windshiels - tall or short?
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,465
Likes: 62
From: Port St. Lucie, FL
I've been looking through MC windshields for over 1M miles. I've had some really nasty dings near the top of those windshields. If they were shorter, either my face, glasses or helmet would have taken the hit.
As for windshield fogging, that is so rare. The F-4 windshield I'm running now is fog resistant and made of polycarbonate which is scratch & shatter resistant.
Shorter windshields may look cooler, but with my taller windshield my face looks cooler
Install what you feel most comfortable with.
As for windshield fogging, that is so rare. The F-4 windshield I'm running now is fog resistant and made of polycarbonate which is scratch & shatter resistant.
Shorter windshields may look cooler, but with my taller windshield my face looks cooler
Install what you feel most comfortable with.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,335
Likes: 27
From: San Diego, CA
Most windshield manufacturers say that you should have a windshield that is at the same level as where your nose meets your eyes. Then you are suppose to set the angle to the match the angle of the front forks. That should put it so that you see most of the road ahead over the edge of the shield and just what is immediately in front of your bike through the shield. Set like that, wind should (and will) be directed just along the top of your helmet. I have of set like that and I never have any bugs on my helmet face shield but a lot on the top of the helmet. I also don't get a lot of body/wind buffeting, and my arms aren't sore anymore on really long runs on the freeway.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 34
From: Maryland
Nose level for wind but lower the better for sight. I did the best of both worlds and got a LRS Ultra Flip. It is 8 inches, well below by chin and blocks the same amount of wind as the stock shield (which btw did hit me at the nose)
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Mansfield, LA.
There are only one thing you need to ask yourself here.....do you want a functional windshield or do you want on that just looks good?? If you want a functional windshield that buffets the wind and most of the rain, then you want one that you look through. If you want one that just looks good, then the short one is the one for you. I have a 11.5" Klockwerks Flare and love it. Not only does it look good, but it provides downforce for better handling at speed. Check them out, you won't be disappointed! www.kustombaggers.com
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,755
Likes: 12
From: Commerce, Mich.
I won't have a shield that I have to look through when its raining. I NEED to be able to see where I am going, and any hazards on the roadway.
That being said...I change shields with the seasons. When its colder (wintertime) I go with a 12" In summer...I drop to a dark tinted 6"
The 12" I can slightly lift my head up and see over the top, Its taller than I really like, but it isn't so high as to be a problem for me. It blocks more of that wind chill than anything else will. ( I HATE wearing a facemask when its cold...) and i ONLY use it in cold (below 45 degree ) weather.
That being said...I change shields with the seasons. When its colder (wintertime) I go with a 12" In summer...I drop to a dark tinted 6"
The 12" I can slightly lift my head up and see over the top, Its taller than I really like, but it isn't so high as to be a problem for me. It blocks more of that wind chill than anything else will. ( I HATE wearing a facemask when its cold...) and i ONLY use it in cold (below 45 degree ) weather.
Road Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 813
Likes: 1
I have a Klock Werks on my Road King,about the same height as the standard shield but with that flare it's awesome.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,199
From: Oxford, Nc
Virtually everyday at the top of the hill coming out of the valley during the spring at 6:00 in the morning....everything fogs: windshields, mirrors goggles/glasses. Same spot, same time every morning. Some kind of warm air pocket up there I guess.
Half mile down the road everything clears up again.
I can see just over my windshield on mine (fortunately).