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Trying to decide............

Bluehole

New member
if I want to get into all the undesirables of a taller/larger windshield. Been looking at the F4 Custom +3 taller/wider windshield. Trying to decide if it is worth the likely
hassle of having to replace the center windshield lower/raising arm due to the added stress of the wind force on the shield. Trying to figure out if I really want to put up with a vent since I had one on a gold wing and hated having to clean out all the bugs it collected. Pretty sure it will cost me a couple MPG, also.

I do like the idea of all that extra wind protection, especially for the C.O.

Anybody with comments on these issues???

As a side note---just reshoed my 2014 RT-L. Got 10000 miles on it now. Put a Kumho 225-50-15 out back along with a pair of Federal 165-55-15's up front. Running 20PSI
in the fronts and 28PSI in the rear. Fresh oil/filter change and I am ready to go come spring.
 
We like our F4 taller windshield and can't tell much difference in the gas mileage but a big change in the
wind and rain that it deflects from rider and passenger, well worth it for the wife and I.
Toby
 
We like our F4 taller windshield and can't tell much difference in the gas mileage but a big change in the
wind and rain that it deflects from rider and passenger, well worth it for the wife and I.
Toby

Did you get the one with the vent?? If so, how do you keep the bugs out--clean the bugs out??
 
I got a wider one, wthout the vent. I love it. Gives me much more wind protection. My plan is to cut down the stock one by about 4" for summer riding.
 
While I am unable to talk about the pros and cons of a taller shield I can talk about the F4 product, and how the company treats their customers.

We have their short wide shield with the vent. I am very glad that I went with that vent as it is so nice to have that air flow in hot weather :thumbup:. As for bugs - yes they do get in there, but using a sponge for cleaning works very well and is quick.

When we were at the SOAR event this year I was having LED lights added to my front fenders and next to that vendor was F4's tent. One of the owners was working that event and noticed that my F4 shield had ripples in the material. Since we never look through the shield (we prefer to look over) we had not noticed the problem. He offered to replace it and he did, but was unable to find a perfect shield in his trailer so he put the best one he had on (it had a blemish about the size of a tip of a ink pen that he had to point out to me in order for me to see it), and told me he would send me a new one.

I just today put the new one on and they provided a prepaid shipping label to send the other one back.

There was no cost to me for these two replacement shields.

Great customer service :firstplace:.

You will be pleased dealing with the F4 products as well as the people.
 
While I am unable to talk about the pros and cons of a taller shield I can talk about the F4 product, and how the company treats their customers.

We have their short wide shield with the vent. I am very glad that I went with that vent as it is so nice to have that air flow in hot weather :thumbup:. As for bugs - yes they do get in there, but using a sponge for cleaning works very well and is quick.

When we were at the SOAR event this year I was having LED lights added to my front fenders and next to that vendor was F4's tent. One of the owners was working that event and noticed that my F4 shield had ripples in the material. Since we never look through the shield (we prefer to look over) we had not noticed the problem. He offered to replace it and he did, but was unable to find a perfect shield in his trailer so he put the best one he had on (it had a blemish about the size of a tip of a ink pen that he had to point out to me in order for me to see it), and told me he would send me a new one.

I just today put the new one on and they provided a prepaid shipping label to send the other one back.

There was no cost to me for these two replacement shields.

Great customer service :firstplace:.

You will be pleased dealing with the F4 products as well as the people.


They are great people to do business with!
 
We got the tall and wider windshield back at Spyderpalooza. The wife really likes it because it is less buffering for her as the passenger. I don't believe it has effected the gas mileage one bit. We also got the one with the vent. I am not sure if it really makes that big of a difference or not.

You can clean it with Windex. That's right good ole Windex and just use paper towels and not a soft cloth. Soft cloth could hold deposits where paper towels do not.

