Topic: Do you look through the windshield?

[scott_cb650]

I'm 6'5" tall and ride a relatively small motorcycle, '79 Honda cb650.

My head is constantly buffeted by the wind.

The windshield would have to be about 5 inches taller to diver the wind.

Of course I'm looking OVER the windshield while I ride.



I'm shopping for a new cruiser style moto for highway driving and was wonder, those of you with windshields, do you look through the windshield, of over it?

[cleveland]

At 5'9" I look through it. 

[hopterfixer]

At 6'4" on a 750, my head was just enough above the windscreen (chin level) to make it feel like my helmeted head was in a paint shaker.  I started by cutting about three inches from the top, and then another three, and then another three after that.  Each time I cut, i finished the top edge so it was actually smoother than the factory edges.  After each cut, I would ride it and see how it felt.  Now the top edge is about 1 1/2 inches above the vertical strut screw holes.  It does a good job of moving the air around me, and the shielded handlebars are PRICELESS on the 37 degree mornings we have had already this fall.  It is still tall enough that I can duck down behind it (my eyes just above) on the interstate and the only thing that freezes are my ankles.

[crazypj]

When windshields were a common fitting (1950's/60's) there were instructions on how to adjust them. Only part I can remember reading is,
Top edge of windshield should be 17"~17.5" in front of eyes and roughly 2" below eye level.
 At low speeds you look over it, at higher speeds the wind is diverted over your head if your siting upright or you can get down behind it  to look through.
I think they were set up like this so you didnt have to deal with the distortion you get looking through it.
PJ

[techy5025]

FWIW....on my one bike that has the windshield, the top edge is about two inches
below eye level.  Looking through a windshield reduces your forward vision a lot,
especially at night.

Depending on the tilt of the windshield, I think this height also minimizes the turbulence.

Jim

[mennedy]

I'm only 5'7" and I have what others have called a "bikini" windshield.

I had the same problem with buffeting but the cruncher came when I was passed by a flatbed that lost a 4x4 wheel block and bounced it right over my head. It has a very definite safety value for me - I can duck behind it.

That said it is short enough to see over but high enough to divert the wind over my helmet. That big wall of air in the chest area is not something I miss either. I prefer not to look through it and only crouch behind it if I am on the freeway and at speed, say 140 - 150 K (85 to 95mph).

I like it just below eye level as I have the option of both. 

[nickjtc]

I'm not a winsdhield person. Can't ever seem to get them in the right position or right height.

[kghost]

Pretty common problem for tall people....guess windshields are designed for average people 

I too strip windshields off any bike I get my hands on....

The paint shaker analogy seems perfect. Wind hits you right in the face.

What some people have done is install a piece of weatherstripping along the top edge of the windshield.

Extra lip gives the air just enough push off the windshield to clear the top of your head.

[Klark Kent]

i do a lot of looking through wndshields.  usually the SUVs that surround me as if trying to kidnap me to undisclosed location.  as for my bike, i would think that (if i had a windshield) looking over it would be looking traight into all the wind it is supposed to be deflecting.  i have given up looking for a winshield that doesnt offend me on some level, and the way i sour grape it is windshields are for pussies.
even if your 6'38"
just my HO
-KK