[ShadowRider]

Okay, bear with me, because I am going to vent.

This afternoon I met some friends (all who have large Harleys) for a ride. We got across town to the freeway and went up the ramp. No problem getting on, since the acceleration on the 1300 is just fine. These guys sped up to just under 70 and shifted over to the left lane.

Immediately I felt like I had to hold on for dear life. Once again the air pressure was trying to pull me off the bike. It also caught the base of my helmet and was pushing it up at the base (luckily the strap was tight). I knew there was no way I'd be able to continue on the ride--my hands and shoulders were already getting sore from holding on so tight. I moved all the way to the right and got off at the next exit.

I was really, REALLY ticked off. One big reason I bought the bike was to be able to go on longer rides, but if I'm not able to go on the freeway that will be impossible. And of course the other guys were Harley riders, who no doubt are even more convinced that Japanese-built bikes are "toys" and "junk".

What I don't understand is why I seem to be the only one having this problem. Other owners here have already ridden several hundred miles, and I'm sure that some of those miles must have been at higher speeds. Why is the lack of a tall windshield affecting me so strongly?

I admit this is not the first bike where this has happened. I couldn't go on the freeway on the Shadow, either, until I got the Switchblade windshield. Maybe it's just the way I'm built--I have a fairly big rib cage and wide shoulders, so perhaps I'm just creating a big "sail" at higher speeds. It seems when I'm on the 1300 it's like there's no windshield at all. Even the fairing doesn't seem to help--if anything it is causing a WORSE problem than the Shadow, which had no fairing at all.

There is, of course, a solution to this problem, but Honda has not made the taller windshield available yet. Obviously they exist, because several of the bikes at the San Diego "ride day" had the taller windshields installed, and it got good reviews. I have already asked my dealer to let me know as soon as they have a part number and I can order the taller windshield, but I have no idea when they might be available. It doesn't appear that any of the aftermarket manufacturers have anything, either.

So you can see why I am angry and frustrated right now. Because I can't go on the freeway yet, I basically have a very expensive scooter!

Thanks for letting me get that off my chest.

 

[bob]

Are you long waisted? I ask because if you are then you would be sitting taller in the saddle and the wind would be hitting you lower in the chest instead of the shoulders. That with the addition to being wide shouldered would make your body a sail. On my Vulcan there was no fairing and no windscreen. I had a full face helmet but didn't feel like it was trying to lift off my head, even at 85 mph (only once did I catch myself going that fast). The only time I had an issue with wind was Interstate and being passed by an 18 wheeler on a windy day. I'm a little short waisted and would expect to catch the wind just at my shoulders but will have to see when I finally get a test ride. Maybe, if Honda continues to take it's time getting the tall shield out, you can look into something like a windshield extension or other wind deflector type thing Like this:
MRA X-Creen Tour Clamp-On Variable Windscreen Spoiler Blade Windshield Extension - TwistedThrottle.com
This is the clam on model and they have a bolt on model. Or something like this. A lot of riders that I know of (and a few here as well) have something like this on their stock shields and these do really well to deflect the wind much higher.

 

[TennesseeSmith]

I'm really looking forward to getting a windshield also. I went through four different attempts on my CTX700D and never got the right setup.

I'm doing OK on the highway with the new bike, but I've not been over 70. I have had a couple of non-windshield small bikes over the last few years, so I was prepared.

I think the lack of a proper windshield is part of the reason most of the local Harley guys ride less than a thousand miles per year. I've managed to put 562 miles on my new bike in the first week.

This bike is the best I've ever had on the highway in terms of just gathering miles without getting blown about by the trucks and the wind. The only issue is that while the bike is stable, my carcass gets blown about by the trucks and the wind. My head moves around a lot when I pass the trucks. That's not horrible, but it takes the fun out of that part of the ride.

I like to sit up straight and take in the sights for hundreds of miles. That pretty much requires a windshield. I'll take it easy until I can get a shield. I may even let some of y'all try out the aftermarket shields before I plunk down my money. The brands that did well with the CTX700D were Madstad and Cee Bailey. The Honda tall shield was a disaster. I hope the wider base for the 1300 makes the shields better.

