SuzukiSavage.com - Print Page

SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl
General Category >> Rubber Side Down! >> Windshield -- look over or thru ?
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1282655503

Message started by Routy on 08/24/10 at 06:11:43

Title: Windshield -- look over or thru ?
Post by Routy on 08/24/10 at 06:11:43

Maybe been talked about before but,.....

I have never ever looked thru a windshield before my recent install of the falcon-32-20. The 16 would have been too short, so I was forced into the 20". It ended up being 1.5" too tall to look over it. At first I thought looking thru it mite be ok, but didn't take a ride or 2 to realize that at times my vision was being severely hampered from the reflections... more than just looking thru the glass.
Just wondered how many riders do actually look thru verses over.
I ended up cutting 1.5" off the top, (kinda hurt while doing it) it turned out beautiful......can't tell it from factory edge, and I am very happy w/ it and the increased vision quality now.

Title: Re: Windshield -- look over or thru ?
Post by mornhm - FSO on 08/24/10 at 06:20:59

I look over.

If I crouch over the tank, I can get in the air bubble behind the windscreen, but I'm still looking just over the top of the windscreen. It gets real quiet when I do that. I can get the same effect in regular riding position, but it takes a bunch more speed.

Title: Re: Windshield -- look over or thru ?
Post by bill67 on 08/24/10 at 06:36:58

I have mostly look tru on My s40 just over the top,It makes no difference to me which way it is.

Title: Re: Windshield -- look over or thru ?
Post by lukeduck on 08/24/10 at 07:27:16

Ahhh Routy, you have a true custom windshield. I fear the the debate of "over or through" is in the same league as oil (Ilove oil threads). Enjoy the custom windshield-Ride safe, far, and often---Luke

Title: Re: Windshield -- look over or thru ?
Post by babyhog on 08/24/10 at 07:45:50

ya know, I thought about that the other day when I posted about mine being too short for a taller person.... that is IF they want to look thru it. You are right, alot of people look over them. My eyesight line to where I mostly look at the road while riding is maybe an inch below the top of my shield. I do look over it alot too. Sometimes reflections are annoying, it was really bad at first, but I've gotten used to it.

So I guess my answer is both! haha

Title: Re: Windshield -- look over or thru ?
Post by Routy on 08/24/10 at 08:04:53

Yeah Babyhog,...
I kinda posted this because of your post in the other thread. I had the same Spitfire, and was surprise to read you were looking thru it. I'm 6ft, and looking over it I had 5" tween the headlite. So I should never have bought it. But a short guy from CL came over and we installed it on his 500cc Vigaro, (he also looked over it) and he rode off tickled.

Anyways I don't think I would have ever gotten used to looking thru it, I found myself constantly stretching to look over it for better vision to see them darn Deer that are the same color as the hills ! :o

Title: Re: Windshield -- look over or thru ?
Post by weracerc on 08/24/10 at 08:26:49

i bought hashbrown's spitfire installed it per instructions close to the headlight bezel (maybe 1/4 in off the light) and i am 6ft tall - i look over mine easily.

Title: Re: Windshield -- look over or thru ?
Post by Paladin. on 08/24/10 at 10:29:10

http://www.memphisshades.com/faqs/1-faqs/5-how-do-i-know-what-windshield-height-to-purchase
"Most riders like to be able to see over their windshields. ... up between the tip and the bridge of a riders nose ... vital a rider chooses one that isn't so high that he or she can't comfortably extend themselves to see up over the top of the windshield"

http://www.rifle.com/guide.cfm?&DID=9&User_ID=3363376&st=8740&st2=-78344011&st3=-37912366
"How High -- The ideal height for a windshield is just below your line of vision. ..."

http://www.nationalcycle.com/WhyBuy/chapter3.html
"National Cycle makes a wide range of windshield sizes and styles. Windshield height is a personal preference, but expert riders and National Cycle recommend that you are able to look just over the top of your windshield to see the road at a distance of 50 feet in front of you."

Title: Re: Windshield -- look over or thru ?
Post by bill67 on 08/24/10 at 11:46:12

I'm use to looking though windshields,I do in my car all the time.

