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Cruiser
Posts: 256
Florida | Well, I was considered changing the stock electrically controlled windshield to the shorter model but after today I'm not too sure.
I was riding on the highway when I rode into a rain storm. At full height, I wasn't being shielded from the raindrops. In fact, even at my 5'6" height, I had to bend over a bit to keep my sunglasses dry.
Has anyone else experienced this? Any suggestions?
On another note, my legs stayed dry. I'm not used to that...it's a good thing. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 175
Colorado | debatable...don't you think?
To low and you lost any protection or minimized it. How fast were you going? Would more wind or a faster pace created you a better flow to keep the glasses dry? I know you have to fight yourself when puddles are collecting and you don't want to hydroplane. I am just thinking out loud...
To high and your looking though a shield without wipers. I was following a Goldwing rider a couple years ago in the rain and he had to lean over one side or the other to see past the windshield and making for unsafe riding when road conditions are slick and now he is off center when he needs to make a recovery or worse it slides and he already has the weight in the wrong direction.
I can say for me when I rode the vision in the rain through the hills in Colorado I was well sheltered...but still its not a cage although better than other machines I have ridden.
Edited by badnvegas 2008-02-24 5:13 PM
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Cruiser
Posts: 293
Arkansas | I had the tall windshield on my bike for a few weeks
and had the occaision to ride in a few rain showers.
I'm 5'8" and I still got some drops on my face shield.
I did not get direct impact, however; just the swirl effect,
I guess. All just to say that you may not be able to avoid
some of this. I have the standard shield back on now and prefer
it to the taller one because I can get it low enough for wind in
the face when I want to. I've had a '02 Goldwing, and an '06 HD
Streetglide (with 4 different shields) and haven't enjoyed better
weather protection than with my Vision!
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I've got the taller windshield and I find it has good protection in the rain. However, it all as to do with the intensity and the wind, in which you are at the mercy of either. I find over all it is more enjoyable to ride the vision in the rain then the Wing ever was. No soaked boots or pant legs on the Vision. However, the last hard ran I rode in the wind was from my left side so my pants were wet on that side but nearly dry on the other. I still had a big grin on my face as I went. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 256
Florida | I was driving around 60mph (speed limit) when I hit the rain. I then slowed with the traffic to around 50mph. The windshield did a fairly good job and the water was beading. I was surprised to have rain on the glasses. This is the second time I've been caught by surprise by rain. The clouds were directly overhead and it was coming straight down...large drops. You would think that aerodynamically, with the top of the windshield flared, that at 50mph it would bubble around you and keep your face dry.. I guess not.
I remember reading somewhere that when in the highest position, there is an air gap at the bottom of the windshield that allows water to seep through, but I don't think this was the issue as when I ducked (hunched over a bit) it seemed to stop the problem. But that's an assumption as it was probably still getting the helmet.
I can only guess that I will not be opting for the shorter windshield now. That's a shame as I was looking forward to it.
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I find that the taller windshield is at the threshold of where I want it to be when it is in the down position. On the stock windshield it as perfect at the down position and plan on putting it back on when the weather warms up and I'm doing my commute to work. I had a thought though and wonder if the bar that the windshield could be replace with a slightly longer one to allow the windshield to go further down and up. I don't know what it all entails, but I can't help but think at 1/2 inch could be gained in either direction. Now that I've thrown that out, maybe someone has a response. I, myself have only pondered the thought while riding and seeing the bars that hinge the windshield mount. |
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Cruiser
Posts: 256
Florida | Maybe this is too obvious, but when compared to other tour bikes, we are sitting a lot further away from the windshield on the Vision. On a Goldwing, while my legs would get soaked in the rain, my face and upper body stayed dry. On most H-Ds, the windshield is right in front of your face.
Edited by PalmBeachRider 2008-02-24 8:35 PM
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Visionary
Posts: 1484
LaPorte,Tx. | PalmBeachRider - 2008-02-24 3:32 PM
I was riding on the highway when I rode into a rain storm. At full height, I wasn't being shielded from the raindrops. In fact, even at my 5'6" height, I had to bend over a bit to keep my sunglasses dry.
Has anyone else experienced this? Any suggestions?
In a "rain storm", does any motorcycle keep your sunglasses dry? If anyone out there knows, hey let me know, that would be an impressive motorcycle. |
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Visionary
Posts: 1324
So Cal | Rode all last week in rain. Didnt feel like getting the car out. I can honestly say that this is the best bike I have ever ridden in rain. Still a little leary of hydroplaning, so I took it slow. I have a light leather jacket (so I can layer underneath and not feel restricted). Glasses and w/shield got wet but nothing that limited my vision. Just moved my feet a little closer to the engine and all was toasty. I carry a bandana and face cover but they werent needed. Wet, yes. Soaked, no. I love this bike. |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 904
29 Palms California | I picked up my Vision on the coast a couple months back. (December 8th at 1:30pm) On my return trip and first ride, I had the oppurtunity to ride in a down pour. My "dealership" is over 4 hours away. The middle of my ride, I enjoyed sunglasses and heavy rain at night, on the freeway. I would have never tried that on the HD. I finally pulled off, 1/2 hour to my town, put on clear lenses, filled up and took off again in the rain. I was out of the rain about 30 miles from the house, and when I pulled into my garage, my wife asked if I seen any rain. The bike had a few spots on it, and I was dry. When I mean a "few" spots, you couldn't tell I was in rain, and I wipped the "spots" off the next day with a cloth rag. NICE! |
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Windshield Protection in Rain