Looking Through or Over Windshields??

[jagjeep]

<span style="font-family: comic sans ms">After adding up a few miles on the newly triked 2002 Valkyrie, I think I need to replace the current aftermarket windshield with a more efficent and aerodynamic one to increase wind protection and reduce other wind/rain issues. After researching several cycle forums, I think I may have narrowed down the search a little. Rifle.com sells a few I could go with (Classic SS, Classic L, etc.) but I'm not at all sure of the <u>height</u>. Most folks recommend windshields a rider looks "over" and some recommend ones you look "through".<br />
<br />
Can anyone help with this decision? A windshield to look "over" or one you look "through"? <br />
<br />
I find as I "mature", I tend to like staying out of the elements more and more while still enjoying the great outdoors... <br />
<br />
Thanks a million for your help.<br />
<br />
JagJeep<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
</span>

 

[kwputt]

Jag, at this point in life I've given up on being any taller. When I put the stock shield down low enough to see over it my copilot got too much wind. So we got a tall shield for her comfort and I've gotten used to it. It's all in what you're comfortable with.
F4+4 with the vent, I can see over it if I stand on the pegs.

 

[Solidbob]

Don't own a Valk but this is the only brand to buy...save your hardware and use these F4 Customs replacement shields. They have three choices... I use the F4+4 on my Wing trike as I want to hide behind it now that I'm older and allergies are now worse. There are others out there but not this quality. These guys are the best, Rifle is good also I have one of those on my Buell S3-T Iron Butt bike..

https://www.f4customs.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=59_94&product_id=78

Hope this helps...epper:

 

[saab9k]

I have a curved one on my Yamaha trike. Can see over it, no wind in face.

 

[John Luciano]

I look through a crystal clear f4

 

[MMH]

I look through. BTW, Solidbob, what kind of seat do you have? Looks very different & nice!!

 

[retread83]

I prefer to look over,just below eye level.

 

[Calgary]

Don't own a Valk but this is the only brand to buy...save your hardware and use these F4 Customs replacement shields. They have three choices... I use the F4+4 on my Wing trike as I want to hide behind it now that I'm older and allergies are now worse. There are others out there but not this quality. These guys are the best, Rifle is good also I have one of those on my Buell S3-T Iron Butt bike..

https://www.f4customs.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=59_94&product_id=78

Hope this helps...epper:

I use the F4+4 as well and my wife enjoys the reduced turbulence - perhaps you may wish to check out this link:
http://www.opticarmorwindows.com
these are the folks that manufacture the windshield for f4 Customs but their pricing is greatly reduced! Good service and same warranty.

I enjoy saving money on good quality items!

 

[Solidbob]

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<img src="images/misc/quote_icon.png" alt="Quote" /> Originally Posted by <strong>MMH</strong>
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<div class="message">I look through. BTW, Solidbob, what kind of seat do you have? Looks very different & nice!!</div>

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</div>Seat is a Tom Simmons Custom: <a href="http://www.tscustomseats.com/gpage.html" target="_blank">http://www.tscustomseats.com/gpage.html</a><br />
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Not cheep but really comfey . ...

 

[MMH]

Thanks!!!

 

[Bigman2]

f4+4 for us if the wife is happy I am happy

 

[champsman97045]

After adding up a few miles on the newly triked 2002 Valkyrie, I think I need to replace the current aftermarket windshield with a more efficent and aerodynamic one to increase wind protection and reduce other wind/rain issues. After researching several cycle forums, I think I may have narrowed down the search a little. Rifle.com sells a few I could go with (Classic SS, Classic L, etc.) but I'm not at all sure of the height. Most folks recommend windshields a rider looks "over" and some recommend ones you look "through".

Can anyone help with this decision? A windshield to look "over" or one you look "through"?

I find as I "mature", I tend to like staying out of the elements more and more while still enjoying the great outdoors...

Thanks a million for your help.

JagJeep

I use a Tulsa Tall and it works perfect , and remains crystal clear

 

[1800 06 Champion Trike]

I have used X-Tall Tulsa's clear/vent for years.
I got sick of the rain coming over the top and on my lap.
I bought a F4+4 clear no vent this past summer .
We like it and I'd buy another one when the time comes.

 

[jagjeep]

I use the F4+4 as well and my wife enjoys the reduced turbulence - perhaps you may wish to check out this link:
http://www.opticarmorwindows.com
these are the folks that manufacture the windshield for f4 Customs but their pricing is greatly reduced! Good service and same warranty.

I enjoy saving money on good quality items!

**Thanks Calgary for the link to Opticarmorwindows.com. Very interesting ! JagJeep**

 

[jagjeep]

Thanks everyone for your response to the question: "through or over windshields"...

Note:

You may find it interesting that as of 11:00pm tonight, survey results are:

OVER THE WINDSHIELD = 2

THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD = 9

RIDERS USING F4 +4 WINDSHIELDS = 5

Note: Let's keep this research going for a day or so longer to see how it turn out !

THANKS...
JagJeep

 

[captdanwh]

I personally like to look thru my windshield. if i sit up just a little bit i can see over it so i guess i have the best of both worlds with my comb, seat and windshield height.

 

[rmrc51]

I had the vented F4+4. But now that my wife can't ride any more due to medical issues, I went with the tinted and vented F4+2. I have the windshield at it's highest setting which allows me to either look over or under depending on how straight I want to sit up, lol.

I actually prefer looking through the windshield.

 

[Grandpa1]

I just ordered the Optic Armor 4" Taller Tinted with Vent Installed. I'm going to give them a shot.
Supposed to have excellent clarity, super hard coating inside and out and I will be able to use regular window cleaner.
A little over 300 bucks shipped to Houston.
I now have a Show Chrome tall windshield and it's cloudy. Don't like it.
I'll report how the Optic Armor does.

