550 Windshield and gear suggestions?

I just took my first long road trip and found out: I need a windshield. (Shout out to Art, Tina, Will and Roland for the escort rid along the trip too!)
Before I go out and rashly purchase one, has anyone got any good suggestions, or actually used one on a maxim 550?

And while I'm on the topic of getting gear, any advice on a highway pegs or tankbags?

Thanks!
-Steve

 

I'm with you on the loooong road trips! A little wind feels nice, but after a while....
I just installed a National Cycle Plexifairing on my 650 Maxim and love it! They retail for around $150, but I found this one on an eBay auction, and paid $80 ($93 with shipping) It is a full size one, 21 1/2 " up from the headlight, 4' below the bottom of the headlight (along the forks) and fairly wide, out to the edge of the grips. It makes a world of difference in riding comfort. The drawbacks are 1. it cut my gas mileage by 2-3 mpg and 2. in a high or gusty wind, I can now feel the wind impact through my handlebars. No. 1 I can live with, and no. 2 has caused no problems to date - I hardly notice it now.
I have heard many say that they want a lower windshield, below their line of vision, so that they look over the top. This way, mud, messes, etc. on the windshield will not cause vision problems. On the other hand, mud on your windshield would have ended up on your visor/goggles without the windshield.... I just keep a good coat of Rain-X on both.

Shannon
xcowboykc
81 XJ 650 Maxim

 

I just put a Slipstreamer Spitfire on my 82 xj550 & I love it. Much nicer ride at freeway speeds of 65 MPH, dont get the wind blasting you all around. Mine is just below my line of vision, so even if it rains, I can see over it comfortably. It took a bunch of short rides to get it adjusted right, to minimize the wind buffet on my helmet, but I think I got it worked out right now. Oh and I only paid $30 for it on e-bay, was a factory second, however I cannot determine why.

 

There was a thread on here a while ago that had a link to a very, very nice write-up on a DIY windshield...looked professional when it was done and the final cost was around 50$. The site was geared towards scooter mods but the actual process was completely applicable to motorcycles.

Poke around, you should be able to find it.


I planned on doing one myself before I got hooked on the cafe racers.

 

I thought I had closed this thread, but guess I just did the one at advrider.com.
I'm with TomW.
I got a spitfire, on recommendation of a family friend riding longer than I've been a live. Perfect. Still feel the wind, small enough to get good pick up on a small bike, big enough to get it off my chest.
-S