Vstream windshield?

Wondering if anybody here has tried either the "sport" or "touring" models of the National Cycle Vstream windshield on the VFR12? If there's one thing I miss about my FJR, it's the relative quiet you could achieve behind the bubble on long highway trips. I have the Honda accessory screen, but there's no comparison. The FJR spoiled me in this particular area, so I'm looking for a fix. The Vstream isn't exactly cheap, so it would be nice to hear from someone who's been-there, done-that, before pulling the trigger. I never put one on my FJR because the Vstream for the FJR was an absolute barn door, and I just couldn't bring myself to put something that ugly on my bike no matter how functional it might have been. But the ones for the VFR aren't horrible looking...well, at least the sport model isn't. The touring model kinda pushes the limit and definitely borders on ugly.

So...anybody tried one??

 

As a new VFR owner I have been reading on this topic my self. One Item of note to to list your Height.
im sure an OomPa LoomPa would be fine with the Honda OEM

while a basketball player would be looking for that barn door.


EDIT:
I just looked up that screen and WOW it does look good. I like the clean look

 

i have the Zero G oem replacement, they make two higher than stock models too Windscreen Innovators - Zero Gravity great fit and quality...dark smoke looks great

 

I'm sure the ZG is a very nice screen, but I'm after more quiet behind the bubble for long highway trips. The Vstream is about more than extra height. If you're not familiar with it, click here National Cycle, Inc. | Online Catalog | VStream Windscreens and read the bottom half of the page. It explains the Vstream concept.

 

It's heeeeeeere! Just showed up today. Hopefully I'll get it installed this weekend and do some riding with it next week. I'm also hoping to get my new Penske shock installed this weekend. So much to do, so little time to do it. I got the bike all wired last week for heated gloves and vest, so in good shape there. I'll keep you posted.

 

dave keep us updated on the screen. I am interested in the same one. I assume you got the touring one.

 

ditto.... I too am interested

cheers
chad

 

I'm afraid you've assumed incorrectly. I just couldn't get past the look of the touring model, so I bought a sport. If it's not notably better than what I have now, I'll just return or resell it and go back to the stocker with the accesory shield and live with the noise. The touring is just too much shield for me. But I do promise to post my findings either way.

 

Well, the jury has returned with a verdict, and I'm going to declare the Vstream sport an utter failure. I've already removed it and it's going back for a refund.

First, installation requires that you permanently remove the painted V panel that's above the headlight. This wouldn't be so bad, except that it leaves a very obvious unfinished edge along the top of the meter cluster, and because the shield bulges up so high, you can really see down in there above the meters. Looks bad. Were I keeping the shield, I might have contemplated cutting the big V in half and snapping the top half back over the meters.

Second, due to a slight clearance issue, the black plastic trim piece on the inside top rear edge of the fairing, on the right side only, would NOT stay attached to the grommet that it snaps into. A little gasket sealer would have likely resolved this, so again, not a deal breaker.

The final nail in the coffin was taking it out for a ride. It was HORRIBLE!! I rode both city and highway for about 40 miles. Have you ever been in a single engine prop plane? Anything above ~ 42 mph, it sounds like you're sitting behind a large spinning propeller! From 42 - 65 mph it's just awful. Above 65, you lose the propeller sound, but I'd have to say it's noisier than the stock shield with the accessory touring screen. They've already been reinstalled.

I wish it would have been good news, really I do. And I do realize that any variables (different seat, bars, helmet, height) could all totally change the results for anyone. But for me, it was much worse than what I already had. You can all thank me later for being the guinea pig. :d: Here's a few pics during the install.

The shield and nose piece all come off as one.



Then you're left with this...



The Vstream is quite a bit more bulbous (even the shorter sport model) than the manufacturers photo would lead you to believe.



And this is what you now see looking down from the cockpit.



So now I'm back to where I started. Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained, eh?

Did NOT get the shock installed today. I got as far as getting the bike up on the lift, then spent about 30 minutes trying to get anything on the upper shock mounting bolt with little success. That's going to have to wait now for another day. I'll bring home a few specialty wrenches from my toolbox at work that might give me a better shot at it, but it sure is buried up there.

 

thank you for taking the time to post Dave. Im in the market for a new screen too, and like you, I want to get my head 'behind the bubble'.
My drawback is that Im using a Bell Vortex helmet, while well vented. They are very noisy.

What brand/model of helmet do you have?

(assuming from the pictures) you have the Heli bar Risers, yes?

What is your Height?

thank yo for the feed back bud.
cheers
chad

 

Thanks Dave for the update. Too bad it didn't work out. I will probably just get the OEM screen extender as well.

 

I've had it a few years now and it's just about due for replacement, but it's an AGV V-Flyer...also a very noisey helmet. A quieter helmet would certainly help, but apples to apples (same helmet both shields), the Vstream was much noisier.

Nope, but they're on my wish list

I'm 5'8" with a 31" inseam, so average torso length, but not a tall guy.

Glad I could "take one for the team", although I just found out the seller charges 10% restocking fee, plus I have to pay return shipping. So it was about a $25 experiment. Oh well, shit happens.

RE: the shock...A guy on another forum just told me you access the top mounting bolt from under the tank! Never saw that coming, but I'll have a look next weekend.