Kawasaki Concours Forum
The C-14, aka Kawasaki Concours-14, the new one :) => Accessories and modifications - C14/GTR 1400 => Topic started by: phoneman on December 02, 2013, 06:46:29 AM
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I keep seeing folks talk about adding these to their shields to help move the airflow higher.
There was one on my stock shield on my 12 Wee and it did help even though the shield was still to short for me.
I have a new CeeBailey extra tall dome on my Concours now and it is pretty decent but I have the CeeBailey euro tour that came on the bike so I got to thinking about adding a laminar extension to it just to see if I could get the airflow up a little higher. You know-- just something to try out.
Where is everybody buying these extensions or are yall just making them ?
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I have the Laminar Lip on my '09 on stock Kawi windshield and am very happy with it, can cruise at 140 km with helmet visor open. I consider it an excellent alternative to buying an expensive after-market windshield.
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Where is everybody buying these extensions or are yall just making them ?
http://www.laminarlip.com/ (http://www.laminarlip.com/)
or
http://www.twistedthrottle.com/mra-x-creen-add-on-variable-windscreen-spoiler-blade-clamp-on (http://www.twistedthrottle.com/mra-x-creen-add-on-variable-windscreen-spoiler-blade-clamp-on)
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I'm a Laminar Lip user also. Tried every shield available and thought I'd never find one that didn't leave me with a lot of wind noise whenever in the wind or above 70 mph. Finally went back to my CeeBailey Xtra Tall Dome and added a Laminar Lip. Love it! really cuts down on the wind noise and lets me run the shield about 1/2 up and well below my line of vision. Looks cool also.
Fork
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Thanks guys.
I think I'll try one on the shorter shield first and if it helps I will try it on the xtra tall dome.
Thanks again
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http://www.twistedthrottle.com/mra-x-creen-add-on-variable-windscreen-spoiler-blade-clamp-on (http://www.twistedthrottle.com/mra-x-creen-add-on-variable-windscreen-spoiler-blade-clamp-on)
Oh neat! I don't think I have ever seen that one before... mounts without drilling, comes with a one way and two way adjustable arms. Not cheap but very interesting. With this I could add it to my existing shield and make additional adjustments quickly if it is too low or tall. And it could be moved to a shorty shield later for flexibility in the warmer months, too.
1) Has anyone on the forums used this Twistedthrottle MRA X-Screen Tour before at all?
2) Was it on a Concours 14?
3) 1st gen or 2nd gen?
4) Bolt on or clamp on model?
5) Are they adjustable without tools? (Can't tell from the instructions)
6) Have any pictures you can share (of it mounted on a C14)?
7) What did you think? Pluses, minuses.
This might be the solution I have been looking/waiting for....
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I've been debating buying the MRA X-Screen Tour as well.
So if anyone has any relivant input on this or the Laminar Lip, please post it. ;D
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Oh neat! I don't think I have ever seen that one before... mounts without drilling, comes with a one way and two way adjustable arms. Not cheap but very interesting. With this I could add it to my existing shield and make additional adjustments quickly if it is too low or tall. And it could be moved to a shorty shield later for flexibility in the warmer months, too.
1) Has anyone on the forums used this Twistedthrottle MRA X-Screen Tour before at all?
2) Was it on a Concours 14?
3) 1st gen or 2nd gen?
4) Bolt on or clamp on model?
5) Are they adjustable without tools? (Can't tell from the instructions)
6) Have any pictures you can share (of it mounted on a C14)?
7) What did you think? Pluses, minuses.
This might be the solution I have been looking/waiting for....
Yeah I have one ...nice but I'm sure YOU would have to remap your ECU to use it :battle:
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Yeah I have one ...nice
Neat! So I had/have 7 questions for you....
