Ok here is a little background before I get started with the actual review.
I've been researching, reading and comparing replacement windscreens to replace the OEM on my 98 C10 for several months so I concentrated my research on the 3 major player on the game Rifle, Cee Baileys, and Clearview.
I want to make it perfectly clear that this review is not in any way intended to be another "Which is better, brand A,B,or C" argument nor is it intended to be an argument on height, width, aesthetics or who has the best deflection angle.
In reality they all have their pros and cons, and in the end it come down to personal preference, and another truth that I believe the majority of C10 owners can agree with, is that anything is better than the OEM when it comes to buffeting, back pressure and visual distortion, and wind noise.
As for me why I chose Rifle over the others was:
- The low cost of replacement windscreens $85+ shipping
- The low cost ability to have different size windscreens i.e summer and winter screens
- The ability to quickly cut and install my own acrylic or polycarbonate to what ever height I choose without adversely effecting the laminar flow design.
With that said now on to the review.
Packaging and shipping:I ordered mine directly from
Rifle.com shipping was pretty quick I ordered on a Monday evening and it was at my door on Friday.
The packing was very professional the base and windscreen were tied up in separate plastic bags separated and cushioned with bubble wrap, airbags, and brown paper in a cardboard box, everything arrived unscratched and unbroken as intended.
Also in the package was a packet with 8 nylon screws, washers, and nuts for mounting the windscreen to the base, more about that in a little bit.
Install:Install is really easy, unscrew and remove your OEM or other aftermarket windscreen saving the original screws for installing the Rifle base to the faring, then using 6 of the 8 nylon screws, washer and nuts install the windscreen to the base.
*TIP #1 Chamfer (bevel) the holes on the windscreen prior to installing will relieve stress on the holes and help prevent future staring of the holes. This can be achieved very easily with just a common pocket knife careful not to wallow out the hole just a slight 45 degree or so bevel is all it takes.
*TIP #2 Do not over tighten the nylon screws this can also lead to the dreaded staring.
Hold the screws on the outside of the windscreen with a phillips screwdriver while tightening the nuts from the inside with your fingers only, tightening them just enough that they are snug, but you are still able to turn the whole screw/nut combo with some resistance.
Fit and Finish:The finish of both the base and the Lucite windscreen are impeccable, I opted to get the standard black textured base, however Rifle does offer an OEM color matched option for an extra $70
The Lucite wind screen is crystal clear with
zero distortions, in fact if it weren't for the glare and edges you wouldn't know it was there. :great:
The fit however I felt lacked precision, the holes on both the base to faring and base to windscreen were not precise, and required flexing of the plastic to get them to line up enough to get the screws started, I feel this also could be another cause of stress cracking and staring. For the price I feel that a company has been in business and as reputable as Rifle could spend a few more minutes and make sure things align a bit more precise.
The Ride:Once installed I took the bike out for about an hour test ride on freeway, surface streets and country back roads
I had zero helmet buffeting, next to nothing wind noise, and the wind wake from the big rigs aren't blowing me all over the place anymore, in short the Rifle Concours Windshield System preforms as designed and advertised.
All and all I give the Rifle Concours Windshield System 4.5 out of 5 only because of the poor alignment of the mounting holes and perhaps maybe Rifle should chamfer the windscreen hole at the factory to help with premature stress cracks and staring.
Willie
