Anyone tried the Cee Bailey RT windshield?

[macx]

Wondering if it's actually a significant improvement, or more of just another farkle to spend $ on and brag about?

 

(recently acquired 2011 R1200RT)

 

I ride 40+ miles to work in the early morning and even south of Vegas it can get pretty cool in the spring and I suppose in the fall. A couple of times I've gotten caught going from around 60F in town, where I was adequately dressed of course, but dropping to mid 30's by the time i get within 5 miles of work. That's chilly even without a lot of wind directly on you.

 

The stock windshield, of course, is a big improvement over my 1150R with a tall windshield, esp with the electric lift, but was just wondering if the CB's is really a worthwhile improvement.

 

 

[Skywagon]

Cant tell you on a 1200 but on my 1150rt is was a big improvement. Thicker, less flex, ordered 2 inches taller. Helped me with noise and buffeting.

[macx]

Thanks, David, that's a good start.

[Lmar]

Ordered one that is 1" taller and 3" wider for my 09 RT. Its was shipped on Tuesday. Hope to get it mid next week.

[Bologna]

2002 1150RT CB #2 +4.5 euro Lt grey. Very nice!

 

[Selden]

I'm in the R1100RT group, with a Cee Bailey.

 

Likes:

• Appearance
  
• Functionality (little turbulence for both rider and pillion)
  

Dislikes:

• Distortion from the compound curves
  
• Acrylic is relative soft; scratches buff out easily, but after 25,000 miles, mine has some significant pits from flying objects
  

Order tall, and cut down to fit if it's too tall; acrylic is really easy to cut and polish. I needed an intermediate height, and after a little trimming, it's "just right." I like the "Euro cut" better than the curved top, but different people have different tastes. Because it's lower in the middle, the Euro cut can be higher without getting in your sight line.

[DiggerJim]

Wondering if it's actually a significant improvement, or more of just another farkle to spend $ on and brag about?

I was going to keep my mouth shut since I don't have a 2011 RT (mine's an '07) and am not sure about the stock shield on the 11s or if other model year experiences would apply. But since no one else has piped up with any 2011 experiences, I'll weigh in. I've got the stock shield, the Cee Bailey and a Ztechnik (currently mounted). Bought in that order. I was wondering last weekend while on a rally (plenty of time to cogitate things) about the effects of each now that I'm not thinking about my butt (just got a Bill Mayer saddle in - best comfort investment yet!).

 

So, tomorrow I am going to do a controlled experiment swapping the shields out, doing a 50 mi loop and then swapping the next one. Gives me an excuse to ride I'll let you know my observations.

 

[Selden]

So, tomorrow I am going to do a controlled experiment swapping the shields out, doing a 50 mi loop and then swapping the next one. Gives me an excuse to ride I'll let you know my observations.

What a radical idea -- evidence-based evaluation!

[Rinkydink]

I've had one on both the 1150 and '09-1200RT and loved them both. There is some distortion like mentioned above but it got rid of the buffeting on both bikes. Opinions on windshields are like...well you know. Also if you're going to change your seat do it first as aftermarket seat heights vary.

 

I'm 5'11" and the +2'5"(non-euro)worked like a charm both times. YMMV

[RTRay]

I've used a Cee Bailey #3 on my R1100RT for three years and love it. Better wind protection that an Aeroflow and a lot better than the original.

[Hank in WV]

Big improvement on an 1100.

[Selden]

...Opinions on windshields are like...well you know. Also if you're going to change your seat do it first as aftermarket seat heights vary.

 

I'm 5'11" and the +2'5"(non-euro)worked like a charm both times. YMMV

Well, there we are -- I'm 5'7", and found the +2.5" too low, sent it back, and got a +4, which was a little too tall, but I fixed that with a jigsaw and wet or dry sand paper.

[IRPUK]

I got one, +2 (sides) and +3 (top) with a Euro flip. I am 6'4" and ride with the seat high on my 08 RT.

