Here is a customer made installation video of our 1000 denier Cordura Bikini Top.
Cool guitar music.   

BREEZE-O-TOP Bikini Top Installation on Suzuki Samurai

You should have made the top go over the roll bar and curve down at 45 degrees like the old Kayline bikini did.  This version, like the Bestop bikini, doesn't provide enough coverage from the sun.

You should have made the top go over the roll bar and curve down at 45 degrees like the old Kayline bikini did.  This version, like the Bestop bikini, doesn't provide enough coverage from the sun.

X2

Most folks with their seat all the way back have their heads almost centerline with the roll bar.

-Eric

Both good comments! 

I chose this design for driver visibility looking back with the rear view mirror. The "fastback" design blocked part of the view. Maybe because I am taller than most it is more pronounced with me.

I know exactly what you mean with the sun coming in from behind. I must say however, that unless you are always driving away from the sun, it usually is not a problem, and I am one of those that do not like sun on my head. The other alternative is to get total coverage with the Safari Top. This model goes all the way back to the rear tension bar.

One of the reasons our products are so successful is from comments and great ideas from you the real in the field user. Perhaps we could get some of the "fastback" designs on the market and see how they sell.


Greg

Both Eric and I are over 6 foot too.  I don't think much rearward visibility would be lost if you trimmed the back section like the old Kayline top.

http://www.billswebspace.com/ssbtl1.jpg

Having it extend past the roil bar would also give better rain-shower protection too.

I have had that design for several years I just never put it on the market. What I will do is have the factory make some up. I will put my sample back on today (if I can find it) as I have to do some freeway driving and see how it works. I think I had the bugs worked out on it but will find out today.

Back to the shop. Thanks for the input.

Yep, and this will help differentiate your product from the other Bikini top on the US market. 

I do have a "fastback" mesh top that I used today as I was looking for the cordura version. That actually is pretty nice. Feedback on that version?   

I've never had a mesh top, so I can't comment there.  I have an old Kayline safari top and several of the cheap, but inadequate Bestop bikinis.

I have a Bestop and hate it. Primarlly because I have a 6 point roll cage and it doesn't strap up like it should. I know this isn't their falt because of my alterations. It doesn't strech out nice like it should and I haven't had time to mess with it yet.

If the 2 side straps were longer or velcro instead of snaps they would strap up to the cage bars above the occupants. Like the comments above I would like to see the top extend farther back and either strap to the cage or to the inner soft top pull downs.

I would even opt for a couple of cinch brackets like Jeeps have on the upper rear corners. My ride with this cage doesn't have a rear seat. I installed a toolbox in this area.

Another type of top I have been looking for is a Trail Top. Something I can throw on quick for overnite. Something that covers from front to back and the door areas. It doesn't have to be much just something that I can put on quickly in the event of rain. It would be great if it had a bag to stuff it in when not in use and I could stick it in my toolbox.

I want to run the Bikini top all summer and not have to keep sticking my doors back on and strapping down a 8' tonneau coverover the remaining open air part of my Sammy.

Got anything like this in the works or on hand?
 

We already make a fastback Jeep top for the older models and it has side pull straps for the roll bar just behind the driver/passenger seat. The Jeep top gets very tight with no flapping. I am working on a Samurai version as we speak (type!).

The Jeep top can be found on eBay to give you an idea: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170645687158&viewitem=&sspagename=STRK%3AMESELX%3AIT

I will keep the board updated.

tuxblacray, perhaps I can custom make one for you, or, our Full Safari Top may be the ticket.

I'll shoot a couple of pics today so you can get a good idea of what I am talking about concerning the Bikini Top. Your link is what I was referring to above. How would this style Bikini Top cinch tight in the rear? (Use the exsisting Samurai Soft Top brakets or additional brackets that fit on the round upper body corners like a Jeep does?

I had a Safari Top that I made from my old  soft top and sold it. It was more top than I wanted to pack around during the summer. Do you have anything in the works that looks like this:



That is a trail cover for a Heep that can be trown on quickly at the hint of rain. It can be wadded up and thrown in a bag for a quick pack around.

If I can't come up with anything I guess I will buy a small El Cheapo water proof / resistant car cover withan elastic bottom.

                                                                                                                                  Tux...

That top is beyond what I would like to get involved in. I am able to do a "one off" on our tops with a slight dimension change.

Greg

I use a Safari style bikini stop and it's just pulled down in the back into a fast-back style.  And it really needs a rear window cut in it but I'm technically still legal due to two mirrors.

Make it just like this one.

http://thejeep.com/stc/images/881-056b.jpg