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Advantages / disadvantages of a tall windshield

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MVRuss

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hello everyone,

I have been debating getting a Tall Windshield (HERE is the one I am contemplating ---- Harber's is about an hour away from me). I am 6'2" and have always been able to look over the top of my stock windshield at its highest height by sitting up very straight and tall (this was true on my 1500 also). From those of you who have run tall windshields, what are the advantages and disadvantages? What do you know about the Slipstreamer in the link? Also, how big of a problem would running a tinted windshield be at night?

Thanks for your input.
Russ
 
#2 ·
MVRuss said:
Hello everyone,

I have been debating getting a Tall Windshield (HERE is the one I am contemplating ---- Harber's is about an hour away from me). I am 6'2" and have always been able to look over the top of my stock windshield at its highest height by sitting up very straight and tall (this was true on my 1500 also). From those of you who have run tall windshields, what are the advantages and disadvantages? What do you know about the Slipstreamer in the link? Also, how big of a problem would running a tinted windshield be at night?

Thanks for your input.
Russ
Click to expand...
The disadvantage is that you may not be able to see over the screen. I don't know of an advantage. I bought a bike with a tinted screen. After riding that bike once at night, I ordered a clear screen. YMMV.
 
#3 ·
I work on many and many have different shilds of all types and styles. As for tinted, there is no way I would want one ... if I cannot see it, I have absolutly no chance of avoiding it. The problem I find with many taller sheild is mounting/dismounting the Wing. Many wrap back so far that when sitting on it the helmate is only about 2" away. Another problem to watch for is if it can go up and down. Most of the aftermarket ones are made of a thicker plastic and raising and lowering is no longer an option. The other thing to consider is distortion of view. Some of the distortion is very noticable.

I'm a little over 6'. When I ride cross country and carry a passenger, I install the "tall" Honda shield mainly for the passenger. With the tall, when I sit up straight, I am always looking through it. I think it's 2" taller. The distortion is the same as OEM, it's basically the same shape, is a little wider, but mainly taller. I can mount/dismount the same. Its thickness is the same making up/down adjustment just like the one my Wing came with. And the distortion is the same as the original one.


http://www.directlineparts.com/product.asp?pid=5795&str=0&mdl=&mdy=
 
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#4 ·
Personally, I don't mind looking through the windshield as I do it all the time in the car; however, the windshield has to be clear (not tinted), distortion-free, and have a vent for wind in the face (and to relieve back pressure that builds up at speed). The F4+4 met these requirements nicely and helps make distance riding a pleasure with minimal buffeting and great bird/rain/bug/small debris protection (at speed).
 
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#5 ·
What Stearman said.....plus, I have the Tulsa Tall shield, and the problem I have is on HOT days, there isn't enough wind flow when wearing a jacket, but it really has to be HOT to become a real problem. The other thing as mentioned earlier is the taller shield won't allow me to get the bike off the centerstand while sitting on the bike and trying to rock it forward off the stand....I'll hit my head on the screen. So, I stand to the left of the bike and take it off the centerstand that way never a problem. I've been through quite a few rain storms and never a problem seeing THROUGH the screen, and it is tall enough the I don't get the wind buffeting the helmet at all. I tried the stock screen, and I got such a headache from all the wind buffeting that I put the TALL back on.
 
#6 ·
I still find the oem height the best. Some want to keep the wind away. It is a motorcycle expect wind. A low shield is safer in the rain
 
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#8 ·
MVRuss said:
Hello everyone,

I have been debating getting a Tall Windshield (HERE is the one I am contemplating ---- Harber's is about an hour away from me). I am 6'2" and have always been able to look over the top of my stock windshield at its highest height by sitting up very straight and tall (this was true on my 1500 also). From those of you who have run tall windshields, what are the advantages and disadvantages? What do you know about the Slipstreamer in the link? Also, how big of a problem would running a tinted windshield be at night?

Thanks for your input.
Russ
Click to expand...
I have had a few windshields including the F4 on my wing and have settled on a Tulsa Ex tall vented for 2yrs now. I had clear and switched to tinted for those hi sun days and the tint is very little and not a issue on a dark country road but enough to knock down that intense sun light a little. I like the no movement at highway speeds. I think the slipstreamer is a knock off of tulsa.

