Windshield

[PineGreen]

A few weeks ago I bought an 05 LT. The windshield is just so so. I am 5'10' and with the w/s down I am just barely able to see over it, the bike is equipped with the Optional tall shield. With it down all the way the S/O gets blasted by wind. With the shield up high enough to make her comfy I have to look through it. Have been told to resign myself to having to look through it, or get a shorter wife, Cee Bailey makes a couple of shields for the LT. I have had great results with their products in the past and would like to put one of their shields on my bike. They have two styles and numerous heights available. The guy at CB told me the #2 with the lip is not great to look through because the lip distorts the your sight. however I would be able to see over it easier because I could get away with a shorter shield because the lip raises the air flow higher than stock. They also have a shield that is similar to stock, again , the tall shield. You can get it shorter than stock so I would be able to see over it better. But being shorter than stock the protection would not be as great for my passenger. although I would be able to see through it without distortion. Sounds like a catch 22 thing to me. Have any of you an opinion. Which to buy? Anyone found any compromises that you can live with.. Need to hear of your experiences. Thanks , George

[jgr451]

Congrats on your new ride!!
No advice for you on the shield-but I feel your pain!
:D

[112124]

I'm not sure what the answer is here but I'm getting tired of cleaning my windshield everyday not to get it clean but just to get rid of the cloudiness for a few hours. I know this is an ongoing problem. So if BMW can't make a workable windshield who does? What a ridiculous but very real problem.

[kbasa]

Originally posted by Dennis
I'm not sure what the answer is here but I'm getting tired of cleaning my windshield everyday not to get it clean but just to get rid of the cloudiness for a few hours. I know this is an ongoing problem. So if BMW can't make a workable windshield who does? What a ridiculous but very real problem.

What are you cleaning it with?

[Rich]

George,

I went with a Cee Bailey on my RT and it is working out great. I ordered the Euro-cut, and it works perfectly for looking over the shield. Euro-cut windshields are lower in the center than at the top corners of the shield. I wasn't sure how it was going to look when I ordered it, but after installing it on the bike, it looks great and works as well. I don't know if they make the Euro-cut for the LT, but I bet they do, check them out. Good luck, and congrats on the new bike!

[112124]

KBasa, I have tried various items to clean the windshield. I've used just water on a cotton cloth, windex, a mild detergent in water (3 different items). The most effective has been carnuba wax. It does clean and fill in any scratches. But the fog reappears. The dealer said last week that BMW puts a coating on the windshields and as it gets older this sort of thing happens. I'm not convinced anybody knows what's going on. What do you use to clean it?

[RT DOG]

Dennis and Kbasa I use a product called Slipstreamer Motorcycle@Snowmoblile windshield cleaner specifically designed for plexiglass, lucite,acrylic type plastic. It also helps polich minor scratches out of the windshields I use I love it It also says it helps on fog buildup(?) I haven't done any riding in any heavy rain so I'm not sure how it works in that environment. There is also another product called Plextor I think that is suppose to work well also.

[lorazepam]

Using any product with ammonia in it will accelerate the fogging you speak of. I found that after it really gets bad, as in a nasty looking whitish film all the time, that ScratchX meant to remove scratches from clear coat will remove the film and restore the shield to new looking. Never use ammonia or paper towels to clean any clear plastic.

[rapz]

I have the same problem as George. I'm 5'10" but it's a strech to look over the windshield and at city speeds in south Texas when it's 103 you've got to be able to get some air so I've been thinking of getting the low windshield, but not if it's bad for riding two up. So do I understand correctly that if I go with the lower windshield it's going to be hell for my passenger? The RT shield was perfect. I hate having to look through the windshield on the LT.:confused:

[LTOwner]

Just put a Cee Bailey stock shield on my LT this week. From a wind management standpoint, it is about the same, and I didn't expect any difference there. It does have an area of distortion about an inch and a half wide around all edges. I am willing to live with it because it is over all so much clearer than the OEM shield.

[JATownsend]

I replaced my stock regular height shield with a Cee Bailey #2 -3. That is what they consider a 'Stock' replacement. I am 6'1" 33" inseam and I can see over the lowered screen like I'm on a sport bike. Great for solo, going fast and a cool breeze in the kisser. BUT, raise that baby up and it works great.

First, it is virtually distortion free. I could never look through the stock shield, it made me sick. The CB is very clear. There is a bit of a hole about 2" in diameter in the low center but I never actually see while riding - only looking for it. The #2 gives a very nice pocket of still air that my wife really appreciates.

We just came back from the Curve Cowboy in Colorado, 4500+ miles and she never complained about the wind (except in West Kansas). The lip does a great job of kicking the wind up and overhead.

Also, it doesn't have that wierd coating the Beemer shields have so it will not fog and haze up on you. And, CB is very good about customer satisfaction. If you have a problem with what they send you return it and they WILL get you one that is perfect.

Good Luck!

[112124]

I'm curious, what's it cost?

[JATownsend]

I got mine as part of a group buy a few months ago for a 30% discount. The list price is about $190. Worth every penny.


