A friend of mine, Pam, had an opportunity to laugh it up on my behalf
because
I made an ignorant comment like, "This is going to be the last thing
I'm
going to purchase for my bike." Guess what, that wasn't the
last item. Fortunately for me, that was back in the
F650GS days. Ever since the trade up, R12GS, I made sure not to
say
stupid things like that. Still that hasn't precluded Pam
from zapping me with a cow prod every once in a while about buying the
last thing for my bike. My response, that's a BIG
FAT to Pam.
Since I've made the decision to not get the F800S and no other second
moto, I can now focus my attention on whatever new fangled thing I can
get for the R12 (e.g. more gadgets).
Actually, an annoying thing happened to me recently. I was
commuting somewhere, most likely home or to work, when I got spatted on
by a car or
truck. I heard several loud banging noises in front of me and
knew that I've been slammed on by a bunch of rocks and pebbles.
At the time it didn't look like there was anything wrong with the
windshield. Later on, when the lighting is just about right, I
can see windshield crack marks in several places. As far
as I can tell, it's not spreading. However, I don't think the
windshield is as strong as it use to be with these fractures.
Eventually I'm going to
have to change the windshield.
Semi excuse aside, I now have a reason to ponder the
purchase of a new windshield system I've been eye balling for a while
but was hesitant to purchase because there was no reason to get
it.
Yes! An excuse to spend more money and put another gadget on Mr.
Moto. It's already big, let's make
it even bigger.
Touratech
has this windshield and faring kit called the Desierto 3. It is
suppose to really cut down on the turbulence the driver feels. I
haven't experienced it first hand so I can't say that it's a lot better
than the stock windshield. From my personal experience with the
stock windshield, in combination with the Arai XD helmet, there are
times when the turbulence can get pretty bad. I feel like I'm
Larry Holmes dodging Mike Tyson's left/right hooks. Or was that
George Foreman? However, my head is still on
my shoulders and I have no concussions to worry about so I guess it's
not too extreme.
As you can see it's an interesting rig. Also, this setup is more
a kin to the rally configuration. What intrigues me is how it
changes the cockpit and the possibility for mounting equipment.
Not my bike.
The speedo is in kilometers.
I'm almost sure I will go to this configuration when it is time to
change the windshield. Now it's just a matter of when to change
the windshield. Of course it doesn't hurt to go on-line and check
out any reviews out there before making that last final decision (e.g.
entering the plastic number and hitting the submit button).
Update 1 [July 21,
2006]
Unfortunately it looks like I'm not going to purchase the Desierto 3
fairing and windshield kit after all. Why? Because
Touratech Germany refuses to make this kit with a clear
windshield. I don't know about other folks but as far as I know
it's illegal to have a tinted windshield in California. Chances
are I won't get pulled over by the CHP but then again you never
know. I've had friends get tickets on much more minute stuff than
a tinted windshield. Personally, I rather put my earnings towards
the things I need and want instead of freely handing cash over to the
State. The other bad side to having a tinted windshield is that
fact that it's nearly impossible to see through at night. I
contacted the folks at Touratech USA about any possibility of getting a
custom clear windshield for the kit. Tom from Touratech USA told
me they have asked a similar question of Touratech Germany
before. Apparently the manufacturers in Germany don't believe in
a clear windshield for the kit and their thinking is more in line with
... the kit comes as is without any other options (e.g.
WYSIWYG). Oh well, I guess someone else will have to get my
business. It's too bad to see companies get so big that they
can't accommodate an occasional individual based on stupid laws they
have to abide by.
Update 2
[August 3, 2006]
OK. I think I finally found a vendor I'm willing to go with for a
replacement windshield. From what I can see from several on-line
sites there are three possibilities other than the original BMW stock
windshield. They are GIVI, Cee Bailey's, and Z Technik. I
did a little research into the three manufacturers and came out liking
Cee Bailey's. Admittedly, I don't know the three companies very
well. Of the three, I know Givi the best but I wasn't very fond
of the way the GIVI windshield looked for the R12GS. Plus Cee
Bailey's windshields are hand made custom windshield. Cee
Bailey's web site allow you to select from several parameters to custom
configure your windshield. Now that the submit button has been
clicked, it is a matter of waiting for the windshield to arrive to try
it out. Custom windshield, cleaning solvent, cleaning cloths,
tax, and shipping/handling has the order coming out at $230. Not
too bad for a custom windshield. For what it's worth, the Cee
Bailey's windshield is made of the same Lexan use for aircraft
windshields. That might account for something.
