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Post by floridagull on Jan 12, 2016 13:24:17 GMT -5
As some of you may know - - I recently purchased a used 2008 Baccio VX150. Before I do lots of research myself, it occurred to me that someone here may have done this research already... So, I am looking for a windshield and a backrest for my scooter. Any thoughts? A link to my scooter specs: www.baccio.com/baccio_vx_150.htmand, it seems to be the same as this Ice Bear: www.icebearatv.com/product/pmz150-3s-j-
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jan 13, 2016 19:04:05 GMT -5
Floridagull,
I'm a big fan of the cosmetics of your scoot the way it is! It is actually nearly identical to my '07 Xingyue 150 except for the headlights which are way cool! What MAKES yours is the blacked-out wheels and red-striped rims.
Considering I'm now totally sold on both the GIVI windshield, and monster-sized trunk on my Kymco 250, I must admit neither item is all that attractive... and would look even worse on your sporty, hotrod style ride... LOL!
Your rear-rack would accept about any size trunk you could stand the appearance of... (I found my identical rack would not withstand any serious load, having the steel frame beneath the plastic break and be re-welded several times). I finally tied it together at the breaks with heavy nylon zip-ties and never had another problem!
As for a windshield, I have not seen many that look good on the sporty 150's. Most are, and LOOK very much "bolt-on". (My old Kymco had a factory windshield which completes the nose-fairing so at least is looks "factory"). With my 150, I opted for wearing safety-goggles over my regular glasses rather than use a windshield. A full-face helmet would also do the trick.
With most riding at 55 mph or less, a windshield isn't as necessary as when running over 70 mph. But it's still nice. If you really search, you may find one that attaches SOLIDLY and looks decent, but it may be expensive. One consideration is that I've found my windshield has "flares" that completely block wind on my HANDS... I never had that even with Harley baggers and it's great... Allows comfortable hands clear down to riding at 50 degrees! Something to consider if you're adding a windshield anyway.
The backrest? Scooters don't often sport a true backrest, but more like a "lumbar-support". You could probably find a "wedge" style support at a furniture store that could be covered in a material that looks OK with your seat vinyl and sew "D-rings" to it's bottom/side, and secure it discretely with a bungee-cord wrapping under the seat. I did that once LONG ago on a Suzuki 250 cycle and it worked great. It also comes off instantly and can store under your seat if not needed.
For the record, my old Kymco has the infamous Kymco "lumbar support" which most riders don't like, but I do! I lean back on it often and it makes for a relaxed ride.
I wouldn't recommend any kind of "actual" back-rest like a "sissy-bar" since I saw numerous serious injuries to chopper riders, caused by them in minor rear-end hits by a car. Even a 5 mph rear-impact can slam the rest into your spine and that's dangerous. Though unpleasant, I'd rather do a backwards summersault onto the bozo's hood. Let his windshield break my impact instead of the sissy-bar breaking my spine... Just me.
I'll be on the lookout for any good-looking accessories for the 150's.
There's gotta be SOMETHING you'd like...
Leo in Texas
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Post by ungabunga on Jan 13, 2016 21:52:58 GMT -5
One option would be to find the original machine it's based on and look for the accessories that go with it. The trouble is, the accessories for the original might not even be compatible. Now, if you don't care about how bad it looks, you could look into something from slipstreamer. I had one on my Kymco people 150 and it was fine, even if it didn't look exactly right, it was functional. It was a scoot 30. Their website is here slipstreamer.com/scooter/
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Post by rockynv on Jan 14, 2016 1:01:45 GMT -5
On that style bike one of the Puig Sport Fairings will be better than a barn door police windshield. www.puigusa.com/en/Superbike Toy Stores Scooter Division in Stuart Florida can get them for a reasonable price and they do hold up well in the Florida Sun. Made my Aprilia cruise at lower throttle levels on the highway. Get the best Polypropylene case that you can afford. Givi, Coose, Saddleman or an equivalent that seals well and uses a real lock and key not a spring latch with a universal insert that looks like a key but will open with even a Popsicle stick or many time once they age from a minor bump. Watch out for cheap ones made of Polystyrene as they are brittle and do not hold up well in the Florida sunshine and really are not sturdy enough to hold a backrest and are more of a decoration.
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jan 15, 2016 2:28:11 GMT -5
I did some looking... Not a lot of good-looking windshields around, but a few. Scrappydog has one universal one that's pretty clean looking. Mounts to mirror bosses and appears to be quite universal. There is also a video on installation. Looks easy to do! www.chinesescooterparts.com/Universal-scooter-windshield-0125-02.htmWorth a look, and affordable. The sport fairings rockynv recommends are a good choice too! Keep us posted... Leo in Texas
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Post by SylvreKat on Jan 15, 2016 8:51:22 GMT -5
Question--are you wanting a backrest for yourself as you drive, or for the passenger? Seems to me, if you get a case, the backrest doesn't work very well for you driving. At least, it sure wouldn't for me on Peej. I had the chance to buy a Vespa case, lights and possibly matching paint, for I think $80. I found a box that size and tied it on the luggage rack. Hated how it looked, just sort of hanging off the back definitely like an afterthought. HATED it. Even Mom hated how it off-balanced "that thing's" appearance. Plus it didn't provide anything except storage space as my back was nowhere near it. Instead, I got a nice seatbag which just straps on. I hooked the hooks together under the seat so I can access that storage too. It's black (with all sorts of reflective piping) so blends in with the black seat. And while it's not a ton of back support, I sure can feel it against my back when I drive. And it feels good. Just another idea for you to consider. Btb, like Leo I love your red rims! >'Kat
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Post by wheelbender6 on Jan 15, 2016 20:03:48 GMT -5
A windshield will add a lot of comfort to your winter rides. The slipstreamers attaches to the mirror mounts too.
