F4 windshields

bohomus

bohomus

Jan 5, 2014
68
3
Jackson, MS, USA
I'm about to order a new windshield for my 97 Goldwing Trike. After reading all the threads I can find here about it, I think I'm going to get the F4+4. I have a couple of questions about it before I play nearly $400 for a PLASTIC windshield.:mad: ( Manufactories of stuff for boats and motorcycles don't seem to mind charging outrageous prices)

1. Is it really worth it?
2. Tinted or clear?

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
 
bohomus said:
I'm about to order a new windshield for my 97 Goldwing Trike. After reading all the threads I can find here about it, I think I'm going to get the F4+4. I have a couple of questions about it before I play nearly $400 for a PLASTIC windshield.:mad: ( Manufactories of stuff for boats and motorcycles don't seem to mind charging outrageous prices)

1. Is it really worth it?
2. Tinted or clear?

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...

Yes it is worth the $$$$. I've got over 100,000 miles on mine and still OK. It's starting to show some ware and tare. I'll probably have to replace it soon.. Money well spent I'd say.

I'd do the clear. Don't see any advantage to tinted...
 
bohomus said:
I'm about to order a new windshield for my 97 Goldwing Trike. After reading all the threads I can find here about it, I think I'm going to get the F4+4. I have a couple of questions about it before I play nearly $400 for a PLASTIC windshield.:mad: ( Manufactories of stuff for boats and motorcycles don't seem to mind charging outrageous prices) 1. Is it really worth it? 2. Tinted or clear? Any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
bohomus The F4 company buys their windshields from removed by admin see post below As you'll see with the link they charge I believe 270.00 - same warranty, same everything. I use the vented F4+4 clear and like it. I have no experience with the tinted version - my eyes are older and I'm concerned about the potential for reduced visibility in lower light conditions. I spent quite some time on the phone with the contact and got all the answers I needed. If I remember correctly, they shipped with FedEx and the service was fast.


 
bohomus said:
Wow! That is quite a bit of price difference. Is it the exact same windshield? Did you buy one from them?
Click to expand...
Yes, it's a big difference in price! I also ordered one for a friend at the same time - he selected the same as the OEM 1800 and is very pleased as well. Give them a call and place your order personally - I'm sure you'll be happy.

You should be aware that the material is quite hard and you will get some small chips from hard gravel hits.
 
Calgary, thanks a lot for that information. I'm for sure going to contact them!! Now that I think about it I believe I read you posting this info in another thread. For some reason it didn't register then. It registers now. If this is the same product, I wonder why everyone doesn't get it from them?

By the way, what do you think about tinted vs clear?

- - - Updated - - -

Whoops, I just went back and read your comments on tinted windshields. Please ignore the tint question.
 
Love my F4+2 tinted/no vent windshield. VERY clear,cleans easily,sheds water. Remember with +4 you have no adjustability. Its not going down any lower!
 
I had a vented F4+4 which was great. Being that my wife can't ride any more due to medical restrictions, I thought now might be a good time to get the new "tinted"/vented F4+2. It's great having the adjustments back and the tint is fantastic! It really does cut the glare on a sunny day.

Love the new tinted F4+2!!!! :10:
 
Calgary said:
bohomus The F4 company buys their windshields from removed by admin see post below As you'll see with the link they charge I believe 270.00 - same warranty, same everything. I use the vented F4+4 clear and like it. I have no experience with the tinted version - my eyes are older and I'm concerned about the potential for reduced visibility in lower light conditions. I spent quite some time on the phone with the contact and got all the answers I needed. If I remember correctly, they shipped with FedEx and the service was fast.
Click to expand...

bohomus said:
Wow! That is quite a bit of price difference. Is it the exact same windshield? Did you buy one from them?
Click to expand...

Calgary said:
Yes, it's a big difference in price! I also ordered one for a friend at the same time - he selected the same as the OEM 1800 and is very pleased as well. Give them a call and place your order personally - I'm sure you'll be happy.

You should be aware that the material is quite hard and you will get some small chips from hard gravel hits.
Click to expand...

bohomus said:
Calgary, thanks a lot for that information. I'm for sure going to contact them!! Now that I think about it I believe I read you posting this info in another thread. For some reason it didn't register then. It registers now. If this is the same product, I wonder why everyone doesn't get it from them?
Click to expand...

FYI, I personally talked to the owner of F4 Windshields in length while in Daytona and the company you named above DOES NOT supply his windshields. He did originally contract with them to supply windshields to his design and specifications, but he upgraded his specifications and contracted with a different supplier a long time ago, so no it is not the same windshield.
 
