Windshield Recommendation

[dac]

Hi All,

I'm new to this forum and new to owning a Valkyrie.

I just bought a 2003 Valkyrie Standard, and I love it. It's in very nice shape
(previous owner was a bike mechanic), 18k miles, & leather bags.  It does not
have a windshield and I was wondering if anyone has recommendations they
care to share for aftermarket windshields.  I've used Memphis Shades in the
past (for another bike), and was happy with it. But I was wondering if there
was anything noteworthy for the Valkyrie.


 

[elraque]

I bought a 99 Standard this spring. It came without a windshield. I picked a Memphis Fats, and had to buy the mounting hardware. I measured and estimated the correct height for my height and riding posture.

The Memphis fats has worked out well for me. I notice that I get some wind buffeting (just on the windshield) when I get up around 95 MPH. So I try not to ride at those kind of speeds. Up to 80-85 MPH (keeping up with the rest of the traffic on the rural interstate highways in central Utah) the Fats windshield is silky smooth.

Another Valk owner that I know locally says that the OEM Honda windshield is even better, claims "no windshield vibration" as fast as he has ridden. I can't verify that because I haven't ridden with the OEM. The Fats has been a good choice for me.

Oh, yeah, and welcome to the inzanity.  (You know that ya gotta post pictures, dontcha?) (And get yer profile set up so we know what part of the country yer in!)

Make sure to get the right height for your height and riding posture. 

[Hef]

Welcome to the Valkyrie World. I have a standard and have a Switchblade Windshield. It is truly a great product. It has a unique mounting system which allows you to remove/replace in a just a few seconds. Makes it great for cleaning around headlight, tach, and speedometer.

[doubletee]

I've been relatively happy with the National Cycle screen that was on my Std when I purchased it. I get considerable airflow from underneath it, up past the tank. It stands my moustache straight up sometimes. Baker air wings help a bunch. Many have recommended fork mounted shields, but they just aren't my cup of tea.

I've never ridden behind anything else, so I can't compare.

[GOOSE]

mr taxachusetts... i went to school up there, so one place is the same as another. ...just kidding.  i have run both the memphis fats, and the oem.  both are good. the oem is a little more pricey, but i think it cuts the wind better.  just my opinion.  anything is better than nothing at all.

[Thunderbolt]

My wife's 98 standard that we bought used, had a National Cycle on it.  At the time I had a 97 Tourer with OEM on it.  There was a marked difference in them, the OEM did a much better job.  Also added Baker Air Wings to both of them and that helped a  lot too.  I very much dislike head buffeting and this took care of most all of it.  My recommendation, OEM.

[Shades]

I have a Shooter from Memphis Shades. I LOVE IT!!!!!

[paps350]

I ride a 97 Standard with a National Cycle shield and needed to add Baker Air wings to cut down the buffeting that came up under the shield. Without the wings my glasses bounced up and down.

[flatsixlover]

My 2000 Standard came with a National Cycle windshield when I bought it from the previous owner.  Had some head buffeting around 80 mph, I'm 6'4" and like to look over the windshield.  Purchased a Rifle SS (super sized) this Summer and really enjoy the ride.  The windshield is 2" taller and 3.5" wider on each side than the National Cycle.  I can still look over it and have no head buffeting, nice looking mounting clamps also.

[Gator John]

+1 for the Rifle, especially if you are tall.  Much better than the oem.

[Matsumike]

Well... certainly can't hurt to toss in 2 cents here.    I've had two Valks, both tourers, both had after market shields and both shields sucked (is that a tech term?).   On the first I got a used OEM off ebay, and it made a world of difference.  The OEM in my opinion is shaped perfect for the Beast.  Ya... its more $, but I was so impressed that the next one I immediatly gave the memphis shade away, paid the big bucks and got a new OEM shield.
BTW, I put allot of miles on my bikes and have been on several 4,000 mile + trips.  Just sayin'....Mike.

[doubletee]

Thanks to JetDriver for this. You might want to check this out before making your selection:

http://www.nationalcycle.com/newsvideo/Poly_WMV.html

[dac]

OK - lot's of opinions.  Thanks very much for the info everyone.  Guess I
need to make a decision soon, as the weather is getting a little cool up here.

BTW - I can't imagine riding anything else.

Thanks for all the help.

