commuter mods

[bertman4]

Hey All,

I recently added some stuff to my 2002 Suzuki GS500: National Cycle F-16 Sport Fairing Dark Tint and SHAD SH40 CA Top Case. You can view the process and comments I made on my Flickr site. Here's a direct link.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49853767@N00/sets/72157618114990793/
Here are some preview images.
Before

After


Bertman

[Malatesta]

Very cool.

I had my F converted to an E and added the F-16 screen as well....like it a lot.

That top case is pretty nice and surprisingly not too expensive.  What mount are you using for it?

[xanthras]

I am sort a new to riding. I have an 94 and have just recently been hitting speeds of 50-60 mph. Quite a bit of wind. How much does that little thing help? If it makes a big difference I might need to get one...

[bertman4]

That top case is pretty nice and surprisingly not too expensive.  What mount are you using for it?

I purchased the one offered by SHAD. I got the topmaster kit. They also make one for a combination of top case and saddle bags. The rand and mount feels solid.

Bertman

[bertman4]

I am sort a new to riding. I have an 94 and have just recently been hitting speeds of 50-60 mph. Quite a bit of wind. How much does that little thing help? If it makes a big difference I might need to get one...

So far I don't notice a huge difference, but then again the temperature has warmed up. It does keep the wind off the chest. I feel air buffeting mostly at the shoulders and bottom of the helmet. It may be that I need to adjust the angle but as you saw on my installation photos, it's not very adjustable on the GS500. The clear tint F16 is taller. The F15s are larger. If wind is a serious concern, those might be a better fit.

Bertman

[gsJack]

My 02 GS500 has a twin brother, almost.      I use a big Plexi 2 shield for winters here in NE Ohio and put on a smaller Spitfire shield in the summer.  The spitfire is 15" tall and when I first put it on the line of turbulance off the top hit me right in the face/helmet.  Very annoying indeed.  I lowered it a bit and tipped it back so the line of turbulance hit me neck high and it was just right for high speed 70-80 mph indicated freeway travel with a full face helmet.  Still gives full wind in the face and arms/hands on warm days.  Takes the load off the chest at speed.



There are F-15, F-16, and F-18 shields that are more stylish than the Spitfire and more costly.  The older Natioal Cycle Deflector Screens and Street Shields are also still available too.  Click on the white flag spots to get the height dimensions:

http://shop.nationalcycle.com/perl/cycle/nresults2.html?search_model=su-022

My Spitfire is the same size as the NC Deflector Screen and half the price.  I converted it from 2 point to 4 point mounting.

[bertman4]

Update on wind protection. I wore a different jacket and noticed something. The wind is hitting my sides. I don't think the F16 is wide enough to give your entire torso wind protection. And no, it's not because I'm horizontally challenged. I'm 5'9", 160lbs, size 31 waist, and when riding at highway speed, I feel the wind on both sides of the rib cage. So my conclusion is that the F16 smoke tint provides minimal wind protection but looks cool.
Bertman

[Toogoofy317]

This helps with the wind very well!

Just ribbin ya! That's why the "F"s rule!

Mary