Best choice of windshield?

[salty]

Which is the best windshield system for the Valk? I have a 98 STD that I recently purchased and I'm getting ready to install a windshield. The OEM shield is too spendy. Also, driving lights will be mounted on the crash bars so that should eliminate some fitment problems. Your comments/suggestions are appreciated.

[El Borrego]

I had a 2000 Tourer and now have a 1999 Tourer, both with the OEM shield.  I love it riding cross country and yes it is pricey.  To me the next best shield would be a Memphis Shade tinted to match bike color.  My $0.02 worth.

[Cholla]

Don't know if its the "best" since I haven't ridden behind anything else, but I've got a Memphis Shades "Memphis Fats" that I've been happy with for 86K+ miles, no shading.  Solid mounts, easy off with supplied t-handle allen wrench.  I'm 5'10" and have the 17" so that I can just see over the top.  I just use some Novus cleaner now and then (plus the occasional cleaning by TrickyD with Plexus  ).   

Like I say, no experience with any other brand, but I've been happy with the Memphis Fats.

[salty]

Thanks for the responses! Cholla I'm also about 5' 10" and I'm curious where the top of your 17 " shield lines up. Like is it even with your chin, mouth or nose? I like to look over the shield with the top of it somewhat even or at the same elevation as the end of my nose. Also do you have a seat cushion that may elevate you the saddle? Are you using a stock seat?
Sorry for all the questions! 

[Cholla]

No worries about the questions!  The bike's currently in "cold storage" out in my shop, so I'm going by memory.  I have a Mustang seat/backrest and I'd say the top of the windshield lines up with the bottom of my nose.  Don't remember if the Mustang sits me any higher than a stock seat, been so long since I had the stock on the bike.  On long trips, I use a sheepskin seat cover and that sets me up just less than 1/2". 

One thing about the Mustang mount, its slotted where it attaches to the brackets on the forks so you can change the angle a bit.  I have mine sloped back almost as far it will go, and that's where it lines up with my nose.  If I tilted it as far forward as possible, it lines up above my eyebrows.

Here's a pic that shows where it hits me in my normal "slouched" riding position somewhere in Idaho I believe   I'm sure I'm sitting on the sheepskin too.

[ohblackwater]

You should look at a polycarbonate material...because it is so flexible.  If you have an acrylic shield, it will break, but a polycarbonate material will flex. 

Here is a link from Cruiser Customizing. 
http://community.cruisercustomizing.com/_windshield-evaluation-tip-of-the-week-from-cruiser-customizing-by-kyle-bradshaw/video/848014/22960.html?model_id=0

There was also a demo that cruiser customizing did on their "tip of the week" series that showed him taking a baseball bat to an acrylic shield and a polycarbonate shield.  That was very telling. 

I have a Memphis Shades Memphis fats shield on my bike and I've been very pleased with it, however, I do think that it's acrylic and if I were to replace my shield today, I'd certainly weigh the idea of using polycarbonate heavily in my decision. 

Don't know what the stock Honda shield is made of.  That may have a bearing on the price as well. 

Cheers.

[ohblackwater]

Dummy me...I should have watched the entire video before I commented.  The bash test IS on the video I attached the link to above.  Cheers.

[lew l]

Hi Salty,
      I have a Clearview GT2 shield with a Goldwing vent. It's taller than the stock shield and wider also. NO buffeting for myself and my passinger. We use an old wired intercom and can hear/speak with no problems up to 80 or so.  Its not cheap by any means but it is very good. Got the light gray tint and a $50 discount for a blemish that I can't find.

            Lew

[salty]

Thanks all for the input. If I had all of the OEM hardware, I would purchase a Clearview shield, but I don't. I'm partial to Memphis and I know they are not made of poly material.

Cholla, riding Idaho can only be good!    That pic helps a lot. I would guess the Mustang seat lowers you an inch or so.? I was thinking that the Memphis shield might mount more erect than shown in your photo.

[Hawkeye]

Polycarbonate is the only way to go.  Check National Cycle's Heavy Duty shields.  That's what came with my bike.  Rocks from 18-wheelers and bird strikes at 70 mph - not a scratch.  My photo shows the shield when I got the bike.  I cut it down to 15" measured from the top of the headlight opening and mounted it so the headlight opening is 1&1/2" above the headlight - I don't like looking through the windshield, especially at night and in the rain.  I'm 5'8" with a Mustang seat.