Windshield Height Question

[Aries]

Alright fella's, I've just ordered a new shield from Clearview and they have several different sizes to choose from for the Valkyrie Standard. When asked which height I wanted to go with, my thought was to stick as close to the original as much as possible. Now I'm rethinking things a little. The current sheild ( not sure if it's stock ) falls right into my line of site as I sit, back straight on the bike. Being that I haven't ridden a bike in quite a few years and having recently become an owner of a Valk, I'm not sure what I should be using as a guideline to decide. I've heard that some would wrather see over the sheild most of the time and only use it to squat down when the winds cold. I've been told that others choose to look through the shield during most of the ride. I'm sure this is a subjective question, however, I would like to get a general consensus. Thanks

 

[big poppa pump]

I prefer to see over the windshield. Ideally the windshield height should be at your nose level when you are sitting down. I just placed an order from Clearview as well for a 17" shield in DARK tint.

[BobB]

I too prefer to look just over the screen, about 1 or 2 inches.  I like to see all of any vehicle I'm following without my view being impeded.  The stock Valkyrie shield is perfect for my 5'-11" self...

[Patrick]

Clear view states their shields measurements from about 3 locations if I remember correctly.

I prefer to look over the shield and like the line of sight from eye to top of shield to ground to be about 15 ft.

[old2soon]

At 6' 2" the stock height of the I/S shield lets me look over the W/S while moving the air and most of the bugs over my helmet WITHOUT buffeting my helmet. That with out buffeting the helmet-I M H O-is VERY important as I tend to a lot of long distance riding. And as the ride progresses and the bugs build up on the W/S your vision is limited to looking thru dead bug bodies.  IF you current W/S NEEDS replacing start cutting it down an inch at a time until YOU figure out what's best for you.  RIDE SAFE.

[hubcapsc]

I look way over mine (Clearview)... I think looking over is the only way
to go in the rain. And my windshield isn't always perfectly clean,
who wants to look through bug guts?



-Mike

[KG]

The gas cap kept reflecting up into the windscreen and made it impossible to look through at times.

I cut mine down. I had the wife mark it from the outside where my eyes looked through it and cut it a half an inch shorter. Then test rode it and cut another 1/8 inch off as I was looking right at the edge.
 I look over it but don't get bugs or wind buffeting and it still throws rain when it's a sprinkle or light misting rain over my helmet.
 I can still easily duck down if a big bug comes or it starts to rain.

[msb]

Have always had a stock shield on my Interstate since new. I'm 6'0, and it's perfectly positioned to see over top with a good view, while still protecting me adequately from bugs, hard rain, etc - with no buffeting.

[Jersey mike]

I have a '98 Tourer and a couple months ago I installed the CV 19" version...stock width and no vent and I wear a modular helmet. I did not get the vent because I have windshield pouches I use often that would have been in the way of the vent. I would recommend the vent option no matter what kind of helmet you wear, I would have liked it on some hotter days.

I'm 5'10 and have the Ultimate Low Boy seat (which sits you about an inch lower on the bike) and can see very clearly over the top of the shield, with room to spare.

Around town it's great, excellent visibility and on the highway it's incredible. The Clearview doesn't budge, vibrate, shake or wiggle around like the OEM and there is still a good pocket at the 19" height to sit behind.

The full 3/16" thickness is very sturdy and it actually feels as though it really plants the front end at (high) highway speeds. Changing lanes, riding along side tractor trailers and busses it was great.

if you feel as though you made a mistake, ask them to cancel the order before it goes to production.

get some blue painters tape and measure down from the top your stock shield to the heights Clearview makes to get an idea of what is best for you. My OEM shield was almost at eye level so it made it tough to get into a good position because the top was just about in my line of sight.

The OEM shield is 21.5"...to get to the 19" height, it's minus 2.5", BUT that's if you have an OEM shield.

[Steve K (IA)]

On both of mine, Std with stock height w/s and I/S with the stock w/s also, I look over.  A few years back my wife got me an Extra tall w/s with vent from Clearview for the I/S.  At first, I put it on for colder weather and then have just left it on.  I look through this one.  Don't have any problem with that.

[Jess from VA]

I agree with most here.  You want the shield top at (or just under) the tip of your nose, sitting comfortably, neither up at attention or slouched down.  You want to look over comfortably, but be able to slouch under if the need arises (clouds of bugs, hail, gravel/dirt out of a dump truck, low flying turkey vultures).  

Now if you always wear a full face (or closed flip face) helmet, you can go a bit lower, but beware of excess head buffeting.

I can never understand always having to look thru a shield; I have been fogged, rained and mud sprayed so bad, you could not see thru the shield at all (might as well close your eyes).  

My Interstates are not angle adjustable, but std/tourer shields/mounts may be able to be tweaked a bit to lay back or push forward a little (in case you are trying to gain or lose a half inch or so).  But I don't know about that.

I don't know the height (above headlight cutout) of an OE std/tourer shield, but some have masking/painter's taped a ruler or small tape measure up and over the current shield, so when sitting up centered on the bike, they have a point of reference in picking the correct shield height.  

[Mr Whiskey]

I only had to get caught in the fog once on the IS, then it was dark grey sport Clearview 13" (2.5" shorter) & I could see over the OEM to begin with. It still blocked too much of my sight line at factory height when it fogged over.
Loved the Clearview. It made the IS.
(Damn I miss that ride!)

[Jersey mike]

one more thought to add;

if you are considering changing your seat, I would do that first, then get a shield that will be to the height you like with the new seat.

