Vectrix Windshield Extension and Vectrix Riders Yahoo Group
The windscreen on my Vectrix is too short to block the wind noise for my height. I noticed that when I ducked behind the screen, the noise was reduced significantly. Vectrix said nobody makes a taller windscreen for the bike, so I rigged up an extension. I clamped a clear helmet visor to the top of the windscreen with two sliding door/window locks from Home Depot. I had to hacksaw the locking pins to fit both plastic pieces inside the clamps. It looks fine and is rock-solid at 62 MPH. Now my ride is much quieter and less turbulent. Pictures are posted in the Photos section of http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/VectrixRiders/. Please feel free to join this group.
Dan W.
San Diego, CA
I just ordered some stealth edging from http://www.saeng.com/4000.htm. Havent received or tried it yet, but I will report back with results. They also have "Wings" and "Winglets" that are adjustable shield extensions if anyone is interested.
Before I bought my Vectrix, I searched the Internet for owner forums, and not having much luck, I created a Delphi forum. evriders.net The next day, I was searching again and found both the Yahoo groups and this forum, which are all great forums, although I prefer the Delphi system. Anyway, mine is brand new, and not meant to compete with or deplete the others, but you're all invited to drop in and show off your rides anyway! :-)
Hi
This is the riser that Raytheham used . I can not find the post with his pics .he said it work well.
Here is the link to the part . http://www.twistedthrottle.com/imagecatalogue/imageview/8683/?RefererURL=/trade/productview/2710/194/
Happy riding Herb
I just ordered some stealth edging from http://www.saeng.com/4000.htm. Havent received or tried it yet, but I will report back with results.
Well, I got the edging and installed it, but it did not help much at all that I can tell. It might have moved the burble up an inch or so, but I still get lots of wind turbulence at my head. Odd thing is, I can simply tilt my head down, as if looking at my key, and the wind becomes smooth and quiet, so I know it's hitting me right at the lip of my helmet.
I have a shielded helmet on order, which I'm hoping will tame the rest of the airflow, and if not, I've got some old shield plastic that I'll start playing around with. Those extensions just seem a bit too much of a risk for the price.
Hi All, this is the correct link:- http://www.bikehps.com/mra/variotouringscreens.html. My extension was easy to fit...with care. Helmet buffeting is a problem on any bike, the design of the visor and helmet shape have a lot to do with it. Open face helmets are the worse because those fitted with a peak catch the wind very well. I use a full fave flip top helmet with bluetooth coms.
That reminds me, somewhere in the Vectrix blurb they talk about blue tooth monitoring. Any one had any update on this?
Ray
This group is worth joining. The file section has a Vectrix accessory list.
Hi All, this is the correct link:- http://www.bikehps.com/mra/variotouringscreens.html. My extension was easy to fit...with care. Helmet buffeting is a problem on any bike, the design of the visor and helmet shape have a lot to do with it. Open face helmets are the worse because those fitted with a peak catch the wind very well. I use a full fave flip top helmet with bluetooth coms.
That's a nice solution Ray, I only had a few minutes test ride but did get it up to near top speed. I noticed quite a bit of buffeting and I'm not that tall, I am a wimpy biker though and on my R1100RT the windscreen is electrically adjustable to get the perfect airflow, it's a delight. That extension will be a definite purchase for me when my Vectrix arrives.
Simon.
Hi All, this is the correct link:- http://www.bikehps.com/mra/variotouringscreens.html. My extension was easy to fit...with care. Helmet buffeting is a problem on any bike, the design of the visor and helmet shape have a lot to do with it. Open face helmets are the worse because those fitted with a peak catch the wind very well. I use a full fave flip top helmet with bluetooth coms.
I reviewed the link listed above & the touring screen definitely appears to be the way to go to reduce wind buffet at speed.
My only query is that this manufacturer only seems to provide model options for "conventional" ICE bikes; as I would have to ship one of these screens halfway around the planet I need to determine exactly which style suits the Vectrix screen set-up.
Thanks in advance,
Extensions are ugly. Why not replace the entire windshield? A longer version for taller persons... After all that's only a simple windshield...
Here's another company that sells the MRA Vario: http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/2710/194/
They give MRA's site as http://mra.de.
It may be worth calling the Vectrix flagship store in Newport, RI to see if they have taller windscreens available.
Hi Guys,
You may be interested to know I had the Vectrix service engineer here on Tuesday to do my first annual service. He connected to the can bus to check and upgrade all the software, calibrate the throttle and check all the lights etc. He then dismantled the front of the bike to get at the rear of the instrument console to check various bits and pieces. I asked him to check the front suspension thoroughly as if I had a light touch on the handle bars I got a wheel wobble which needed a firm grip to stop......he said they all do this. Really? I had to give a hand signal slowing down which is how I found out. It is a design fault apparently.