 

[jagjeep]

I just ordered the Optic Armor 4" Taller Tinted with Vent Installed. I'm going to give them a shot.
Supposed to have excellent clarity, super hard coating inside and out and I will be able to use regular window cleaner.
A little over 300 bucks shipped to Houston.
I now have a Show Chrome tall windshield and it's cloudy. Don't like it.
I'll report how the Optic Armor does.

Grandpa,
With "taller windshields", can we assume you're a "looking through rather than looking over" kind of guy?

JagJeep
PS. I'd be interested in how the Optic Armor shield works for you. Also, if the vent is worth he extra $$.

Note: I think I should have included the option of buying a shield with a "vent". CAN WE ALSO ASK EVERYONE IF THEY'VE USED A "VENT" IN THEIR WINDSHIELD OR NOT?

QUESTION: ("Vent or No-Vent"?)

** Everyone, thanks for your comments. This survey is still running ! **

JagJeep

 

[Grandpa1]

Yes, I like to look through. I have since 1989. My wife did not like the wind bumping her head.
I've had vents since they first came out. A bunch of us ordered vents back in 1990 and installed them. We made a template and cut the holes ourselves. It's so much easier now to just buy them installed.
I wouldn't have a windshield without a vent. Just close it if it starts raining or gets too cold.
I'll let you know about the Optic Armor shield.

 

[SEABILL]

I like looking over the windscreen.

On the Goldwing, I run the OEM windscreen and have it set one notch lower then recommended height. It allows for clearer air over the helmet.

On the 2006 Harley Ultra I installed a Clearview 12" with re-curve to get it so I could see over the windscreen and not have my brains rattled.

 

[michael2480]

I now have Rich's F4+4 and really like it so far. So another vote for looking through.

I had the vented F4+4. But now that my wife can't ride any more due to medical issues, I went with the tinted and vented F4+2. I have the windshield at it's highest setting which allows me to either look over or under depending on how straight I want to sit up, lol.

I actually prefer looking through the windshield.

 

[07BlueCSC]

I am still using the stock windshield in the lowest position.

I am looking through the wind shield but if I sit up nice and straight I can look over the top.

 

[tom w]

I have both a stock one and a 6inch dark smoke . I look over both most of the time. if it raining or cold I will crunch behind the stock one.

 

[Shimpy]

I personally like to look thru my windshield. if i sit up just a little bit i can see over it so i guess i have the best of both worlds with my comb, seat and windshield height.

Same here. If you can't easily look over the windshield you are going to be in a heap of trouble should your windshield fog up. In heavy rain it is much better looking over it. I had a +4 that I couldn't see over and ran into extremely heavy rain like we have here in Fla. and had to look through the windshield vent to see the light of the bike in front of me. I couldn't pull off the road because I couldn't see the side of the road. I bought the +4 so the wife had more wind protection but after that told her that me seeing was more important than her wind protection.

 

[y2k_harley]

I ran a windshield that I had to look through on my last bike. It was OK most of the time. When I was riding into the sun when it was low (east at sunrise or west at sunset) and the screen was not perfectly clean I couldn't see. NOT a good situation. I was going to cut it down but wound up trading for the trike.

 

[Calgary]

Grandpa,
With "taller windshields", can we assume you're a "looking through rather than looking over" kind of guy?

JagJeep
PS. I'd be interested in how the Optic Armor shield works for you. Also, if the vent is worth he extra $$.

Note: I think I should have included the option of buying a shield with a "vent". CAN WE ALSO ASK EVERYONE IF THEY'VE USED A "VENT" IN THEIR WINDSHIELD OR NOT?

QUESTION: ("Vent or No-Vent"?)

** Everyone, thanks for your comments. This survey is still running ! **

JagJeep

I use the vented Optic Armor Shield and really like it. I definitely think the vented unit is worth the extra money.

I've now got 12000 miles on the windshield, the vast majority of riding done on other than freeways. The windshield material is very hard and stays extremely clear. Because of the material being so hard, you will experience small rock chips.

The windshield in my view is inexpensive and good value - when it gets too many chips, I'll order another one.

:GL1800::GL1800::GL1800::GL1800:

 

[keepinon]

Last time I checked a few years ago, F4 does not make a windshield for the Valkyrie. Only 'Wings.

Jags, I get the best protection from a Honda-line shield. It is curved in the right places & lipped on the top to throw the wind higher. I always trim my shields to just below eye level so as to see over. I did order a replacement shield from Clearview shields, but you have to have the factory mounting hardware. I sometimes see the hardware for sale on ebay, or on the VRCC site.

A riding friend ordered the large Rifle shield. It actually comes down over/in front of his front signal lights. Creates a glare at night from the reflection. They have some different sized shields, but I have no experience with them.

I tried a Memphis Shades on my standard, but you'll need air-wings to keep the wind from coming under & buffeting you.

 

[Dave Pope]

30,000 miles on a National Cycle V-Stream - looking through - with SAENG (http://www.saeng.com/product.php?id=581&category=80) Micro-swirl generator around the edge. Reduced buffeting and when it rains, the micro-swirl moves the windscreen run-off away from me [at least most of it!]. When I need to replace the screen, I'll probably spend the extra $ on the ultra slick model. Until then, I'll keep using Lemon Pledge.
BTW, the screen is, after this mileage, not buggered a bit. I've taken a few good rock hits and have been unscathed. The design moves the air away from the cabin area quite nicely, and reduces pilon buffeting as well.. I like it a LOT.