Windshields, look over or thru
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Montana
Windshields, look over or thru
Hi Guy's,
I have about 22" or 24" ( forget right now) high windshield, I am tall 6-4 and it seems about right but!!!! The way I ride I tend to lean over a little especially to get out of the wind or bugs, so when I do that I am looking thru the glass and not over it.
If I try and ride sitting straight up I feel too tall on the bike and I have a kind of half vision of clear at the top and warbled glass look at the bottom of my visual. Great protection but I get a faint sense of things are not moving at the same speed , meaning the top is real time and very clear and thru the glass is warped with the curvature and not as clear and I am trying to see both, it is almost a sea sick like vision.
Thats hard to explain, too many words probably...
Should I have a shorter windshield? How low is too low to provide protection, ( we get a lot of small stones here from winter roads)
I have read that it should 1 to two inchs lower then your site line sitting up straight.
What do you guy's prefer, do you like looking thru or over ( most of the time)
Thanks for any suggestions,
BDR
I have about 22" or 24" ( forget right now) high windshield, I am tall 6-4 and it seems about right but!!!! The way I ride I tend to lean over a little especially to get out of the wind or bugs, so when I do that I am looking thru the glass and not over it.
If I try and ride sitting straight up I feel too tall on the bike and I have a kind of half vision of clear at the top and warbled glass look at the bottom of my visual. Great protection but I get a faint sense of things are not moving at the same speed , meaning the top is real time and very clear and thru the glass is warped with the curvature and not as clear and I am trying to see both, it is almost a sea sick like vision.
Thats hard to explain, too many words probably...
Should I have a shorter windshield? How low is too low to provide protection, ( we get a lot of small stones here from winter roads)
I have read that it should 1 to two inchs lower then your site line sitting up straight.
What do you guy's prefer, do you like looking thru or over ( most of the time)
Thanks for any suggestions,
BDR
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,602
Likes: 5
From: Southern California - Palm Springs Area
RE: Windshields, what height do you like?
Check out CLEARVIEW windshields... You can go lower and still have the wind protection of a taller shield... Have there shields on both my '01 RK and '07 RG - Luv Em'
And I'm 6'4"
And I'm 6'4"
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,853
Likes: 21
From: central florida
RE: Windshields, what height do you like?
im using a 12" on the glide. have to look thru it but i like that-used to it. think ill be buying a new recurve - clearview prod- for the durability and clarity. had my thumbnail in a rag and tried ta get a bug off and scratched the OE!! cant believe they are that soft!!! only prob i have with lookin thru it is the rain(and ive found if i lean forward and look thru the lower portion its quite liveable) and the glare of headlites (which is why im considering a lightly smoked shield)
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Montana
RE: Windshields, what height do you like?
What are we /you trying to accomplish most with the use of a windshield?
1.Debris ie: stones, bugs, rain?
2.Wind on your face or chest?
I have lot's of stones flying around here left over from winter when they spread small gravel for the snow and ice, tall windshield seems good for that.
Lower shield with wind resistance curve sounds good for air and bugs but not stones.
Not sure if I should get a lower one or not, I have read about cutting them and while I am very good with tools and layout I set it up to cut and realized that I might be opening a can of worms, ie: cracks /finished edges/ proper curvature, not sure if it is worth ruining a good windshield.
The light gray or smoke sounds cool but not sure until I look thru one, I don't ride allot at night so thats probably not a big deal for me now.
BDR
1.Debris ie: stones, bugs, rain?
2.Wind on your face or chest?
I have lot's of stones flying around here left over from winter when they spread small gravel for the snow and ice, tall windshield seems good for that.
Lower shield with wind resistance curve sounds good for air and bugs but not stones.
Not sure if I should get a lower one or not, I have read about cutting them and while I am very good with tools and layout I set it up to cut and realized that I might be opening a can of worms, ie: cracks /finished edges/ proper curvature, not sure if it is worth ruining a good windshield.
