2009 Honda Silverwing 600 replacement windshield

I have the factory windshield on my Silverwing and would like to replace it with a taller/wider one.

I see the post about the Cee Bailey's and am impressed by the website.

But I just wondered if anyone has tried the Clearview Windshields? This is thier website (http://www.clearviewshields.com/motorcycle-windshield/honda/silverwing-600-shields/)
but it appears you have to call them to get any specific info.

Before I called them, I wanted to see if anyone had used them?

Click on 'Forum' in the menu under the picture, type 'clearview' or clearview windshield' in the Search box and you'll find a wealth of information on them previously posted by members.

having wasted lots of money on scooter replacement windshields over the years.....basic design of maxi-scooters, makes good wind management near impossible as your nose is too far from tip of shield=buffeting.
Looking thru shield can get you killed---think-rain, fog, snow,mud, etc.-----Givi adjustable is about the only replacement windshield that offers decent protection/comfort/adjustability for SilverWing---I have had Cee Baily, Clearview for SilverWing, maybe others I have forgotton about as they didn't work.

I have Clearview's XL which is +4.5" on my '12 Swing. Sitting on my Airhawk cushion, the top of the shield is about even with my mouth. I'm 6' with a 29" inseam. The wind was still hitting my helmet just above  my eyes so I added a Laminar Lip which cured the wind and noise problem. The Lip is even with  my line of sight, so I am still looking over it. It took almost 2 months to get it from Clearview too.

If I was asked to recommend their XL shield, I'd have to say no.

I have had the stock shield, Clearvew XL, Givi standard, and the Givi AF....and the AirFlow was the best. Since you are in Ohio, and it gets hot and humid there, you can adjust the AF to provide you with lots of air to try to keep cool but you can also adjust it all the way up for when you are on the interstate. It also provides the smoothest ride of all the shields as well. Do a search for the Givi AirFlow? Givi provided me a free one to do a write-up on this product and I posted it here.

MikeO wrote:

Click on 'Forum' in the menu under the picture, type 'clearview' or clearview windshield' in the Search box and you'll find a wealth of information on them previously posted by members.

Thanks for the direction above on how to use the search.

I'm getting a Clearview XL in 2 days.  I'll try to remember to post my impression after I ride with it for a few days. i had an F4 Custom on my GL1500 and loved it for its wind protection. I don't mind looking through the windshield. I use rainX which makes water drip away so no problems in daytime rain.

Looking through an over tall windshield is OK in daylight in dry weather. It's at night time in dry weather, in night time rain, when there's a coating of insects and road crap on the screen, and later on the inevitable fine scratches on the outside of the windscreen that you have problems. You'll be dazzled looking at the glare of oncoming headlights through that screen distorted by those scratches, and that'll put a strain on your eyes and night vision. The effectiveness of Rain-X after a couple of hours is debatable to say the least.

You'll have to wipe off or bring your head out to the side of the screen into the wind to clear rain droplets off your visor, and to there'll be certain weather conditions that your visor will steam up because there's insufficient air flow to clear it.

I had an over tall Biondi shield on my 400 Burgman, looking through it in daytime wasn't a problem, but at night and in the rain trying to look through it was another story. I chose the easier option of building up my Airflow cushion rather than cutting 3 or 4 inches off the screen.

Thanks, Meldrew. I carry rainX with me and a rag to keep the windshield clean at night. I understand what you're saying. I rode for years with a very tall and wide windshield on my GL1500 so I know what the hazards can be. Scratches is not something I had considered, but with all the road crap that can kick up on a windshield, you're right. Actually, every windshield I've had that is a see-through does present challenges at night with glare from oncoming headlights. It's the same challenge as with a face shield in the down position or with anyone who wears prescription glasses at night.

I've heard (and I can believe it) there is a law in the UK that any motorcycle with a screen taller than the rider's eyeline must be fitted with a windscreen wiper.

Thinking about it, I'm sure I've seen some Gold Wings with wipers.

Wouldn't think there is a law in the UK regarding wipers,not that many bikes have tall screens here.

had a tall screen and loved it till touring west coast scotland last year. rained every day for periods and lovely the rest of the day. applied rain x and that lasted a short time. it was a nightmare coming home 200 miles plus in lashing rain with minimal vision through the shield ,very very scary. i refitted my original screen and cut the top half off the tall screen. i have attached the cut part with small bolts and holes drilled at various heights so i can have a tall one ,slightly lower to see over and lower still.love it now and didn't have to spend a fortune on a hit or miss screen

Wipers and plastic windshields don't go well together.

Seems that my previous post about wipers (and washers) being required may have some truth in it...

