[StoneTrekker]

Easy guys....

Could BS stand for Best Shield? I'm testing one and intend to find out for myself.

Rationale: I have absolutely nothing but love for the quality, appearance and protection offered by our current 13” Freedom Shield Touring model. My wife tells me she gets buffeted pretty hard at times (70 mph and up) and dirty air from big vehicles ahead of us.

I've studied the whole Madstad thing for years and there's no mystery in it for me. I'm going to test its performance for us and see if it's worth the cost.

Aesthetics: Tolerable to me I guess. Not an enhancement or big negative either way. I've seen plenty of regular windshields that were harder on my eyes than the Madstad. Maybe it's like Barbra Streisand's nose...I try not to focus on it too much. If the shield performs well for both of us we'll adjust to the appearance. After all, we adjusted to what we once thought was rather...odd; the Road Glide fairing. We love it now, and maybe the same thing could happen with the Madstad.

Installation: Nothing could be easier. Components are all really nice stuff. I had it together quickly and it fit the bike perfectly. I like it when things actually go as planned and I don't discover some weirdness ….”why did they do THAT?” Impressed with the overall quality and construction.

First Run....coming up.

 

[chris44nala]

Put one on about a month ago. Found the sweet spot last weekend. Prior to that I was doubting my decision to forsake the freedom shield. My wife is short so no difference for her.

 

[FLTRXS20]

I just flat don’t like the looks, but I know a lot of people like them. Hopefully, it’ll work out for you and it’ll be just the thing you’ve been looking for. Then I guess you’ll be of those people lol. 😇

 

[NCPiper]

So help me understand - because I really have a mental block about those on several levels. (I guess one reason is what I have works 100%)

When you experience buffeting due to conditions, do you pull over and make the adjustments as needed? Then afterwards, when conditions change again, do you re-adjust it?

OR as reported, if you get it dialed-in and one adjustment (the sweet spot) is all that is needed, help me understand how a comparable sized windshield would not have worked?

I just don't get it from all I've read and what seems like people really just set-it and forget it.

Don't misunderstand my post - if it works it works. And, taking a risk here as I may remove my ability to really seem like an a-hole when I reply to MadStad posts - it really doesn't look vulgar. (there I said it!) LOL - but don't expect another BOTM award either.

Easy guys....

Could BS stand for Best Shield? I'm testing one and intend to find out for myself.

 

[Hullhorr]

Once you find the sweet spot you leave it alone.

 

[Roosterman623]

So help me understand - because I really have a mental block about those on several levels. (I guess one reason is what I have works 100%)

When you experience buffeting due to conditions, do you pull over and make the adjustments as needed? Then afterwards, when conditions change again, do you re-adjust it?

OR as reported, if you get it dialed-in and one adjustment (the sweet spot) is all that is needed, help me understand how a comparable sized windshield would not have worked?

I just don't get it from all I've read and what seems like people really just set-it and forget it.

Don't misunderstand my post - if it works it works. And, taking a risk here as I may remove my ability to really seem like an a-hole when I reply to MadStad posts - it really doesn't look vulgar. (there I said it!) LOL - but don't expect another BOTM award either.

I have one on my pre-Rushmore, but the concept is the same….. Finding the “sweet spot” with the Madstad involves height and angle adjustment; something you cannot do with a traditional fixed windshield….. This adjustment is subjective based on saddle height, height of the driver and passenger, etc……. Once you play with the adjustment you’ll find what works for your situation and never have to fool with it again.

Unless, for example, you’re riding in 100 degree heat and want more wind? Loosen two knobs and you can lower the height in 10 seconds…. I’ve scribed mine on the bracket for the “normal” position that works for me, so when I do drop it down, I can put it back to “no buffeting mode” without any trial and error…..

I get it, the look of the Madstad is unique, but once you reap the benefits, it’s a function over form decision. At least it was for me…..

 

[twowheeladdict]

If I go that route one day I will probably go clear on the shield itself. How easy is it to adjust? Can you raise it for the interstate or fast state roads and lower it for in town when you want more breeze?

I think my baggershield is ugly, but it really works and the clear part is not noticeable from a distance.

 

[Roosterman623]

……How easy is it to adjust? Can you raise it for the interstate or fast state roads and lower it for in town when you want more breeze?

Extremely easy, see my response above……. You loosen two knobs, no tools required….. Although not advisable to rookies 😃 when I was finding my sweet spot, I left the two knobs semi-loose, and adjusted height and angle while I was riding….. Within about 10 miles at various speeds I found what worked for me…..

