Windshield for Honda Rebel 500

[Tony Norton]

Hi All,

I recently had a strenuous A2 Mod 2 training session with a local school.
The instructor took us on a dual carriageway and wound us up to 70mph. It was OK for him, he has a screen that is as high as the top of his helmet, but my Rebel has nothing above the headlight to protect me from the wind. I was never so pleased to see a 50mph speed limit sign appear!

I reckon I will have to fit some form of windshield, but which one? Pricewise they seem to vary from £25 to £225.

Has anyone actually fitted one to a Rebel. Was it good, or was it a waste of space. Any advice, based on experience would be most welcome.

Happy biking,

Tony Norton

[stinkwheel]

Even one of the little flyscreens mounted above the headlamp will keep a fair bit of windblast off your body. I've had them on other bikes although not on a cruiser.

I just put a very cheap (like £16) amazon one on my enfield to see how I like it before forking out for a better quality one and it does help. Plastic has cracked already but it'll hold out for a while longer and a good proof of concept.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Easy-X]

Helmet makes a big difference. I have a "retro style" helmet and it's terrible >60mph but the cheap Vcan I have for winter/bad weather is excellent at high speed - more streamlined, sorta spoiler on the back.

That being said, when I owned a Rebel I went with a Puig screen:

https://puig.tv/en/tuning-motos/windshields-specific-for-non-round-headlights/new-generation-sport?&bike=28056&location_iso=GB
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[WD Forte]

Little screens are waste of time and money IMO
they have a limited effect but thats all, at motorway speeds they're crap.
Just buy a handlebar mounted highway screen and deflector and once it's setup
you'll really notice a difference.

I bet 'Top of his helmet' is an exaggeration, you should never ride looking
through a screen but just over it.
I found the optimal position over many many hours of motorway riding
was having the top of the screen or deflector at a level between my chin and
the tip of my nose.

Helmet design may have some limited effect but a good screen setup
is better, I could cruise at REDACTED with my visor up.
Try doing that without a screen.
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bikers smell of wee

[Tony Norton]

Hi Easy-X,

Thanks for your response.

I rate Puig, it was their crash bars I fitted to the Rebel. They did their job a couple of times when practicing for Mod 1.

Which colour option for the screen did you select? When in use, did you wish you had chosen one of the other 2? I would possibly go for clear because it looks as though either of the smoke options would partially obscure one's view of the front indicators. Would it?

Cheers
Tony

[Tony Norton]

WD Forte,

Thanks for the advice re screen height.

One can only guess at the possible REDACTED figure.

Tony

[Easy-X]

IIRC I went for "dark smoke" but smoke or clear would be more practical.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[stinkwheel]

If you're going to ride with an open face helmet at anything over 60, it needs a peak on it or they try to either lift up off your head, push painfully into your forehead or both. Old helmets had peaks for a reason.
____________________
“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[jonquirk]

I ride a Triumph Trident 660 and wear a Schuberth C3Pro helmet. I think that wind blast at 70mph is something you’d get used to with more time on the bike. As long as it’s clean airflow it’s not too bad. Following some cars I have learned that some of them have really dirty wake that is tiresome to ride in (Skoda Yeti is one).

In February I rode from Guildford to Newcastle and back in a day (616 miles) which entailed many hours at 70mph with no issues. The Trident does have a little fly screen on it but I’m under no illusions about how much it deflects; it mainly tidies up the appearance of the back of the instrument binnacle.
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2021 Triumph Trident660
1978 BMW R60/7

[struan80]

Yipee! someone else on here with a Rebel 500. Me and you are the only ones on this entire forum to have good taste

Mine came with a tiny screen that does nothing. I wouldn't mind a taller screen myself.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/yy224/struan80/385552359_266035999742136_4804523221661181417_n.jpg

[Nobby the Bastard]

GAY!
____________________
trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050

[pdg]

[struan80]

[to v or not to v]

im thinking of test riding the Rebel 1100 myself.
maybe i have to much estrogen in my diet?
____________________
current bike Yamaha Thunderace.
its old and fat, but its a damned good ride. the bikes not bad either.

[pdg]

[to v or not to v]

its my stumpy legs sending me in the Rebel direction.
____________________
current bike Yamaha Thunderace.
its old and fat, but its a damned good ride. the bikes not bad either.

[pdg]

[to v or not to v]

i am. had to lower my current bike. its a lot of hassle to be honest.
id rather just go with a bike with lower seat height if i can.
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current bike Yamaha Thunderace.
its old and fat, but its a damned good ride. the bikes not bad either.

[Easy-X]

Although I'm a teeny-weeny Cornish pisky (5'5") even I felt the Rebel a little cramped. Topped off by adding a tall screen I was Toy Town police (if you're old enough to remember CHiPs!)

There is the Kawasaki Eliminator out this year which has been generously described as a "pocket muscle cruiser" if you're after an alternative to the Rebel 500. Probably more practical than my Husky but I doubt it'd be half as fun.
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Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[struan80]

Damned you all. You haven't got a clue about what's cool and good taste. There's nothing wrong with riding a girls chopper looking gay, but thankfully having a dark visor so no one can see you. Add a BMW jacket to the mix and all hell will break loose.

Actually the rebel is what it is, a honda inexpensive but well put together bike for A2 riders and me.

[pdg]

[MCN]

Screens on bikes and other akootreatments.

It's a bit hit and miss to get it perfect.

I have the standard screen on my S1000RR but an extended screen on my K1300.

One I live with no wind protection and stick my chin on the fuel filler cap.

The other I can fettle its angle of dangle using a motor.
The tilt mechanism tilts, that alters the height and the rake.

Both of those act independently to each other.

Screen at highest most fwd angle provides good wind protection but at autobahn speeds there's buffeting.
Due to dirty air off the top of the screen clatering the top of my hat.
If I schootch down a little, I find a calm zone. But it's not sustainable to hold that position for very long. Just to smoke a cigarette then back up into the hurricane.

I bought a thing to bolt on the top edge. Theoretically it 'trims' turbulent air and directs it over the top of ones noggins'.
Well... I fell off on its first outing. Bastad.

A massive screen will block wind.

But they are horrible in blustery weather.

And you can't see through them.

Buy a car.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.