New Calsci windshield for F650GS / F800GS

[marklawrence]

* Vented for minimum turbulence and back pressure
* Excellent coverage of arms, sides, head
* Shape designed to compliment the lines of the GS
* Made from 4.5mm thick (3/16") DOT certified impact resistant plastic.
* Laser cut for precision aerodynamics and fit
* Includes storage cover, micro-fiber cleaning towel, and mini-spray bottle of windshield cleaner.

Design note on our GS windshields:
BMW has chosen to fold the stock windshield back at the lower outside corners and attach these corners to the fairing. Most after market windshields for the GS series follow this design. Our experience and opinion is that this results in the outside lower portion of the shield acting like an upside-down wing, pulling air under and around the bottom of the windshield and drawing it into your ribs and up your chest, reducing windshield effectiveness and increasing noise and turbulence at your helmet. Our GS shields do not fold back and form these wings at the lower corners, and therefore do not produce these effects.

http://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/F800GSprod.html

[DSRIDER]

Who's going to go first here and give us a report? This is the shield I have been leaning toward.

[karlcchen]

I had very good experience with their windshield for my 2004 R1150RT. They should take advantage of BMW toruing windshield additional mouting bars to secure the windshield more.


Karl

Originally Posted by DSRIDER

Who's going to go first here and give us a report? This is the shield I have been leaning toward.

[dmfick]

I have the new Cee Bailey's tall windshield (pics below), modified by drilling to use the extra BMW touring windshield support. It is the best of my three so far (original, and BMW touring tall version - both of these directed wind straight at me).

I need a bit more height and would try a CalSci if I can get another inch or two of height - but it looks like their vent is right where the touruing windshield support would attach. I like the idea of not turning up the bottom wings like all the others, plus it looks wider up high. I want as much protecion as I can get in the winter!

[karlcchen]

Thanks for sharing, I hope "Cee Baily" reflective windshield has improvmed.
Last Cee Baily windshield for R1150RT have has too much reflection, day or night.
It is especially noticable in the night sesing headlights reflection on windsheild everywhere. Impossible to concentrate on the road.
I called it "See (my own) Belly" windshiled and return it.

Karl

Originally Posted by dmfick

I have the new Cee Bailey's tall windshield (pics below), modified by drilling to use the extra BMW touring windshield support. It is the best of my three so far (original, and BMW touring tall version - both of these directed wind straight at me).

I need a bit more height and would try a CalSci if I can get another inch or two of height - but it looks like their vent is right where the touruing windshield support would attach. I like the idea of not turning up the bottom wings like all the others, plus it looks wider up high. I want as much protecion as I can get in the winter!

[dmfick]

Originally Posted by karlcchen

Thanks for sharing, I hope "Cee Baily" reflective windshield has improvmed.
Last Cee Baily windshield for R1150RT have has too much reflection, day or night.
It is especially noticable in the night sesing headlights reflection on windsheild everywhere. Impossible to concentrate on the road.
I called it "See (my own) Belly" windshiled and return it.

Karl

Interesting. I have had 5 Cee Bailey windshields and have never had a reflection problem. I did have one distortion issue, but they replaced it. I guess it depends on the application and bike, as every windshield is different by model. I see no reflections or distortions on the tall one they make for the GS. I am still interested in the CalSci if it is an inch taller and can handle being supported by the OEM BMW touring windshield support.

[Bruce.B]

Originally Posted by dmfick

Interesting. I have had 5 Cee Bailey windshields and have never had a reflection problem. I did have one distortion issue, but they replaced it. I guess it depends on the application and bike, as every windshield is different by model. I see no reflections or distortions on the tall one they make for the GS. ...

I can confirm that I've not had any issue with reflections on either of 2 Cee Bailey screens. And fortunately no problem with distortion either. Since the screen surfaces aren't optically coated it certainly seems possible to have reflections. It probably has to do with the geometry between the eyes, the screen and where reflections might come from.

Bruce

[krowbar]

my apologies if I come of as a total idiot here, but is there some kind of airflow magic that keeps the rain from coming through the vent in the center of the shield? Would it soak a GPS mounted on the stem?

[karlcchen]

David,

Did you drilled those two holes youself?
Cee Baily has two two mountings on the side as well, just like stock. Cal-Sci has eliminated two side mountings - a little bit concerned.

Thanks,
Karl

Originally Posted by dmfick

I have the new Cee Bailey's tall windshield (pics below), modified by drilling to use the extra BMW touring windshield support. It is the best of my three so far (original, and BMW touring tall version - both of these directed wind straight at me).