 

[happytrails]

Steve,
You described my exact demo a few weeks ago. I'm 5'8" 155 lbs. Sit up with good posture, and the windage was awful! I ride with my ST1300 below eye level when riding alone & I'm very comfortable, with the wind protection. With my wife on the back I put it all the way up , I love that power windscreen.
I dread the thought of taking delivery In two weeks and not having a tall windshield, the wife & I will not enjoy the ride without it. Thinking of trailering the new bike of my dreams and swapping it in storage with my like new 2000 1100 Shadow Saber, I love that bike! UNTILL HONDA OR SOMEBODY GETS ON THE BALL AND RELEASES A TALL WINDSHIELD. Yeah what's up with Release demo days with tall windshields and Honda can't release them with the bike ??? And yes I ride with an open face helmet.

 

[sleepngbear]

I'd have to agree with Bob here and assume it has something to do with body shape. I had a '95 Shadow 1100 and I never put a shield on it of any kind. While it was definitely a workout doing extended highway miles, I never experienced anything like what Steve describes. In fact the only time I've felt my full face helmet being pulled up was doing 100+ on the VTX with only a diminutive sport shield (looks more like half a cowl over the headlight than a windshield). Needless to say, that speed blast didn't last long. And going forward, I'm pretty sure my triple-digit days are now behind me.

Sorry to hear about your difficulties though, and I can certainly understand your frustration. Hopefully help for you will be coming soon.

 

[happytrails]

Oh yeah I ride with a Memphis Shades windshield just above eye level on my 1100 Shadow Sabre , very comfortable, wind protection.
I do know from my demo ride with a tall windshield, back rest luggage rack and centerstand, I will be very happy with my new CTX 1300.

 

[ShadowRider]

Are you long waisted? I ask because if you are then you would be sitting taller in the saddle and the wind would be hitting you lower in the chest instead of the shoulders. That with the addition to being wide shouldered would make your body a sail. On my Vulcan there was no fairing and no windscreen. I had a full face helmet but didn't feel like it was trying to lift off my head, even at 85 mph (only once did I catch myself going that fast). The only time I had an issue with wind was Interstate and being passed by an 18 wheeler on a windy day. I'm a little short waisted and would expect to catch the wind just at my shoulders but will have to see when I finally get a test ride. Maybe, if Honda continues to take it's time getting the tall shield out, you can look into something like a windshield extension or other wind deflector type thing Like this:
MRA X-Creen Tour Clamp-On Variable Windscreen Spoiler Blade Windshield Extension - TwistedThrottle.com
This is the clam on model and they have a bolt on model. Or something like this. A lot of riders that I know of (and a few here as well) have something like this on their stock shields and these do really well to deflect the wind much higher.

I don't think I'm especially long-waisted; if anything it seems it would be just the opposite. But that's possibly part of the problem in my case.

Those MRA X-Creen things just look ugly to me, and I'm not convinced they would make any difference. You also cannot return or exchange them once they have been opened, which could lead to an expensive mistake! They are only shown on windshields that are already much taller, so I'm not sure how well they would work on the shorty windshield we have.

I do know from my demo ride with a tall windshield, back rest luggage rack and centerstand, I will be very happy with my new CTX 1300.

I'm envious that you have actually SEEN what these accessories look like! I'm hoping for the windshield to be released ASAP, followed by the luggage rack. I'm trying to remember if the luggage carrier ONLY comes as part of the passenger backrest, or if it can be had as a standalone. I'm not all that interested in having passengers, so I can do without the backrest for one, and it might detract from the lines of the bike.

 

[happytrails]

I have only seen the pictures posted on this Forum. I think they were from Japans site. I remember the luggage/ backrest was an integrated unit. The bikes in several "ride days" had tall windshields. So Where are they???
Any info on release of after market. National Cycle etc. Would be greatly appreciated..

 

[ShadowRider]

Any info on release of after market. National Cycle etc. Would be greatly appreciated..

National Cycle is one of my favorite manufacturers. The Shadow had a windshield, lowers, sissy bar, backrest and luggage carrier from them. While the bike was in winter storage I had hard saddlebags from NC installed (I never got to use them because the bike was traded in). That Switchblade windshield was the best I had ever seen--it seemed to be impervious to anything that hit it.

They are located not far from me; in fact, when I had an issue with attaching the lowers, the bike went to the factory and they fixed it on the spot. Maybe I should go knock on their door and beg them to make a tall windshield for the 1300. I know I'd be first in line to buy it!

 

[bob]

Here is the Honda part number for the tall windshield from the Honda Japan web pages:
Part Number: 08R70-MJN-J10

Maybe see if the local dealer can special order it from that number?