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Post by floridagull on Jan 17, 2016 10:46:31 GMT -5
Thanks for all of your replies! I do have the case that the scoot originally came with - so I guess I should just put that on for now and see how "rattly" it is... Kat - the backrest would be for my wife (or anyone who sits behind me...) - not for me. I am 52, and my wife is 51, and I don't care so much how the windshield will look - I just want it to block the wind! This - www.chinesescooterparts.com/Universal-scooter-windshield-0125-02.htm - doesn't seem too bad, but no dimensions, and back-ordered... The Slipstreamer ones - slipstreamer.com/scooter/ - seem as if they'd work. I believe I would need a windshield that would mount to the mirror mounting points. So, we have 13" high (Scoot 66), 15" high (Scoot 60), 16.25" high (Scoot 30), 19" high (Scoot 40), and 20" high (Scoot 50). I did some quick measuring, and the 15" would have the top of the windshield at about eye level, bisecting my view, which would not be ideal... I'm thinking 19" or 20" - Scoot 40 is $109.99 from Parts for Scooters, and Scoot 50 is $125.99, so I'm leaning toward the Scoot 40. One wants the windshield top to not bisect one's view, correct? And, if the windshield top is too low (as in the Scoot 60 and 66), I'll get blown in the face, correct? Thanks for your input!
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Post by wheelbender6 on Jan 17, 2016 16:27:06 GMT -5
True. You should be looking over the windshield, rather than through it (in case it gets too dirty to see thru it). My windshield rises to 14 inches above my handle bars. Wind hits me about eye level, rather than the chest and neck. I'm 5'9. Perfect windshield height would direct the air blast at the top of your helmet, or slightly above. That is what I have read, anyway. The windshield helps a lot in the rain, too.
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Post by SylvreKat on Jan 17, 2016 16:38:04 GMT -5
I think part of the windshield's work is done by shape as much as length. So if you get one that's more slanted, the wind won't be directed as high as a windshield that's more upright.
And I believe 'bender's right that you don't really want to be looking through the shield. I'm sure I've read that in cycle magazines.
Have you tried figuring the angle of the 13", and how it should direct wind flow?
Meanwhile, sounds like a good plan to go with the original case for now. Get the windshield done, then save up for if the case doesn't work out so good.
>'Kat
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Post by oldchopperguy on Jan 17, 2016 20:32:18 GMT -5
The theory of looking OVER the windshield has been accepted since I was a little nipper, 60 years ago. I always set up my Full-Dress Harleys (those are "baggers" in todays lingo) that way, and was happy with them. Of course, those AWFUL old Hog windshields were made of some kind of plastic from the nether-regions, wavy, foggy, distorted and would give a hawk vertigo staring through 'em... So it was preferable to get bird-poo (or wee-wee from a "trucker's friend") in the puss rather than ride looking through the things... Now, I'm not quite so sure. Looking through a dirty windshield sucks, and even looking through a clean one disturbs my sense of balance, or, at least it did at first.
My Kymko Grandvista has a very, VERY TALL Givi windshield, clearly designed to look through, not over. After two seasons now, I actually prefer it... WITH one caveat: the seat/handlebar configuration allows me to sit back comfortably and look through the windshield, yet sit bolt-upright and look OVER the windshield if needed (especially on DARK nights with little ambient lighting and oncoming headlights glare).
This comes in VERY handy if the windshield is dirty, and I'm approaching a traffic-light, poorly-marked left-turn lane, etc. If oncoming lights glare in the dirty windshield (which they DO!). I can just sit up straight and look over it... VERY handy when those "invisible" curbs sneak up at unlit intersections... Don't you just HATE those?... LOL!
It's VERY much a matter of personal preference. With an adjustable-height windshield, you can set it up any way you like. If you like looking OVER it, you can adjust to "slouch" down and look THROUGH it when "stuff" heads for your face... OR, do the opposite like I do and sit up and look OVER it when more visibility is needed...
I really don't like the appearance of windshields all that much, BUT... I do like their utility!
I truly dislike bird-poo and trucker wee-wee... So... I'm very fond of that monster-sized Plexi-Glass GIVI... LOLOLOL!
Leo in Texas
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Post by JerryScript on Jan 17, 2016 20:51:34 GMT -5
If anyone wants it, I have one of the universal windshields with two pieces of plastic, minus the rearview mirror mounting brackets, they were on the yellow scooter when it got stolen. You can have it for shipping costs.
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Post by SylvreKat on Jan 17, 2016 23:45:14 GMT -5
... and would give a hawk vertigo staring through 'em... Leo in Texas Leo, you have some of the bar-none best phrases out of anyone on the 'net! >'Kat
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Post by floridagull on Jan 18, 2016 7:46:06 GMT -5
I would think looking through the windshield would be better from the wind-protection standpoint?
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Post by rockynv on Jan 18, 2016 9:24:15 GMT -5
To do things righteously you are suppose to look over the windshield since they are usually not optically correct and tend to obscure things especially when they are wet or dirty. A good tech when setting up a bike for you will adjust the windshield to be just below eye level even if that means cutting it down.
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