XR650L Windshield Project
 

Since I bought my CRF250X last January, I have been riding my XR650L on less technical trails. Therefore, I think it might be time to add a windshield to the Big Red Pig. ;) Here is a photograph of my XR650L in it's current configuration.

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...pscba5c8ed.jpg

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/q...psdf76b763.jpg

I have been considering a number of options, and I would like to solicit your opinions. Here are some of the choices available to me.

The Cee Bailey's, detachable, Tombstone Windshield only costs $63, and is easily removable. Here are some photographs of the Tombstone Windshield installed on some other XR650L motorcycles.

http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/...9/P1020827.jpg

http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/...9/P1020825.jpg

http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/...9/P1020821.jpg

http://www.enduro360.com/wp-content/...9/P1010793.jpg

http://images.motorcycle-usa.com/Pho...e/DSC_0057.jpg

I could also attach a windshield to the shroud of my Baja Designs headlight. However, removing this type of windshield would involve more work than removing the Tombstone Windshield. ;)

Cee Bailey's also sells the following windshield for $57.

http://www.ceebaileys.com/baja_design/index.html

http://www.ceebaileys.com/baja_desig...nws_header.jpg

Here's a photograph of the Baja Designs Windshield attached to an XR650R.

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...g?t=1258352629

I could also attach a windshield designed for the 2003 BMW F650GS Dakar motorcycle. Here are photographs of the Dakar windshield attached to an XR650R with a Baja Designs headlight.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y10...I/IMGP3165.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y10...I/IMGP3169.jpg

http://hardyconstruction.smugmug.com...97680698-M.jpg

http://hardyconstruction.smugmug.com...87837167-M.jpg

Here a some photographs of the Dakar windshield attached to an XR650L with the stock headlight.

https://scontent-b-pao.xx.fbcdn.net/...68958701_n.jpg

https://scontent-b-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/...41461535_n.jpg

Finally, here are some photos of the Dakar windshield attached to a Husaberg with a Baja Designs headlight.

http://hardyconstruction.smugmug.com...98239055-M.jpg

http://hardyconstruction.smugmug.com...98239362-M.jpg

http://hardyconstruction.smugmug.com...98239166-M.jpg

http://hardyconstruction.smugmug.com...98239246-M.jpg

I could purchase the Dakar windshield for $135 from the following website.

http://www.bikescreen.com/proddetail...F650Stock%6003

http://www.bikescreen.com/prodimages...ar%20Stock.JPG

I might also be able to employ a Moose Racing windshield designed for the 2008-2012 BMW F650GS bikes, but fitment would be a gamble. :wtf: This windshield costs $69.95, delivered.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Windshield...-/380804250598

I also have less expensive options. ;) I could fabricate a windshield from Lexan polycarbonate sheet which I can purchase at Home Depot. :)

http://www.homedepot.com/p/LEXAN-12-...-33/202038063#

Here are photographs of an XR650R with a Baja Designs headlight and a homemade LEXAN windshield.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y10...R/IMGP0446.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y10...s/IMGP4123.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y10...s/IMGP4100.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y10...s/IMGP4101.jpg

I could also make an easily detachable windshield from a Harbor Freight Face Shield and some velcro. ;)

http://www.harborfreight.com/face-sh...sor-96542.html

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v3...R/mods/018.jpg

However, I'm not sure the HF face shield could handle the wind without deforming.

Finally, I might be able to fabricate a detachable windshield from a plastic garbage can. Don't laugh; it has been nicely done!

http://i579.photobucket.com/albums/s...t/P6180023.jpg

http://advrider.com/forums/showthrea...291581&page=20

What do you gentlemen think?

Thats a Rally Raid XR650R screen on my XT660R...
would bolt straight onto your XR...

http://www.rallyraid.co.uk/shop/prod...?prod=RRXR650F

http://imageshack.us/a/img543/7785/exn3.jpg

Thanks for the good tip, Pete. :)

I would seriously consider the Rally Raid Fairing, but I switched to a Baja Designs headlight, and my mounting hardware is now different from stock. ;)

I'm not big on winshields. What would be the benefit?

On a dirt bike where you sit up right... removeing the wind presure from
your chest makes the bike nicer to ride long distance at open road speeds..

HUGE!

Much less cold in the winter, more comfortable in the summer, ride with shield open if you like, protection from bugs, rocks, etc, and much better in the rain. Less strain on the neck and shoulders on the highway. Few mods do more to make a bike more comfortable, especially at speed or in bad weather than a shield.

One of my KLR's, my second, IIRC, was set up as an ADV tourer. I used a Rifle extended screen that used the OEM mounts and it was a blessing.

The closest I see on your list Spud is the Dakar shield, and you know it will word with your aftermarket headlight bracket/shell. I'd go that route.

I like the bars free of extra clamps if possible.

You could mount it with thumscrews or wingnuts so easy to remove for cleaning or tight technical trails, although that's the domain of your other bikes anyways.

Spud, the latest issue of MCN has a new shield by Bajaworx on it's back page. It was designed for the mag's DR650 project bike. Go to their website to check it out. It's a lot better shaped then most of the others above and MCN says that it should be adaptable to other bikes.

Thanks for your input, David. :) Is this the windshield?

http://bajaworx.com/dr650-and-drz400...indshield.html

http://bajaworx.com/uploads/2/8/1/6/...38795_orig.jpg

If so, I don't think I will be able to mount it to my Baja Designs headlight.

Wonder why they aren't a little wider?

For a dual sport bike, I think a wider windshield might induce more head shake of the handlebars, and might be more susceptible to damage. :shrug:

After doing some more research, I haven't found anyone who didn't like his BMW Dakar windshield. In fact, everyone seems to report the Dakar windshield works very well.

Yep, that's the one. Bajaworx actually made that for MCN and now market it. Maybe a you can contact them with your needs and they can do something for you that they can market also. I have to believe that the Baja headlight is a popular option.

Thank you, David. :) Cee Bailey's sells a 'Dakar' windshield for $57 which fits my Baja Designs headlight.

http://www.ceebaileys.com/baja_desig...nws_header.jpg

However, I am looking for an OEM Dakar windshield, or a faithful copy which has the reverse 'lip' at the top. These models are reputed to produce less air turbulence behind the windshield. ;)

http://hardyconstruction.smugmug.com...98239362-M.jpg

That's my recommendation also although I think any you listed would be a good choice. The Rifle windscreen on my KLR had zero adverse effect on steering or handling. I suspect the Dakar will be similar.