Zero Gravity Screen - Very Poor Fitment...

Discussion in '6th Generation 2002-2013' started by Zammin, Aug 15, 2016.

  1. Zammin

    Zammin New Member

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    Hi Everyone.

    This is my first post so apologies if this is the wrong section. I guess this is intended to be a warning to anyone looking to buy a Zero Gravity screen for a 6th Gen VFR800.

    I bought a 2012 VFR800 with only 4,800km on on the clock recently (very exciting :eagerness:), and today I received my Zero Gravity ST screen in the mail.

    After installing it my excitement was very quickly killed by the sh*t quality and fitment of the screen.. If I didn't know any better I'd guess it was made in China.. Nothing like my Puig screen on my Kawasaki.

    The screen is missing two of the four bolt holes and replaces the other remaining ones with some 'standoff hole' business. Apparently this is for 'ease of installation'.

    The tabs for these holes are not offset like the stock screen, and as a result they literally force the outer fairing and inner plastics apart, wedging the screen in between. This actually put a small crack in the plastic surrounding the mounting threads inside the fairing. Luckily it's not visible or critical.. But I'm still really pissed off about it..

    I put 3x M8 washers on the bolt between the plastic cover and the mounting point on the fairing to act as a spacer and prevent any more damage occurring.

    Here are some pics I took with my phone, apologies for the lack of clarity. Hopefully you can see what I'm talking about.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    If I've done something incorrectly, please let me know. Otherwise yeah, beware of this product, and most likely the other ZG models for 6th Gen.
     
  2. Arnzinator

    Arnzinator New Member

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    I had the opposite experience. The Zero Gravity on my Suzuki fit perfect. The Puig on my 07 VFR had minor fitment issues at the upper edge. Similar but not as bad as your pics. I did get my Puig used so not sure if that was a factor.

    Congrats on the new to you bike. I always like the black & white color scheme.

    Welcome to the Madhouse!
     
  3. Zammin

    Zammin New Member

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    Yeah I don't doubt that ZG have some good fitting screens on other bikes, but I guess they didn't spend much time on this model. :/

    Thanks! If only I could ride it as often as I want to. Unfortunately in Australia there are power-to-weight restrictions on provisional license holders for 12 months. I've got 2.5 to go lol.

    [​IMG]
     
  4. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    I've had both. I would not put one any higher than the other actually. Neither fit like the OEM. But I like the double bubble and the dark smoke of the two after market ones. But they do break a lot easier than the OEM. Matter of fact, I never did break my OEM. Scratched the hell out of it but never broke. It found it's way to Las Vegas to a new owner.
     
  5. Zammin

    Zammin New Member

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    Ah that's disappointing to hear. Yeah I can see how the screen would break fairly easily, it's very thin plastic and feels a bit flimsy. I don't know about the puig one for the VFR, but the one on my ninja 650 is a good 3-5mm thick and solid.
     
  6. ridervfr

    ridervfr Member

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    The optics of the stock screen suck if you tuck in behind the bubble, that applies to those of us who dont require belly bags in their riding suits though. :pound: just say "no" to donuts
     
  7. skimad4x4

    skimad4x4 "Official" VFRWorld Greeter

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    I wonder if the screen you purchased is a genuine Zero Gravity screen or a fake?

    A while back I read a motorcycle magazine article suggesting that people should be wary because someone was making fake ZG screens. So if the quality appears to be typical Chinese "carp" then it may be time to contact the vendor and demand your money back.

    Whilst I have not got a ZG screen myself, a couple of friends do have them fitted to other makes of bikes and from what I have heard they have been reasonably satisfied. Importantly the mounting points were all pretty much spot on, although the screen material was obviously far thinner than OEM. Hence in use it would probably be more prone to cracks/scarring especially if the screen ever fends off wildlife or encounters stones thrown up from other vehicles.



    SkiMad
     
  8. 34468 Randy

    34468 Randy Secret Insider

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    Not how mine got cracked and broken....just say'n.
     
  9. Zammin

    Zammin New Member

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    While that is a very good suggestion, I can assure you that it was purchased from the official Australian ZG dealer, AMC. They are listed on the ZG website as the only Australian dealer. I also have an email from them confirming it is genuine.

    I understand that there are probably many ZG screens for other makes and models that fit nicely, but this particular one is sub-par.
     
    Last edited: Aug 16, 2016
  10. sunofwolf

    sunofwolf New Member

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    my ZG ST screen is ok, but is a bit loose fitting, I got a clear one. I would like to get a new one, but it does work ok
     
  11. Sniper

    Sniper New Member

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    There's a place in town that polishes headlight lenses. I'm thinking about taking my OEM "shield" to them, to see if they could clearify it.
     
  12. Zammin

    Zammin New Member

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    That's on a 6th gen too yeah? Are your plastic trims pushed apart at the ends like mine are in the pics?

    If you've got any pictures of fitment I'd be keen to compare them :smile-new:
     
  13. rhoderage

    rhoderage New Member

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    Unfortunate. I bought a $35 cheapy smoke screen from China (eBay); fits perfect and is actually a little thicker than the original (which is nice). I was expecting to have to 'adjust' mounting holes but they were spot on.
     
  14. Zammin

    Zammin New Member

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    Wow that's good as, haha. Is it taller than stock? I picked this one mainly for the extra 3" height.
     
  15. fink

    fink Member

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    IWould fire off an email or ring them to see if you can get it exchanged.
     
  16. Zammin

    Zammin New Member

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    I have sent a feedback email to the aus supplier and also ZG USA. I didn't specifically ask for an exchange since it does not appear that the screen has defects, rather the issues seem to be in the overall design of the product.

    ZG USA replied and told me that they essentially cut their screens from a sheet, rather than an injected mould process like OEM, and as a result aren't able to get the angles and bends that some OEM screens have in their mounting areas.

    That explains why the two upper mounting tabs on the screen are not offset, and as a result don't allow the plastic covers to be reinstalled without some kind of spacer. In my case that was the stacked washers.

    As such I don't feel as though a replacement will be any different, unless someone can perhaps post some pics of the same screen fitted to their bike correctly?
     
  17. Ghost_Rider

    Ghost_Rider Active Member

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    This is what I am thinking. A knock off. You can get almost anything on Amazon (or the web) that says it is made by "_____" when it is really a cheap Chinese knockoff. Both of my ZG screens fit great, and they both held up really well.
     
  18. sunofwolf

    sunofwolf New Member

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    It looks better than yours, sometimes ZG screens are defective or possible switched to a phony copy-contact ZG maybe they would replace it for free.
     
  19. Zammin

    Zammin New Member

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    It was purchased from the official Australian ZG dealer, not Amazon/EBay as per my previous post below.

     
  20. Zammin

    Zammin New Member

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    Any chance you could take some photos of yours, particularly around the area where mine shows bad fitment? It would also help me to make a exchange request if I can show them that mine is different to others, if that truly is the case.
     
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