opinions on DB and Touring windshields for new gen

[wardie]

Going on a pretty long trip about 11 days and 2,000 miles. I have a stock 2012 250 Ninja and am looking at maybe the touring or DB zero Gravity screen. Anyone have REAL WORLD experience with using any of these on their bikes and can give me before and after opinions?

[eddiekay]

I have zero g on 300....works OK, looks great, inexpensive.
I had custom Gustafson on ninjette....twice the price of zero g, ugly, the best windshield I ever had. nothing else even comes close, better than stock FJR, Goldwing. Zoom in on pic.

[NevadaWolf]

Are you looking specifically for the brand review or for the style review?

I have a generic Chinese version from eBay that is slightly lower than the double bubble but higher than stock. I noticed an improvement in fighting a mild headwind, but once the wind picked up it was still a fight to push through it.

I was also told of a nifty gizmo that keeps the original screen and adds a touring option: http://www.laminarlip.com/ex250.php

[Sirref]

I've been looking into a double bubble myself to keep a little more wind off me in the winter weather this year.

The big thing here is what they're designed to do, the touring is probably the one you want because it's designed for a rider with a more upright profile while the db is designed for you to tuck in a bit and is a bit sportier. Typically when I'm riding highway I'm at a semi-comfortable 3/4 tuck (somewhere a tab bit lower than the natural supersport leaning position) or sitting bolt upright and not giving a damn about the wind, a situation where the db won't change anything.

[verboten1]

http://www.amazon.com/Addmotor-Super...ct_top?ie=UTF8

The stock windshield hit me too low, the DB hits me right at the shoulders, head is in clean air, it was the best $16 I spent on my bike.

[micoulisninja]

after testing 4 aftermarket DB (including Zero Gravity's, a chinese, ermax and MRA) windshields (Greece is full of 250s), being unsatisfied of the wind protection they offered, I decided to give a go to the Zero Gravity touring version... it was the bulkiest of them all, kinda stuck out of the bike and looked weird without a rider on the bike....
but in terms of wind protection and top speed performance it is by far the best !!
never gonna be popular though, people care more for the looks...
anyway, at the time it was available to order only transparent and I wanted it light smoke, because bike was black at the time and it looked even weirder... in addition to that it was only 2mm thick (less than 0,1") and looked quite fragile because of its mass... so I took it out, had it replicated by a pvc/abs fairing specialist and put it back on... eventually a couple of days later (less than 2 months from purchase) I was at the track and all around the bike checking tire pressure etc... I hit it accidentaly with my elbow (not with that much strength to justify the damage made) while wearing my racing suit and a big piece cracked off right away
anyway, next day I put on my 3mm thick light smoke replicate and I have that ever since... I will have it made again if I ever crack it... it is indeed the most effective for highway riding

[wardie]

The ZG Sport Touring shield came packaged very well no scratches well insulated from breaking. I removed the two large mirror bolts from the inside and all four shield screws. They are two different lengths just saying

Old windshield came out easily and I swapped out the rubber well nuts. One note here. My bike is a new (non current) 2012. I suspect if you have an 08 or 09 they may be brittle so buying two new ones would be best advice I can give.

New windshield definitely not beauty queen but I prize function or form any day especially when I'm prepping for a 2K trip in two weeks. Plenty of room behind the shield to store your gloves or hat.

Definitely moves the wind up to the helmet region. I have an Arai and its a quiet helmet but I had less fatigue due to buffeting.

Good purchase. Wardie

[Old Lemon]

Every time I ride, I have a go pro onto of my helmet, with the stock wind screen the wind would go directly into the camera an it would act like a sail and was annoying. I have had a zg db windscreen for a couple years now and all the wind goes above my camera now, a good 3 inches higher than stock. Never tried a touring and all though it looks goofy imo, I doubt you will feel any wind.

well, it seems you already bought something. I should read the first few posts before I post lol o well

[wardie]

After a couple of rides I can say for certain it makes distance travel at 70 mph less fatiguing due to where the wind hits the helmet not the chest. Still undecided about the looks...but its fall and I only care about protection from the elements especially the wind and rain coming back from Biketoberfest mid October could bring both. Thanks to all who responded. Wardie

[AyeCapn]

This week I ordered a Chinese DB knockoff for CAD$17. IT will be my first windshield swap, and I figure its cheap enough for me to test the waters to see if I can even tell a difference from stock.

