I am new to this website, been lurking for a while though. I am hooked.
Recently bought an 03 LT with 3000 miles. What a bike!!!!
I had it checked by the dealer, changed all the fluids, and got the clean bill of health. Its been four weeks, 2000 miles later, what a bike!!!!
I need some help.
I am 5'7" and have a 29" inseam. I know, I've heard every short joke in the book :troll: . I have a standard OEM windshield. In the lower position, the top of the windshield comes right up to the same height as my eyes. Its very annoying. If I want to look over the windshield, I have to stand up on the foot pegs .
I've read every posting I could find in this forum regarding the various windshield options. I'm leaning towards the Ztechnik because of the polycarbonate, it's looks, and claims about noise/turbulence/etc. ...but mostly for its looks!
Several reviews of the Ztechnik windshield in this forum refer to it being the same height as the OEM shield. My OEM shield is approx. 24.5" tall. The website and literature for the Ztechnik refers to the windshield being 21.5" tall. Am I missing something? Will the Ztechnik solve my height issues?
Cee Baileys makes several direct fit windshields for our K1200LT. I'm pretty sure they even have one that's 2" shorter than OEM also.
Their web site is at www.ceebaileys.com and you'll have to pick their motorcycle section because they also make aircraft windshields and supplies (their main business)
Be careful going strictly by the height of the aftermarket shields. The shapes of these shield and make them actually higher than what you have. I recommend that you contact the manufacturer for all the details before purchasing.
Make sure the measurements are apples to apples. The length of the shield versus its vertical height. IIRC, the -2 in. CeeBailey's is actually the same vertical height as the stock windshield. Another option is the "Euro cut" BMW shield.
Be careful going strictly by the height of the aftermarket shields. The shapes of these shield and make them actually higher than what you have. I recommend that you contact the manufacturer for all the details before purchasing.
The Ztechnik might be shorter, but the height of the top edge might be different (compared to the standard OEM windshield) because of the shape and/or angle at which it lays. That might explain why so many tall reviewers claimed the Ztech was taller than the OEM. Ahaa!
I'll follow your advice and contact the manufacturer.
You could do what I and others have done. Custom cut the top of your stock shield. I wanted the center cut lower as is stock on the newer RT's.
It takes some masking tape, a fine toothed jig saw, and a bit of sanding to the cut edge. I cut mine twice after deciding the first time wasn't enough.
A WORD of CAUTION. Try to avoid scratching the front and back surfaces by using a wide piece of masking tape. The coating on the polycarb will not take a high polish like acrylic does; it will be somewhat cloudy. The edge polishes just fine and looks like stock. Do a search on this site and you'll find others who recommend cutting your own.
You could do what I and others have done. Custom cut the top of your stock shield. I wanted the center cut lower as is stock on the newer RT's.
It takes some masking tape, a fine toothed jig saw, and a bit of sanding to the cut edge. I cut mine twice after deciding the first time wasn't enough.
A WORD of CAUTION. Try to avoid scratching the front and back surfaces by using a wide piece of masking tape. The coating on the polycarb will not take a high polish like acrylic does; it will be somewhat cloudy. The edge polishes just fine and looks like stock. Do a search on this site and you'll find others who recommend cutting your own.
I am going to give that a try. If it doesn't work, I can always buy one of the aftermarket windshields. I also like the price of doing what you suggest.
Applying the masking tape allows you to sit on the bike and determine the line of sight before making the cut. Be sure to read about removing the shield. The chrome trim pieces require a strong pull from the inside toward the outside of the shield to remove them for access to the screws. I did the cuts on a towel on the workbench. Some suggest you can make the cut with the shield on the bike; more gutsy than I wanted to attempt.
Good luck. I'm really happy with mine and like the low center "euro cut".
Applying the masking tape allows you to sit on the bike and determine the line of sight before making the cut. Be sure to read about removing the shield. The chrome trim pieces require a strong pull from the inside toward the outside of the shield to remove them for access to the screws. I did the cuts on a towel on the workbench. Some suggest you can make the cut with the shield on the bike; more gutsy than I wanted to attempt.
Good luck. I'm really happy with mine and like the low center "euro cut".
Hey Bruce, any tricks on how to mark the shield for cutting? I'm thinking about how to do it. That's a sticking point for me. How to make sure it's simetrical, etc. etc.
I am going to give that a try. If it doesn't work, I can always buy one of the aftermarket windshields. I also like the price of doing what you suggest.
If you do decide to go with a Cee Bailey, you might want to go -3" or even -4". I'm 5'8" with a 32" inseam and bought a Cee Bailey w/wings -2". While I can see over it in the down position, it's a stretch and not comfortable for a long period of time. I'm probably going to cut 1 1/2" off of it, but wish I had gone with the -4".
"The coating on the polycarb will not take a high polish like acrylic does; it will be somewhat cloudy. "
You can "flame polish" the cut edges of acrylic and polycarbonate with a propane torch. Gives it an excellent glass like appearance. I recommend practicing on the scrap piece first to get an idea of how close to hold the torch, flame setting, etc. The basic rule is to keep it moving. :dance:
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