[F7daved]

Im interested in the rifle you guys are talking about, Can some one show a couple of pics and maybe a part number. I want a slighty bigger shield, so i think this SS might work. Thanks

[N8171S]

OEM is made of GE lexan.  I have hit a turkey buzzard and a deer and it didn't break.  It is nearly bullet proof.  I did cut 5 1/2 inches so I look over it and found nothing bad with that so I cut my other valk OEM too.

[chuckie]

Only have experience with oem and baker airwing setup. following is my experience using this setup.

1- summer, speed below 65 baker wings open top and bottom max cool (Florida) min buffeting
2- as above highway speed over 65 top closed, open bottom. Cuts buffeting cools (somewhat)
3- winter all closed all speed. take advantage of engine heat. no buffeting

I'm 5'9 can't see over windshield, but don't find it a problem.
Good luck with whatever you get. Chuckie.

[Gator John]

This is my rifle custom. Replaced the oem that wasn't tall enough for me. Nice part about this one is the rake is adjustable due to slotted mounting brackets.  That way you can get the height exactly right.  Its also easy to take off when you want to do an extensive clean and polish of the headlight and gage area.  Comes off with 4 allen bolts. As you can see, I also have fork wings and baker wings. Not shown are side extensions I added this spring that take the air off the hands and also push the air just a little farther out to cut out passenger turbulence.  I am very pleased with the outcome.

[trprbill]

I have a Standard with a National Cycle and Baker Airwings, and a Standard with an oem Tourer windshield and fork mounted deflectors. The Tourer windshield comes down a couple inches lower than the NC, and works excellent with the fork mounted deflectors. I can light a cigarette with a Zippo at 80 mph, and probably faster if I had to.

[BF]

john3xv1

What kind of fork mounted lowers are those....and where'd ya get them?  Are they adjustable, ie, will they pivot to adjust air flow?

[Thunderbolt]

 

[Gator John]

What kind of fork mounted lowers are those....and where'd ya get them?  Are they adjustable, ie, will they pivot to adjust air flow?

Sorry, I've had them so long I don't remember where I got them.  No, they are not adjustable on the fly like the Bakers, but you can alter the angle a little before you tighten down the brackets.  To be honest, out of all the things I've done for air flow, that is the one that I noticed the least amount of improvement from, but that is probably because I already had the Baker Air Wings installed and there is a lot of overlap in the area they both affect.  If you don't already have the Bakers, I'd opt for those over the fork wings.  The windshield and the Baker Air Wings provided the biggest improvements.

[papa bear]

Just replaced mine on my '98 Tourer with a Clearveiw windsheild. Same height as OEM and 1" wider. It uses the OEM mounting bracket, so it's just a matter of changing it from one to the other. It is a very good product, and they stand behind them. You can order it in various shades and sizes, with or without a vent. Great windsheild.

[simon]

I agree with the guys that say the aftermarket sheilds causes to much buffetting of your head at highway speeds. The reson is they mount to far forward on the forks. The stock sheild mounts back closer to your head for less buffeting and better protection. I mounted an old style Harley fiberglass fairing to my bike and it works better than any windsheild. I used the Memphis Shade detatchable hardware with the Harley fairing to remove the fairing  in a couple of minutes. Simon

[flcjr]

i replaced my oem windshield with a clearview shield this summer it is a great product very clear best i have ever looked through. but you will need to buy the oem hardware. no buffeting I wouldn't ride with anything else. there not cheap but well worth the money and they are make to order so it will take a few weeks to get one. but worth the wait. NO i am not connected to them at all just a very happy customer!

[Flat6Valk]

My 98 had a switchblade when I bought it.  nice but I liked the looks of the oem style.  It slopes and just looks better.  So I made the switch but used a clearview, like many others have done, and I am very happy with it.  the clearview is thicker and does not buffet in the wind at all.  I used the standard height like oem.  I easily look out over the top of the shield  but the wind does not hit me like you would think.  I wear a bb cap many times on short trips and unless there is a STRONG wind I do not have any problems.  And yes you have to use oem hardware.

[Alaskamike]

OEM is the best I've used.   I do think is depends a bit on your size and helmet.   The lower you sit in the saddle the less top of helmet buffeting you get.  I am 5'11" and use Ultimate seats.  I do ride (most of the time) with a helmet.   It is the best wind protection I've ever had on a bike.  The OEM curves just right for the wind dynamics of the bike.  It is clear the Honda folks spent time figuring this out. "Paht Lady"