Title: Re: Windshield -- look over or thru ?
Post by Moofed on 08/24/10 at 12:15:01

A fogged windshield is not something you want to be trying to squint through. It is important that you are able to look over, even if you usually look through. Personally, I like to look over all the time when I have the shield installed.

Title: Re: Windshield -- look over or thru ?
Post by Routy on 08/24/10 at 12:39:16

No problem looking thru in our side x side either,.....mite have something to do w/ having a top on them to stopping reflections

787376762C2D1A0 wrote:

I'm use to looking though windshields,I do in my car all the time.

Title: Re: Windshield -- look over or thru ?
Post by bill67 on 08/24/10 at 12:44:05

I've had three convertibles side windows down when I had top down,I do prefer looking through the windshield on motorcycle,My S40 didn't work out that way,but I have no problem either way.

Title: Re: Windshield -- look over or thru ?
Post by jimsgirl on 08/24/10 at 19:38:01

ROUTY!
Thanks so much for asking the question - I'm enjoying reading everyone's comments. I am having a windshield installed tomorrow and would NEVER have even thought about seeing over or through preferences, I'm just happy to have a bit of wind shear when I try the freeway over 60 mph again. 8-)

Title: Re: Windshield -- look over or thru ?
Post by John_D FSO on 08/24/10 at 19:46:10

In my rides with my brother on borrowed bikes, I've ridden ones with both kinds of windshield: the taller, and the shorter. My personal preference is the one that's just short enough to allow you to comfortably see over the top of it, about nose level as was stated. The tall one's great at blocking wind, but if it's covered with bugs (as all bikes should be! :D), it gets hard to see through, especially going into the sun. 8-)

Title: Re: Windshield -- look over or thru ?
Post by Jack_650 on 08/24/10 at 22:23:27

I have my NationalCyle shield set so when I'm settled in for the long haul I'm looking through it but can comfortably see over it if I need to when I sit up straight. I've found I don't get tired near as quickly when most of the wind is going around me instead of into me. But then I tend to the many hour days on long trips. Glutton for punishment I guess.

As to reflections, I've never had a problem. I do have it tilted at a moderate angle though, going for the streamline approach.
"Resistance is futile".

Jack

Title: Re: Windshield -- look over or thru ?
Post by Routy on 08/25/10 at 05:44:53

Maybe its the faring style of the "falcon", but I notice no difference in the windstream tween looking over or thru, as the windstream is well above my hemmit.

Id also forgot about the bug problem.

IMO, there is no advantage to looking "thru"

Title: Re: Windshield -- look over or thru ?
Post by Charon on 08/25/10 at 06:06:46

I cannot vouch for it, but have read that German law requires the windshield to be mounted so the rider looks over it.

National Cycle recommends their Plexifairing be mounted so the windshield angle is about the same as the fork angle. I noticed the edge of the Plexifairing is slightly bent, which they say it is supposed to deflect the wind slightly more upward. I found the bend was also optically distorting and didn't like it. I also like to look over the top of the windshield, so found that sawing about an inch off the top of the Plexifairing works perfectly for me.

Title: Re: Windshield -- look over or thru ?
Post by weracerc on 08/25/10 at 06:29:46

totally agree - if i were shorter and was forced to decide to cut off the top or look thru - i'd be looking for a shorter windshield or cutting the one i had - because of the distortion.....which if your facshiled is not "optically correct" and you compound that with windshield distortion you might as well be driving drunk...cause your view is going to be about the same if you had had a beer or 12......depending on how well you hold your alcohol.

Title: Re: Windshield -- look over or thru ?
Post by bill67 on 08/25/10 at 06:41:32

I haven't had distortions on the windshield Iv' had,But they were full size windshields maybe that is why.

Title: Re: Windshield -- look over or thru ?
Post by Bear on 08/25/10 at 09:58:23

I prefer windshields 2 to 2.5 inches below line of sight. At highway speed put your hand up right in front of your face and feel where the wind hits. Should just kiss the top of your helmet. If the wind stream is way above your helmet, you are pushing more air than you need to and milage and handling will not be optimum.
At 5'10" the optional Suzuki S40 factory windshield is a bit to short for me, but I can live with it. Better a little too short than too tall.