Has anyone tried the Ztechnik VStream windshield?

[PBGS]

I just bought a 2011 GS and love it so far, but (no news here) the stock windshield is... lacking. I'm 6'1 with a 32" inseam and the air seems to hit me about mid helmet. I have to duck down a fair amount to get out of the wind blast. My dealer sells Ztechnik shields and the parts guy said most people got the vstream. Does anyone here have any experience with it?

Thoughts? I figure once it gets consistently warm enough I could always switch back to the stock windshield but right now more wind protection would be much appreciated.

[Thor29]

Just put one on my 2008 GS last week. So far, I love it and am still dialing in the proper adjustment. It is one down from max up and is great at 75-85 MPH. I started in the middle and immediately noticed less buffeting. I'm 603. If you go to their website and find one of the dealers that has the test program, you are suppose to be able to keep it for 2 weeks and bring it back if not happy. I tried it on two positions for about 40 minutes on the highway and decided to keep it. I ordered the adventure winglets to go with it (should be in next week) but I dont plan on getting rid of that shield. The only complaint that I have is that the point at the bottom of the screen is in the center so it doesnt line up with the offset headlights but that is just cosmetic.

[bigdog1807]

We have a nickname for the Vstream: the Marge Simpson, due to its shape. I assume the shape hasn't changed from 1+ years ago. I put one on my GS over 10,000 miles ago. I'm 6'4 and wish it was a bit taller but it's WAY better than stock. I have no buffeting issues as is but I'm considering the clip-on for top of shield and adventure wings but, imho, investing in a good helmet is better money spent. Snell approved also meet sound level requirements. Guess it depends on what you're trying to solve. If it's buffeting I think you'll be good to go. If it's sound, a helmet and/or ear plugs are a good option. As stated in previous thread, they do let you test ride them so take advantage before you lay down $200+.

[PBGS]

My dealer is a Ztechnik dealer but they don't stock them so it's all kind of a moot point. They had one for an adventure but that's it. :\

As for noise - I always wear a helmet and usually wear my custom molded BigEar BE-1C stereo earplugs. I recently bought a Shark Evoline series 2 modular helmet and while overall I like it, it's by far the loudest helmet I've ever owned (two scorpions now this shark). I guess it's just the nature of modular helmets, but with the wind noise/buffeting I get from the stock windshield this helmet is loud as crap even with my earplugs.

I guess I'll just order a VStream on my own - I'm not sure I see the point in having the dealer 'order' one so I can try it. I'm not sure what arrangement they're supposed to have being part of the 'ride&buy' program but one would think keeping at least one of each of their windscreens would be part of it.

[PBGS]

Interesting - I just rechecked Ztechnik's website and my dealer is no longer listed in the ride&buy program. Guess they backed out. So much for harassing them about it. I guess I'll just order one online somewhere.

Any thoughts from the peanut gallery vs other windscreens before I order the VStream?

[cug]

I have a Givi Airflow and a GS Adventure windshield with Touratech spoiler. They are about the same with regard to wind protection / noise. The GSA shield with the spoiler is actually even a little bit better than the Givi.

Planning on keeping that combination. The spoiler will only get attached for longer highway runs. Below 60mph I can certainly live with the GSA shield alone. And it looks good, doesn't vibrate as much and is more scratch resistant than the Givi. Okay, price is steeper ...

All that on a standard GS with GSA winglets and Tobinators.

[PBGS]

I've been reading threads (a huge one on advrider) for an hour or two now. It seems like for every windscreen (Cee bailey, givi, touratech, ztechnik, GSA on GS, various winglets, etc. etc.) there are people who say they're the best thing in the world and someone else who either says the same thing is 'meh' or isn't good at all. It seemed like there was a lot of positives for the Givi AF330 [and I like the thought of being able to adjust it easily for warmer days] as well as the VStream but also some negatives.

Frankly, I have no clue what to get at this point. :\

[cug]

The Givi Airflow works very well. What I don't like so much about it is:

• It vibrates pretty strongly when extended more than 50% and at idle.
• The plastics are not as good / scratch resistant as the BMW OEMs.
• My wife didn't like it. She got more buffeting than with the GSA shield in pretty much every setting.
• It doesn't look really bad, but it also doesn't look really good.

The first two items got me thinking about selling it, especially as I have a GSA windshield which works pretty well for me. I can put the Touratech spoiler on whenever I need to do long runs and still have a setting that works well for me when it's not on.

Windshields are a very personal thing. It depends on your sitting height, your seat, your helmet, the helmet fit (tighter fit == less buffeting), your earplugs, your jacket, your handguards, the angle, your personal hearing, and so on.

You plain can't buy a windshield just because other people like it.

Everybody I heard of loved the Aeroflow for the F800GS. For me, it was giving me a really, really bad headache when I was above 60mph for more than 30 minutes. Discomfort started with 15 minutes above 50mph. That doesn't mean the Aeroflow is bad windshield - it means it didn't work for me.

I have no experience with the VStream, though I am interested in trying one some day.

[marc]

Originally Posted by PBGS

Frankly, I have no clue what to get at this point. :\

You've two extremes that will leave your helmet in clear, smooth air. You can go no windscreen at all or you can go with a barn door, AKA aeroflow. Everything else is a compromise. I dislike the aeroflow for reasons that have nothing to do with its effectiveness. No windscreen was a bit much, so my compromise is a cut down stock screen. It put my head mostly in clear air, but dumps a bunch of cold on my chest. So in the winter I clip on an extension which makes my chest warmer, but moves the rough air up into my helmet.

Only you can decide how much to compromise and in which direction.

[cug]

I plan on using the GSA windshield in fall / winter / spring and maybe cut down my OEM GS windshield for summer.