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Max, I've used a homemade version of the MRA x-screen on the stock 08 shield. I started out testing the concept before I spent the money for it and ended up spending 20+ hrs on it. Could have worked overtime at work and been hundreds of $ ahead! Mine requires tools to adjust, so a major improvement of the MRA version would be tool-free adjustments. I don't have one but I do believe the MRA airfoils are adjustable without tools. I've seen them on other bikes. I think you could just reach out and move it while riding. There are some threads on them on this and the COG forum. I attached a pict of mine (airfoil in down position) and a picture I found with entire MRA shield with airfoil.
It works pretty good. The stock shield in the up position was really bad for me; lots of noise and buffeting. I figured it was so bad that justified drilling holes in it to improve it. I put a Cal-Sci type hole in it too. Anyway, with the airfoil in the low position (top edge about 2" higher than top of shield) buffeting and noise with the shield up is much better, not perfect but much better.
With the air foil in the "up" position, it's really quiet with just a little buffeting on top of the helmet. Although the top-edge is in my line of sight. I think if my airfoil were taller it might have been buffet free and the top edge out of my line of sight and looking through it. I tried attaching the airfoil higher on the shield, but then there wasn't enough overlap, i.e. there was air coming through the gap that was causing more buffeting. Angle has a large effect on how well it works also, so that's bit of trial & error. Overall I think the airfoil is a good idea to cut down on buffeting since it cuts the air pressure differential way down across the top edge of the whole shield. Takes some tinkering though. I have a real Cal-Sci extra large for cold weather. I get some air dancing on top of my helmet with it. Some kind of airfoil or laminar lip on that would probably make it more buffet free but haven't tried it yet.
I think if the airfoil were wider that would cut back on buffeting around the sides of the helmet too and after looking at pictures of the Laminar lip on many bikes I'm thinking they make them wide for a reason, although the laminar lip is not as easily adjusted as the MRA x-screen I think.
Search for other threads on more complete info on the X-screen.
Good luck!
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a major improvement of the MRA version would be tool-free adjustments. I don't have one but I do believe the MRA airfoils are adjustable without tools.
Disappointingly, I Emailed Twistedthrottle days ago and they have not even bothered to respond to my questions. Not a good sign. (Cuda hasn't either, but he is not trying to make money!)
I've seen them on other bikes. I think you could just reach out and move it while riding. There are some threads on them on this and the COG forum.
I might have to go to that "other" board and search...
Thanks for the info!
UPDATE: Searched and found almost nothing on the "other" board :(
But did other searching and found the manufacturer's site: http://www.bikehps.com/mra/x-creen.html (http://www.bikehps.com/mra/x-creen.html) with a video showing it being too-less. Exact: http://www.bikehps.com/acatalog/Kawasaki_GTR1400_2007_Onwards_MRA_Adjustable_Motorcycle_Touring_Screens.html (http://www.bikehps.com/acatalog/Kawasaki_GTR1400_2007_Onwards_MRA_Adjustable_Motorcycle_Touring_Screens.html)
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I'm a Laminar Lip user also. Tried every shield available and thought I'd never find one that didn't leave me with a lot of wind noise whenever in the wind or above 70 mph. Finally went back to my CeeBailey Xtra Tall Dome and added a Laminar Lip. Love it! really cuts down on the wind noise and lets me run the shield about 1/2 up and well below my line of vision. Looks cool also.
Fork
The web site only talks about a lip on the stock shield. What model did you use? Early or late model? And how was the fit?
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I have the MRA X on the GS, no tools needed to adjust it and vastly improved over the stock GS screen.