I will probably go with the touring windscreen next season as I get ready for my first big trip (1500mi), but this seems like a good incremental first step.

Another plus - at $17 it generated minimal stink-eye from Mrs. AyeCapn.

[wardie]

I completed a 2700 mile trip on my 250 using the Zero Gravity Sport Touring windshield. In fairness I went through one of the worst riding storms in my 50 year riding history and found that the screen did a reasonable good job in moving the air up towards top of helmet rather than chest on stock screen.

You have to remember this isn't a BMW with a fairing whose sole design pourpose is to shield you from weather and the bike isn't $16,000. You get a lot of bike for $4100. IMO the shield is worth the money. Don't buy Chinese stock usually doesn't fit isn't aerodynamically correct and generally you'll have somne displeasure with it at some point on some level. Spend the money buy it once. Wardie

[verboten1]

Originally Posted by wardie

Don't buy Chinese stock usually doesn't fit isn't aerodynamically correct and generally you'll have somne displeasure with it at some point on some level.

Have you purchased and installed a Chinese version windshield?

I find that the 2 I have both fit great, work perfectly and lift that air blast just fine.

[wardie]

Originally Posted by verboten1

Have you purchased and installed a Chinese version windshield?

I find that the 2 I have both fit great, work perfectly and lift that air blast just fine.

I offer advice based on my experiences and giving you an opinion as well. I stand by my advice and my opinion that usually the Chinese knock offs at some point disappoint. Let's hope that isn't a factor for you and I hope your shields last a lifetime and I'm glad they are working out for you . This forum works well beacuse we share experiences and opinions in a non abrasive manner which I hope i've conveyed in my post.

I wonder if you had an opportunity to ride another persons bike equiped with the ZG Sport Touring shield and made your own comparison? Just wondered it would be worth hearing how they compare.

Best riding to you Wardie

[AyeCapn]

Originally Posted by wardie

Spend the money buy it once. Wardie

I actually offer a differing opinion. The cheapness and availability of these Chinese knock-offs have been an absolutely fantastic way for me to get into customizing and tinkering with my bike that I would not have been able to do otherwise.

I have no doubt that one day I'll spend the money on the real deal, but for $17 I get a bit more experience in modding and another frame of reference to be able to really tell if Zero Gravity is worth $85+.

When I get into a financial position to be able to afford the more expensive, quality products I hope I'll be that much better able to appreciate them.

[wardie]

" I get a bit more experience in modding and another frame of reference to be able to really tell if Zero Gravity is worth $85+." quoted Aye Capn

Your points are well taken. Should you get the opportunity to test both please share your experiences on them. Thanks wardie

[AyeCapn]

Hey guys,

Despite winter being upon us, the roads have been intermittently bare and dry. While cold, I have been out for a few rides since I last posted about this.

The $17 windshield fit perfectly. Just 4 screws, so not hard to mess up. I suppose the cheap cost is the result of lower quality plastic, but from what I can tell its the same shape as a ZG double bubble.

I would say that there is a noticeable reduction in helmet and chest wind at 100km/h on the highway. Enough that I am surprised it was such a big difference for a cheap knockoff, but not enough that I would think I got my money's worth if I bought the $85 real thing.

It looks great, and the dark smoke matches the black fairings really well. I like it

[FBR_BDavis]

I have a few different DB windscreens for my bike.. My dark smoke tinted screen is a ZG that came with the bike, my blue windscreen is a HotBodies, and my clear screen is a Chinese knock-off.. With that said, there are no noticeable differences between them as far as fit and function are concerned..

