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New VStream Z2443 Installed Yesterday

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 1:31 pm
by fleuger99
Early yesterday morning I rode from Norfolk MA where I live to Max BMW near Portsmouth NH, about a 87 mile ride each way. It also happened to be 32F (0C) so I layered up four layers deep and then my Tourance 2 cold weather riding suit. Unfortunatly by the time I got there I was shivering and had trouble using my left thumb to cancel lane changes.

The good news, Max BMW was also performing my break-in service and performing the shield installation. Max is a partner with VStream so one can try any Vstream shield for 30 days and as long as it has no damage they will refund you the shield price or one can try another VStream model and not pay for the installation a second time. I wasn't sure if this shield would work and didn't want to be stuck with a useless shield for $395. Max did an awesome job on the service and the tech let me watch much of it. Syncing the throttle bodies was cool using a computer.

The Awesome news, I left Max two hours later with service and installation completed and headed back to the highway. Thankfully, the temp had risen to 48F (9C). As I accelerated onto the highway and upto 75Mph I felt no wind on my upper body at all but my helmet was in clean air. There was also no buffeting. I was grinning ear to ear. The 87 mile ride home was fantastic. I wasn't getting blasted by air and I am so happy I decided to go with this shield.

For those who might want to consider it, I'm 5' 10.5" tall. The wind hits me just above my adams apple so it is doing exactly what I'd hoped it would. The quality of the shield and the mounting brackets are excellent. Even the tech said all the components were top notch and he installed it in 35 minutes. It also doesn't hurt that it looks so awesome on my grey bike.



Here are some pics I just snapped.

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Re: New VStream Z2443 Installed Yesterday

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 9:06 pm
by Patch
Very nice... I keep putting off trying this screen but after another few of these windy-ass days I'm getting closer. Love the look too. Thanks for the pic!

Re: New VStream Z2443 Installed Yesterday

Posted: Sun Apr 29, 2012 10:32 pm
by KMalo
Very encouraging report.

Aesthetically, I like the look. Practically, I think the mini-lowers will help reduce the buffeting some are experiencing. I learned this lesson with naked Moto Guzzis, BTW.

This is a new series of Ztechnic windshields, no? The middle height looks like the one for me.

Chuck

Re: New VStream Z2443 Installed Yesterday

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:52 am
by fleuger99
KMalo wrote:Very encouraging report.

Aesthetically, I like the look. Practically, I think the mini-lowers will help reduce the buffeting some are experiencing. I learned this lesson with naked Moto Guzzis, BTW.

This is a new series of Ztechnic windshields, no? The middle height looks like the one for me.

Chuck
Hey Chuck,

Yes, this is one of three that Ztechnic recently release for the 2011+ R1200R models. This is the 14" screen, there is also a 18.5"(modelZ2442) screen and a 22.5"(model Z2444) screen. I almost went for the 18.5" screen but decided to try the 14" screen first to see if it did the job.

Re: New VStream Z2443 Installed Yesterday

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 5:54 am
by fleuger99
Patch wrote:Very nice... I keep putting off trying this screen but after another few of these windy-ass days I'm getting closer. Love the look too. Thanks for the pic!
It will really transform your highway stints as you won't be getting blown around. I'm planning a 600 mile trip up to Toronto Canada in July and there is no way that would have been enjoyable without a screen.

Re: New VStream Z2443 Installed Yesterday

Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 8:35 am
by KMalo
fleuger99 wrote:
KMalo wrote:Very encouraging report.

Aesthetically, I like the look. Practically, I think the mini-lowers will help reduce the buffeting some are experiencing. I learned this lesson with naked Moto Guzzis, BTW.

This is a new series of Ztechnic windshields, no? The middle height looks like the one for me.

Chuck
Hey Chuck,

Yes, this is one of three that Ztechnic recently release for the 2011+ R1200R models. This is the 14" screen, there is also a 18.5"(modelZ2442) screen and a 22.5"(model Z2444) screen. I almost went for the 18.5" screen but decided to try the 14" screen first to see if it did the job.
We shall see. I plan to order one this week; hopefully today.

Chuck

Re: New VStream Z2443 Installed Yesterday

Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 6:00 pm
by deilenberger
Looks nice.

Can we see a photo of the bike on the centerstand, side view of the screen.. I'm interested in the angle of attack. And the extended lowers do look like they'd shield the fork tube tunnels in the tank.

How does it mount? I can see the bolt going into the side of the triple-tree, where is the bottom mount? Wondering if the bracket is specific to the 2012 models, or if they might have a bracket for earlier models. From what I can see the bracket looks much less intrusive then the mount they originally made for the R12R..

Re: New VStream Z2443 Installed Yesterday

Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 6:06 pm
by deilenberger
Looked on their website.. and unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately for my wallet) - this model is only for the '11-12 bikes so far. Hope they decide to make it fit the earlier models.

Re: New VStream Z2443 Installed Yesterday

Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 6:40 pm
by sky_sailor
deilenberger wrote:Looked on their website.. and unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately for my wallet) - this model is only for the '11-12 bikes so far. Hope they decide to make it fit the earlier models.
Don, what windshield are you currently using?
Lyle

Re: New VStream Z2443 Installed Yesterday

Posted: Thu May 03, 2012 5:15 pm
by deilenberger
sky_sailor wrote:
deilenberger wrote:Looked on their website.. and unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately for my wallet) - this model is only for the '11-12 bikes so far. Hope they decide to make it fit the earlier models.
Don, what windshield are you currently using?
Lyle
Currently - my CeeBailey 18" in a modified (tipped back) touring mount. Almost time to swap in the 16" one..

Re: New VStream Z2443 Installed Yesterday

Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 11:17 am
by Mustang Man
I recently installed the Z2442 version ZTechnik Windshield. It is the 18.5 inch high one. Other than the buffeting above 60mph, I like it pretty well. The lower windshield extensions give a little more protection. It is a solid mount, but the buffeting still is annoying. I have used the Cee Baileys windshields on other BMW's and they have performed well. I chose the Z for the better coverage. I hope I did the right thing.

Re: New VStream Z2443 Installed Yesterday

Posted: Sun Jul 01, 2012 3:24 pm
by KMalo
Mustang Man wrote:I recently installed the Z2442 version ZTechnik Windshield. It is the 18.5 inch high one. Other than the buffeting above 60mph, I like it pretty well. The lower windshield extensions give a little more protection. It is a solid mount, but the buffeting still is annoying. I have used the Cee Baileys windshields on other BMW's and they have performed well. I chose the Z for the better coverage. I hope I did the right thing.
Out of curiosity, how tall are you? I have the same screen on my R12R and find that the air hits my helmet right at the crown -- having the effect of ramming air into my Shoei's front air vents. It's sure nice in the warm weather.

I am 5'7" and feel that any taller and I'd want the 21" version of the screen. I might get one anyway for the colder weather. On the ZTechnik website they suggest the taller screen for riders 6'1" or something like that. Don't think I agree with that one.

My experience is that with the 18.5" version I get some noise but not anything I'd call real buffeting. Since I wear earplugs 100% of the time it doesn't bother me. Sustained cruising at 70+ hasn't been problem.

Chuck