Half-hoods....

[Speedtrip]

Does anyone have any comments regarding the differences between the Softbits and Thundersport offerings? Softbits can supply in either a canvas type material or vinyl. Thundersport seem to do vinyl and mohair. 

I'm currently thinking of vinyl but would be interested in any thoughts regarding material, ease of use and quality from either supplier. Vinyl my preference as it would match the existing boot cover and doors.

Also are half-hoods that good/effective and a real alternative to the full hood?

[Mucus72]

Quite a lot on this topic if you do a little searching. I’ve had both over the years, and both companies are excellent. My personal preference is for the thunder sports one because I prefer the way it fits at the rear, attached straps to the roll over bar mount points. The SBFS one fits to the popper base at the front of the boot in a similar place but is not quite is secure in my opinion. 

Half hoods are fantastic. My full hood is brand new, unused and kept in the loft if I ever sell my car. 

[TomB]

No comment on suppliers/ different models, but mine is an older SB47s one in fabric.  Its a well made product and effective, so much so I sold my full hood given how much I used the hood.  .  If its very wet, Ill use the half hood and a gortex jacket which seems to hold up.  The only thing Id consider is adding the SB47 draft excluder to block some of the spray drawn into the cabin from between the seats.  

I inclined to think that a vinyl one might be more bulky to store as the fabric can be rolled up tighter than my vinyl tonneau cover.   

[SIMO66]

I went for the Thundersport Vinyl Half Hood for the reasons Mucus 72 said, they are definitely neater at the rear,excellent quality with a nice added touch of a coloured pipping running along the top rear for an extra £5.

I do like the look of the Mohair but I opted for Vinyl because I think its less likely to show marks and it also matches the doors.

 

[SIMO66]

I went for the Thundersport Vinyl Half Hood for the reasons Mucus 72 said, they are definitely neater at the rear,excellent quality with a nice added touch of a coloured pipping running along the top rear for an extra £5.

I do like the look of the Mohair but I opted for Vinyl because I think its less likely to show marks and it also matches the doors.

 

[Geoff Brown]

About six years ago trialed both a Soft Bits fabric hood & Thundersport vinyl hood. The SB hood sagged a lot & without regular proofing leaked. The rear strap system repeatedly detached itself from the poppers. 

In the end chose the Thundersport vinyl half hood mainly because of the better attachment strap set up. The addition of a body colour trim over the rear adds to the quality.

With club discount enough saved for a hood storage roll as well.

I think a mohair hood could over time & could look a right mess?

 

[Speedtrip]

Thanks guys.

Some really helpful advice and insight on both my threads ;-) 

I think I've decided which one I'll go for in the New Year.

Merry Christmas!

[mudguard]

I went for the SBFS vinyl half hood and am pleased with it. Very well made, fits easily and properly, matches the doors, no maintenance needed to keep looking good (although occasional use of vinyl and rubber care solution adds shine). No problems with sagging, and it folds up to a slightly smaller size than the tonneau, ideal for stashing both behind the seats.

Needless to say, the only function of the old full hood is now to waste some space in the shed!

[Neil Allen]

I use a Softbits for Sevens half hood and it works very well most of the time. However, I get uncomfortably wet around the back on the neck in heavy rain. I find the full hood is the best solution for long runs in heavy rain. 

I often use the full hood on long, very cold night drives too - nice and cosy. On milder nights I go "topless" and enjoy the stars.

I experimented with top speeds for each hood on a quiet Autobahn one still night last summer. The full hood is very noisy over 80 mph and front poppers started to come undone approaching 100 mph. The half hood poppers started to "un-pop" at about 110 mph. 

[DJ.]

I experimented with top speeds for each hood on a quiet Autobahn one still night last summer. The full hood is very noisy over 80 mph and front poppers started to come undone approaching 100 mph. The half hood poppers started to "un-pop" at about 110 mph. 

Interesting research

My Seven is "very noisy" above 80 with or without any form of hood!

[Neil Allen]

 

"My Seven is "very noisy" above 80 with or without any form of hood!"

True, but that's a much nicer (and addictive) noise   

 

 

[Speedtrip]

Once again thanks for all your feedback.

Pretty much decided I'll be getting a vinyl half hood, but how useful is the roll bag? Is it really worth the extra?

[JNC]

Not really, so it will get a bit dusty in the back it will wash off 

[DJ.]

I wouldn't have the Soft Bits half hood without the roll up cover it comes with. It clips around the roll bar supports holding the rear straps securely, and sits on top of the boot cover. l can unfold the halfhood after just undoing two clips and without disturbing the boot cover.

[john aston]

SB47 - I had two and both were excellent. I got the mist and spray round back of neck thing until I got the draught excluder too. Despite many long and wet trips I never used the full hood once after getting half hood . But you do need to get shower cap too for overnight stops in the rain- can get very wet then with rain blowing in . 

I did some research on a private test track I stumbled upon once...half hood was fine at 124 mph