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MRA X-Creen on an 09 GTR.... 5'9" tall and 170lb. In my opinion better than the Cal-Sci large I had , and way better than stock. 300 miles in pouring rain through Belgium and I wasn't thinking about how poor the screen was performing ... My hunt for a decent screen is over 8)
(http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r403/GSAnut/IMG_0223_zps1e26f87a.jpg) (http://s354.photobucket.com/user/GSAnut/media/IMG_0223_zps1e26f87a.jpg.html)
(http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r403/GSAnut/IMG_0185_zpsb1b8db38.jpg) (http://s354.photobucket.com/user/GSAnut/media/IMG_0185_zpsb1b8db38.jpg.html)
(http://i354.photobucket.com/albums/r403/GSAnut/IMG_0184_zpsad6c2bc0.jpg) (http://s354.photobucket.com/user/GSAnut/media/IMG_0184_zpsad6c2bc0.jpg.html)
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MRA X-Creen on an 09 GTR.... 5'9" tall and 170lb. In my opinion better than the Cal-Sci large I had , and way better than stock. 300 miles in pouring rain through Belgium and I wasn't thinking about how poor the screen was performing ... My hunt for a decent screen is over 8)
Bryn, is that a Nebraska plate on the side of your shack?
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Searches on MRA Vario might find other threads. I really remember a fairly lengthy thread here on the X-screen.
The full Vario screen with the x-screen attached is nice and looks good but at 6'1" I think it'd be a tad short for me with the top edge in my line of sight. Although good chance it will work better than my homemade one and I could keep it lower. Don't know. BTW I tested all the windshields in the "try a free windshield" program here. None of them were buffet free. The Cal-Sci medium was the best but I don't think I tried in on the interstate either. 75mph is much different than 60.
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I had a Laminar Lip on my Yamaha FZ-6, and it did a pretty decent job, but I didn't like the inability to adjust it. Once it is mounted you are pretty much stuck with a small range (however large your velcro patch is). I actually ended up bolting it to the windscreen because the adhesive did not do that well in the hot sun. I have a removable X-screen mounted on the windscreen of my Triumph Speedmaster, and would recommend it highly. It took a very poor windscreen that caused a lot of buffeting, and made it a very enjoyable ride. Very smooth with no bobbing. I'm pretty sure it would help with just about any windscreen, and I love the fact you can adjust it to fit your needs or circumstances.
I have the Cee Bailey Ultra Tour Dome on my C14. If you add the Baker Hand wings, it is a very good combination that controls air flow quite nicely. If you combined that with the X-Screen it might be near to heaven... 8)
Ride safe ...
Dave
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Bryn, is that a Nebraska plate on the side of your shack?
Certainly is 8)
When I got my man shed it needed decorating... a very nice man over on UKGSer.com is an avid collector of licence plates, and sent me a few FOC..the Nebraska plate and some from his native South Africa :thumbs:
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I have the X-screen mounted on a V-Stream. Had terrible buffeting and noise at highway speed before. Now it's nice and quiet. Warning! After I installed it, my electric screen adjuster stopped working. I have heard from more than one source that the extra force on the mechanism from large screens can cause this. One of these days, I'll put the stock screen back on and take it in to have it looked at.
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I have the X-screen mounted on a V-Stream. Had terrible buffeting and noise at highway speed before. Now it's nice and quiet. Warning! After I installed it, my electric screen adjuster stopped working. I have heard from more than one source that the extra force on the mechanism from large screens can cause this. One of these days, I'll put the stock screen back on and take it in to have it looked at.
Always a good plan not to operate the screen when you're doing much over 50 ......
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Always a good plan not to operate the screen when you're doing much over 50 ......
I didn't know that. Didn't see anything in the manual warning against adjusting while moving at any particular speed.... I would not expect the motor to be that weak (isn't it geared?)
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I put my windshield down at around 140 mph once...it was briefly exciting but no damage. :)
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I put my windshield down at around 140 mph once...it was briefly exciting but no damage. :)
I weigh so little that if I were to do that, it might blow me right off the bike :)
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LOL, at a buck fifty, I had that exact thought.
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I didn't know that. Didn't see anything in the manual warning against adjusting while moving at any particular speed.... I would not expect the motor to be that weak (isn't it geared?)
It's just a case of being gentle with it..... The amount of pressure pushing back on the screen at high speed is bound to make the mechanism work harder......so really a bit of insurance against it going wrong 8)
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Well I've gone and done it now.
