DR650 Parabellum windshield

[Denbar]

I just wanted to let those that might be in the market for a windshield know about my experience so far with the Parabellum windshield for the DR650. (Tall 25” model)

The cost was just under $220.00 delivered to my door. It was well packaged and came with all the necessary hardware.

The instructions could have been a little bit better and more in-depth, but after a little trial and error I managed to figure the brackets out pretty quickly. Yes, I did read the instructions!

Mounting was easy and even with the trial and error; it took about thirty minutes or so.

The fit is real nice and adjustable as well.

The windshield is sturdy and well made as are the mounts.

It does an awesome job! It was 35 degrees this morning on my commute and it was so much better than with no windshield. There is no sailing affect, which I was concerned about. Traffic does not seem to affect it, not even semi’s. The noise level is reduced significantly. I can actually hear my motor churning rather than just the exhaust and the roar of the intake (from the top being cut out). I also believe that due to the lack of pressure from the wind on my chest that the seat is more comfortable.

I wanted a windshield only for winter commuting, but now I’m not sure it won’t be on for more than just the winter months. I am actually enjoying riding now more than I ever have (where the street is concerned).

Parabellum claims an increase in MPG’s, but I haven’t seen any yet, so I will wait and see.

So far I am very pleased with this product and satisfied with my purchase.

[DoubleD650]

So the bracket Deal-ie.....

Can you 'Pop it Off' to go Off Roading say for an afternoon ?

[okbob51]

The Parabellum removal is about a 20-30 minute job for me. I also really like the Parabellum. I'm from the northern tier of states and a good deal of my riding is done in cool/cold spring and fall weather. I just wouldn't be riding without it...too cold. I haven't tried it during the summer months.

[kbuckey]

I love mine, particularly for long trips. It's amazing the difference it makes in how one feels after 400 (and on one occaision 650 mile) day. Also it makes visibility in the rain (and snow!) much better because, though I look over it it blows the rain just over my helmet visor. In fact, when they spray that mag chloride crap on the road (stuff is slippery!) the top of my helmet is black with it but the face shiel is pretty clear. Havne't noticed any change in mileage, either way. Also no instability - even in heavy gusty cross winds. Also, when I crashed the bike on the street it did get scratched but didn't get really hurt and helped keep the tank and other parts off of the pavement. A great investment.

[Mojave]

How does it bounce around? Do you think you could do some mild offroading with it on?

The main difference between my DR and Dakar in riding comfort is wind protection (well, after the seat of course). After 300 miles I'm beat up on the DR, the Dakar is good for 500 or more.

[Quehele]

So far I am very pleased with this product and satisfied with my purchase.

Same here Denbar. Mine's on the left and my wife's is on the right.

I don't know what we'd do without our Parabellums. We tend to do long street rides (100+ miles at a time) and the Paras help immensely! We can cruise at 70 mph all day long with no strain or wind blast.

[Denbar]

So the bracket Deal-ie.....

Can you 'Pop it Off' to go Off Roading say for an afternoon ?

I haven’t taken it off yet, except for when I was testing the fit. It looks to me like it wouldn’t take that long if you left the brackets on, there are only four bolts to remove. Even if you took the top brackets off, if would only take about ten minutes or so.

[Denbar]

I love mine, particularly for long trips. It's amazing the difference it makes in how one feels after 400 (and on one occaision 650 mile) day. Also it makes visibility in the rain (and snow!) much better because, though I look over it it blows the rain just over my helmet visor. In fact, when they spray that mag chloride crap on the road (stuff is slippery!) the top of my helmet is black with it but the face shiel is pretty clear. Havne't noticed any change in mileage, either way. Also no instability - even in heavy gusty cross winds. Also, when I crashed the bike on the street it did get scratched but didn't get really hurt and helped keep the tank and other parts off of the pavement. A great investment.

I haven’t ridden mine in the rain yet, but we did have a mist the other morning and even though my pant legs got wet, it kept my visor nice and dry!

650 miles in one day on a DR? Wow, you’re a better man than I am!