1.stops all wind pounding your upper body {and the pains that come with it }, arms, neck and shoulders and no wind noise
2. protects from road debris rocks, sand ect.
3. protects from rain
4,. protects from cold temps. I have rode in 27 degree weather. 40,s is very comfortable

A. as steve states on hot you are looking for cool air. On those days in south florida if I look around my wind shield I get blasted with hot steamy type air any way. I find the show chrome air wings help a lot with this and vent wing shield
B. keep wind shield clean and use carnuba of rainzep for beading in dense fog and this will alou you to easily see thought at speeds below 10 mph. at any speed above

good luck
sur48
 
#9 ·
Tulsa was designed with the passenger in mind. Decreases buffeting greatly. The only time I had a problem was damp wet mornings when it'd fog up. I kept is waxed heavily so water would slide off of it. I have OEM now and am getting hit by a lot more bugs. Wife would like a Tulsa but doesn't ride with me much anymore. Oh, other disadvantage is that if you park it in the sun for a long period put a cover on it. I have read reports of melted plastic.
 
#10 ·
I have Optic Armor +2 shield. I bought it specifically to shield me more from wind buffeting. The noise in my helmet was too much. The taller windshield solved all of that. The downside is, the wind it shields me from catches the bike differently. Causing the the bike to be pushed by dirty wind, and drafts differently. Occasionally feel the bike squirelly in the wind. Not a problem but makes you more attentive and cautious of wind conditions.
 
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#12 ·
Lots of great info....I will be taking a cross country trip with the wife next summer. We have been doing some extended rides to make sure she really wants to do it. I have done it mant times on all types of bikes. Her only complaint is at higher speeds (above 60) she gets beat up by the wind. I have the standard OEM on my 2012 and wondered what you guys suggest for a taller shield with better passenger protection. I like my OEM but want to make her comfortable on the big trip.
 
#13 ·
For me, the #1 advantage of the Tulsa is that it enables a QUIET ride, something very important for my tinnitus. The bike feels more streamlined, too.

The disadvantages are many, however. Looking through a windshield compromises your vision in the rain, snow and at night and even riding into a low sun (unless your shield is very clean). The shield requires extensive pre-ride maintenance -- sometimes twice a day. The "experience of the view" is somewhat muted / diminished, especially as the shield gets crapped up during the day.

With the vent and wind-wings (under mirror wind deflectors), I don't feel the Tulsa makes heat any worse and, in fact, in 95F+ temps may help by keeping the blow-torch like air flow off of you.

But obviously, my hearing trumps the disadvantages. Life is all about tradeoffs.
 
#16 ·
valkmc said:
Lots of great info....I will be taking a cross country trip with the wife next summer. We have been doing some extended rides to make sure she really wants to do it. I have done it mant times on all types of bikes. Her only complaint is at higher speeds (above 60) she gets beat up by the wind. I have the standard OEM on my 2012 and wondered what you guys suggest for a taller shield with better passenger protection. I like my OEM but want to make her comfortable on the big trip.
Click to expand...
You should instal a set if Baker Hand wings first, they help a lot in keeping your passenger from being wind beaten.
 
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#17 ·
I have a Clearview +4 with light tint. It is fully adjustable and when in the lowest position, I look over it. When the wife gets on, I raise it and it gives her great protection from wind and buffeting. The light tint has NEVER been an issue. It has vent and on hot days, I can open the vent, use my Bakers to divert a breeze into the cockpit and all is good. I do not like those "lay back" shields. I hit my head getting on and off the bike, I dont want that edge so close to my face when riding and they just dont look very good(Imo). I will always have plus size shield(with tint) on any bike I own and Clearview has been great. Mark
 
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#18 ·
I have bought a lot of windscreen/ shields over many years and every single manufacturer recommends AGAINST mounting a size that makes you look through it: You may think that is a bug on your windscreen but it's a piece of wood, 4x4 or a shovel, not to mention a piece of car/ truck tread. When sitting upright you should actually look over the top of the screen to the ground at about 50 feet if my memory is correct. In certain places, at certain times even a cars windshields can become almost impossible to see through in just a manner of minutes. It's a safety thing. Sam:)
 
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#19 ·
I have F4 +4 tinted. with matching tinted baker hand, air and leg wings. Installed them all at the same time. Wife really loves all the wind blocking. All of these products work great together. When you want no wind, close the wings. When you want lots of wind, open them. Or anywhere in between.

I don't have a problem looking through the tint at night. It is noticeable, but for me it is not a deal breaker.
 
#20 ·
Have had tall tulsas for 10 years on 1800s. You miss two of the limitations. One on very windy days you are a sailboat tacking into the wind it will move the bike 3 feet in a side gust. It adds enough wind resistance you loose a mile per gallon or so. We proved this with two same year bike one tulsa and one stock. 1st fill we checked mileage and traded bikes for ride home so it was not the rider right hand problem. Tall ws got 2 mpg less both ways 200 miles on flat ground.
Now other side of coin she wont ride on bike with std without loud complaints about buffeting. I learned to handle winds and say yes dear..
:joke:
 
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