Cal Sci Windshield For Norge Review

[Guest]

[radlefty]

Even though I have been pretty happy with the stock shield on the Norge, I decided to give the Cal Sci shield a try. With the stock shield, the only position that worked for me (I'm 5'10) was all the way up. In this position I have found the air flow to be decent ,but on windy  days the buffeting could get to be a bit much.  I ordered the +2 1/2 inch shield which ends up actually being about 2 3/4 inches taller because of how the shield mounts on the bike. the shield is also about 4 inches wider then stock

Installation of the Cal Sci shield is chimp easy as they did an excellent job of matching up the holes and the build quality is first rate. I've had the shield for 2 weeks but wasn't able to put any miles on it besides commuting until this past weekend. On Saturday I rode about 5 hrs along the Mississippi river road and several of the twistie alphabet side roads at speeds up to 100 mph. On Sunday I had about 1 1/2 hr ride back and forth on the interstate to do a job. So here's my observations so far. With the shield all the way up I can barely see over the top of it and it makes a slight whistling noise. It definitely creates a cleaner air flow with less buffeting at this position but it's too high for me to be comfortable with the sight lines. With the shield all the way down, it feels very similar to the stock height all the way up, but it is a bit cleaner air flow around my head. I like the low setting when I'm railing through the twisties because it gives me the best site lines. With the shield raised slightly, it gives me the best combination of wind protection, cleaner air flow, less buffeting and the sight lines are comfortable for everyday riding. So overall, even though I still like the looks of the stock shield better, the Cal Sci shield gives a little better protection, cleaner air flow, a little less buffeting and at least 2 height options for relaxed riding vs. more aggressive riding. With the shield all the way down.  
And all the way up.  

[radguzzi]

radlefty,
Glad to see this report, thanks for the post...

Would you say then that this size you choose is the "Medium" from CalSci..? 

Did you use their "Yardstick" measuring method to figure out which size to buy...?

I am a little surprised to see how much the bottom of the screen is "Away" from the fairing with it all the way up.

Thanks again for the report.

Best,
Rob

[Atavar]

What did it do to your gas mileage?  I was playing around the other day and found that heading in to a 15mph wind at 70 mph there was a 3mpg indicated difference between the windscreen elevated and the windscreen down.  I figured if that little change made that great a difference on mpg I didn't want to go for a larger screen.

[radlefty]

radguzzi - yes the size I ordered is the medium, and yes I used the yardstick method from their website.  If you look closely at the picture where I hold the stock shield over the CalSci shield you can see how the CalSci shield mounts a little higher so when it's raised there is more space between the shield and the fairing. I think this is why I can hear a whistling sound with the shield all the way up. Atavar - I have to admit I don't check my gas mileage that often. On saturday I rode with a passenger which I never do, and still got about 42mpg with pretty aggressive throttle use. Normally I would get 45-47 mpg on that ride solo, so I figure that seems about right with a passenger. I guess I'll have to start more attention to my mileage.

[radguzzi]

radlefty,
Glad to hear (read... ) that you carry a passenger.  Any feedback from before and after with that same passenger by chance..?

My main passenger really gets knocked about with the small screen so I guess I will have to give this a try.

Thanks again,
Rob

[PBS]

I installed a medium (there is no small) CalSci windshield (http://www.calsci.com/) on my Norge on Saturday and rode about 70 miles.  I am very pleased as the air flow is greater in the cockpit without turbulence or any sort of head shake at high speed.  At 5'5" I knew I wanted the smallest version of this screen so I did not do any measurements prior to ordering.  I look through the windshield even in the lowest position and find it to be optically superior to the stock windshield (two stock windshields which appeared undistorted were not when installed on the bike).  It flows more air than stock in all positions due to the vent and the greater space between the fairing and the windshield in all positions.  Ordering was easy, shipping was prompt and installation is a snap.  Total price was under $205 delivered.  I stopped by MPH where Mike took it for a spin and liked it, but would like a shorter one so he would not be looking through the windshield.  I am used to looking through the windshield on my Harley and the stock Norge windshield (but the stock Norge's distortion really bothered me).  I prefer riding with my face shield up and am able to do so with this new windshield.  There are good pictures on the CalSci website.

[Carl Allison]

I tried out the Skidmarx Norge windscreen and after two days I took it off. I prefer the wind. I was also worried that the windshield motor was unable to overcome the extra force from the increased air pressure at 65mph. I'd rather not burn out that motor, it's expensive to replace. I suspect that any larger area shield may compromise the health of the mechanism. Something to consider.

[Jelly Ree]

  I'd rather not burn out that motor, it's expensive to replace. I suspect that any larger area shield may compromise the health of the mechanism.

An excellent point that I've always wondered about when I read of people switching out windscreens. I see no reason why Guzzi should stand behind a motor burnt out that way.
When I read about buffeting, I'm more that curious about the helmet being worn, but no one ever mentions that little aerodynamic detail. My Shoei is real good in the breeze, my face not so much.

[dsenn]

I put a skidmarx on my Norge and really like it. only time I run with it raised is in the rain otherwise its stays down. No shield motor problems (yet). Trip to the national averaged 47mpg @ 75mph solo, total trip was 65058 miles.

[EIS-MAN]

Nice review! Thanks for posting the pics. 

[Kurt_W]

Being as I am 6'2" I bought the Xl screen which as you can see below is considerably higher then stock.




As PBS mentioned, I too prefer to ride with my face shield up though mostly only around town. With the screen in the low position I can ride with my face shield up and get just enough airflow to be happy. With the screen all the way up it kicks the air up over my head even when I sit straight upright. FWIW I also have the Heli-bar replacement risers which allow me to sit more upright and I had ordered the tall screen with that in mind. I did do the measurements as the CalSci site directed as well.

After spending 2500 miles on the bike in the last week I have determined that for highway use I prefer the screen all the way up. With the screen down there is still considerable turbulence but up it is quite still. Again at highway speeds the screen is large enough to keep my torso dry in all but the heaviest rain.

As for the turbulence/helmet issue, the HJC CL helmet that I wore until recently suffered turbulence regardless of the screen (stock or CalSci); so long as the wind hit the helmet it shook. However, after replacing the helmet with a Shoei RF-1000 even with the screen down it there is considerably less turbulence at highway speeds.

I wouldn't be surprised if the increased surface area and weight of the CalSci screen may eventually have an adverse effect on the screen height mechanism but so far I have noticed no ill effects. However, I refrain from adjusting the screen at speeds over 10-15 mph if I can avoid due to Zoom Zoom's informing me that the gearing was plastic and the general flimsy feeling of the mechanism so I'm hoping that will help negate future problems. 

[danr]

  I'd rather not burn out that motor, it's expensive to replace. I suspect that any larger area shield may compromise the health of the mechanism.

An excellent point that I've always wondered about when I read of people switching out windscreens. I see no reason why Guzzi should stand behind a motor burnt out that way.
When I read about buffeting, I'm more that curious about the helmet being worn, but no one ever mentions that little aerodynamic detail. My Shoei is real good in the breeze, my face not so much.

Witch might explain why the windshield controls are in a really awkward position to use when riding, Perhaps it was Guzzi's intent to make adjustments while not moving ? It would definitely be easier on the screen motor.