Windseild Replacement??

[Jim500]

Is F4 Customs worth the extra bucks over Clearview??? I would like it 1" taller, I'm always looking at the very top edge of the windshield on my tourer. Thanks for any input. Jim

[BF]

Is F4 Customs worth the extra bucks over Clearview??? I would like it 1" taller, I'm always looking at the very top edge of the windshield on my tourer. Thanks for any input. Jim

You should look over your shield.....not at the top edge or through it.  I'd think that you'd want one an inch shorter....not taller.  

Clearview shields are Acrylic.  

Read their "Product Description"....

http://www.clearviewshields.com/motorcycle-windshield/honda/valkyrie-std-tourer-shields/

The F4 shields are polycarbonate.  Watch the video starting at the 2:25 mark and judge for yourself.  

F4 Customs Motorcycle Windshields

Or, watch this.....

Polycarbonate vs. Acrylic - National Cycle Windshield Demo

[BigBad1]

I have a F-4 and love it. It has been on the bike for about a year and not a mark on it. My brother has a Clearview. He has had it about 2 years and it has several scuffs and small scratches. However, he rides everyday and I cannot. I think the F-4 has many advantages for both safety and convenience.

[Lyle Laun]

I've been running the F4 for 3 years. No marks and still light new. Worth the extra money.

[BIG--T]

If I'm not mistaken Hondaline windshields are polycarbonate and I found mine to scratch easy  and not buff out like acrylic does. I'm trying to decide the same also.

[Otus]

I've looked at the f4 sight and with the pictures that they show I can't tell if they are contoured like the oem windshield or a flat piece of plastic squeezed into our stock hardware.

[BIG--T]

I've looked at the f4 sight and with the pictures that they show I can't tell if they are contoured like the oem windshield or a flat piece of plastic squeezed into our stock hardware.

I do know that everyone I've talked to are happy with CV and they do look like OEM , thicker and cheaper. But let me state I know nothing of the F4- it may be the best on the market, but what i do know is I need to buy one! 

[Bighead]

Got one of these on my IS they also make them for standard or tour.
http://www.ceebaileys.com/honda/valkyrieinterstatews.html

[garyheskett All 49 x 3 st.louis]

I believe these are the people who make the F4 windshield.  I assume they are now making it by themselves.  I have an F4 that I've had for several years, pretty satisfied with it.  When I got the F4, they said they would ship it straight from where it was made (Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri) since I was in St. Louis.  I noticed the number for Optic Armor was area code 573 which is in mid Missouri. I haven't tried to contact them yet, but it might be worth checking out.
Optic Armor  573 317 9066 ext 11,  or  opticarmorwindows.com     

[Jim500]

Thank You for all the input... I think the f4 is the way to go.. I'm going to check out optic armor too.

[BF]

If I'm not mistaken Hondaline windshields are polycarbonate and I found mine to scratch easy  and not buff out like acrylic does. I'm trying to decide the same also.

If I'm not mistaken, I don't believe they are. 

They can break and will splinter/shatter. 

[Jim500]

I called optic armor and they do not make one for the tourer....

[BIG--T]

If I'm not mistaken Hondaline windshields are polycarbonate and I found mine to scratch easy  and not buff out like acrylic does. I'm trying to decide the same also.

If I'm not mistaken, I don't believe they are. 

They can break and will splinter/shatter. 

No I was right. All Hondaline OEM shields are Polycarbonate like I thought- but thanks for your input.

http://www.servicehondapsn.com/catalog_product_detail.asp?cat=8172-91518-10766-91527-74243&product=1325794

[BigBad1]

If I'm not mistaken Hondaline windshields are polycarbonate and I found mine to scratch easy  and not buff out like acrylic does. I'm trying to decide the same also.

If I'm not mistaken, I don't believe they are. 

They can break and will splinter/shatter. 

Yes, the factory windshields (at least for the I/S) is polycarbonate. Although stronger, it does scratch easy.  F4 uses some type of cured treatment to make the windshield so scratches resistant.  Most windshield manufacturer's tell you not to use paper towels to clean them because even paper towels will scratch them, F4 recommends them. Most other manufacturer's tell you not to use rain-X. Rain-X is ok on F4.
No I was right. All Hondaline OEM shields are Polycarbonate like I thought- but thanks for your input.

http://www.servicehondapsn.com/catalog_product_detail.asp?cat=8172-91518-10766-91527-74243&product=1325794

[JetDriver]

No I was right. All Hondaline OEM shields are Polycarbonate like I thought- but thanks for your input.

http://www.servicehondapsn.com/catalog_product_detail.asp?cat=8172-91518-10766-91527-74243&product=1325794

The image at this link is not an OEM windshield.  The OEM windshield completely encircles the headlight.  This one is aftermarket.  Honda OEM shields may be polycarbonate; I don't know, but this link does not prove it.

[Bighead]

And not for a valk but a VTX
I looked up the OEM for Valk and it doesn't state material used .

[BIG--T]

Jetdriver, I'm not going to get into a pissing match with you, but I've had enough Hondas and Hondaline OEM windshields to know they are polycarbonate including Valkyries. I have a OEM on my VTX.

Bighead you are right about finding info on HL shields and that's the reason I posted the link.

[JetDriver]

Jetdriver, I'm not going to get into a pissing match with you, but I've had enough Hondas and Hondaline OEM windshields to know they are polycarbonate including Valkyries. I have a OEM on my VTX.

Bighead you are right about finding info on HL shields and that's the reason I posted the link.

There's no argument here.  I thought you posted that link as evidence that Honda's shields are poly.  If you're making your statement based on that link, that link doesn't prove it.  If you're making that statement based on information from somewhere else, then I'm glad to know my OEM windshield is poly.   