Raining cats and dogs here today so I was in the man cave so I wouldn't get in trouble in the woman cave--you know--outta sight outta mind.
Anyway there I was--when I spied the oe shield that came off my Wee. Hmm--there's a free windshield extension that's looking for a new home.
Broke out the drill and before I could stop myself I had done drilled 4 holes in my almost new ( 5-6 weeks ) CeeBailey xtra tall dome shield. The lip from the Suzuki is almost a perfect fit. About 2-3 inches narrower on both ends so it doesn't hang over the edges. It will raise up about 3-4 inches above the CeeBailey shield and as it raises up it angles forward.
I'm hoping it will work here as it wasn't worth doodee on the Wee as the oe shield was just too short to begin with.
I put the Madstad bracket and their Adv shield on my Wee and it's almost nirvana behind it. No buffeting at any height--just good smooth air even in heavy traffic--even behind big trucks.
I had the CeeBailey euro on the Connie before I bought the dome and both of them will buffet you to death behind any kind of big truck traffic--so much so that I usually just fully lower the shield when I get behind one. I never tell any difference when I'm on the Wee and behind the Madstad.
If it ain't raining buckets tomorrow am I'll ride the Connie to work. It's a pretty short ride but it'll give me some idea if this was a mistake or not.
If it works like I hope the lip will flow the air up without having to run the shield above my line of sight.
I believe part of the problem with shields for this bike is the angle of the shield on the bike. It just angles too far back toward the driver. If it angled forward more it would push the air further up over the driver. Of course to get that angle the shield wouldn't follow the lines of the bike very well and might look kinda funny--at least funnier than the extension I have mounted.
If it works great. If not I'll send the dome back to CeeBaily and have them cut about 6 or 8 inches off the top. Should make a nice summer shield.
BTW--my wife ventured into the man cave right in the middle of me drilling the holes.
Of course she asked me what I was doing. I was foolish enough to try to explain to her why I was drilling holes in an almost brand new windshield.
I don't think she really understood. She gave me THE LOOK.
I really hope this works. :)
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Good luck! Let us know how it turns out.
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Maybe a photo to document your success.
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Yeah I know. I really do need to learn how to post pics.
I might actually be able to contribute something useful every now and then.
I could post some pictures with all the narrative in Italian or Spanish or something.
Learn to post pics and a new language all at the same time.
Sorry MG. I couldn't help myself. ;D
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Get pics to your desktop or at least know where they are...
Click on the +Attachments and other options just below this text box..
Click on the browse button
Find the pics..
Click on the post button
This is one way to do it..
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Like this ?
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Thanks.
I've tried before but either my connection was too slow or my pic too big or a combination of both.
Guess I could just resize some of the bigger pics.
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Nope, totally wrong. Wrong color. Just won't do.
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I've tried before but either my connection was too slow or my pic too big or a combination of both. Guess I could just resize some of the bigger pics.
Yep. One should always resize photos to perhaps 1280x or so before posting. Makes uploading faster. Reduces storage. And it greatly increases view speed for others. Unfortunately, it seems like most people don't and for some reason the forum software doesn't just do it automatically, which it should. I just use a quick mogrify command (part of ImageMagick) http://www.imagemagick.org/script/mogrify.php (http://www.imagemagick.org/script/mogrify.php)
mogrify -scale 1280x1280 -quality 92 *.jpg
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The
word non-word of the day....mogrify.
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:thumbs:
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I will try to get a couple of pics this afternoon if I have time afterwork.
Rode to work this morning. Temp was around 28 f with about 20 mph sidewinds so I couldn't really get a good feel for it.
I could tell the extension was there but there was so much side wind blowing I really could not tell how much wind was getting redirected.
The real test will be coming up behind a big truck and seeing how much-- if any -- of the buffeting is smoothed out.