Did you try to buff the scratches out? If so, how well did it work and what did you use?

[Denbar]

How does it bounce around? Do you think you could do some mild offroading with it on?

The main difference between my DR and Dakar in riding comfort is wind protection (well, after the seat of course). After 300 miles I'm beat up on the DR, the Dakar is good for 500 or more.

You could probably do some mild off road stuff. I wouldn’t recommend any hill climbing that required standing and leaning; the thing would hit you in the chest or neck, and I would think that would hurt, especially in the neck!

The windshield is stable, no bouncing at all that I have noticed. Stability of the bike is actually increased in high speeds, especially noticeable with tractor-trailers.

I only commute about 15 miles one-way, and I can tell you that I have noticed a difference in just 15 miles. There is one stretch that I hit speeds of about 80 mph, and it just makes all the difference in the world. Before I was holding on pretty tight, but now I can just relax as if I’m driving 30. So my guess would be that it would easily extend your 300 miles. I guess it would depend on the speed you travel at.

[Denbar]

Same here Denbar. Mine's on the left and my wife's is on the right.

I don't know what we'd do without our Parabellums. We tend to do long street rides (100+ miles at a time) and the Paras help immensely! We can cruise at 70 mph all day long with no strain or wind blast.

I have been amazed at the difference it makes at 70+! It is much easier to ride at high speeds.

Nice bikes! Of course, they should be Blue!

[kbuckey]

I haven’t ridden mine in the rain yet, but we did have a mist the other morning and even though my pant legs got wet, it kept my visor nice and dry!

650 miles in one day on a DR? Wow, you’re a better man than I am!

Did you try to buff the scratches out? If so, how well did it work and what did you use?

I thought about buffing the scratches out but, you know, they're kinda like dueling scars. Same thing with the scratches from my first big dump in the dirt. The DR's so ugly (speaking just of mine!) nothing's going to hurt the look - but I do love the beast.

On the 650 mile day I was planning on stopping in Bel Fourche SD but got there about 1:30 in the afternoon and looked around. Kept going on into Wyoming and Montana a little, doubled back down into Wyoming, went past the Devils Tower and ended up at some town about 60 miles shy of Cheyenne. Wasn't really that tired. The Parabellum, and of course the Corbin, make a huge difference. When travelling for fun on the DR (usually means I'm heading for a Thumper Cafe with the FSSNOC guys) I usually plan on 400 mile days.

[Quehele]

Leave the brackets on. It's a simple removal to take the windshield screws out. That way the brackets stay adjusted.

Jim

I haven’t taken it off yet, except for when I was testing the fit. It looks to me like it wouldn’t take that long if you left the brackets on, there are only four bolts to remove.QUOTE]

[Quehele]

You know what they say...once you go black you never go back. Black is the new blue Denbar.

Nice bikes! Of course, they should be Blue!

Oh ya...as for 70+ mph cruising...we spend most of our time on the highway. We spend probably 80% of our time over 60 mph. Big wind gusts (from trucks) are no real problem...except on Hwy 99. Three trucks in a row...at 75+ mph...makes one hell of a slip stream!

[Mojave]

You could probably do some mild off road stuff. I wouldn’t recommend any hill climbing that required standing and leaning; the thing would hit you in the chest or neck, and I would think that would hurt, especially in the neck!

Yes, it looks like technique would have to be modified. Or the screen moved forward 6-8 inches. I see small screens at Procycle 10" by 13" that might be kind of helpful but won't relieve wind pressure at head level.

On my big loops through the Mojave/Death valley/Nevada area the normal offroad condition is mild - fine for the Dakar - but there are hard short sections - deep sand, rocky steps, boulders patches - that are truly dicey for the Dakar but merely interesting on the DR. Oh well, probably the only way to really know is to try it. I'd hate to take a shot in the neck though.