I need a bit more height and would try a CalSci if I can get another inch or two of height - but it looks like their vent is right where the touruing windshield support would attach. I like the idea of not turning up the bottom wings like all the others, plus it looks wider up high. I want as much protecion as I can get in the winter!

[dresda]

Originally Posted by krowbar

my apologies if I come of as a total idiot here, but is there some kind of airflow magic that keeps the rain from coming through the vent in the center of the shield? Would it soak a GPS mounted on the stem?

I'd really like to know the answer to this as well. I've got a waterproof Garmin 76CSX, but still don't want it sopping wet.

[dmfick]

Originally Posted by karlcchen

David,

Did you drilled those two holes youself?
Cee Baily has two two mountings on the side as well, just like stock. Cal-Sci has eliminated two side mountings - a little bit concerned.

Thanks,
Karl

I did drill the two holes for the BMW touring windshield support myself. I mounted the windshield using the standard screws. It lined up very nicely and snuged up against the added tall touring windshied support with no stress, so I drilled two small pilot holes from behind the support through the windshield, and then removed the windshield and enlarged them to the same size as all the others. No problem at all. I think the two side screws are essential and am also concerned about how firm the CalSci would be at high speeds, especially the tall version. The BMW mountiing system, both stock and the touring support, triangulate the windshield, which adds to stability and strength. I get the CalSci argument that flipping it back on the bottom increases turbulence, so would be willing to give their's a try if it is at least an inch taller than my tall Cee Bailey windshield.

[philspace]

Originally Posted by dmfick

Interesting. I have had 5 Cee Bailey windshields and have never had a reflection problem. I did have one distortion issue, but they replaced it. I guess it depends on the application and bike, as every windshield is different by model. I see no reflections or distortions on the tall one they make for the GS. I am still interested in the CalSci if it is an inch taller and can handle being supported by the OEM BMW touring windshield support.

Same here, I have a Cee Bailey on our RT and as a winter shield for my GT, never had an issue with reflection. The screen on the GT is a light tint as well.

[karlcchen]

Not sure why you said cal-sci don't have 1" higher windshield than cee bailey?

From their website for F650/F800 TWIN:

Cal-sci have heights: 16.5", 19" and 21".
Cee-Bailey height: 16",18",20"

Karl

Originally Posted by dmfick

I did drill the two holes for the BMW touring windshield support myself. I mounted the windshield using the standard screws. It lined up very nicely and snuged up against the added tall touring windshied support with no stress, so I drilled two small pilot holes from behind the support through the windshield, and then removed the windshield and enlarged them to the same size as all the others. No problem at all. I think the two side screws are essential and am also concerned about how firm the CalSci would be at high speeds, especially the tall version. The BMW mountiing system, both stock and the touring support, triangulate the windshield, which adds to stability and strength. I get the CalSci argument that flipping it back on the bottom increases turbulence, so would be willing to give their's a try if it is at least an inch taller than my tall Cee Bailey windshield.

[jessehere]

Originally Posted by krowbar
my apologies if I come of as a total idiot here, but is there some kind of airflow magic that keeps the rain from coming through the vent in the center of the shield? Would it soak a GPS mounted on the stem?

Originally Posted by dresda

I'd really like to know the answer to this as well. I've got a waterproof Garmin 76CSX, but still don't want it sopping wet.

i can just imagine telling the hardley guys I just bought a screen with a big hole in the middle I would never hear the end of it

[krowbar]

emailed CalSci. They said that nothing will stop the rain and bugs. It helps with airflow. They were very prompt and honest. No doubt it's a great shield. Personally I can't deal with the opening (10 in. sq.). I'm flawed.

[karlcchen]

Opening to reduced turbulence. Very effective on my 2004 R1150RT with their high and wide windsheild.

Karl

Originally Posted by krowbar

emailed CalSci. They said that nothing will stop the rain and bugs. It helps with airflow. They were very prompt and honest. No doubt it's a great shield. Personally I can't deal with the opening (10 in. sq.). I'm flawed.

[ChiefPilot]

We tested and now have the CalSci on my wife's F650GS Twin.

She's SO happy with it over her original OEM low screen. Buffeting at all speeds is GONE. She has ridden it in a pouring rain and the hole really does not get the stuff behind it does not get any wetter than normal.

I took her bike out and tried it at high speed, much higher than she'll ever ride it and bserved the CalSci screen was very stable and didn't vibrate very much at all. Not even enough to really notice or be a distraction.

Bottom line it, it works as advertized, Mark at CalSci is a great guy to work with and above all, my wife is happy.

And we all know that a happy wife is much easier to live with!

(I'm so impressed with the CalSci screen that I also have one on my R1200GS that I'll use during early and late riding seasons here in the north woods when the temps require a little extra wiind protection.)