 

[StoneTrekker]

First Run:

I checked the height of the 14" shield and ended up dropping it to the lowest position. I set the angle at about 60 degrees. As expected I did not notice anything seriously different or better right away on the ride. The Freedom Touring did just fine by me, so nothing to improve on at all. But there had to be some differences if I could find them. Nice pocket of calm air right in front of my chest. No air on my helmet at all. I used my left hand to test for air flow and that's when the first big difference was found.

With the 13" FS I had rough, dirty air clearing my helmet top by about an inch at 65 mph. With the Madstad at 65 mph the wind was clearing my helmet top by a full 5" and it was much smoother wind. So....I don't care about smooth or rough wind as long as it's missing me/us, but it was interesting that the Madstad created less turbulence over the top. The 2 layers of wind (really 3 when you count the Rushmore fairing vent) combine to really push air MUCH higher than a recurved shield. I used my left hand to feel the 2nd layer of wind passing under the shield and angling upward....very dramatic effect. Feeling it made me understand the concept behind the Madstad and showed its effectiveness.

Not a great day for the first test, as it was gusty and varying in wind direction. I rode about 45 miles and made 2 angle adjustments to test their effects. As the angle became more vertical, turbulence seemed to increase some and I think the over-helmet air clearance may have dropped an inch or two. With the shield sloped back more it seemed to help aerodynamically.

We need to ride it a LOT more to know if it's a keeper. I'm in no way fully convinced yet. Yes...it worked fine for me. My wife needs to get plenty of miles with it and see if it makes a big enough difference for her as a passenger. I can tell she is trying to accept the gnarly, offbeat (to her) look of it. I have no doubt it will get set aside or returned if it doesn't really impress her with less head buffeting behind me. It's still way early in this evaluation. I'd like to say....obviously....these are my observations and opinions. If I end up saying it's too pukey looking to keep, that's only as it appears on our bike. I'm not aiming to hurt anyone's feelings or insult their choices.

 

[Big_gary]

Easy guys....

Could BS stand for Best Shield? I'm testing one and intend to find out for myself.

View attachment 457459

Rationale: I have absolutely nothing but love for the quality, appearance and protection offered by our current 13” Freedom Shield Touring model. My wife tells me she gets buffeted pretty hard at times (70 mph and up) and dirty air from big vehicles ahead of us.

View attachment 457460


I've studied the whole Madstad thing for years and there's no mystery in it for me. I'm going to test its performance for us and see if it's worth the cost.

View attachment 457461


Aesthetics: Tolerable to me I guess. Not an enhancement or big negative either way. I've seen plenty of regular windshields that were harder on my eyes than the Madstad. Maybe it's like Barbra Streisand's nose...I try not to focus on it too much. If the shield performs well for both of us we'll adjust to the appearance. After all, we adjusted to what we once thought was rather...odd; the Road Glide fairing. We love it now, and maybe the same thing could happen with the Madstad.

View attachment 457462


Installation: Nothing could be easier. Components are all really nice stuff. I had it together quickly and it fit the bike perfectly. I like it when things actually go as planned and I don't discover some weirdness ….”why did they do THAT?” Impressed with the overall quality and construction.

View attachment 457463


First Run....coming up.

No doubt it will be the best shield you'll have. Its looks will definitely grow on you and adjustability is a breeze. I actually lower and raise mine at a stop light .

 

[StoneTrekker]

And, taking a risk here as I may remove my ability to really seem like an a-hole when I reply to MadStad posts - it really doesn't look vulgar. (there I said it!) LOL - but don't expect another BOTM award either.

I don't have a BOTM award and no worries about ever wanting one.

I think there are plenty of ways to say you don't like something (Madstad for example) while not damaging your gentlemanly reputation.

 

[StoneTrekker]

@twowheeladdict : Dave, I don't find the adjustments a piece of cake exactly. The 2 knobs turn easily of course. Turn them far enough and shield height can be changed. Loosen the knobs more to reach a point where shield angle changes. I suppose this new one is still a bit tight but I've had to do considerable jiggling and wiggling to get changes made. Not a big hassle, but not something I would be planning to do frequently. I'm a set it / forget it guy. The more I would touch and handle the shield, the more I would be likely to scratch it in time.

I'm a clean freak and I will NOT enjoy it when bug guts turn to resin in the 4 phillips screws on the front.

 

[NCPiper]

@StoneTrekker One more question please: What is the measurement from the top of your fairing vent to the top of the windshield?

 

[Mr D]

Easy guys....

Could BS stand for Best Shield? I'm testing one and intend to find out for myself.

View attachment 457459

Rationale: I have absolutely nothing but love for the quality, appearance and protection offered by our current 13” Freedom Shield Touring model. My wife tells me she gets buffeted pretty hard at times (70 mph and up) and dirty air from big vehicles ahead of us.