 

The difference is noticeable, quiet and more relaxing as my head is no longer right in the airflow so my head is no longer playing stay steady all the time. I would recommend them (but a few £'s cheaper and saving on the imprt taxes would be nice).

 

 

[Starfighter]

Cee Bailey windscreen on my LT and RT-P

Waaay better than stock.

[albury]

Here's a cheep solution...

If you only need it an inch or two higher, try re-drilling the mount holes on the stock screen.

I just did this today and it gave me just what I was looking for.

Looks a bit off in the down position, and 2 of the old holes are slightly visible, but hey... form follows function, right?

[macx]

As I sorta suspected - another worthwile farkle to spend $ on :-/

 

When I die they'll have to do me like they used to do the Indian Chiefs - bury me sitting upright on that thing. It'll more or less own all of me but my soul by then :-)

 

Can't argue with "hands on" evaluations, tho. So will have to put one of those on my list.

 

Thanks for the added input for the Mayer seat, too! I already had one on my list, but nothing like personal experience to help me pry some more long green rectangles out of that old skinny wallet.

 

Appreciate all the input!

[Syro]

Is it still stable enough?Isn't there an issue with a potential crack due to wind power?

[Glenn Reed]

Is it still stable enough?Isn't there an issue with a potential crack due to wind power?

 

My 1100RT came with an Aeroflow, which was made with much thinner material, enough so that there are spacers included with it to allow for the attachment screws length. I replaced with a Cee Bailey and it is much thicker and more solid.

 

I also like the little bit of upward curve that means I can keep it lower and still have the airflow go over the top.

[Linz]

I've owned an Aeroflow on my R1100RT and now have a Cee Bailey 2.5 inch Eurocut on my R1150RT.

 

For me, the AeroFlow was vastly more quiet. The turbulence from the Cee Bailey is bad for me. It makes for a very noisy helmet. I have more protection for my upper arms however.

 

Linz

[albury]

I took it out on the highway last night for a good run. Granted, it's early days yet, but it seemed stable in gusty winds. 2 of the original holes had minor cracks anyway which hadn't gotten any worse in the 4 years since I first noticed them. I was concerned about the proximity of the new holes making it weaker (I raised the whole thing about 1 1/2 inches) but I grabbed it and gave it a good shake... Seems good to go... And a lot quieter...

I should note that my windshield was scratched up and due for replacement anyway, so failure in my little experiment wouldn't have caused too much pain...

[Lone_RT_rider]

I have one of these Cee Baileys.. Or at least something close to it. I really think based on surfing their website that they don't make one like the shield that's currently on my bike seen here.

 

 

It's shorter than the stock sheild, but due to the Euro-like lip ar the top of the shield it has little if any buffeting. The only time I notice an increase is when I am on the interstate in the midst of heavy traffic. It is also wider at the bottom which gives more of a rider envelope to keep the elements and wind off if you.

 

There is a side benefit to having a shorter than stock shield too. Early on in the life of the R1200RT's, there were many reported failures of the windshield lift motor. Most of the "off the cuff" emperical data seems to point towards the increase in height (and therefore increased leverage based resistant forces when wind is pushing against the shield) that cause it to fail. The shorter shield still gives a quieter ride, but doesn't end up having this condition. This would be something to consider in your choice.

[Selden]

I've owned an Aeroflow on my R1100RT and now have a Cee Bailey 2.5 inch Eurocut on my R1150RT.

 

For me, the AeroFlow was vastly more quiet. The turbulence from the Cee Bailey is bad for me. It makes for a very noisy helmet. I have more protection for my upper arms however.

 

Linz

Interesting -- and a good example of why markets exist. Mine came with an Aeroflow, which felt like a barn door, and generated terrible turbulence for my pillion. In my experience, the Cee Bailey has both less turbulence and is less sensitive to cross winds, truck wakes, etc.