[karlcchen]

Buffeting is gone? Compared to which make of high windshield?
As BMW original low screen doesn't have buffeting, the wind just directly hit rider directly on upper body. As for BMW touring windshield, wind hit mostly head and both arms too.

Karl

Originally Posted by ChiefPilot

We tested and now have the CalSci on my wife's F650GS Twin.

She's SO happy with it over her original OEM low screen. Buffeting at all speeds is GONE. She has ridden it in a pouring rain and the hole really does not get the stuff behind it does not get any wetter than normal.

I took her bike out and tried it at high speed, much higher than she'll ever ride it and bserved the CalSci screen was very stable and didn't vibrate very much at all. Not even enough to really notice or be a distraction.

Bottom line it, it works as advertized, Mark at CalSci is a great guy to work with and above all, my wife is happy.

And we all know that a happy wife is much easier to live with!

(I'm so impressed with the CalSci screen that I also have one on my R1200GS that I'll use during early and late riding seasons here in the north woods when the temps require a little extra wiind protection.)

[ChiefPilot]

She's only 5'6" sitting on a low seat and low chasis - got a lot of buffetting. So much so that she could not and would not drive at freeway speeds without severe neck pain resulting.

I can't make any comparison as I never rode it without the CalSci screen on it.

Your experience may vary.....

[karlcchen]

I see, I would like to see a comparison of buffeting on Calsci and others ( like Cee Bailey ) - probably not likely to happen soon.

BTW, I am 5'7" with F650GS lower seat, but don't remember any buffeting with low windshield. Just a lot of wind on upper body and noise too. I have BMW touring windshield now and would like a taller windshield for winter too.

Thanks,
Karl

Originally Posted by ChiefPilot

She's only 5'6" sitting on a low seat and low chasis - got a lot of buffetting. So much so that she could not and would not drive at freeway speeds without severe neck pain resulting.

I can't make any comparison as I never rode it without the CalSci screen on it.

Your experience may vary.....

[DSRIDER]

Chief Pilot, How tall are you and what size screen do you have on her bike? I think this is the screen I will buy but am wondering which size to get. Thanks!

Originally Posted by ChiefPilot

We tested and now have the CalSci on my wife's F650GS Twin.

She's SO happy with it over her original OEM low screen. Buffeting at all speeds is GONE. She has ridden it in a pouring rain and the hole really does not get the stuff behind it does not get any wetter than normal.

I took her bike out and tried it at high speed, much higher than she'll ever ride it and bserved the CalSci screen was very stable and didn't vibrate very much at all. Not even enough to really notice or be a distraction.

Bottom line it, it works as advertized, Mark at CalSci is a great guy to work with and above all, my wife is happy.

And we all know that a happy wife is much easier to live with!

(I'm so impressed with the CalSci screen that I also have one on my R1200GS that I'll use during early and late riding seasons here in the north woods when the temps require a little extra wiind protection.)

[ChiefPilot]

THe one on her bike is the medium size, not exactly sure what that one is.

I'm 6'1". 33" inseam riding her low seat.

To be fair, I just took her bike ot for a short ride today, and have this to report:

Outside air temp = 31 Deg F
Calm winds and sunshine.

I again was impressed. The air flow was about 3-4" above my helmet. Excellent coverage and protection for the rider. Was out about 30 minutes without my ATGATT, just some warm clothes and thought if I had my windproof riding gear on I could have ridden all afternoon. And that was mainly because of the protection afforded by the CalSci wind screen. (I think I'll add the fairing wind deflectors for her as there was plenty of breeze on my lower legs.)

I placed my hand behind the hole in the screen to see what kind of force was blowing onto the rider and bar mounted farkles. It was clear that any force of the incoming wind through the hole was pretty much non-existant by the time it reaches the center of the handle bars. I didn't notice anything ay all with a bared hand (took glove off) from that point to my chest area.

Again, I'm sold on these screens for rider comfort and protection without anything like the Aero Flow type screens which are much larger and obstrusive.

Add Mark's (CalSci) great customer service and quick handling of order and shipping...Well, you'd have to go a long way to beat his products.

[jrwooden]

Have you seen any concerns with the taller screen and using only the 4 stock mounting points?

Thanks,
Jim

[Eurastus]

Originally Posted by jrwooden

Have you seen any concerns with the taller screen and using only the 4 stock mounting points?

Thanks,
Jim

That was my concern exactly. I decided to go with another brand for a large, winter, screen that uses more mounting points. I'll likely purchase a medium CalSci (smallest size they offer on this bike) for summer use, though.

That's my plan for now, anyway...

[Navaho]

ChiefPilot, does her bike have handguards? Was there any clearance issues?