This was my second trip with the Ztechnik VStream Windshield and now I guess I have the final review. For my off course

For me, the Ztechnik VStream Windshield is not a good product.

From Ztechnik web site, this windshield is suppose to delivery: QUIET • COMFORT • OPTICS

it give me the Optics, but Quiet and Confort the anwser is no.
for noise, it's worst then the stock windshield and much worst then CeeBailey.
for confort, it's a little better then stock, but worst then CeeBailey.

I can sacrifice some optics for more quiet and confortable ride.
Their web site claims that "At speeds of 50-90 mph, the air swirls off the windshield in an approximate 90-degree segment of rotation, i.e. it rolls off the windshield, hits the bottom of the rider's neck on the way up, and curves off the shoulder at approximately 45 degrees".
Only if I use it all way up my hemet.
If I put down to my eye line, the noise is pretty loud, the buffeting is extremely anoing.

So I'm putting back the CeeBailey and send this one to eBay.
It's bummer because I like the lines of this windshield and also like the clarity, but the noise is a big issue for me and for the wife.

I would appreciate any comments from people who are liking it, on how they are using it and how tall you are.

for me: I'm 6.2, wife 5.8,
I like to use a windshield one or two inches below my eye line.
Neither one that I used so far is perfect, but VStream is one of the worst on that setup.

__________________
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Elton 'StrsOut' Marks '02 Silver-Member #337 (or 287?)
Trips Photos and Maps
2002 LT - 62,394 miles as of 08/05/2007
2003 GS - 20,960 miles as of 07/11/2008
Loma Linda - CA
IBA#14,458 - AMA

 

Hi Elton,


I'm sure there are some out there that this works great for, But I got to agree with you. For me it has created more noise than the stock screen that came with my 2003 Lt (The high one). I took about an 800 mile trip with it. Some riding in twisties and some on the slab and found that it was a lot more noisy than my stock shield. Put the stock one back on last night, took a ride and found that I liked the stock much better.

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Carl

Euclid, Ohio
2003 Silver LTE
1971 HD XLH Sportster

I have already posted my thoughts here, but I have to agree with Elton.

Eric

I had one of those V Stream windscreens on my R1100 RT and it was useless. Did not do what they claim so I will not get one for my LT. The stock screen is fine. Parabellum makes a good screen for the RT really effective, but it was so big it looked goofy.

Just out of curiosity, which Cee Bailey are you using? How tall are you? I'm currently in the middle of trying to decide which shield would be best for me. Your review has been enlightening to say the least. Thank you for taking the time to post it.

Mike

I Mike
I'm 6.2, wife 5.9

I just put back my CeeBailey #2 -2
http://www.ceebaileys.com/bmw/1200ltsel.html
and I'm right now waiting for my seat to be ready, so I can try it on this comming weekend.
That would be my final decision, but I guess I'm set to sell my VStream. In fact, it's on the Classified section of this forum right now...

__________________
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Elton 'StrsOut' Marks '02 Silver-Member #337 (or 287?)
Trips Photos and Maps
2002 LT - 62,394 miles as of 08/05/2007
2003 GS - 20,960 miles as of 07/11/2008
Loma Linda - CA
IBA#14,458 - AMA

Except for being taller than I like the V-Stream is better for me. I can use the cell phone & C.B. at any speed much better than the CeeBailey & less distortion than the CeeBaiey.

__________________
Big-E

1996 Kawasaki Vulcan 800
2001 Yamaha Venture- most comfortable bike on the road- Gone
2004 Honda Goldwing- Didn't like it- Gone
2005 BMW K1200LT- Great bike!- Lives on with another member
2008 Kawasaki Concours 14- Loving it for now
1998 Suzuki Bandit S-1200- Fun, just got it.

As you can see on my comments, the clarity on the VStream is way better then Cee Bailey, but the noise is worst for me, maybe because the way I use it, about a inch below my eye line.

I could not find what is the comum denominator, but looks like some people really like it, and few other don't.

__________________
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Elton 'StrsOut' Marks '02 Silver-Member #337 (or 287?)
Trips Photos and Maps
2002 LT - 62,394 miles as of 08/05/2007
2003 GS - 20,960 miles as of 07/11/2008
Loma Linda - CA
IBA#14,458 - AMA

Well,

I was hoping for a hands down winner here, but that's not the case for me. I have been riding with a stock tall BMW windshield for 41,000 miles before replacing it with the V-Stream. First of all the V-Stream looks great on the bike and it's fit, finish and clarity is awesome. Installation was a breeze with not problems lining up the screw holes, etc. However, the V-stream is a bit taller than the stock BMW windshield which makes it a little harder for me to see over (I have long legs and short trunk) and I believe it is a bit noiser than the stock tall BMW shield. The BMW windshield is much superior when in the full up position. The V-Stream when in the full up position creates turbulence that is annoying, so I normally ride with it down just a little bit from full up when on the highway. If I were taking a long highway trip tomorrow I would put the BMW tall back on.