Not my bike.
Update 3 [ August
13, 2006]
So I ask somebody else, Minh, about the tinted windscreen law for
motorcycles. He said that it's not illegal because we're looking
over the windshield instead of through it. Hhmmph!! One
person says this, and another person says that. Of course for me
it's too late since I already order the custom windshield from Cee
Bailey's. Also, I've been reading a lot of stuff on www.advrider.com and a lot of the
guys on the site use the Givi windshield. That's cool. I'm
still OK with my choice. So now I don't know who to believe about
the tinted windshield for motorcycles. One thing is for sure, it
is definitely harder to see through a tinted windshield at night.
So, I'll stick to my original plan and stay the course. However,
I will look into this tinted windshield law a little closer.
Perhaps I should contact the California Highway Patrol and see what
they
say.
Update 4 [ August
15, 2006 ]
At long last, I remembered about the tinted windshield thing and
decided to pursue it. As of 8/15/06, I was serving my time as a
potential juror at the L.A. Criminal Courts. I was at lunch and
happened to see two LAPD officers. It triggered my memory about
finding out whether there is a law about tinted windshield for
motorcycles. I approached the officers and asked nicely. I
can tell they were a little put off as it was their lunch time but they
proceeded to answered my question to the best of their abilities.
The answer was, "I have no idea." They recommended I contact the
CHP to find out. Since my lunch time wasn't over, I decided to
get this question answered once and for all. A flick of the cell
phone and I was talking to Eugene, who was at work. I asked him
to look up the CHP phone number for the Los Angeles area. He gave
me the number, and I was on my merry way to calling the CHP
Communications Center. I spoke to the operator who then
transferred me to a person that can address my issue. I then
slapped the question to him, "Is there a law against having a tinted
windshield for motorcycles?" The person was very nice and replied
that he's not aware of any laws about it being illegal to have a tinted
windshield for a motorcycle. He said that he would recommend
against having a tinted windshield, which I agree, but the tinted
windshield law was specifically written for automobiles. He said
it's illegal because it's equivalent to driving a car with sunglasses
on at night. I mentioned the fact that motorcycles are considered
vehicles too but he said that motorcycles are nowhere mentioned in the
law. Satisfied with the answer, I thank him and hung up the
phone. So there you have it folks. As of August 15, 2006 it
is NOT illegal for motorcycles to have a tinted windshields.
However, I'm in agreement with the person on the phone and don't like
the idea of having a tinted windshield. This is especially true
if I have to ride in the dark.
Update 5 [
August 16, 2006 ]
Amazing! The Cee Bailey's custom windshield was shipped on August
15, 2006 and I received it on August 16, 2006. Maybe it had
something to do with the fact that the company is located approximately
25+ miles from where I live. Too funny. Anyway, the
windshield looks superb. It's even DOT rated (e.g. DOT 8
M37). It took me approximately 30 minutes to take the old
windshield off and install the new windshield. Now I have a
windshield that is crack less. The replacement windshield uses
most of the parts from the original stock BMW windshield so the new
windshield operates in the same manner as the original. The only
differences: two longer screws (that I ended up not using), and
additional rubber washers. Since I had lost my original BMW
windshield mounting parts in the streets, somewhere ages ago, I had
fabricated replacement windshield mounting parts for the stock
windshield. Personally, I can't see myself spending $50 for two
little parts that I can fabricate from pieces of aluminum I have around
my garage. It cost me pennies for the material and an hour to
finish the parts. my replacement windshield mounting parts are
made of stock 1/8" anodized aluminum and QuickSteel. My home
grown parts have been on my bike for a year and I haven't seen any
problems developed because of them. Anyway, The Cee Bailey's
windshield fit my home grown replacement parts so life is
good. The only thing remaining is to take Mr. Moto out for a test
ride to see if the new windshield really does reduce the turbulance as
mentioned on their web site. The commute to work tomorrow morning
will tell all.
2" taller and 1" winder on each side.
Written on: July 15, 2006
Last modified: August 16, 2006
to Pam.
The speedo is in kilometers.
