When choosing a height for your motorcycle windshield it is important to first decide on riding style you would prefer.  Many choose to retain the ability to look over the screen while others are content looking through. There are pros and cons for each approach so it will be ultimately up to you to decide which best suits your needs

Looking Over.

This style is best set for Solo riding styles but can be applied for two up riding as well. A recurved top edge is highly recommended for this style of screen. The Pro for this style will be a Clear View over the top edge of the road ahead even when the screen is obstructed with debris or rain. A better feel of confidence of operating the bike due to not having to look through the screen.  The Con will be the possibility of a small amount of wind at the top of the helmet (without the Recurve the same air flow will hit the forehead of the rider) some larger bugs and debris as well as heavy rain also hitting the top of the helmet.

Looking Through

This style is best set for two up riding for improved passenger comfort. Pros include Lowest amount of air flow on operator and passenger. Coverage of everything coming at the rider/s including rain, Bugs and Debris. Cons include trying to ride with a possible obstructed screen whether it is from Rain or debris (Our screen is compatible with Rain-X). Less confident feel when operating the bike.

Looking Over the Motorcycle Windshield:

With the Correct Height Shield:

  • You will look over the shield by 1”-2” so you have a Clearview of the road ahead.
  • The air will flow up, creating a nice pocket behind the shield.
  • When the shield gets wet or fogs, you still have a Clearview over the top.

Things to Consider:

  • Looking over the shield you will feel slightly more air than when looking through it, which may be an advantage in hot weather.
  • There is also a slight chance of high-flying debris contacting the rider over the top of the shield, though smaller objects will be carried over the rider with the airflow.

Checking the Height:

  1. On a level surface, place an object on the ground 50’/15.24m in front of your bike.
  2. Sit on your bike in your normal riding position.
  3. Look at the object on the ground in front of the bike. 
  4. The intersecting point where your eye line meets the object is the correct height of shield you are looking for.
  5. You will measure this distance using a yard stick or tape measure, using one of the two measuring styles length/vertical. These are explained in the next section bellow.   
  6. Using these simple steps will allow you to get the most accurate height measurement for you. 

Parking Lot method

IFNT

  1. Find an empty area of parking spaces on a flat parking lot
  2. Park 90 degrees to one of the spaces and look out towards the end of the 5th or 6th parking space (individual parking spaces with vary from 8’to 9’ across).
  3. Using the painted line that identifies the end of the selected parking space as your visual reference (roughly 50’/15.24m)

Measuring:

There are 2 ways to measure the height: “Check the product for method used to measure”

  1. Length  (Used mostly for all Cruiser style screens)– Measuring from the top of the shield to the bottom along the shield surface. On some of our shields where we have changed the angle of the shield for improved performance, the length may not be the recommended measurement because the length may actually be longer and the top edge of the shield may be lower due to the angle.
  2. Vertical Height – Measuring at a 90 Degree Angle Straight up from a common point (Top edge of shield, tank, ignition, handlebars, etc.) This is the recommended method where vertical height measurements are listed. We suggest having someone hold a tape measure or ruler so you can sit comfortably on your bike.

Note: On shields where we show the vertical height increases, +1”, +2”, +3” etc., it works best to hold a ruler straight up from the top edge of the stock shield to see where 1” taller, 2” taller or 3” taller would come. (On these measurements do not follow the angle of the shield)  

 

 

Looking Through the Shield

2D DRIVER LOOKING THROUGH SHIELD
Looking through the shield 2”- 3” below the top edge of the shield
 

With the Correct Height Shield:

  • The rider and the passenger will have the quietest ride and the most protection.
  • You will have a Clearview through the shield.
  • The top edge of the shield will be 2”-3” above your line of sight.

Things to Consider:

  • When you are looking through the shield, it is more difficult to see in the rain or if the shield fogs. You can use Rain-X on our shields which will help keep it clear.
  • Also, in hot weather riding you do not have as much air flow. Our vent option helps if it is available in the shield you are looking at.

Checking the Height:

  1. On a level surface, sit on your bike in your normal riding position.
  2. While looking straight ahead, measure the height that will be 2”-3” up from your line of sight.
  3. With this height, you will not have the top edge of the shield directly in your view.

Measuring:

There are 2 ways to measure the height:

  1. Length – Measuring from the top of the shield to the bottom along the shield surface. On some of our shields where we have changed the angle of the shield for improved performance, the length may not be the recommended measurement because the length may actually be longer and the top edge of the shield may be lower due to the angle.
  2. Vertical Height – Measuring at a 90 Degree Angle Straight up from a common point (Top edge of shield, tank, ignition, handlebars, etc.) This is the recommended method where vertical height measurements are listed. We suggest having someone hold a tape measure or ruler so you can sit comfortably on your bike.

Note: On shields where we show the vertical height increases, +1”, +2”, +3” etc., it works best to hold a ruler straight up from the top edge of the stock shield to see where 1” taller, 2” taller or 3” taller would come. (On these measurements do not follow the angle of the shield)

Whether looking through the windshield or over the windshield, it’s time to RIDE! Find your hand crafted motorcycle windshield now.