So now I have a worn out BMW tall windshield that I really like and a brand new V-Stream that looks great but I don't really like. Anyone want to sell me their new BMW tall windscreen, or trade for my V-Stream? If so, send me a PM

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Joe Buttress
Plain Washington
2003 LTE
IBA SS

I use mine all the way down & wish it was shorter. The only way I know the wind noise is less is that I can hear the phone at any speed. With the CeeBaiey I would have to slow down & drop my helmet shield to answer the phone. I had a CeeBailey -4 & it was the perfect hight for me all the way down except for answering the phone.

__________________
Big-E

1996 Kawasaki Vulcan 800
2001 Yamaha Venture- most comfortable bike on the road- Gone
2004 Honda Goldwing- Didn't like it- Gone
2005 BMW K1200LT- Great bike!- Lives on with another member
2008 Kawasaki Concours 14- Loving it for now
1998 Suzuki Bandit S-1200- Fun, just got it.

My $0.02

I thought the VStream was brilliant 0 to 55 or 60mph. Travelling faster than that, (especially on the interstate with lots of other vehicles and the resultant "dirty air" turbulence), there was this very regular, high frequency, percussive buffeting. I can only attribute it to the advertised vortices bending inward and drubbing me on the helmet sides. It made no difference where i'd adjusted the angle. It was worse for my co-pilot. She was extremely cranky at the next fuel stop. Luckily the rest of the ride was on slower, twisty secondary roads.

The OEM tall screen, on the other hand, generates buffeting that is more chaotic and fluid, like cruising along in a small boat in choppy waters. Your body can sort of absorb it and roll along without too much stress. It's still tiresome, but not like the staccato chinese water torture of the VStream which gets aggravating really fast.

The VStream does work in theory, just the application in a huge barn-door windscreen like the LT's might be less than ideal.

For reference, I'm 6 ft even with 32" inseam average proportions.

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The word motorcycle is a verb.

2005 K1200LT "Rolf"
2007 Moto Guzzi Norge

I live in eastern Idaho (not far from Jackson, WY.) I was just wondering if anyone out there has tried the Cee Bailey #2 with wings. Most of my riding is in cooler weather. Could that help extend my riding season?

Yes, the wings help. But you're better off with a good windproof jacket and a heated liner. Then you can just turn a knob and get all the heat you want. I've used the Warm-n-Safe stuff down to 30 degrees and been toasty warm.

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Ken
SoCal
'12 Mineral Silver Metallic K16GTLD, 39K miles and counting . . .
'09 Magnesium Beige Metallic K13GT, 32,690 miles & now rebuilt!
'07 Dark Graphite Metallic K12GT, 138,220 miles and dead
'02 Mauve Metallic K12LTC, 106K miles and sold
BMWLT#145, IBA# 366, MOA# 111996, SCMA# 24032

All lower 48 states plus Alaska on the K13GT in two weeks . . .

Completely different experience for me. I am 6'3" with a 34" inseam, so my seated height is 41". I have a custom seat equal to the stock high position. Little buffeting, very little wind noise. I am riding with a Baehr helmet, which is the quietest helmet I have owned to date. I bought it to connect to the Baehr intercom on the bike. Maybe you have a different seated height. I ride anywhere between 60 and well in excess of posted speeds. Around 80+ I start to notice more buffeting, which is why I want a taller screen. I will never go back to Cee Baileys or to an overpriced acrylic monster such as Aeroflow.

I bought the VStream form my wife. 75% of my riding is with her. She is Tall, 5'10" and the tall BMW screen beat her to pieces. I tried a Cee Bailey Type 2 with wings, she could tell no difference. at the Rally in WI, I tried the VStream shield and lo and behold, she liked it a bunch. She said she had no buffetting at all. So I bought it and we are living happily ever after.

Having said that, I do find it quieter for me, but I do not like the lower distortion. Since it is in area I seldom look through, it is acceptable.

My advice, got to a rally where the various vendors are present and try them all. Its different strokes for different folks.