I agree with Bazooka.
That said, I bought the F4+4 n/v clear last year and like it.

Always had X-Tall Tulsa's w/v.
Hated the rain coming over the top and on my lap, also the rain coming through the vent.
 
Thanx for clarifying the info about F4 and O.A. Bazooka! I suspect that the earlier relationship between the two lingers on in the minds of some of us!

Both have a good warranty on their windshields so in either case you get your money's worth!
 
OK, I'm not sure what to do now. I don't mind paying the (quite a bit) extra money for the F4 if it's worth it. But, if "the other company" ( I'm not sure why we can't write it's name) is as good, I don't want to pay the extra money. Does anyone know the differences. Is there really some secret thing F4 does to it's windshields that makes them that much more valuable?
 
What have you decided to do Bohomus. I am in the same boat as you were in trying to decide wether to go with the F4 or OA. I had purchased a F4 for my previous bike but had only put about 500 miles with it before I traded that bike for the trike I have now. I don't need to replace this windshield but want to try a +2 windshield to see if it will reduce some of the wind buffeting my better half gets. I would go with the +4 but I still want to be able to adjust it down to look over it if she is not with me or if I need to see over it in the rain. I haven't seen proof that the F4 is worth the extra money.
Steve
 
Smilam said:
What have you decided to do Bohomus. I am in the same boat as you were in trying to decide wether to go with the F4 or OA. I had purchased a F4 for my previous bike but had only put about 500 miles with it before I traded that bike for the trike I have now. I don't need to replace this windshield but want to try a +2 windshield to see if it will reduce some of the wind buffeting my better half gets. I would go with the +4 but I still want to be able to adjust it down to look over it if she is not with me or if I need to see over it in the rain. I haven't seen proof that the F4 is worth the extra money.
Steve
Click to expand...
1. No need to look over in the rain because of the water repellant character of the F4 shield.
2. OA was dropped as a supplier to F4 because of quality issues.
They might be OK, have no idea but, I am extremely pleased w/my F4+4 tinted/vented.
It's funny how many almost panic when they see me pull out the windex and the paper towel to clean my F4;)
 
bohomus, I purchased a windshield from a company called Fast Aire that makes windshields mostly for Harleys but some cross match for other bikes the guy said when I just got off the phone with him. My windshield was $38 15 years ago and was still on the bike when I sold it when I bought our 2012 Triglide. Worth checking out. Good luck.

Phu Cat
 
Thanks for all the responses. I've had a terrible sinus infection and some very painful dental problems over the last two weeks. I hadn't thought about the windshield very much at all. Friday, my sister and I are heading to Yellowstone and about for a 3 week vacation. I'm not going to deal with this until I get back. I will be sure to post what I end up doing.

Thanks Phu Cat for the information. I'll check Fast Aire as well.
 
1800 06 Champion Trike said:
I agree with Bazooka.
That said, I bought the F4+4 n/v clear last year and like it.

Always had X-Tall Tulsa's w/v.
Hated the rain coming over the top and on my lap, also the rain coming through the vent.
Click to expand...

Hey trike, How bad is the wind on your passenger going 70+ mph ? I haven bought the f4+4 yet. I still have the factory windshield on my goldwing & my wife takes a wind beating with it.
 
Snake said:
Hey trike, How bad is the wind on your passenger going 70+ mph ? I haven bought the f4+4 yet. I still have the factory windshield on my goldwing & my wife takes a wind beating with it.
Click to expand...

I had a F4+4 on my '06 trike and have one on my '12. It certainly helps with the wind buffeting for my wife. If I traded trikes today I would buy another, Charley
 
Snake
I just had my original F4 clear/with vent,stock height,replaced yesterday by the F4 vender at a dealer event in Litchfield IL.
I went with the stock/clear no vent.The few times I used the vent open,bugs came through unless you had a screen in it.After a while I stopped using the vent and it became a bug collector that was hard to clean.
My original F4 developed a small 3/4" long crack at the bottom of the vent hole in the windshield and even after being on the bike 6 years (2 years past warranty)F4 took care of me and installed a new one at a very low cost to me.
The F4 is the best winshield and easiest to keep clean I have ever ridden behind.
 
Snake said:
I just ordered the f4+4 clear w/o vent. Maybe I should have gotten the vent.....I don't know !

but anyway thanks for all the replies!
Click to expand...

I got the F4-2 tint/no vent and love it. I see a vent just something to break and or leak. (yes they can and do),And for the money spent why chance it,it doesn't make all that much difference having one.
 
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