Aeroflow windshield for the ST 1300 - First look

[maldos]

Well today I took a ride to see Paige Ortiz, owner of Aeroflow windshields. As many of you already know, Paige has been making premier windshields for the BMW crowd for many years and now has designed a replacement windshield for us ST owners.
Paige loves to talk about motorcycles, but not as much as when he gets started on windshields and windshield designs, and how he feels that his product is superior to the competition. I got the tour of the shop, watching as new windshields were being fabricated, I didn’t know this, but Paige’s design incorporates an inner piece which directs air coming up from the bottom of the windshield “smoothly” along the back side of the front shields. You can see this in one of the pictures attached, it is the smoked-plastic piece installed over the front cowling.
So how does it work? Well, it works! At 80 mph with the shield fully extended, I can fully raise the shield of my X-11 Shoei, with the shield down a bit, and my face shield at half-mast flow is good. I’m 5’10” and the standard shield fits perfectly.
Paige even demonstrates just how tough his shields are by letting you smack one with a ball-peen hammer, using the peen end. One of the pictures attached shows the marks left, but no cracks! He did have a competitors shield there (he asked me not to say which competitor, but they are local), which shattered into hundreds of pieces when struck by the same hammer. If anyone knows how to post a couple of QuickTime clips, I can show both products in action. BTW, the competitors shield shattered with a piece cutting Paige’s hand…..Next time Paige, wear gloves.

FYI, I’m not a spokesman for Aeroflow, just a consumer

 

[STJMG]

I just installed my Aeroflow last weekend in about 15 minutes then went for a 200mi. run. I am 5'8" and wear a 3/4 HJC. The screen gets the air over my head in a lower position as compaired to the stock screen. Easy to see over. It is much wider than stock which will be nice in the winter. The biggest advantage to me, wearing the 3/4 helmit, is much, much less noise, quite air. The stock screen was quite when fully raised, but anything lower and it sounded like I was in a hurricane. All in all, it is a bit more expensive than others, but I plan on ridding the ST for years, so amortized over time, it's not bad. I would buy again. JG

 

[Bones]

That first photo makes it look like the curve of the shield creates a ton of visual distortion along a wide section near the edge.

I'd be curious to know what the shape of the shield does to your view in close. I look over my shield moving along, but we all need to see right in front of us, too. Right away I'm thinking about how I'd see dirt roads in campgrounds, occasionally after dark.

Guess I'd want to see a sample in person before I pull the trigger on one of these.

 

[Bob Hughes]

I would like to know how quiet it is with your X-11 with the face shield fully closed. I get my helmet noise from the neck opening of the helmet.

The smoked wind shaping deflector looks like a good idea, but heck they all sound good to me. You will have to be our judge. Please keep us informed.

 

[maldos]

I would like to know how quiet it is with your X-11 with the face shield fully closed. I get my helmet noise from the neck opening of the helmet.

The smoked wind shaping deflector looks like a good idea, but heck they all sound good to me. You will have to be our judge. Please keep us informed.

With the X-11 closed it actually is better because when closed you get the air entering from the front cooling your head. Nothing is perfect but in my opinion is is an improvement over the stock shield. I'll let you knowmore after this weekend's ride.

 

[maldos]

That first photo makes it look like the curve of the shield creates a ton of visual distortion along a wide section near the edge.

I'd be curious to know what the shape of the shield does to your view in close. I look over my shield moving along, but we all need to see right in front of us, too. Right away I'm thinking about how I'd see dirt roads in campgrounds, occasionally after dark.

Guess I'd want to see a sample in person before I pull the trigger on one of these.

This weekend I will be riding to Idyllwild and will take pictures from my eye level through the screen and post results. Stayed tuned. BTW, i found the stock screen horrible with side distortion but didn't notice it with the Aeroflow. Perhaps it is because I was able to adjust the screen so as to see over it whild the air flow was directed over my helmet. Went outside and took another look. There is some distortion but it appears mostly at the sides which is out farther because of the screen's width. I have attached a "Crop" of one of my photos. The crop is of paige's bike with screen, different angle. Don

 

[MTPOCKITS]

I sure hope yall like that, because it is no show piece. Boy that thing is big and bulky.

good luck.

 

[ga06rider]

I would like to know if this shield or any other one that has been tried cuts through the wind better than the OEM shield at highway speeds. I'm fine at higher speed with the shield all the way down but get blown all over the place with it all the way up. Does this wider shield act even more like a sail?