Go for it and you won't be sorry. :thumbup:
 
I have the tall and wide Cal-Sci windshield and really like it. I'm 6'6" tall and the factory windshield didn't go up far enough to eliminate the wind buffeting on my helmet. Mine has a vent and has never had a bug accumulation problem and is very stable with the factory windshield mount. If I am in a really strong side wind the extra sail area makes things a little squirrelly but easily managed. I think the Cal-Sci windshield is a little less expensive but I'm not sure.
 
I THINK THIS IS BAD ADVICE BELOW

We got the tall and wider windshield back at Spyderpalooza. The wife really likes it because it is less buffering for her as the passenger. I don't believe it has effected the gas mileage one bit. We also got the one with the vent. I am not sure if it really makes that big of a difference or not.

You can clean it with Windex. That's right good ole Windex and just use paper towels and not a soft cloth. Soft cloth could hold deposits where paper towels do not.

Go for it and you won't be sorry. :thumbup:[/QUOTE.................:gaah:...Sorry DJ but some Newbie might take your advice as stated above ......IMHO putting any product that contained AMMONIA ( which most windex does ) on any type of PLASTIC is a NO NO......and wiping it with PAPER TOWELS :lecturef_smilie::lecturef_smilie::lecturef_smilie:....They are made from WOOD and WOOD scratches .....PERIOD.........................your welcome ......Mike :thumbup:
 
if I want to get into all the undesirables of a taller/larger windshield. Been looking at the F4 Custom +3 taller/wider windshield. Trying to decide if it is worth the likely
hassle of having to replace the center windshield lower/raising arm due to the added stress of the wind force on the shield. Trying to figure out if I really want to put up with a vent since I had one on a gold wing and hated having to clean out all the bugs it collected. Pretty sure it will cost me a couple MPG, also.

I do like the idea of all that extra wind protection, especially for the C.O.

Anybody with comments on these issues???

As a side note---just reshoed my 2014 RT-L. Got 10000 miles on it now. Put a Kumho 225-50-15 out back along with a pair of Federal 165-55-15's up front. Running 20PSI
in the fronts and 28PSI in the rear. Fresh oil/filter change and I am ready to go come spring.

I talked to the F3 vendor by phone about that very issue and he said that they have not had any issues with the brackets breaking. He thinks that it is the negative air pressure behind the windshield that causes that. He suggested keeping the center vent slightly open so that it would reduce that. We are going to get the larger/wider one for the RT before next riding season!
 
Have had my tall wide F4 with vent since Spyder Palooza close to 5000 mile on it and love it. I did see a mile or 2 in MPG loss but worth it to me
 
We got the tall and wider windshield back at Spyderpalooza. The wife really likes it because it is less buffering for her as the passenger. I don't believe it has effected the gas mileage one bit. We also got the one with the vent. I am not sure if it really makes that big of a difference or not.

You can clean it with Windex. That's right good ole Windex and just use paper towels and not a soft cloth. Soft cloth could hold deposits where paper towels do not.

Go for it and you won't be sorry. :thumbup:[/QUOTE.................:gaah:...Sorry DJ but some Newbie might take your advice as stated above ......IMHO putting any product that contained AMMONIA ( which most windex does ) on any type of PLASTIC is a NO NO......and wiping it with PAPER TOWELS :lecturef_smilie::lecturef_smilie::lecturef_smilie:....They are made from WOOD and WOOD scratches .....PERIOD.........................your welcome ......Mike :thumbup:

Sorry Mike. Go to the F4 website and learn why your advice doesn't quite work for the F4.
The F4 is impervious to Windex and paper towels and almost everything else.
You're welcome. :thumbup:
 
We got the tall and wider windshield back at Spyderpalooza. The wife really likes it because it is less buffering for her as the passenger. I don't believe it has effected the gas mileage one bit. We also got the one with the vent. I am not sure if it really makes that big of a difference or not.

You can clean it with Windex. That's right good ole Windex and just use paper towels and not a soft cloth. Soft cloth could hold deposits where paper towels do not.

