Venture Windshield

[Patch]

Hello fellow Venture owners.

This is our 1^st and only Yamaha, -and a bike that has always peeked my interest. I found this one 2 years back in a small town on the Northern edge of Alberta; a one owner bike 73K (klm), left in the yard for I think 4 or 7 years rarely run!

My ride back was a tough one mainly due to weather, I left there late drove much of the night in a cold rain, prairie winds and on old tires. l I found that a steady wind on the beam was something this bike could handle well, providing the wind was steady, gusts or confused winds which we get plenty of, I found that the windshield and trunk seem to get pulled on:( unlike like my old Cade.

By the time I got home I had a dislike for this windscreen! I seem to hunt for my line in a curve found this to be "un-relaxing" simply did not like all the opaque lines the eye finds looking through it, also that the factory height causes the flattish top to drag rather than lift flow over. So like many of you I am making changes to it- here’s pic's of the 1^st change, likely by the time I finish tuning it, it will be close to the blacked out area.

For the record I wear a full-face helmet, it hides my years;) and I also ride sport bikes so enjoy some draft!

 

I have some interesting engine work I just completed which I'll post later, good information for someone getting their Venture ready for touring after a long park!

 

SG

[camos]

I have been considering what you have stated regarding the windshield for a while and have not come up with anything positive to say about the changes you are thinking of. Thought I would chime in anyway and possibly break the ice...so to speak.

 

Not being critical of your intent at all, just a personal opinion I guess. I have been riding my Ventures for about 4 years and came from a cruiser before that. The 90 VR has a full height shield and the 89 has a somewhat shortened one and I can look over both of them. Wear a modular helmet and never close the visor but do lower it a bit in rainy weather. Living in the Camelot of North America where extreme weather is against the law, can't say I have ever experienced an issue similar to the one you describe.

 

Been down to The Dalles and Wyoming and have run into prairie wind conditions and never had an issue with excessive pulling. Certainly a large touring bike has more wind resistance than sport bikes and will be affected more by wind anomalies. Getting backdrafted by a semi flying by is noticeable but not the least bit unnerving.

 

I can't say I like the shape you have come up with, it's just wrong for a touring bike, kinda like the shield on the F6B is wrong too. Sitting upright and totally protected is the way I like to travel. Hope you find something that works for you.

[Patch]

Well you did the right thing Clive!

In the end we are a sum of our experiences!

I do know what being blown of a highway is like. I also have had many bikes and many trips under my belt. Setting up a bike for the individual rider is different rider to rider.

I don't think any bike any make any where, is a perfect set up for everyone, so I am particular to how a bike handles and have reason to change my windscreen, so I did this I took it out yesterday specifically went through a wind corridor in a bluff area. While it is always a sobering experience up there I thought it handle better in those wind gusts and to boot I enjoy the feeling of the air moving over my shoulders, I know I'm on a bike!

90% of my time riding is one up.

 

As for the the paint scheme, that is my bike, not a show bike for original condition;)

 

Cheers man