MadStad Windscreen Review (w/photos)

[Electrojake]

MadStad Engineering Windscreen Review

http://www.madstad.com/

Anyone who rides can tell you that wind blast and the noise it creates can ruin an otherwise enjoyable excursion. As a daily commuter with several different bikes in the stable, I have found that some machines suffer from wind noise issues more than others. This particular product review was done on the humble Suzuki GS500F however; it was a similar issue on a BMW F800ST that fortunately led me to the MadStad product.

After experimenting with a number of aftermarket wind screens such as Puig, ZeroGravity, Laminar, and even a few home-made concoctions, I was at wits end. I could alter the wind blast and noise problem but not eliminate it.

Eventually I came across the MadStad Engineering web site. I was not in the mood to spend yet more money on another product that I felt wouldn't fix the problem so I decided to email MadStad with my wind noise woes. I assumed the vendor would have a typical "just buy it" attitude. I could not have been more wrong. Within hours I received a reply from MadStad customer support. Although they did not have a specific product for my Suzuki, they were very interested in "engineering" one.

After a few emails, some measurements, and a phone conversation, MadStad had come up with a solution they felt would be the magic bullet that I have been searching for; a ZeroGravity 32-161-02 windscreen with a set of RoboBrackets supporting an 18" Spyder windshield.

Mark at MadStad fabbed the kit in his shop in Florida and shipped the goods (with tools, hardware, & printed instructions) to my Central Jersey location. Within an hour of the package arriving, my old stock windshield was off and the MadStad creation was on.
The bike looked beautiful! My humble little GS500F was transformed into a rather snazzy looking sport tourer.



So it looks nice but what about the wind noise???
Completely gone! Nothing short of amazing.
I could ride without ear plugs, and now for the first time I could hear my engine! The valve train, the tranny, the exhaust, it was all there. The fatigue and stress of riding at freeway speeds has been reduced tenfold. 70 MPH has never been so pleasant!

The hardware that MadStad Engineering sent me. . . and the neat little hex key & 10mm wrench which is included.


Here are the famous "RoBo Brackets". . . and a close-up.


This aluminum brace gets installed behind the stock windscreen to make things super strong. . .


I found that the MadStad product is very sturdy. There was no bouncing or rattling when traveling over gravel roads, no bending or deforming at high speeds. It did not seem to alter the feel or handling of the bike.
This setup is also very adjustable and that is the key to its exceptional design. I was able to make major (or minor) adjustments to the windscreen position on the side of the road in a few minutes. It didn't take long to adjust the RoboBrackets into a position that was quiet and comfortable.



As shown above, the MadStad windscreens come in clear or smoke tint. Additionally they can be ordered in a thick (4.5mm) version or a thin (3.0mm) version. I tested both thick & thin, and the smoke &  clear versions of the product. All worked well. My favorite screen is the clear & thin. I felt that the smoke tint windscreen looked a lot better (sexier) than the clear, but I ride almost exclusively at night so I went with the clear screen.

As for the thick screen vs. the thin. . .
The 4.5mm thick unit was bullet-proof and would be a "must have" item for an adventure-tourer bike but I felt it was a bit too much for the sporty street life of a Suzuki GS500F, hence my favor to the thin 3.0mm screen.





A mix of photos of the bike with the clear, and the smoke tint screen. . .



Taking the screen off the bike is fast & simple.
The four T-screws shown below are the only thing that get removed.
Swapping between smoke and clear is a snap!


The MadStad website is very informative and there are a number of .pdf files you can download. They sell windshields, mounting brackets and can develop wind noise solutions. Their products are high quality and the service is outstanding.
Contact and ordering details are on their web site.
http://www.madstad.com/


In closing I would like to state that I spend a lot of time and money testing comfort, performance, and safety products for my own use. MadStad Engineering produced one of the few products that I can truly call outstanding. An exceptional product that worked without tweaking, hacking, or modifying. The price was reasonable too. I am truly pleased.

Please note the following. . .
1.) I have no connection to MadStad. I received no gifts or favors from MadStad Engineering. I provided this review because the product is worth knowing about.
2.) The MadStad equipment can be mounted to the stock Suzuki windshield but for me (at 6'3" tall) the ZeroGravity P/N: 32-161-02 replacement screen in combination with the MadStad 18" Spyder on a set of MadStad RoboBrackets provided the particular level of protection and style I wanted.
3.) If you don't see your bike listed on their web site, contact customer support. They may be able to help you with a custom solution. Their windshields come in a number of different size and shape configurations. Explore their web site!