Like I said in my other post, the Ultimate Low Boy sits you lower in the seat than stock...about an inch lower.

The other Seats by Ultimate the Big Boy's sit you higher by an inch or two.

see their website or any other seat manufacturer you may choose.

[Hook#3287]

The rule I use is, measure out 50' from your bike, put a cone or other object there.  Sit on your bike up right, mark your screen where the cone is visible on the screen, cut it there.

Done that with all 4 of my screens and it works for me.

You'll have to figure out how to measure that for a new one.

[Tundra]

17" for me, I prefer looking over and it has a CLEAR view for sure, great shield. Use the guide on their site to order what's right for you. You'll be happy with this purchase.

[WintrSol]

My 17" Clearview shield measures 17" from the top to the opening above the headlamp. The Clearview shield I took off was the largest size they made, installed by the PO (kind of tall). I marked my chosen shield height for viewing with a bit of masking tape, then measured from the headlamp, and 17" was the nearest. Just mark your current shield, if it's too tall, where you think it should stop and go for a ride. That should give you an idea where you want the top of the shield.

[sandy]

I have a stock height screen and just barely look over it. If you order the stock height and tilt it back, you will look over it. Also, the tilt will remove the gas cap glare. The photo is of a bracket at the lower shield mount. It's 1" between the holes (center to center).

[Bighead]

Always look over

[WintrSol]

Just FYI, I had the gas cap glare in the large windshield, and used black PlastiDip, after masking off just the offending portions. No more glare. I'm not sure if the glare will be there with the 17" windshield - just haven't tried without the -Dip.

[big poppa pump]

Just FYI, I had the gas cap glare in the large windshield, and used black PlastiDip, after masking off just the offending portions. No more glare. I'm not sure if the glare will be there with the 17" windshield - just haven't tried without the -Dip.

Didn't want to mess around with the plastidip, so custom ordered my 17" shield in really dark tint. Can't wait to get it installed!!!

[cookiedough]

agree,  look over the shield and about top of nose height you will get no buffering of wind usually.

My stock I/S OEM windshield is fine for my 5'10" height with OEM seat.  If I was 2-3" taller, I'd go 2" or so higher shield though over OEM since if I sit very straight up another 1" or so,  I do get wind buffering and that is annoying and no good to have. 

Looking over your shield, at least for me, is VERY important riding home at night after work where dozens of times per year my windshield fogs up in the hills/valleys cooling off at night in the 40's and 50's for lows and unable to see thru the windhshield have to see OVER the shield to drive. 

Too short though and wind buffering at hwy. speeds would suck as well, at least for me. 

[Hook#3287]

Just FYI, I had the gas cap glare in the large windshield, and used black PlastiDip, after masking off just the offending portions. No more glare. I'm not sure if the glare will be there with the 17" windshield - just haven't tried without the -Dip.

Can you get a picture of that?

[WintrSol]

Just FYI, I had the gas cap glare in the large windshield, and used black PlastiDip, after masking off just the offending portions. No more glare. I'm not sure if the glare will be there with the 17" windshield - just haven't tried without the -Dip.

Can you get a picture of that?

The dip doesn't actually go between the aft end of the cap and the chrome surround, as it appears - trick of the lighting. I tapered the aft portion just for looks, as most of the glare was from the aft end of the lock cover to the front of the surround.

[Romeo]

I have a 17" clear view as well, and for the most part love it. Previously I had a stock hondaline and a direct replacement clear view and didn't like looking through the edge of the windshield all the time.
The one thing I will say about the 17" is I get somewhat more buffeting noise when I have my full helmet on. I don't really notice it actually pushing my head around, it's more just the noise factor. But I absolutely love the improved vision. I also think it makes the bike look cooler. Not that any of us care about that.

[Aries]

Thanks for all the input guys. I decided to go with the 19". After speaking with Andy at CV, I was assured that as long as I didn't remove the lining that is factory applied to each side of the shield, I can return it for a different size in the event I'm not satisfied. That's a pretty nice guarantee.

[hubcapsc]

Thanks for all the input guys. I decided to go with the 19". After speaking with Andy at CV, I was assured that as long as I didn't remove the lining that is factory applied to each side of the shield, I can return it for a different size in the event I'm not satisfied. That's a pretty nice guarantee.

I mounted my "see over" Clearview with that stuff on it and rode my bike to
work that way... I kept it, but I like the way they treat their customers too 

It wouldn't do to mount a "non see over" that way though 

-Mike

[Fazer]

I just installed the 17" version Clear Shield with grey tinting and vent.  As others have posted, the the stock shield cut directly thru my visions line.  I had gone thru the height question with my shadow, so new I wanted to look above, not thru.  So far I notice a little more wind in my face, but with my face shield down, it is fine.  On a warm day it is a benefit.  Have not ridden on the highway at speed yet, so don't know about buffeting, but I sure had it with the stock shield.  I am keeping the stock shield for winter riding--not that much work to change out in the spring and fall.

Agree with others about Clear Shield as a company--great to work with and I got status updates all along the manufacturing process.  Shield arrived two days earlier than promised and packed very well.  I give them A+.

Greg (Fazer)

[WintrSol]

They are very accommodating. I already had a vent from the old shield, so called and asked that they cut a hole for one so I could transfer it. I fully expected to pay for the cut, but didn't - it was included in the normal price. It just took a while to get my shield in the queue, as they were very busy when I called.