[BF]

If I'm not mistaken Hondaline windshields are polycarbonate and I found mine to scratch easy  and not buff out like acrylic does. I'm trying to decide the same also.

I don't have a horse in this race as I have a fairing mounted on my bike, but just to settle it, I'd love to know one way or the other what they're made of. 

I thought that original OEM Hondaline windshields were made from acrylic with a coating on it.  They scratch easy, will split/shatter and break upon impact....typical characteristics of acrylic....or so I thought. 

Polycarbonate isn't supposed to scratch, break or shatter.  OEM shields do. 

Can anyone prove one way or the other?

[BigBad1]

If I'm not mistaken Hondaline windshields are polycarbonate and I found mine to scratch easy  and not buff out like acrylic does. I'm trying to decide the same also.

I don't have a horse in this race as I have a fairing mounted on my bike, but just to settle it, I'd love to know one way or the other what they're made of. 

I thought that original OEM Hondaline windshields were made from acrylic with a coating on it.  They scratch easy, will split/shatter and break upon impact....typical characteristics of acrylic....or so I thought. 

Polycarbonate isn't supposed to scratch, break or shatter.  OEM shields do. 

Can anyone prove one way or the other?

No proof here BF. I cannot say 100% but all of the used ones for I/S models that I see for sale on ebay that the seller clams to be OEM have polycarbonate etched in the lower corner with other info. I don't know about the Standard or Tourer shields. Maybe it's only the I/S that come with poly? Don't know. I do like my F4 shield though.

[Patrick]

This is a pretty good thread, but, still confusing. All I know is that the shield on my old Tour is getting pretty scratched and appears to be coated. I'm thinking about replacing it and would really like to know for sure what is what.


After watching the videos it appears that 'poly' is the way to go and the F4 site shows 3 different shields for the Tour model [ $330-340]

[Jess from VA]

And even though the F4s come in certain lengths, I am thinking they will cut to any height you want, for a price.  If I decide to pay for the best optical clarity and strength available, I'm going to get exactly the height I want as well.

I keep waiting for my OE IS shields to get bad enough to replace, but although they have some nicks and rubs they are perfectly serviceable, and I do not throw perfectly serviceable stuff away.

[Jack B]

And even though the F4s come in certain lengths, I am thinking they will cut to any height you want, for a price.  If I decide to pay for the best optical clarity and strength available, I'm going to get exactly the height I want as well.

I keep waiting for my OE IS shields to get bad enough to replace, but although they have some nicks and rubs they are perfectly serviceable, and I do not throw perfectly serviceable stuff away.

I had F4 windshield made to the size I wanted. There was a extra charge for a non stock size. But it's what I wanted and didn't mind paying for it. I'm very happy with the W.S.

[JetDriver]

No proof here BF. I cannot say 100% but all of the used ones for I/S models that I see for sale on ebay that the seller clams to be OEM have polycarbonate etched in the lower corner with other info. I don't know about the Standard or Tourer shields. Maybe it's only the I/S that come with poly? Don't know. I do like my F4 shield though.

What a great idea!   I went out and looked at my Tourer windshield.  It's labeled in the lower corner "GE Lexan FMR sheet."  So I googled that and found that lexan is a polycarbonate.  I would guess that Big--T is right, and all Valkyrie windshields are polycarbonate; I know at least my Tourer is.  Here's one source for that.

http://www.sabic-ip.com/resins/DataSheet/Internet/PDF/1002002131_1002003942_1002038222_SI.pdf

[BF]

No proof here BF. I cannot say 100% but all of the used ones for I/S models that I see for sale on ebay that the seller clams to be OEM have polycarbonate etched in the lower corner with other info. I don't know about the Standard or Tourer shields. Maybe it's only the I/S that come with poly? Don't know. I do like my F4 shield though.

What a great idea!   I went out and looked at my Tourer windshield.  It's labeled in the lower corner "GE Lexan FMR sheet."  So I googled that and found that lexan is a polycarbonate.  I would guess that Big--T is right, and all Valkyrie windshields are polycarbonate; I know at least my Tourer is.  Here's one source for that.

http://www.sabic-ip.com/resins/DataSheet/Internet/PDF/1002002131_1002003942_1002038222_SI.pdf

Excellent detective work there.   

[valknomad]

I've never cared to much for my 98 Tourer windshield.   Scratches..yes, but most annoying is often (during certain sunlight conditions),  has a fuzzy rainbow effect dancing around the windshield while riding.   Also it's a bit "fat" across it's width and can act as a "sail".

I have an 2003 Vulcan Nomad with stock windshield with no problems.

Yes,  would like to find a new windshield for the Tourer.

[Bighead]

 Scratches..yes, but most annoying is often (during certain sunlight conditions),  has a fuzzy rainbow effect dancing around the windshield while riding. 

When Riding do you look through or over the wind shield?

[Jim500]

All kinds of info in this thread... For the hell of it I sanded and buffed my windshield and used a head light restore kit. It turned out pretty well so far still working on it. I have always used plexis on it and that seems to really work well.

[ricoman]

Clearview makes a good product, F4 is a bit better.
Hondaline windshields have a coating that comes off after some years and looks like hell.
You can remove the coating (both sides) but it is work. Much has been written about that here-do a search if you're interested.
And, as BF noted, you should look over the windshield-top about even with the bridge of your nose.

[sameagle]

I replace my windsheild about 8 years ago with a Cee Bailey, airplane grade plastic.  It is almost as good as when I first put it on.  They used the original Tourer brackets and it fit perfectly.  The only hitch is that it comes down a bit more than OEM.  If you have driving lights, it may not fit.