The light gray or smoke sounds cool but not sure until I look thru one, I don't ride allot at night so thats probably not a big deal for me now.
BDR
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
RE: Windshields, what height do you like?
I have cut down a few windshields and found a laminate trimmer or high speed router makes the best and safest cut. Hand sand the edge to get a nice rounded profile then hit it with a little flame from a propane torch or propane lighter to finish the edge. Be careful with the flame 'casue that's where you can really screw it up.
[quote]ORIGINAL: bdr
Not sure if I should get a lower one or not, I have read about cutting them and while I am very good with tools and layout I set it up to cut and realized that I might be opening a can of worms, ie: cracks /finished edges/ proper curvature, not sure if it is worth ruining a good windshield.
[quote]ORIGINAL: bdr
Not sure if I should get a lower one or not, I have read about cutting them and while I am very good with tools and layout I set it up to cut and realized that I might be opening a can of worms, ie: cracks /finished edges/ proper curvature, not sure if it is worth ruining a good windshield.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Montana
RE: Windshields, what height do you like?
TCP,
Thanks for the reply. Mine is about 3/16's thick, I am not sure that my lam trimmer will handle that even with a new bit?
Did you keep the same round top profile or did you alter it?
I was wondering the last time I laid mine out if it would screw up the aerodynamics? somewhat flat across seems like it would be kind of cool.
I traced a template on a piece of tyvek and then cut it with sissors and laid it on the windshield, move it around a little to see different profiles.
I also looked at cutting the bottom and leaving the top and drilling new holes for the mounting brackets but that was as much work if not more .
I may try it one of these days.
Thanks,
BDR
Thanks for the reply. Mine is about 3/16's thick, I am not sure that my lam trimmer will handle that even with a new bit?
Did you keep the same round top profile or did you alter it?
I was wondering the last time I laid mine out if it would screw up the aerodynamics? somewhat flat across seems like it would be kind of cool.
I traced a template on a piece of tyvek and then cut it with sissors and laid it on the windshield, move it around a little to see different profiles.
I also looked at cutting the bottom and leaving the top and drilling new holes for the mounting brackets but that was as much work if not more .
I may try it one of these days.
Thanks,
BDR
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Windshields, look over or thru
I'm 6' 3" and I cut 1 1/4" off the top of my road king windshield and wish I hadn't. I don't notice any better visablity but I do notice more wind noise.
I'm thinking of getting one of the recurved ones that guys here have been raving about. Maybe I put rainx on mine by mistake and the NEED to get a new one.
I'm thinking of getting one of the recurved ones that guys here have been raving about. Maybe I put rainx on mine by mistake and the NEED to get a new one.
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 172
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From:
RE: Windshields, look over or thru
Years ago I was taught by a veteran motorcyclist that you should look over the top edge of the windshield and be able to see a point 25 to 30' ahead on the road without looking through it. I have always used that reference when cutting down or ordering windshields, and have always been happy with the results.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 466
Likes: 0
From: Ontario, Canada
RE: Windshields, look over or thru
I've been told the same type thing as DelawareDon, that you should be able to look over the windshield as opposed to looking through it. I have two windshields, one isthe clearstock height andthe other anaccessory dark tint. With the stocker I look through but it seems to distortmy vision somewhatas opposed tothe lowershield where Ilook over it. Formyself I prefer the lower style for a betterview of the road and surroundings.
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 387
Likes: 266
From: Riverview, FL
RE: Windshields, look over or thru
Over or thru...one or the other.
I have a short shield for riding in the summer and a tall for riding in the winter. If you are worried about small stones, get a taller shield (look thru). All the recurve won't help a stone (the stone's mass vs. change in velocity means you will still get pegged by the stones--trust me).
I have a short shield for riding in the summer and a tall for riding in the winter. If you are worried about small stones, get a taller shield (look thru). All the recurve won't help a stone (the stone's mass vs. change in velocity means you will still get pegged by the stones--trust me).