 

[Bigfish]

I have made at least a couple of posts in regards to my Aeroscreen. This screen is such an improvement over the stock screen, there is no way I had any idea how well it worked before installing it. Pictures do not do this screen justice. I will agree about the looks and have mentioned this to Paige. His comment is, his basic concern is with function more than form. He wants to produce and provide a screen that addresses the stock screens failure to provide a comfortable and quite ride, second comes looks. I have to say that the screen grows on you once you start riding with it and realize how well it performs. If you do not like the protection the stock screen provides (hehehe), you will not regret the purchase of Paige's Aeroscreen. The distortion some have commented about is there, but remember, this screen is below your line of site, if you are concerned about seeing the road directly in front of you, as in a camp site, just lower the screen, thats if you have the electric adjustable. Regardless, I live on a very bad road, full of potholes, As Laurent can attest. I drive this road too and from work in the dark. I have no more issues with manuvuering than with the stock screen. Paige is also concidering production of the flow plate in clear, for added visability. Everyone is more than welcome to check out my screen if your in the area, ( Bastrop, Texas) or don't want to haul to California. I will also be at TXSTOC in October. Also, I have seen no decrease in fuel milage with the Aeroscreen.
Greg
aka: Bigfish

 

[Bigfish]

I ride the highway with the screen about 1-2 inches up from the bottom. This is all that is needed for a great, quite, turbulance free ride, Can you do that with the stock screen? I think not!

 

[potshot]

My wife and I just got back from a 700mi. trip with the aeroflow installed. It works as advertised, no buffeting or turbulence. She complained of severe turbulence with the stock shield, now she says it's quiet back there. I also noticed my mpg increased by about 2 mpg. I am very satisfied with this shield, IMO worth the price, because it works.

 

[forgitaboutut]

I have a question about the extreme size of the windshield. It has to do with airflow. I have gotten used to the stock screen and the cooling breeze you can get when the screen is in the lowest position. Does the aeroflow interfere with that ?

I wouldn't mind a little more protection at certain times,but I sure don't need a barn door in front of me...If I wanted that I could ride a Wing.....

have you checked these guys out? this is air craft material, and is at least twice as thick as the stock windshield! I bought a used one and love the vent in it!
http://www.ceebaileys.com/honda/st1300ws.html

 

[kevinfromwebb]

I'm a little confused about the 'flow plate'??? I'm guessing it mounts on the rear of the windscreen??? Anybody got a good clear pic???

Thanks, Kevin

 

[MidLife]

I'm a little confused about the 'flow plate'??? I'm guessing it mounts on the rear of the windscreen??? Anybody got a good clear pic???

Thanks, Kevin

As you say, mounts on the back of the screen, fastened to the nose fairing.

Doesn't show much on a picture as it is smoke colored and blends with the nose fairing.

The "secret" of this screen (I think!) is that it scoops a lot of air on the back side, from the bottom, under the specially profiled lower lip. The end effect is that the air on the front and back of the screen have much better matched speeds at the upper lip, which reduces turbulence and noise.

The Flow Plate guides the "scooped" air to stick to the back of the screen (instead of blowing straight in your face).

Think of the Flow Plate as a mini fixed screen under the large adjustable one.

The clean flowing air keeps going up once it leaves the upper lip and flows over your helmet with the screen positioned below your line of sight.

 

[Bora20]

My wife and I just got back from a 700mi. trip with the aeroflow installed. It works as advertised, no buffeting or turbulence. She complained of severe turbulence with the stock shield, now she says it's quiet back there. I also noticed my mpg increased by about 2 mpg. I am very satisfied with this shield, IMO worth the price, because it works.

What height screen do you have and how tall are you and your wife?

 

[sherob]

Here are a couple of pics of an Aeroflow at WeSTOC... talk about the ultimate farkled bike This guy has front and rear camera's... GPS tracking... geez, if it's for the 1300, he has it

 

[kevinfromwebb]

Thanks Yall... From Midlife discription and sherob pics, now I know what yall are talking about... Is that flow plate very obtrusive or hard to install...

Kevin

 

[MidLife]

Is that flow plate very obtrusive ...

Kevin

You can see from RC's pixs that the FP extends above his shelf. Paige also makes an optional clear FP, requested by members who need a clear path for their laser radar detectors.

One reason for the smoke color of the FP is to mask the 3M mounting tape. A clear plate will require a bit of creativity for hiding the tape on its lower section (Paint, adhesive dark window film, etc).

 

[ccryder]

Take a look here https://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16887 for my Aeroflow and dash shelf write up.

Neil S.

 

[kevinfromwebb]

Thanks Yall...

Kevin