Ultra LT

To relieve turbulence and back pressure on the ZTechnik shield, do what I did. Cut a hole like the one on the old K12RS BMW OEM shield. This relieves backpressure and reduces turbulence by 95% by filling the negative pressure vacuum created behind the shield.

Original shield was a euro style on an 05lt.Too much of everything,decided on v tech shield.Installation not hard,lost a crome cover later.I,M 6'0" wear a nolan helmet noise isn't a problem and distortion is minimal.Winter shield is
usually all the way up,the rest of the time just above my eyes and i leave
my shield in the up position with no intrusion of bugs or road debry.All said
V tech shield PDG.I believe that National Cycel makes the shield.

Z-Tech works well on my RT but the "envelope" adjustment is more sensitive than the stock w/s. The best position for the rider is not always optimal for vision. Would I buy again ... ABSOLUTELY !

CB looking better all the time. My RT has a CB and it works well. But Parabellum is supose to be nice too. I want a highway shield for 80+ mph and two up.

__________________
1985 K100RT 90k
1981 R100RT 56k miles Sold
2000 K1200LT 48k miles Sold
2003 Victory Vegas-12k miles Sold
1982 Suzuki GS550L only 299 miles Sold
1997 Yamaha Vmax-15k miles Sold
1996 Suzuki DR650-17k miles Sold
1996 R1100RT-27k miles Sold
1995 K1100LT-85k miles Sold
1982 Honda CB900F-33k mikes Sold
BMWMOA 138762[/I]

I am looking for a new shield to replace the stock short shield that constantly fogs up. I really do not want to spend on a shield at this time however, I hate when my shield is not clear. I was leaning toward the V-Stream for the looks and the clarity. I'm glad I read this post, now I am ruling out the V-Stream and I will look at the tall BMW stocked shield and the Cee-Bailey.

I will take any advice on fogging problem. If I can solve that problem I can use the funds to purchase some other accessories.

Thanks for your review Elton. For us the VStream works better than stock, C Bailey +2 and stock short. Personal preference I guess as well rider position. My wife likes the VStream best for buffeting protection. That in itself is good enough for us. Add in the best clarity of all three and again I'm happy with the choice. If I had to pick another screen it would be a C Bailey again. The only thing I liked about it was quieter. Good luck with your next choice.

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Ernie A
Milwaukie, OR
EAZcycle.com
Member: MOA, AMA, IBA, NRA
2013 R1200GSW
2002 K12LT Toscana Green - > 225k miles and counting!
2006 Suzuki DL1000 V Strom Silver/Blk - >21k (Sold)
SS1K (x4),BB,BtoB(<24),BBG, SS3k

Ditto, ditto, ditto, except I would stay with the VStream!

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Brett
03 Anthracite
North Georgia
2005 CCR-Tetons
2006 CCR-Braselton
2008 CCR-Midway
2009 CCR-Rapid City
2011 CCR-Boise
2012 CCR-Duluth

I have an 07 LT. Got a Ztechnik in Jan 09. Liked how it worked, but cracked at the mounting holes within two to three weeks. I have gotten to the third sheild, still cracks (install by BMW dealer) and still dealing with Ztechnik (National Cycle). Put on CeeBaileys, the one similar to the Ztechnik, two weeks 900 miles and no problems. I think it is better than stock.
Nice airflow and pretty quiet up to 70 or so. Would like to know if anyone has experienced
cracking at the mounting holes recently.

Just picked up a VStream last week and installed on my 06LT. Took a trip over the weekend, about 300 miles and I have two cracks at the top mounting hole on the left side. I like the clarity and the wind protection and the wife does as well. Don't like the crack. I'm heading out this next weekend for a trip out to CA, really wanted to have the VStream on for a long ride check out. I will call National tomorrow to see what they have to say about the cracks. It was installed using a t-handle allen wrench and not over tightened (used blue loctite to keep the screws secure).

SmoothLT- How did National work with you on the cracking???? Any reason or explanation??

Thanks

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Randal Tebeau
Blairsville, GA
CMA National Evangelist SE Region
BMWMOA, AMA, ABATE
2006 K1200LT
1996 F650

I called National about my VStream cracking at the mounting holes (it was cracking at all the mounting holes) and they sent a new windshield to me. I just got it today, but concerned whether this windshield may crack. Has anybody got any advice on mounting a windshield to best insure that it doesn't crack??