On checking the front suspension forks he said there was air in them and would need replacing, so they are on order under warranty of course. The rest of the bike was in good nick with nearly 3000 miles on it.
Whilst we were chatting he said the company is looking at a new windscreen, taller and wider than the existing one so watch this space. Lithium ion batteries are in progress as are fuel cells. In the UK they will be based on LPG whereas in the USA they will be hydrogen based.
When he comes back to fit the forks I will try and extract more info. They will invoice me for the service so I have no idea how much it is yet...watch this space!!
Regards all
Ray
They will invoice me for the service so I have no idea how much it is yet...watch this space!!
Isn't the bike still under warranty?
Hi Guys,
You may be interested to know I had the Vectrix service engineer here on Tuesday to do my first annual service. He connected to the can bus to check and upgrade all the software, calibrate the throttle and check all the lights etc. He then dismantled the front of the bike to get at the rear of the instrument console to check various bits and pieces. I asked him to check the front suspension thoroughly as if I had a light touch on the handle bars I got a wheel wobble which needed a firm grip to stop......he said they all do this. Really? I had to give a hand signal slowing down which is how I found out. It is a design fault apparently.
On checking the front suspension forks he said there was air in them and would need replacing, so they are on order under warranty of course. The rest of the bike was in good nick with nearly 3000 miles on it.
Whilst we were chatting he said the company is looking at a new windscreen, taller and wider than the existing one so watch this space. Lithium ion batteries are in progress as are fuel cells. In the UK they will be based on LPG whereas in the USA they will be hydrogen based.
When he comes back to fit the forks I will try and extract more info. They will invoice me for the service so I have no idea how much it is yet...watch this space!!
Regards all
Ray
Hi Ray,
I'm so yealous...
Wish I had gotten to the point of a receiving a competent service for a Vectrix which is still running!
But anyways, fixing it myself must be even better by "sour grape neccessity"!
.
I have had the front end wobble on both my Vectrixes, more on the first one I believe.
I need to really provoke it on the Vectux before it happens, whilst on the first scooter it sometimes started by itself when I cautiously let go of the handle bars (with my hands cusped aroud the handlebars with a 10mm air-space...)
I know this penomenon very well, because I was the proud owner of a used Kawasaki KH250B back in the 80's. It had a very spirited 3-cyl, 2 stroke engine and a poor frame, causing a lot of wobble in the front end.
Because I knew how scary this wobble can be when it happens unannounced, I tried to provoke it soon after I got my first Vectrix.
After the KH250B experience (several looong years of it) that is just part of my repertoir of testing a bike. I did not find it unusual that I could cause a wobble, because I never owned a bike with a good frame before. I thought that it was almost normal that the front end wobbles on a motor bike, because I owned no other motor bike since the Kawasaki.
I have not been able to ride free-handed on my first Vectrix, it always started to wobble immediately; the Vectux is a bit better but I know that any small bump during a free handed ride could trigger a cascading front end wobble that would throw me off the bike in no time if I was to ride free-handed sitting up straight.
b]With a loaded "top-box" this problem would be exponentially increased![/b]
Any shift of the center of gravity towards the rear will increase the likelyhood of the front end starting to wobble.
But unlike the KH250B, the Vectrixes never started to wobble unless I took both hands off the handle bars.
Good enough for me! But it needs improvement.
I have not done it but I am confident that a good framed bike can be ridden free-handed, leaning back and waving your arms about in the air in a jubilant victory pose....
There he goes again, that Mr. Mik, soooo negative.....
Mr. Mik
One of my previous large bikes had a horrible wobble if you ever took your hands off the bars. Of course, the universal answer to the question of why was "Never ride with both hands off the bars!" HAHA!!
Well, through a bit of head scratching, and eventually trial and error, we figured out that she wobbled because she had a wiggly tread pattern right down the center of her front tire. Given half the chance, she'll try to follow that wiggly line! Changed to a different brand of tire with no solid wiggly line and she smoothed right out.
Anyone noticed the wiggly tread line down the center of the Vectrix front tire? ;-) Best keep both hands on the bars, my friends!! HAHA!!! :-)
To help with the wobble, you might want to increase the front tire pressure up to 41 psi. If the tire has already started to "cup" from the wobble the only fix is to replace it. I know that on motorcycles like the Honda GL1800 front end stability and the tire problems it causes have been helped by increasing front tire pressure. I have always run the Vectrix at maximum inflation pressure (for mileage) and never had any front end wobble. I still think the front forks are undersized and poorly mounted for a scooter with the weight and weight distribution of the Vectrix.