[Bikesmark]

I've had mine on almost since new and since I don't do real rough stuff with the bike I leave it on. If you plan on riding a lot of tough trails standing up then that shield MUST come off. I don't relish the thought of having to put on a plastic nose in the morning ala Michael Jackson and that would be likely if the shield did an upper cut while you were doing a downer cut. Just a thought. I ride all year and the other night coming back from GF house it was 9 degrees. The shield and my Gerbings made it tolerable for the 15 mile trip. I've been thinking of switching to a bigger bike(KTM990A) but I don't think I'd have the confidence to ride off in the cold dark night on any but my trusty DR!

[candless]

Does anyone have pic's of a tinted parabellum on their DR?

Thanks,

Eric

[budlyte]

My Parabellum arrived yesterday after being on back-order for almost a month. I'm 5' 11" so I went with the 25" model. The person at Parabellum I spoke to said that the 25" may be too short for my height, but suggested it over the 23" model. With a 30-day no question refund policy, I went ahead and ordered it.

The shield was well packaged and arrived safe and sound. I agree w/ the original poster that the instructions could be better, but thanks to some pics that Quehele posted in another Parabellum thread, I was able to get the shield mounted correctly. ?

With a thunderstorm rapidly approaching, I took the DR for a quick ride on the highway and the first thing I noticed was a tremendous increase in wind noise around my helmet even at lower speeds. It got worse as I approached 55-60. I went home and made a few adjustments and went for another ride. This time the noise was less, but still very loud. My shirt also was flapping around and getting pulled up by the turbulence, but at least there was no helmet buffeting.

I got home and called Parabellum for advice, and they said it sounds like the shield is too short (which is what I was told before I ordered it) - the top of the shield is at about chin level.

I made another adjustment, but the rain finally arrived, so I didn't get a chance to test it. I'll give it another try today, but if things don't improve I'll be sending it back. It's a very nice shield, so hopefully it works out.

[Quehele]

The problem you're having sounds like your windscreen is pulled back (too far back towards your chest) and you're riding back on the saddle.

I'm 6'3" and have the 25" Parabellum. I've noticed that with the windscreen pushed all the way out (as far as it will go away from my chest) and sitting in a close riding position (up near the tank, over the pegs) that I can ride at 70 mph with my face shield up. I have very little wind buffet or noise. But if I scoot back on the saddle I have to close my face shield and the noise increases exponentially.

My wife and I did 450 miles a couple of weeks ago and I only closed my face shield a couple of times.

I hope this helps.

Jim

My Parabellum arrived yesterday after being on back-order for almost a month. I'm 5' 11" so I went with the 25" model. The person at Parabellum I spoke to said that the 25" may be too short for my height, but suggested it over the 23" model. With a 30-day no question refund policy, I went ahead and ordered it.

The shield was well packaged and arrived safe and sound. I agree w/ the original poster that the instructions could be better, but thanks to some pics that Quehele posted in another Parabellum thread, I was able to get the shield mounted correctly. ?

With a thunderstorm rapidly approaching, I took the DR for a quick ride on the highway and the first thing I noticed was a tremendous increase in wind noise around my helmet even at lower speeds. It got worse as I approached 55-60. I went home and made a few adjustments and went for another ride. This time the noise was less, but still very loud. My shirt also was flapping around and getting pulled up by the turbulence, but at least there was no helmet buffeting.

I got home and called Parabellum for advice, and they said it sounds like the shield is too short (which is what I was told before I ordered it) - the top of the shield is at about chin level.

I made another adjustment, but the rain finally arrived, so I didn't get a chance to test it. I'll give it another try today, but if things don't improve I'll be sending it back. It's a very nice shield, so hopefully it works out.

[okbob51]

I changed out the four bolts on my Parabellum. In their place I used thumbscrews with wing nuts. I simply leave the brackets in adjustment and can have the windshield off/on in about 2 minutes or less....NO wrenches needed. ?

[budlyte]

Thanks for the reply and advice Jim.

Unfortunately, I could not get rid of the almost deafening wind noise no matter how I adjusted the shield. When it was first mounted, it was pushed all the way forward. My first adjustment was to pull it back as far as I could towards me. That reduced the noise a bit, but it was still loud. I tried several intermediate adjustments yesterday, but I had no better results.

The Parabellum folks didn't have any other ideas, so it's going back today.