Windshield Materials
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Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 158
Likes: 41
From: Indiana
Windshield Materials
I don't know for sure where the best place to post this question is. I hope here is ok.
Next week I'll be taking delivery of my 2025 Street Glide Ultra. I've had a Long Ride Shield windshield on my 2015 limited for years and I love it. It's made of polycarbonate and has held up very well. Looking at shields for my new bike, I really think I like the look of the Freedom Shields product better. I notice that Freedom Shields windshields are made of acrylic. LRS acrylic offerings are considered their 2nd tier product. Should I be concerned about the Freedom Shield being made of acrylic?
Next week I'll be taking delivery of my 2025 Street Glide Ultra. I've had a Long Ride Shield windshield on my 2015 limited for years and I love it. It's made of polycarbonate and has held up very well. Looking at shields for my new bike, I really think I like the look of the Freedom Shields product better. I notice that Freedom Shields windshields are made of acrylic. LRS acrylic offerings are considered their 2nd tier product. Should I be concerned about the Freedom Shield being made of acrylic?
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 664
From: Eastpointe, MI
My bike came with a 4-in shorter than OEM windshield.
The air just hits my helmet on the freeway and makes me look like a bobblehead. (The original owner was shorter).
The Harley OEM standard one is $160, so I ordered a $30 one from eBay just to see if I like the size.
I figured it would be made of acrylic.
Turns out this one is made of polycarbonate and I like the height.
Yeah I've heard about acrylic too. I'd take it off if it was acrylic but it's polycarbonate I think I'll leave it on.
So they have expensive acrylic ones too huh?
The air just hits my helmet on the freeway and makes me look like a bobblehead. (The original owner was shorter).
The Harley OEM standard one is $160, so I ordered a $30 one from eBay just to see if I like the size.
I figured it would be made of acrylic.
Turns out this one is made of polycarbonate and I like the height.
Yeah I've heard about acrylic too. I'd take it off if it was acrylic but it's polycarbonate I think I'll leave it on.
So they have expensive acrylic ones too huh?
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,865
Likes: 972
From: Lincolnshire, IL
I've been using Freedom Shields for many yrs. I find them to be great. Thicker than many other brands out there so no vibrations, great customer service and knowledge and NO distortion in the re-curve. I also like that Freedom Shields are made in 1 inch increments so it's easy to get the perfect size. They also offer a very nice return/exchange policy as long as you don't remove the protective paper coating when "test riding" for height.
I run the 10" Wide Touring shield on my 2015 Ultra Limited. (they used to offer a small discount for HD Forum members)
I run the 10" Wide Touring shield on my 2015 Ultra Limited. (they used to offer a small discount for HD Forum members)
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2025
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 664
From: Eastpointe, MI
The problem now is my full size 13 inch shield doesn't have a lip on the top of it like my 8 inch Wind Vest did.
The wind hits the top of my helmet in the exact same place. That little lip at the top makes up for 5 inches of height. I remember the shorter one at the car wash. When you blast it, you can see the water rising up much higher than the shield. With the one without the lip it's about the same height because it doesn't rise up like that.
And with the shorter one you're not looking through the shield. I think I'll put it back on.
Or maybe look for a full size one with that lip at the top.
Rob175 - do you mean 10" tall?
Does that have a lip at the top?
The wind hits the top of my helmet in the exact same place. That little lip at the top makes up for 5 inches of height. I remember the shorter one at the car wash. When you blast it, you can see the water rising up much higher than the shield. With the one without the lip it's about the same height because it doesn't rise up like that.
And with the shorter one you're not looking through the shield. I think I'll put it back on.
Or maybe look for a full size one with that lip at the top.
Rob175 - do you mean 10" tall?
Does that have a lip at the top?
Last edited by Robertbc3141; Jun 7, 2025 at 11:20 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 1,865
Likes: 972
From: Lincolnshire, IL
Yes...my Freedom Shield is a 10" tall windshield that is "re-curved" at the top. It's the wider "Touring" model and I'm VERY pleased with it.
R
R
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 8,470
Likes: 19,166
From: The Republic of Texas
Acrylic vs Polycarbonate?
Just Google polycarbonate vs acrylic for information on the differences. Then research windshield height, shape, size for proper fit. Motorcycle windshield design has come a long way in the past several years. The info I have found states that the proper height windshield is below eye level.
The windshield on my StreetGlide that works best for me is this 5" tall shield > https://www.jpcycles.com/product/mem...sku_id=1255305
This windshield is made of Lucite acrylic material > https://www.acmeplastics.com/content...acme-plastics/
The important thing to do is to care for your product as directed by the manufacturer.
USE THE PROPER CLEANER, POLISH and CLOTH MATERIAL to maintain your windshield.
Here is a good article about the differences between Acrylic vs Polycarbonate >
https://www.plasticmold.net/polycarb...age_Resistance
.
The windshield on my StreetGlide that works best for me is this 5" tall shield > https://www.jpcycles.com/product/mem...sku_id=1255305
This windshield is made of Lucite acrylic material > https://www.acmeplastics.com/content...acme-plastics/
The important thing to do is to care for your product as directed by the manufacturer.
USE THE PROPER CLEANER, POLISH and CLOTH MATERIAL to maintain your windshield.
Here is a good article about the differences between Acrylic vs Polycarbonate >
https://www.plasticmold.net/polycarb...age_Resistance
.
Last edited by benscratchin; Jun 10, 2025 at 07:29 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,193
Likes: 807
From: Washington
I've had a Freedom Shield on my 2014 Ultra Limited for 5 or 6 years now. I think its 'touring width' and 10" tall. The guy that owns Freedom Shields help me select it. Its been a fine product. I've always been careful to use whatever products are on the market that say 'they are for plastics' to clean it, and have had no problems. Maybe if I used GUNK spray foam engine cleaner on it, it might be an issue, but I would say if you would use it on your tank, fairing or saddlebags, you're good.
