Installed a Givi 214 on my 09 SW today. Not hard at all, thanks to info in above posts. The instructions with it were very poor, not any help at all.

My used 2006 SW came with a Givi 2145 installed - and brackets and screws in a bag.

When I ride on the highway above 65 I get a lot of buffeting from _behind_. i.e. the windshield seems to be creating a low pressure area and air is coming from behind to fill it. My brother in law, a Goldwing rider, told me to install vents to reduce the pressure - or drill holes in it. Has anyone done that?

Are there other fixes that have worked for people? (Short of going to the two piece $215 Givi).

Ishkatan,

I had the Givi before my Givi airflow and i would get some back pressure too. Even though I'm 6' tall with a long torso I could still cut some off and it still did a good job. If you can cut an inch or so off and it will help reduce the back pressure.

Sorry about that Jeff. When I clicked on the PDF the first time it did not hi-light and when I went back to it the second time it opened at the bottom of my screen and becaue I did not have my window completely open I did not see it.
I have replaced my screen three times so that will not be a problem. I am still looking for the D214 installation kit PDF

JeffR wrote:

Hi, I replaced my XL Clearview with a Givi windshield and I produced this "Pictorial" for others who would like to do this. It is really a very simple process that only requires a phillips type screwdriver. If you follow the below document you should have no problem whatsoever. If you have any problems or questions please get back with me. There really is no reason to pay a mechanic to do this work since it is really quite simple and only takes about 30 minutes your first time. Here is the .pdf format:

Does anyone know of a pictorial for the installation of the airflow not the 214dt?

I second that; the extra work involved is next to nothing.

Oh Oh. Is this going to turn into a 'should I install the brackets" or "do I really need to install the brackets".

I think those who install the brackets are sissy's....nay...they are super sissy's.

This should add some excitement !!!

If you choose to install the brackets I would think you would endorse moving over to the "strongside".
Otherwise, no brackets places you on the "weakside".
Then there's the "dorkside", but that's for another topic

Ah, but the Darksiders will argue that they install that tyre 'for a purpose'.
For the same reason, I installed the brackets....i.e. because they are there 'for a purpose'.

Thanks for the info., the pictorial I saw did'nt mention drilling any holes, that is where the confusion came from, I guess once I get the Airflow, I'll be able to figure it out.

A tip:
Offer up the brackets, one at a time, bolt them in place using the two bolts which are already there - then GENTLY drill through the plastic, using the 'extra' hole at the front end of the bracket as a guide.
The threaded hole is underneath.
It takes just a hint of pressure on the drill to get through the plastic - I reckon you could just about do it holding the drill-bit in your hand.

I tried to start a 10 page fight but I guess it didn't work. If the givi airflow breaks on me and cuts my face badly from the flying debris (because I didn't install the bracket)...I will just laugh and ask for more.

Doug,

I followed you once without you knowing, and you are a crazy rider. On a 60mph "a" highway there you had to be going at least 15 mph. ''You a crazy man".

Thanks Jeff for the pictorial and everyone's comment and advice on this topic.

I replaced my OEM shield today with the Givi today.

Took about 45 minutes because I had to get everything organized in my
customary OCD way and took my time. Very easy project thanks to the info gleaned here.
The Givi instructions are basically useless even though it's printed in five different languages .
Probably could be done in about 15 minutes the next time around.

Surly,

Glad they helped you out with your new givi. Did you get the Givi standard or the Givi airflow? And how do you like it?

Did you install the Givi brackets or go bracketless like Jeff?

Jeff's a risk-taking animal on his Swing.

Bigbird wrote:

"Did you install the Givi brackets or go bracketless like Jeff?

Jeff's a risk-taking animal on his Swing. "


Yeah, I'm the modern day James Dean. I just hope I don't run into that tree that James Dean ran into. There's a saying we had in the Marines...A Real Man goes bracketless on their SWing.

It was the Givi standard

I haven't had it out on the road yet since i just installed it late today

But it should be a big improvement over the stock screen once I hit highway speeds

I didn't see any point in installing the two small metal braces since
Honda did not think it necessary to require them on the OEM shield

Hey Swingers,
I installed my Givi adjustable a week ago. I live on a large island in the North Atlantic. We may experience a week of calm weather in a year. Usually it is windy and much of the time it is gusty and varies in direction as hills, trees, valleys, bays and coves all influence direction and most roads follow the coastline. Gusts of 60 to 70kmph (36-42mph) are common here and I have ridden in them with the OEM screen and it was not fun. My background is in design and construction. Looking at the OEM 6 screw mounts versus the Givi with extra flange brackets and extra drilled screw into an existing although hidden threaded nut mount, it just made prudent sense to take the extra step, time and careful drilling to align with nut mount. I also removed the front meter visor to satisfy myself my drill would meet up and not damage mount and it eases the mind considerably seeing what your drilling

Looking at the added structural support of the flange and drilled connector and remembering the OEM screen's excessive top flapping at speed I strongly advise all with Givi adjustable to install install this additional hardware.

I'm happy with my Givi adjustable because it is adjustable and my riding conditions vary. It is quieter too as I finally heard the Swing at speed and the excessive vibrations are gone.....although the Beach Boys liked them.
Easy.

Bowing to the advice above, Ill go and install the brackets

Just probably won't get around till next week end

Installed the brackets today after riding around all week without them
The Givi is a big improvement over stock.
Makes you wonder Honda doesn't off an optional taller screen .
After all, there's a lot of us out there who aren't vertically impaired.
I can see the value of the brackets since they help spread the stress load.