Here is the CB link: http://www.ceebaileys.com/bmw/bmws1200ltno2.htm

[kbasa]

That Slipstreamer stuff is fantastic. I'm using Plexus right now and think it's pretty doggone good too.

[YB in IN]

Originally posted by KBasa
That Slipstreamer stuff is fantastic. I'm using Plexus right now and think it's pretty doggone good too.

My dad (BE in IN) and I both use plexus on all of our plastic doo-dahs. The parts counter guy at Revard BMW also uses it on the plastic flexible windows on his Jeep Wrangler. He said that the first time he used it he took stuff off that had been caked on for years. It can be a bit pricey for a can, but it lasts for a while and is a quality product.

[LTOwner]

Just as a matter of clarification for prospective buyers. In reference to stock replacement shield above, I have the Cee Bailey #1, which they state is the same relative size and shape as the stock shield. In fact it is a bit more square at the upper outer corners. The #2 they make is for people with wind management problems, and has a slight bubble in the lower center and a mild reverse curve at the top, and looks very different from the stock shield. Cee Bailey gives very good descriptions and pictures on their website.

[112124]

Here's a goodnews update. I tried to get a couple of the products listed on this site. For some reason, maybe a southern California thing, I couldn't find them. I believe the stores were just out of them. Anyway...I bought some Meguires PlastX. THE STUFF WORKS. I've used it a couple of times. You literally wipe in on and wipe it off. No streaking and it takes away the cloudiness at least for a day. The cloudiness begins to return by day two but there's no streaking or smudging so looking through the windshield is much easier and not distracting. So far so good. Also, the CB sounds like the next step in due time.

[JATownsend]

The reason stock BMW shields get foggy or hazy is their coating. The shields are very durable polycarbonate. The coating is slightly porous and can trap moisture (water) and appear to be foggy or hazy. The use of most plastic treatments exacerbates the issue by further trapping moisture.

It is fairly common on the LT site to hear from people who have "Cleaned" their shields with denatured alcohol. This draws out the moisture and leaves a nice clear shield. Well, as clear as Beemer shields will get.

Also, because the stock shield is coated, you can really damage it with the wrong cleaner or sealer. Use mild dish soap and lots of water then after its dry treat with alcohol. It may take a couple of treatments if very foggy.

[AZgman]

Both the #1 and #2 style Cee Bailey's shields for the LT can be ordered with a Euro cut. Subtract 2" from the CB shield to compare with the OEM. At 5' 10" and 32" inseam, seat in low position, I have the -2" #1 Eurocut and can see over the screen. If would even consider going to a -4".

[lorazepam]

I had a roadster with the "coating" so bad it was hard to see through. I remedied it by using the scratchX by meguiars. It removed the coating, and didnt scratch the clear shield underneath, It was a bit of work, but the shield looked new again.

[IWRENCH2]

I also have a 2005 LT
Windshield is just like the voice system (both are junk)
I purchased a Cee Baily windshield. No more rainbows when I wear my poliroid sun glasses. Only one yellow double in the corner's.
Why can't BMW buy a better windscreen? $22,000 and you see double.
I must say what a great ride this bike is.:wow

[JMeese]

I have to disagree with Lorzspam on his statement of never use Paper towels.
I have a 02 LT and I had nothing but fog problems like most tried everything, went to dealer they put on new windshield so I got some BON-AMI spray cleaner and bought one of those pads at the dollar store that is a spong with a material on the one side looks like the same as the ones at the gas stations you use on your car pad is about 5x5 square. and some PAPER TOWELS quilted. I spray the windshield soak the pad in water then clean off oll the bugs ( yes at times of the year this is a problem ) then take two or three paper towels and wipe off then take a soft cloth and wipe off any water marks the ones at the dollar store come in yellow and blue very soft. Windshield is so clear you hardly know it is on the bike till a grasshopper splats all over it. then you are glad it is there. I use NOVUS plastic cleaner bought at the dealer #2 for any scraches also works ver well.
Have a good ride
John

[CustomSarge]

I've been making my (& others) windshields 5+ yrs anyway. So for my tuppance...
1> polycarbonate never acrylic, & nylon attachment bolts (act as mechanical fuses)
2> I "pull/warp" the rigidity into the shield, if it starts folding in at the top at X speed: pull more curve or redesign the shape.
3> while many plastic manufacturers have great products for polish/scratch removal, the aircraft pilots I know swear by Pledge (yes, the furniture polish).
4> depending on your sense of adventure; in polycarbonate, most all but Deep scratches can be reflowed by CAREFUL use of a 500 odd watt heat gun. Key here is: clean, polish, clean the wax/polish off with isopropanol & then reflow the surface.
Note: I keep at least 2 full sheets of Lexan-MR or equivalent on hand to handle the odd new / redesign requirement. As last seen on my K11LTX, that windshield didn't work well (ergo the extension [gag]). Now, at interseason, I'll cut & warp a form factor more similar to the one on the R90S.....