Thanks,

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Randal Tebeau
Blairsville, GA
CMA National Evangelist SE Region
BMWMOA, AMA, ABATE
2006 K1200LT
1996 F650

Do not torque the screws. Just remove the slop and add a dab of GE RTV 732 or bathroom calk to the screw head/outer plate that holds the trim. This will be just as good as locktight on the threads.

Clean the surface with alcohol for a good bond. That's what I do on my CB.

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"The idea is to die young as late as possible"

Barney Rubble (rider); Wilma Flintstone (pillion).
2000LTC CHAMPAGNE, Most prominent color at early CCR's
BMWMOA 89402

Uhm... now I'm worried.

Today I mounted the V-Stream and had no RTV 732 or any other glue/bonding agent, I simply "felt" how tight the screw were before I removed them (not much) and applied the same "torque" when re-installing.

As I write, I didn't force the mounting: just enough to have no movements of the shield.

Should I avoid riding the bike, remove the screws and apply a bonding agent? Which one, as I don't seem able to find the RTV 732? is bathroom calk really adequate?

Another interesting point

I've always used alcohol to remove the fog from the stock shield, but the warning sticker on the V-Stream says:

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'06 K 1200 LT - Dark Graphite
'05 Cagiva Navigator 1000 (sold)
'90 Kawasaki ZX10 (sold)
'82 Moto Guzzi V35 II (sold)
'82 Benelli Export 3V

Any "plumbers caulk" that dries with a rubber feeling. It sticks well enough to the screw head and the steel retainer plate to keep the screws from vibrating or working loose in this application. Or just use blue lock-tight or equiv, very sparingly on the threads to keep it from running down the wind screen.

Don't reinstall the plastic chrome details and go riding. Just check the mounting screws for movement now and then.

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"The idea is to die young as late as possible"

Barney Rubble (rider); Wilma Flintstone (pillion).
2000LTC CHAMPAGNE, Most prominent color at early CCR's
BMWMOA 89402

Done, thanks

__________________


'06 K 1200 LT - Dark Graphite
'05 Cagiva Navigator 1000 (sold)
'90 Kawasaki ZX10 (sold)
'82 Moto Guzzi V35 II (sold)
'82 Benelli Export 3V

Was told by the folks at National (V-stream) not to use any loctite agents and just torque the mounting screws at 5 ft lbs. They said the loctite effects the polycarbonate shield and will make it crack. They replaced my shield and I installed it without the loctite, will see how it goes.

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Randal Tebeau
Blairsville, GA
CMA National Evangelist SE Region
BMWMOA, AMA, ABATE
2006 K1200LT
1996 F650

FYI- Last year in late Fall I believe... Cee Bailey had a sale on their screens. 20% OFF!
I am betting that with the economy the way it is......has to be a sale coming up.

I need a new one...but...I'll wait.

__________________
Bob Thede
'02 K1200 LT-Blackie II
'97 BMW Z3-SO's
BMWMOA #135792
CCR-'08
'62 Fender Jazz Bass-played often!

Well, luckily I didn't use loctite on the screws.

I simply used a kind of siliconic paste but only between the screw heads and the metal plate which is on top of the screen. I didn't touch the screen itself.

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'06 K 1200 LT - Dark Graphite
'05 Cagiva Navigator 1000 (sold)
'90 Kawasaki ZX10 (sold)
'82 Moto Guzzi V35 II (sold)
'82 Benelli Export 3V

Good Day!

This can drive a person crazy trying to make heads or tails of all this. I was lucky to have a dealer ( Sierra BMW) who carried many Demo screens for me to try. The bottom line was,,,for my seat, toso size, screen height the V Stream worked the best for ME. To find the closest thing to perfect try as many as you can before buying. Live with the one that makes ya happy, and be done with it. Oh yes! Great idea to replace arms with something stronger, if or when they break.

I also bought the VStream to make create a better riding experience for my wife, who is also 5"10" and both of us noticed a huge difference over the stock screen. Personally if it were just me, all the time for a riding/comfort/noise factor, the stock screen worked just fine. What I do not like about the stock screen, is it is not optically correct and so when I have it in a raised position for my wife's comfort, I prefer the optical clarity of the Vstream much better. I have not tried the Cee Bailey on the LT, but had it on a Tiger 1050 I owned. It was not much of an improvement over the Triumph Touring screen and scratched easily. I was not confident it would hold up and thus protect me from a hard blow of road debris. I have more faith in the polycarbonate construction of the Vstream.

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Regards & Ride Safe!

Bruce
'09 Black LT
4-Wheels moves the body, 2-wheels moves the soul.
IBA # 8547