 

[happytrails]

Steve,
Tell National I am second in line for one, and many others I expect who read our posts or ride open face helmets and experience the excessive windage with the stock shorty.

 

[happytrails]

Thanks Bob for the part #. I'll pass it on to my dealer.

 

[csdexter]

These guys have it for sale and they ship to the US: HONDA : Windscreen [08R70MJNJ10]

 

[ShadowRider]

Here is the Honda part number for the tall windshield from the Honda Japan web pages:
Part Number: 08R70-MJN-J10

Maybe see if the local dealer can special order it from that number?

Duh, I should have looked at your previous post about this! Here's the web page that describes it:

CTX1300 tall windscreen

In fact, you can click here to see ALL of the things they list for the CTX1300, including some I have not seen before.

Yeah, shipping the windshield is kinda pricey ($52.33), but at this point I'm getting desperate. If you buy enough stuff--$484.50 or more--then the shipping to the US is free. I was thinking about the "rear carrier" without the passenger backrest. But they also list a "rear carrier bracket" that's almost as expensive as the carrier itself, and I don't know if that is required for the installation or not. The reviews translated from Japanese are not exactly useful, to say the least.

I think I will contact my Honda dealer first, though, to see if they can put an order in for the windshield. They are a Powerhouse dealer and seem to have a lot of pull with Honda.

I may also search for the guy here who works for a dealer and offered us some deals on accessories. Maybe he can find out about availability on this item.

 

[bob]

Here is the thread from the dealer member (MCHonda) and his contact info.

 

[ShadowRider]

Well, I just got a call from the parts department at my dealer, who researched the windshield. While the part number IS in the system now, there is still no availability information. He said it could be a really long time, at least several weeks, before the windshield becomes available here.

So I think I'm going to order from the place in Japan. I will probably go ahead and get the rear carrier and the bracket needed to mount it to the bike--the parts guy told me that's how it works on the CTX700s, so more than likely I'll need both parts. At this rate I will have enough to get free shipping from Japan, but it means spending almost another $500. Wow.

Hopefully the shipping time from Japan won't be longer than the time it would take for the stuff to be available here. That would be the ultimate irony.

 

[ShadowRider]

I placed the order from Webike in Japan and am waiting to found out what the delivery time will be. I ended up ordering a handful of cool Honda key chains of various type that I have never seen in the US, because I just needed to spend a few bucks more to get the free shipping.

 

[happytrails]

Steve,
I just spoke to Paul Gomez , Sales Manager at National Cycle. He said they have the CTX1300 on their "product quest list" for development. He would be very interested in speaking with you for input on product development, with your bike of course. His Direct number is 708-273-6517 . He is going to check out our forum and related posts.
What all did you order from Webike for your CTX1300? in addition to a tall windshield. I am inclined to do the same. My dealer in NC said today, nothing yet from Honda on accessories.
Did you notice the review on the windshield on Webike, the guy wished it was 2" taller. Who know his height. Anyway any tall shield for starters for me too.

 

[bob]

Did you notice the review on the windshield on Webike, the guy wished it was 2" taller. Who know his height.

That guy must be really tall or really prefers to look through the shield by a large margin. I can't stand to look through one any more. The CTX tall shield looks to be just about right to look over by a few inches (top edge at about the chin or mouth maybe) and still get the wind at the top of the helmet or over. I used to look through the shield on my GW but no more. I cut down my ST shield by about 2-1/2 to 3 inches because I had to sit up really straight to see over it or the top edge was right AT my line of sight. Very bad to be looking right at the top edge like that. I have thought of maybe cutting it down another 1-1/2 to 2 inches. It's just straight out from under my nose right now and would prefer about my chin level.

 

[ShadowRider]

What all did you order from Webike for your CTX1300? in addition to a tall windshield. I am inclined to do the same. My dealer in NC said today, nothing yet from Honda on accessories.
Did you notice the review on the windshield on Webike, the guy wished it was 2" taller. Who know his height. Anyway any tall shield for starters for me too.

I ordered the windshield, the "rear carrier" and the really expensive bracket needed to mount it. I also got a few Honda keychains to come up to the minimum amount needed for free shipping. I figure that saved me about $60.

Were there reviews in English? Maybe I didn't look hard enough. The only ones I saw had been (very poorly) translated from Japanese and made no sense to me.