To Tint, or Not To Tint ...

[kitkat61]

So I think I'm thinking of getting the F4 Stock height Tinted windshield in wide, and with a vent. But I've got a couple questions/concerns:

I want tinted as I recently drove straight into an early morning sun (couldn't be helped) and even sunglasses and the helmet sunshade were not enough to readily see through the glare. Tinted windshield probably would have been just enough. BUT, will the tint make it hard to see through at night or in the rain?

I've read on these posts that the wider one keeps a bit more rain and/or cold wind off of you - handy as I ride year-round as long as there's no ice on the roads. But will that decrease the wind too much in the summer?

Stock height as I'm only 5'5" and I can JUST see over the top my current one. But I don't think I want the short one. Looks really nice, but would be too short in torrential downpours.

Vented ... especially since it looks like F4 does not cut out the holes that are on the current OEM windshields? So I would want a vent as otherwise I would have increased buffeting, correct? Or can I have the holes cut out AND get a vent to really increase airflow when it's 100+ outside?

So for everyone who has replaced theirs, what did you change it to, and do you wish you had done something else?

 

[ARtraveler]

I am going to watch this thread with interest. Windshields are like seats, very personal, and results that vary. :bbq::bbq:

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

TINTED

To be effec

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: To help with "low Sun" encounters, I added a strip of window tinting film across the very top of my visor. (About 2" wide)
Between it, and my drop-down sunvisor in the helmet: I can pretty much stare into the Sun... :shocked:
(I'll try and post a picture of it for you... :thumbup

 

[STELLING MAN]

F-4 WINDSHIELD

I put a tall+wide with a vent on my RT-S and I love It, I don't look over my windshield, I look through It, The F-4 Is as clear as glass and really keeps the rain off you.. I forgot to add my windshield Is clear not tinted..

 

[pitzerwm]

IMO the tinted windshield is a waste, I have the F4 vented and tinted. Even in the max up, I don't look thru it and I'm only 5'6". Even if you were to look thru it, the sun would have to be on the horizon and how often does that happen.

Check out what your vision will be thru the windshield, I think that you will see that its not what you expect.

 

[kitkat61]

good idea

:agree: To help with "low Sun" encounters, I added a strip of window tinting film across the very top of my visor. (About 2" wide)
Between it, and my drop-down sunvisor in the helmet: I can pretty much stare into the Sun... :shocked:
(I'll try and post a picture of it for you... :thumbup

:agree: Would love to see a picture!

After reading the comments, I'm going to NOT go with a tinted windshield. I'm already wearing sunglasses, and lowering the sunshade in my helmet. So next I'll add the window tint to the upper portion of my visor. But yes, I have to head due east for part of my morning commute (and of course due west in the evening) and at certain points of the year it puts the sun smack on the horizon. The only way around that is to leave for work 20-30 minutes early. Normally I suffer through it as I have only a mile or two where it's really bad, but last week I got stopped in traffic and it was a real pain, literally. Super headache by the time I got to work, which is why I'm looking into solutions.

But thoughts on the vent? If I go with a F4 wide, will I lose the cutouts in my current windshield which would then require a levered vent to reduce buffeting? I've seen folks say the added vent helps a lot with the wind currents - but they seem to be folks that did not have the cutouts Can Am stock already has now. Is it possible to have both cutouts AND a levered vent? Might be handy on these blistering hot days when every little bit of breeze is helpful. But before anyone suggests - I am so not comfortable with cutting a hole in my current windshield to self-install a vent. Me and powertools are not the best of friends.

 

[robmorg]

Think again about a shorter windshield...

I agree with what others have said, and with your conclusion, about the tinted windshield. However let be give you a suggestion to reconsider a shorter windshield, if you are 5'5" tall. If you opt for an F4 Customs windshield there are three inches difference between each of the heights... The short is 22", the standard (OEM height) is 25" and the tall is 28". I am 6'2", and the "regular" is just right for me. The tall was too tall to see over the top of. In your case, assuming you have an RT, the shorter 22" windshield will allow you to comfortably see over the top in the down position, but should still deflect most all of the wind and water in the fully up position. :thumbup:

I would highly recommend the vented windshield, for the reasons you mentioned. The F4 does NOT have the lower cut-outs, which is a good thing. You don't need them with the large Honda vent, and without them, you no longer collect all that dirt that blows in there between the windshield and the bracket where you cannot clean it.

 

[Motorcycledave]

Before you make the decision to get the tinted windshield.....
go for an extended 30-40-50 miles at NIGHT and have on
sun glasses.... if that works for you go for it, however I made th
mistake of using a med. tinted windshield on one of my GoldWings
and I worked swing shift at the time, went to work at 3PM and got
off at midnight going to work no problem going home Dangerous
like riding with your eyes closed... not my cup of tea.
Ride Safe
Dave

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: It's always better to be able to get all of the tinted bits out of your line of sight, when the sky turns dark... :shocked:

 

[Bob Denman]

:agree: Would love to see a picture! .

This is Version 2.0. The tinting film blocks 95% of the light, and is placed on the inside of the shield:



The film (for my taste!), is 1.75" wide. You'll want to experiment a bit, and find what's right for you.
Versions 1.0, through 1.5 were mounted on the outside of the shield, and the wind would strip them off...

NOTE: The bubbles in the film are not noticeable, when you're behind the shield! :thumbup:

 

[F4 Customs]

From F4

Don here from F4. Thought I would share my thoughts.
As far as the tint we recommend that if you ride a lot at night and you look through the windshield you stay with the clear windshield only for additional safety and clarity. Our tint is light.
If you can adjust down at night and look over the shield in extreme dark conditions then your not looking through for driving so the tint is basically non issue.
Most of our riders prefer to look through our shields due to the clarity and rain shedding.
Adding the vent is a great option. This is a five position vent and it allows you to adjust for any amount of air that you want and reduces back pressure.
We are always there to help in any way so give us a call if we can help.
The F4 Team
Don
330-968-4644