To help with the wobble, you might want to increase the front tire pressure up to 41 psi. If the tire has already started to "cup" from the wobble the only fix is to replace it. I know that on motorcycles like the Honda GL1800 front end stability and the tire problems it causes have been helped by increasing front tire pressure. I have always run the Vectrix at maximum inflation pressure (for mileage) and never had any front end wobble. I still think the front forks are undersized and poorly mounted for a scooter with the weight and weight distribution of the Vectrix.
I cannot comment on the question if 41PSI would fix the wobble, but I know that the max recommended pressure for the front tyre is 33PSI as per tyre and 32PSI as per Vectrix specs.
The max for the rear is 41PSI / 40PSI.
I don't know how much over-pressure would be safe, but as you know, a blown out front tyre is ugly!
The "cupping" effect that you decribe on a tyre, caused by a wobble and then in turn making it worse, is probably only going to happen if it actually spends some time wobbling. AS I usually keep my hands on the handle bars, it never happens! So I guess the tyre stays unchanged in that respect.
What does "cupping" look like?
I'll have to try it out again with the fairly new tyres I have on there (once it is back together again, the battery analysis is still running).
Mr. Mik
A warranty applies for items that fail under normal usage. Annual servicing is chargeable, as is the cost of any consumables NOT covered vy a warranty, so I'd expect a nominal charge to be billed for a service visit.
Has anyone made progress regarding a windshield extension that reduces noise? If so, would you share make and model.
Thanks
Welcome Harry, see my previous entries in this post re-windscreen extensions. My bike is in bits after my accident. I was knocked off it by a stupid woman who said she didn't see me. At the moment, parts and labour are up to £5175 for the repair so I am waiting to see what the insurance company does.
Later this year 2009 Vectrix, according to the engineer will be offering a larger windscreen option. He didn't have dimensions but said that it would be taller and possibly wider but there was an issue with handlebar clearance.
My Vario extension worked a treat, the link is in one of the threads above.
All the best
Ray
Sorry to hear that Ray. Out of morbid interest... what is the colour of your Machine? I have a feeling that the bike will be declared a write-off as they don't usually cover for more than 75% of the ourchase price. If they do, it might be worthwhile asking to pay a nominal sum and then sell off the spare parts on eBay!
Hi Raymond,
it was the dark red/maroon version, a real bummer as I was really enjoying the bike. We'll have to see what they say later this week. If I can buy the bits back then I'll put them on this forum or e-bay.
I'll be back electric asap!!,
regards
Ray
Yeah, maybe you'll get to keep some of those NiMH cells Mik needs to replace ;-)
hi ray . nice to hear that you are getting things going with the vectrix scooter.
well i thought that i only had a little wobble on the steering but i had it with my e-max scooter aswell
think i know defiantly with the e-max scooter the overall weight on the front axel i/e on the front wheel there is two much weight
over the front fork becouse for a little scooter it takes two people to lift the scooter up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and i think / am very shour that it is simlar thing hapaning with the vectrix but not as bad !! but i think that the waight distrubution is brilliant
if you really think about it i can throw it about and it really seems light but i know that if am not on the ball with it .
she will bight back .
don't you think ?? kev.
Hi Kev,well I am a biker from way back in the 60's and quite a few bikes then had a steering damper which went down through the steering boss and you could tighten it up to stop any sort of wobbles. It's all to do with the angle of the front forks and the wheel diameter/tyre characteristics. The Vectrix wasn't as bad as some bikes I've had. The steering was too heavy, like most of the American chopper bikes, due to the severe angle of the front forks. Its a fine judgment between stability and weight of steering getting that angle right. As you say the weight distribution and balance is near perfect and with all the weight lower down than a normal bike makes it very stable indeed and quite maneuverable.
Still haven't heard from the insurance company about the bike but been looking for any second hand prices for comparison...can't find any on the internet or e-bay. One company had advertised but suddenly disappeared so we'll just have to see.
All the best
Ray
Hi Raymond,
the new-ish bike arrived last week. It is a silver one, 08 model with less than 2000 miles on the clock. I specified the new "winter" windscreen to see how much bigger it is. It is about two inches taller,and much wider down at the base near the handlebars. Once I get sorted out I'll post a picture here together with the instructions for using the new software to set up a time delay before the charge cycle starts. The gearbox is also a bit quieter than my old one. The insurance company wanted too much for the remains of the old bike, about £1500. I got £5000 for the write-off, less my excess and paid nearly £4000 for this ex-demonstrator. In some places its had a bit of a hard life but then my old bike had! I did just over 4000 miles in the year and a bit I had it and it didn't let me down once. I now also have new illuminated fluorescent over jacket, again, I'll post pics later.
All the best
Ray
Dan,
Only fair to point out that Yahoo Group is for USA Vectric users. The International Vectrix Group can be found here: http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/vectrixowners/
- Raymond