Why people have an opinion about an item that they themselves have never even tested is beyond me.. I'll never understand it..

[wardie]

I was the original poster asking about a ZG Sport Touring shield and the follow up became posts about why a Chinese screen is as good at $15 or $25 versus a $85 ZG screen. That wasn't my question but I tried my best to answer truthfully and some felt that I was looking down on the Chinese shield because I haven't tried this "Chinese" screen. I choose not to because they haven't worked out for me in the past. Maybe you have a different opinion and I'm glad they worked out for you.

One poster said he wondered why anyone would comment if they haven't tried it and that seems like a valid point but let me interject two things into this conversation.

I have tried other knock offs and haven't been satisfied because they didn't hold up. I put 7300 miles from mid June through late October on my Ninja. I used a ZG Sport Touring shield . I had no issues with fit or function and/or finish. I have tried knock offs on some other screens and they haven't worked out for me. Mostly because the material wasn't the same and/or the material wasn't as thick and the bolt holes cracked.

Again, if the Chinese screen works for Aye Captin or for FBR_Bdavis or Verbotin great. Now when you get 7 or 8,000 miles on the screen post back let me know if the product still meets your expectations. If it does then you're all way ahead and it was money well spent. I know the ZG brand. Have never had a fit or fatigue failure problem in any of the bikes I've owned.

I can say that the shield did a reasonable job in moving the air up. I think there's limitations with the Ninja's aerodynamics that limit it's total effectiveness because screen makers do want the shield to look decent not real ugly. This screen is what I would call functional in looks but to me serves it's intended purpose.

Now if it would only quit snowing and the temps warm up to mid 40 we'd all be riding.. Wardie

[verboten1]

Originally Posted by wardie

Now when you get 7 or 8,000 miles on the screen post back let me know if the product still meets your expectations.

done and done. I had that many miles on mine (the DB style) when we started this conversation

it is still a piece of plastic that keeps me in clean air.

[wardie]

You had thousands of miles on the DB screen or the knock off DB Verbotin?
If you are satisfied with the DB screen then maybe the screen you received was of better quality than the ones I've had in the past.

My post was wanting to get real world experience from those that used Zero Gravity Sport Touring shield not a Chinese knock off. Maybe the screens from China nowadays are like some of their other products that have impoved because the buying public mandated it so.

BMW (which I own) have had some of their single cylinder motorcycles motors made in China to BMW specs. For all I know maybe the ZG shields are made in China but have to be made to their specs so ensure quality fit and long lasting no fatigue failures.

Based on the experiences of many I went out on a limb ( ha, $26.00) and purchased a pair of adjustable levers made in China for my bike. One fellow has two years on them and the paint is still good and the adjusters have remained intact and working properly so I'm going to try them.

I point this out because I'm not adverse to trying less expensive alternatives but in my particular posting I wanted input on a ZG Sport Touring shield because my personal experiences had differed from yours and AyeCaptin.

You have to admit it's cool to be able to share ideas, tell each other what has worked and in my mind make having a 250 Ninja a more enjoyable experience. Wardie

[FBR_BDavis]

I didn't mean to sidetrack your thread, Wardie.. I simply replied to something that I felt was a bit misplaced in your statement.. No harm intended..

[wardie]

We're cool and it's all good for the betterment of the Ninja community. When the weather breaks I'll install my levers and give a short and down the line long term report on them.

[AyeCapn]

I crossed the 1000km/600-ish mile threshold on a ride yesterday on this, my first bike.

I agree that this windshield will probably crack at least at the bolt holes well before the miles you guys mention. I don't necessarily approach this as a bad thing. I like that i can repkace this cheaply of need be and i still have the stock wondshield.

I'm positive at this point I'd rather have an ugly, but more functional screen than one that doesn't block as much but looks "better". Particularly when I go on my first long road trip this summer.