Regards,
Electrojake

[elader]

Holy heck that thing is big. So now the bike has two windshields on it AND a metal plate?

I wear earplugs and enjoy the breeze on the GS. However for serious miles at high speed, this does look interesting.

[Electrojake]

Holy heck that thing is big. So now the bike has two windshields on it AND a metal plate?
I wear earplugs and enjoy the breeze on the GS. However for serious miles at high speed, this does look interesting.

.
Agreed elader, large indeed, but that's what it took to kill the noise issue on the GS.
I know a little about noise too.
I also ride one of these. . .



A Harley XL1200C.
It has "Zero" wind protection, and at 60 MPH it feels silent compared to the GS.
Hugging the gas tank on the GS will make things quiet but I'm somewhat of an old fart so I either sit-up or lay-back on long rides.
My "chest on the tank" days are long gone!

Cheers,
-Ej-

[elader]

tell me about the gauges and stuff installed on the fairings of the GS?

[Electrojake]

Geez. . .
And I was so proud of my windshield review. Seems it was a dud.
I guess turning the GS500F into an Adventure-Tourer bike is a bit off key for this crowd.
Oh well. The MadStad equipment (IMHO) has been a godsend.

As for the four additional gauges on my bike. . .
I think I did a thread on them a while ago, however, I can't seem to find it.
I'll put something together and start a new thread and post the link right here.
Thanks for your interest!
Regards,
-Ej-

[Paulcet]

Geez. . .
And I was so proud of my windshield review. Seems it was a dud.

I thought it was a great review.  Not my kind of thing, but it's good to know what is out there and it's always good to hear of a good company.
Thanks for posting.

[Chuck500]

Thanks for the posting.  I too was looking for something to reduce the blast when riding long miles.  I tried the Laminar Lip on the stock screen.  It seemed to reduce the blast but made so much noise over 45 mph that I had to return it.  Now I run the Zero Gravity touring screen.  For me it reduces the pressure on my head and shoulders without making more noise than the stock screen did. (maybe now I'll try the Laminar on the Zero Gravity? )  You set up looks very good and interesting.   I like the look it gives to your bike.  Did the mounting plate take getting used to?  Or, do you look so far above it that it doesn't matter?  It is nice to hear of a company that will work to make someting fit our bikes.  Lack of aftermarket is one of the challenges.

Keep the shiny side up

Chuck

[Electrojake]

Thanks for the posting.  I too was looking for something to reduce the blast when riding long miles.  I tried the Laminar Lip on the stock screen.  It seemed to reduce the blast but made so much noise over 45 mph that I had to return it.  Now I run the Zero Gravity touring screen.  For me it reduces the pressure on my head and shoulders without making more noise than the stock screen did. (maybe now I'll try the Laminar on the Zero Gravity? )  You set up looks very good and interesting.   I like the look it gives to your bike.  Did the mounting plate take getting used to?  Or, do you look so far above it that it doesn't matter?  It is nice to hear of a company that will work to make someting fit our bikes.  Lack of aftermarket is one of the challenges.

Keep the shiny side up
Chuck

Funny you should mention those products Chuck. . .
Last spring I did a review on the Lamina LIP mounted on a ZeroGravity touring windscreen.
Here; check out this link to the thread!

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=52196.msg589576#msg589576

Regards,
-Ej-

[Shaddow]

I like the windshield set up. Is it adjustable too? I've seen that sort of set up on some of the dual purpose bikes. I also noticed on top of the gauges you run bar end mirrors?

[Electrojake]

Perhaps this will help. . .
The following link will take you to the GSTwin forum thread that has a link to a YouTube video outlining the mods I have done thus far.
Simply click the YouTube link in my first post in the thread.
Have a look!
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=53647.0

Regards,
-Ej-

[Chuck500]

Great video ElectroJanke!!

Quickest ten minutes I ever spent on You Tube


Keep the shiny side up,

Chuck

[Electrojake]

Link to the products links page. . .
http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=53758.0#new
-Ej-

[grayfox500]

Sorry to resurrect a 2 year old thread but I have a ZeroGravity touring screen currently and with my taller torso am looking for additional wind protection.

Electrojake,
Are you still using this windscreen, did any other issues crop up in the past 2 years?
Did the kit require any drilling of the base ZeroGravity screen to mount the madstad screen?

[Dizzledan]

Sending a PM would be a better bet than resurrecting a dead thread. PMs will generate an email notification to the OP.

[SAFE-T]

[Higgins13]

tell me about the gauges and stuff installed on the fairings of the GS?

More info! Those are amazing!