Worst case scenario -- someone will have a nice summer shield. ;)
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Here's a couple of pics so you can kinda get an idea of what it looks like.
Pretty stiff sidewind on the short ride home so the jury is still out if this was a good or not so good thing to have done. But it's too late now.
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I'll get some better pics when I get a chance--from some better angles and outside so the background is not so cluttered.
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Ih-tech fai da te. ;)+++++with Russian salad.
http://youtu.be/ql7PNrHsG9Q (http://youtu.be/ql7PNrHsG9Q)
MGvalerio. :finger_fing11:
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I was at Twisted Throttle with a friend a couple of months ago and he bought one of them and had it mounted on his 2010 C-14 while we waited (OK, we heckled the guy putting it on but close enough). I just saw him tonight but he wasn't on his bike. I can get a hold of him and find get more info. and probably photos. His was the bolt on style but my overall opinion was that it was a very nice, useful and clever deal. I have the MRA visor on my C-14 but it is on a CalSci XL, and it is the older, seven- position adjustable; this new type is quite a lot more adjustable both in overall height but also in angle.
Yep, adjustable without tools but I don't think you could adjust one while riding. There are finger twist- locks that turn 90 degrees to lock / unlock, and once unlocked the screen can be turned maybe 60 degrees of pure rotation or the entire deflector raised or lowered. I mention the adjustment while riding because I can adjust my visor while riding just by grabbing it and moving / rotating it (both movements are coordinated and not separable) while riding. Of course the original electric adjustment is always available but I am talking about just the visor.
I liked it enough that I was looking to see if the holes in the arms of the new one would line up with the holes already in my windshield- no go. And they are rather expensive although pretty nice at the same time.
Let me know if you want more info.- Twisted Throttle is not too far from me so we might be able to do something about a look- see, in a remote, continent away sort of way. :D
Brian
Oh neat! I don't think I have ever seen that one before... mounts without drilling, comes with a one way and two way adjustable arms. Not cheap but very interesting. With this I could add it to my existing shield and make additional adjustments quickly if it is too low or tall. And it could be moved to a shorty shield later for flexibility in the warmer months, too.
1) Has anyone on the forums used this Twistedthrottle MRA X-Screen Tour before at all?
2) Was it on a Concours 14?
3) 1st gen or 2nd gen?
4) Bolt on or clamp on model?
5) Are they adjustable without tools? (Can't tell from the instructions)
6) Have any pictures you can share (of it mounted on a C14)?
7) What did you think? Pluses, minuses.
This might be the solution I have been looking/waiting for....
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I was at Twisted Throttle with a friend a couple of months ago and he bought one of them [...]Let me know if you want more info.- Twisted Throttle is not too far from me so we might be able to do something about a look- see, in a remote, continent away sort of way. :D
Thanks for the info. I am pretty much convinced now and will whip out the credit card and order it today.
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UPDATE: It is on order! Clear touring clamp-on model. I will post reviews at some point when it is installed and I have had a chance to use it for a while.
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Max, if it helps at this late point, I've had both the MRAVario and a Laminar Lip.
My Vario was first gen. It sucked. Especially for the $$ I spent on it when it was "the thing" and new. You just couldn't adjust it very well, and at 6'4", that was pretty much the whole point with the bike I was using for touring at the time, which is the second question- it was on a CBR1100XX. In the thinking about it, the angle on the windshield I was running probably contributed to it's lack of effectiveness, but even with a "double bubble" I wasn't impressed. The one I had was mounted with bolt and Velcro IIRC. It adjusted with a tool.
The Laminar lip also sucked until I modified it. The lip is actually a better piece of kit if you are taller. You can place the velcro in such a way as to make it suit you. However, it has no adjustment at all, so you best like it where you put it. Ultimately, I drilled two holes on each side with matching holes in the windshield, and bolted that sucker down. The biggest problem I had with the lip, prior to modification, was that at +++5 over limit, it mashed down against the windshield because the mounting tape stretched out- it was actually quite something to watch happen. Not only the "speed run" problem, but the long distance, miles-under-the-tires days, (which I do a lot of), would cause it to do the same thing. After bolting it down, 7 years ago, it is still on the bike today, and works beautifully- and in that I eventually went to butterfly bolts with it, it pops right off for around town.