Go for it and you won't be sorry. :thumbup:[/QUOTE.................:gaah:...Sorry DJ but some Newbie might take your advice as stated above ......IMHO putting any product that contained AMMONIA ( which most windex does ) on any type of PLASTIC is a NO NO......and wiping it with PAPER TOWELS :lecturef_smilie::lecturef_smilie::lecturef_smilie:....They are made from WOOD and WOOD scratches .....PERIOD.........................your welcome ......Mike :thumbup:



I'll let you take up your comments with the maker of the F4 windshields themselves. In fact this is from their website. And You Are Welcome!!! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:



https://www.f4customs.com/index.php?route=information/faq
[h=3]How do I clean my new F4 windshield?[/h] F4 Customs windshields solve the daunting problem that is as old as the industry itself: “How do I clean my windshield without scratching or damaging it with the wrong rags and chemicals?” Easy – with F4 Customs windshields, simply use paper towels and standard glass cleaner. That’s right, the infamous X’s (Windex® and Rain-X®) are no longer off limits! To watch a video on care instructions, click here.


HOW TO CARE FOR AN F4 CUSTOMS WINDSHIELD
One of the great things about F4 Customs Windshields is low-maintenance cleaning. It can be done simply with a paper towel and F4 Customs Windshield Cleaner, or your favorite glass cleaner (Windex, etc.). Apply cleaner liberally to shield and wipe clean with paper towel; finish with a clean, dry paper towel. No waxy or oily cleaners; they will inhibit the performance of your F4 shield.



We advise the use of paper towels over microfiber towels to clean F4 Customs Windshields as Microfiber can retain sand or grit particles, even after laundering. These particles could cause damage to the shield; therefore, that threat is eliminated by the use of ordinary clean, fresh paper towels and the shield will retain the original perfectly-clear finish.

The F4 Customs windshield is incredibly scratch resistant; however, it is not scratch proof. Paper towels WILL NOT harm the F4 shield.



HOW NOT TO CARE FOR F4 CUSTOMS WINDSHIELDS
As part of the extensive manufacturing process, F4 Customs windshields are coated with a patented hardcoat. When the hardcoat is baked into the shield, the windshields are also sealed (helping to shed rain, bugs, etc.).



Wax-based or oily-type polishes or cleaners will inhibit the optical clarity and rain-shedding ability of F4 Customs Windshields. These cleaners will not cause harm to the shield, but may produce a light film on the windshield that could be hard to remove. This film allows microscopic particles to embed in the film, thereby creating surface tension that prevents proper rain shedding.
Please, no used microfiber cloths or laundered towels.


TheMoreYouKnow.gif
 
NEWBIE'S AND WINDSHIELDS

Sorry Mike. Go to the F4 website and learn why your advice doesn't quite work for the F4.
The F4 is impervious to Windex and paper towels and almost everything else.
You're welcome. :thumbup:
..........................Are you and DJFanninTN going to buy NEW windshields for all the " NEWBIE'S " who use DJ's advice on their BRP OEM windshields and discover very shortly that they are ruined ?????..........because NEWBIE'S most likely don't have F-4 windshields and probably don't know any better !!!!.........I've seen at least 50 threads here asking how to clean your windshield......I'm just trying to inform people who may not know any better.....................Mike :banghead:
 
..........................Are you and DJFanninTN going to buy NEW windshields for all the " NEWBIE'S " who use DJ's advice on their BRP OEM windshields and discover very shortly that they are ruined ?????..........because NEWBIE'S most likely don't have F-4 windshields and probably don't know any better !!!!.........I've seen at least 50 threads here asking how to clean your windshield......I'm just trying to inform people who may not know any better.....................Mike :banghead:

Hopefully the NEWBIES can read. The OEM windshields come with stickers that say "Do not clean with alcaline or acid cleaner .....blah blah .... see your operators manual for more info.

You're again very welcome. :thumbup:
 
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