just breaking in the new bike, and was wondering about the windshield height. should i be looking over it or through it. the top of the windshield is right in my line of vision. my bike is a 2007 RKC with a standard height windshield...any thoughts anyone??? thanx

 

Check out page 10 & 11 of the 07 HD Accessories catalogue. You should be looking over it. I look over mine by 1.5 - 2".

 

In my experience you want to be looking over it. Definitly don't want the top right in your line of sight.
Rain is the biggest reason for me.
I can wipe of the face shield but not the windshield while ridin and I don't want two layers of water drops to have to see through if it gets heavy and I can't get off the road right away.
Every RK that I have ridden with the shield on was too tall for me and always distorted my vision too.

 

I echo the last 2 responses - don't look through but just over the top while seated at your normal height. The stock windshield can be cut by almost anyone who cuts glass. Mark where you want the top and they'll do the rest. Costs between $15 and $25 (at least in my town).

 

I did mine on a band saw. I measured up from the top of the fairng and put a mark at the 6" and 9" points and drew aline across the windsheild with a china marker (grease pencil). This gave me some perspective as far as height and where my line of vision was. I had a stock 12" WS. I rode with it like this for a few days to get a feel for looking over my lines. Then I put 2" wide masking tape on the front to protect it, and cut it off at the 9" mark on a bandsaw. I then blended it on a belt sander. I am a machinist so I have all the necessary equipment. My first cut at 9" was perfect for me. I have since replaced it with a Cee Baileys SSC WS.

 

Hmmm....interestin' perspectives. Havin' had gouges knocked into windshields on 2 Goldwings caused by road debris at eye level, ah prefer ta look through it! No more bugs/grit/stones ta the face, an' if ah'm in rain a properly treated shield will shed most of the water - if not, a quick swipe an' ah'm good ta go. As ah've mentioned before, ah run behind a tinted, vented Tulsa shield an' have ridden with 'em fer 10 years now. They can be more expensive than some of the others, but they're the only ones ah'm aware of that use *optical* grade plastics - you see zero distortion lookin' through it!

Iffen yer down in mah neck o' the woods gimme a holler an' yer welcome ta see fer yerself.

 

you should be looking over the windshield, not through it. the shield is not glass and offers too much distortion potntially causingerrors in judgement. the angle of the shield should be enough that the wind is diverted over your face and helmet.

 

From a safety standpoint looking over the windshield is the way to go. I have several windshields that can be switched easily. In the fall and winter I usea 15 inch and look through it. Having a winshield in perfect condition is a must for good visabilty.This protects you and is a little warmer. However you can have problems if it rains or if the windshield fogs up. Ido this only when riding close to home. In warm weather I switch to a nine inch. The stock windshield on my ultra hindered my line of view, especially at night. Changing this was the first thing I did.

 

I go both ways on looking through or looking over...I usually look through the windshield on the Electra Glide however.

In the cold and cold temperatures, I will most likely look through...as the wind only freezes me. In the warmer temperatures, I usually look over the shield...until it begins to rain. If raining and you look over...rain hits you directly in the face. If you look through, the shield quickly becomes impaired to the point that a windshield wiper would be handy. At that time, you must look over and be hit in the face with rain. Just part of being a motorcycle enthusiast.

I find distortion not to be a problem for me at least. I yet to see anything distorted by looking through the windshield. Perhaps the distortion is there, but with 20+ years of riding on many different bikes...I am so use to the distortion that I don't see it anymore.

For those with distortion, what items are distorted when you look through?