For whatever reason, the velcro adjusters on the MRA-Vario didn't have the deforming problem, but that was probably because the real stress was on the bolt on area.
Personally, I will probably go with this generation MRA eventually, as I haven't found a screen that didn't make the bike look like the Marvin the Martian, or didn't buffet my giant cranium around- and I'm certainly not screwing around with the amount of back pressure the Laminar would put on the windshield mechanism. I'm already waiting for something to break at anything over 75mph, (which, by the bye, is legal in certain places down here. :))
Good luck with the purchase.
EDIT: I missed the update- let us know how it goes.
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I made about a 100 mile ride today. Weather here today was about 50 F and cloudy/overcast.
I really could not tell if there was any improvement. I tried it with the main shield high-low-and all points in between. With the deflector in all positions.
I think at this point I'll have a really nice summer shield after I send it back to CeeBaily and have them cut about 6 or 8 inches off. :(
I guess I'll try the MRA Xcreen next. I'll put it on my CeeBailey euro and see what happens.
I rode the Wee about 50-60 miles with the Madstad and it was great. If I can get the Connie that buffet free I'll be a happy man. :)
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I think at this point I'll have a really nice summer shield after I send it back to CeeBaily and have them cut about 6 or 8 inches off. :(
I guess I'll try the MRA Xcreen next. I'll put it on my CeeBailey euro and see what happens.
That is part of my master plan- to have a short summer shield, too. Then move the MRAX from the large to the small shield once a year or something. The adjustable extension would give additional coverage options for each.
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Thanks for the info. I am pretty much convinced now and will whip out the credit card and order it today.
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UPDATE: It is on order! Clear touring clamp-on model. I will post reviews at some point when it is installed and I have had a chance to use it for a while.
Which will be this spring when it warms up? About the time I install my Canyon Cages?
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Which will be this spring when it warms up? About the time I install my Canyon Cages?
I should have it in a few days, but I don't ride much in winter, so it will take a while to form an opinion. Meanwhile, my ECU has just been mailed...
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I should have it in a few days, but I don't ride much in winter, so it will take a while to form an opinion. Meanwhile, my ECU has just been mailed...
whoo hooo Baby steps Max. ;)
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The extension to the windshield if not attached to the windshield will make you sway the whole.
MGvalerio. :finger_fing11:
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Max--- you got that windshield extension bolted up yet ?
I'm patiently ( not really ) waiting to see how this works out. ;)
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Max--- you got that windshield extension bolted up yet ?
I'm patiently ( not really ) waiting to see how this works out. ;)
I got it a few days ago. The cats like to sit on the box. It has been in the 20's, AND there is no ECU on the bike... so I have not had much motivation to do anything with it yet.
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You got the clamp on version, right? Well, you could clamp it on and take a photo for everybody.... Turn the box over and the cats will never know the difference.
Brian
I got it a few days ago. The cats like to sit on the box. It has been in the 20's, AND there is no ECU on the bike... so I have not had much motivation to do anything with it yet.
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No ecu ?
Just put the bike in neutral and hang on to your best buddy's truck door handle while he pulls you down the road. You should be able to get a feel for it. :)
A little contribution would be appreciated.
Just kidding of course. ;)
And don't ask how I know about the " hanging on the door handle " thing.
It's amazing I survived my younger years.
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I got it a few days ago. The cats like to sit on the box. It has been in the 20's, AND there is no ECU on the bike... so I have not had much motivation to do anything with it yet.
Assembled, mounted, tested, photoed, and reviewed now: http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=16222.0 (http://www.zggtr.org/index.php?topic=16222.0)