
Anyway, the result may not be enough for some, but for very little outlay it makes it vastly better ,while you can explore other options. An FZ8 screen from certain years could be an option too. Happy hunting!
 
ps I,ll try to send a photo, but I,m not good at that sort of thing.
 

[alejandro]

@bunyip, thanks for your post! Awesome info. I haven't looked at my stock screen recently. I'm curious why you bought another screen rather than simply drilling more holes in the stock one. To preserve resale value? Or is there a reason that wouldn't have worked?

[cman]

@bunyip, interesting idea. Can you post a picture or two of how it looks on your bike?

[bunyip]

Alej, I think it is always best to retain stock parts, for when you sell the bike, even if poorly designed. The Fz6 screen was so cheap, it didn,t matter if I cracked it on drilling, just order another one.
 
ps. I was told to put masking tape on both sides where I was to drill. Also the holes are spaced a bit closer together than you think (thin pencil through holes , to mark position on masking tape , when stock screen is overlaid) by 2-3mm each side, so my holes ended up being oval, but hidden by screw head so you don,t notice! I also did a v small pilot hole first
(1mm) , followed by final hole 5-6mm. Somebody said use a bluntish drill , so drill bit doesnt "grab" perspex and crack.
 
pps Photo to come, but I may need help. How do you add photos to post?

[mcaanda]

Bunyip, Email me your pics and ill post for ya you'd like. ( mcaanda at gmail.com )
 

[bunyip]

Sent........
 
Thanks.
 
ps But I also need to learn myself, how to attach photos.

[mcaanda]

 

 

 
If your on a tablet, using Tapatalk makes it super easy. If not, you have to "host"the image somewhere... ie: google's Picasa Web is what I usually use and works well. But you need to get the url info, and then use image tags: [ img] insert URL here [ /img] to get it to display.
 
The site may have something setup so you can do it from the reply section, but not sure if FJ-09 does this as I've almost given upon windows entirely and gone chrome or android being l really like the availability of the different apps.
 
 

[fzkenm]

That's the low cost FZ-6 replacement screen?  Looks OK.  How does it work?

[bunyip]

Yep.
 
 
"How does it work?". Please clarify..................
 
It deflects wind onto your upper chest and not head , thus removing buffeting and extreme noise . Is that what you want?
 
A previous post explains how I fitted it.

[groverdill]

I like the the low cost one, nice job I am going to try it.
 
What I want is a small fly screen that doesn't cost 100 damn bucks....

[jorglund]

Tnx for the info bunyip. I have ordered this screen now and give it a try.
 

[bunyip]

Please note everybody, that you can't go more than about 5mm lower than stock screen at the base as the screen will touch the other plastic bit on the bike ( and possibly rub the paint). The fZ6 screen is a bit more curved, and I think that helps the air flow up top not to hit your body too high. ?? For shorter riders you may still have to cut a bit more off the top of the screen. I have been told to use masking tape on the part to be cut and use an angle grinder with a thin diamond blsde, followed by careful smoothing of the edge with a fine rasp. Perhaps others more experienced could comment on the best way to cut polycarbonate. Luckily, for me the screen size seems ok. Also the base of the screen is only a touch wider than stock and stays out of the way of the hand protectors. on full lock.