Zero-Gravity Double Bubble


	Zero-Gravity Double-Bubble Windscreen for the 2001 Suzuki Bandit


	Good wind protection doesn’t have to sacrafice “looking cool.”

Like many Bandit owners, I wanted a motorcycle for ‘touring’ as well as ‘sport-duty’, a design paradox that Suzuki solved with the Bandit series. The stock fairing design on the new Bandit is pretty good at poking a nice big hole in the atmosphere, and still manages to look ‘sporty’. It does have its problems though. For riders 6 foot and taller, the wind still tends to blast the helmet level at freeway speeds (65-90mph). Most of the time, the taller guys will have to crouch down a bit to duck the buffeting. No problem, right? One of the reasons most riders purchase a Bandit, is for its top rate ergonomic package, which includes a comfortable upright riding position. Crouching down behind a fairing for any length of time just plain hurts after a while.




	The DB (Double-Bubble) design has a race and track-proven history for improving the aerodynamic properties of many sportbike fairings, and the Bandit is no exception. The design allows for a low frontal area, keeping drag down, yet still moves air around the rider and bike more efficiently. This makes the bike more comfortable for the rider, and doesn’t sacrafice performance, or style.


	Replacing the stock windscreen is the solution, but not everyone wants to stick on a tall, ungainly ‘touring fairing’ that looks like it was borrowed from a Goldwing. The Bandit is a capable ‘sport’ motorcycle, and most of us want it to look that way. So, what are you supposed to do? Fear not, my fellow Banditos, Zero-Gravity Racing has solved this problem with the new Double-Bubble windscreen.

I was recently able to test this new found ‘wind relief’ on a 280 mile round trip. With the DB, I was able to fully utilize the Bandits luxurious riding accomodations. At 6’ tall myself, I immediately noticed the almost complete elimination of wind buffeting on my helmet at freeway speeds. An added benefit, was a quieter ride, which meant I wouldn’t need a hearing-aid when I got off the bike.

The two things that will kill a riders endurance over distance are, crouching down over the tank, OR, having to constantly fight the wind. Either choice, and you’ll be sore and tired. I was able to maintain an upright riding position, and with that added comfort, I felt great after the first 140 miles. It could have been 30 miles as far as my body was concerned. Not fighting the head-wind, and being able to sit up, makes a big difference.

Next topic: Speed. Lots of acceleration. Triple digit MPH. Get-you-thrown-in-jail-faster than-a-crack dealer-caught-with-10 kilos, kind of MPH. The DB does it, and does it well! Simply crouch down, assume the ‘slipped-disc’ riding position, and you will find that the helmet intergrates perfectly behind that ‘center bubble’. Even at 140 MPH, the ride is deceptively quiet (professional rider, closed course, yadda yadda.... don’t try this on public roadways, very dangerous, don’t blame this article/author/site if you try this and kill or hurt yourself). With the stock windscreen, you know you’re doing 140 because it feels and sounds like it. With the DB, you might actually have to glance at the speedo to make sure you are indeed keeping up with the light-aircraft overhead.

The quality of material and finish are excellent. It fits the Bandit perfectly, and uses all of the stock fasteners and mounting hardware. The installation is not overly difficult, but can be tedious. You must be very careful removing the ‘big black V’ on the front on the fairing, as it has two hook-tabs, on the left and right sides - middle way from top to bottom, and they will break if you sneaze at the wrong time. I broke both of them, and luckily they didn’t have an effect on the ‘V’ mounting flush, but that may vary from fairing to fairing. Be careful, and take your time.

Zero-Gravity has really done an excellent job with the design of this windscreen. Bandit riders of all sizes will appreciate the additional wind protection, and the cool looks. If you’re still set on even more wind protection, Zero-Gravity is currently working on a taller and wider touring version.


	*Griff, Maximum-Suzuki.com*

		Any speeds mentioned in this article which are above the legal speed limit, are complete fabrications, and the author is obviously lying.