View attachment 457460


I've studied the whole Madstad thing for years and there's no mystery in it for me. I'm going to test its performance for us and see if it's worth the cost.

View attachment 457461


Aesthetics: Tolerable to me I guess. Not an enhancement or big negative either way. I've seen plenty of regular windshields that were harder on my eyes than the Madstad. Maybe it's like Barbra Streisand's nose...I try not to focus on it too much. If the shield performs well for both of us we'll adjust to the appearance. After all, we adjusted to what we once thought was rather...odd; the Road Glide fairing. We love it now, and maybe the same thing could happen with the Madstad.

View attachment 457462


Installation: Nothing could be easier. Components are all really nice stuff. I had it together quickly and it fit the bike perfectly. I like it when things actually go as planned and I don't discover some weirdness ….”why did they do THAT?” Impressed with the overall quality and construction.

View attachment 457463


First Run....coming up.

Looks like you have a CVO 2 piece style seat, how tall are you running the 13 FS
I’m about to order but torn on shield size

 

[HellInABucket]

I imagine most of us set and forget. But the key part is the "set" part.

With any shield that is not a Madstad the "set" part is fixed and pre-determined.

 

[ScottyDONT]

So help me understand - because I really have a mental block about those on several levels. (I guess one reason is what I have works 100%)

When you experience buffeting due to conditions, do you pull over and make the adjustments as needed? Then afterwards, when conditions change again, do you re-adjust it?

OR as reported, if you get it dialed-in and one adjustment (the sweet spot) is all that is needed, help me understand how a comparable sized windshield would not have worked?

I just don't get it from all I've read and what seems like people really just set-it and forget it.

Don't misunderstand my post - if it works it works. And, taking a risk here as I may remove my ability to really seem like an a-hole when I reply to MadStad posts - it really doesn't look vulgar. (there I said it!) LOL - but don't expect another BOTM award either.

We found the engineer! Lol jk this sounds like how I think and problem solve. Madstad wasn't for me, mainly because it was a single solution to so many varying conditions, and I didn't like water and bugs coming up from under the upper windshield piece and hitting me.

 

[StoneTrekker]

@StoneTrekker One more question please: What is the measurement from the top of your fairing vent to the top of the windshield?
View attachment 457474

That would be 8" actual measurement and 6.5" vertical.

Looks like you have a CVO 2 piece style seat, how tall are you running the 13 FS
I’m about to order but torn on shield size

I'm 6'-0" barefoot. I think I'm fairly normal for torso length. The seat is a one piece Le Pera which is a quite thin (low sitting compared to stock) seat. It's been customized too. I typically ride with a sheared sheepskin butt pad that probably raises me 1/2-3/4".

Madstad wasn't for me, mainly because it was a single solution to so many varying conditions, and I didn't like water and bugs coming up from under the upper windshield piece and hitting me.

As I view it, Madstad offers versatility and adjustability to cover more of the varying conditions than any single fixed shield can do. That only applies if a guy is willing to make the adjustments as conditions or needs change during a ride. I can't speak to bugs or rain getting to me as I'm still almost ignorant (maybe inexperienced is a better word) about how the shield will perform in many situations.

*

I'll reiterate that I'm completely neutral on the Madstad. No real like or dislike so far. I'm staying as objective as possible about something which is inherently subjective. It has to work very well for both of us or it goes. We need to learn to like the looks, or it goes. It's really that simple.

 

[Spikey]

I am currently running the 18" Madstad on my 22 limited and I noticed there's a huge difference just in the angle of the screen. The biggest issue it cured for me was the buffeting in my glasses and my wife says all the road dirt that was getting sucked up from underneath the bike has gone away leaving a nice quite pocket of air to ride in. Another bonus is you can hear the stock audio clearly now. Function over form, kind of like a Subaru. Give it time before you give up. I have always run Freedom or Clearview shields but the Madstad is a game changer.

 

[NCPiper]

Okay. Could you test it at 5 - 5.25 inches of height?

It seems a more appropriate comparsion because right now the test is more comparable to a taller than 13" Freedom Shields.

From what has been posted, there may be one advantage - "Nice pocket of calm air right in front of my chest. "
Yet the 15" HD that came with my RGU kept me in a nice bubble. I no longer have that one so I can't re-test.
However for buffeting, I found the 8.5 Memphis Shades and the Freedom Shields 12" Touring do just as good to remediate buffeting (both rider and passenger).
I may have gotten more "dirty air" in other places - but on a motorcycle, that is not a concern for me.

Not trying to make sway either way. I am glad you're posting this "test". At the end, it will still be valid, yet experential analysis.

That would be 8" actual measurement and 6.5" vertical.

 

[HellInABucket]

And I think they look great. Especially dark tint. So there.