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1986/1078/regulation/34/made

Quote....
Windscreen wipers and washers

34.—(1)  Subject to paragraphs (4) and (5), every vehicle fitted with a windscreen shall, unless the driver can obtain an adequate view to the front of the vehicle without looking through the windscreen, be fitted with one or more efficient automatic windscreen wipers capable of clearing the windscreen so that the driver has an adequate view of the road in front of both sides of the vehicle and to the front of the vehicle.
(2)  Save as provided in paragraphs (3), (4) and (5), every wheeled vehicle required by paragraph (1) to be fitted with a wiper or wipers shall also be fitted with a windscreen washer capable of cleaning, in conjunction with the windscreen wiper, the area of the windscreen swept by the wiper of mud or similar deposit.
(3)  The requirement specified in paragraph (2) does not apply in respect of—

(a)

an agricultural motor vehicle (other than a vehicle first used on or after 1st June 1986 which is driven at more than 20 mph);

(b)

a track-laying vehicle;

(c)

a vehicle having a maximum speed not exceeding 20 mph; or

(d)

a vehicle being used to provide a local service, as defined in the Transport Act 1985.

(4)  Instead of complying with paragraphs (1) and (2), a vehicle may comply with Community Directive 78/318.
(5)  Instead of complying with paragraph (1) an agricultural motor vehicle may comply with Community Directive 79/1073.
(6)  Every wiper and washer fitted in accordance with this regulation shall at all times while a vehicle is being used on a road be maintained in efficient working order and be properly adjusted.

I suspect that the key word is 'driver'.

A motorcyclist is referred to in the Highway Code as 'rider'.

MikeO wrote:

I suspect that the key word is 'driver'.

A motorcyclist is referred to in the Highway Code as 'rider'.

You may be right and it does seem to be at odds with motorcycle construction as others have mentioned.

However, as William Shakespeare said, don't believe everything you read on the internet. I did a little research and came up with those regulations. As it's a detail that doesn't have any relevance to me personally, I suggest anyone who may be affected do further research. It might mean the difference between an MOT pass or fail.

However, as William Shakespeare said, don't believe everything you read on the internet.

I agree.
In this case, though, I consulted the Highway Code.

I've had the Clearview XL now for a couple of months. Several complaints:

1) The backward angle toward the driver is too steep such that if I lean forward I bang my helmet on it.

2) There is hardly any flat surface for mounting an EZ-Pass (that's a tri-state New England thingy). The only flat surface areas interfere with vision.

3) The rubber edging that is used at the bottom edges supposedly to keep the windshield from scratching the fairing does not fit properly.

4) Because of the steep angle and curvy surfaces, there is quite a lot of reflection that interferes with vision.

On the positive side, it does reduce the air turbulence significantly for the driver, not so much for the passenger.  The install was relatively easy although the instructions suffer from a lack of images to explain certain steps.  In particular the brackets used to secure the windshield to the fairing by the side pockets seemed to me to be displayed upside down from the way that they needed to be mounted.

Does anyone know the height of the stock windshield?

Am I the only one who doesnt have a problem with the standard screen?

I didn't have a problem with the standard screen at all, I found it just as useless as every other OE maxi screen I've sat behind. It's currently wrapped up in a polythene bag in my garage. Along with the as new standard screen off a 2005 Burgman, a new unused National Cycle Plexifairing 3, and the taller Secdem screen I used as a replacement for the OE screen on my 2008 Burgman Executive.

steve_h80 wrote:

Am I the only one who doesnt have a problem with the standard screen?

Steve,
Looks like you are. LOL

steve_h80 wrote:

Am I the only one who doesnt have a problem with the standard screen?

I didn't have a problem with it after I fitted an airfoil-type deflector extension to it. Being 6' 3", the screen wasn't tall enough.

I DID have a problem when I dropped the bike when stationary against a petrol pump and broke the extension deflector. That gave me a reason to try the Givi Airflow 214 adjustable screen.

Until fitting the new screen, I didn't know I had a problem with the OEM screen! The difference is quite significant. It even works well for a tall rider when in the fully lowered position.

The original screen just deflected air over the top of my helmet but I was getting some head buffeting and cold arms and shoulders - and no-one likes getting the cold shoulder!  

The Givi screen deflects air up and over the rider. It also channels air to either side with the "ears" and the 45 degree flutes in the base screen. This eliminates buffeting and works to "fan out" the air above and around the sides of the rider in a smooth fashion.

Drawbacks? I found the lower air pressure around the rider draws air from the feet area and up under your trousers and helmet. Cooling in a hot climate, but might be a bit draughty in winter. I also feel some air pressure on my back as the air deflected swirls back in behind me. I'm not sure how a pillion might find this. However these are not really problems, just differences in the airflow. Overall, it's a much better experience when you're behind the AF214 screen.

One final point. I fitted a pair of brushguards/handguards and these just "push" against the ears of the Givi screen on full lock - not enough to break it though.

Ordered Airflow today. It became very clear today on my ride through very bad gravel roads where a enduro motorcycle would have been a better choice instead of a maxi scooter. I turned wrong way and did´t bother turn back. The leg was about 15 miles long and nobody else there in the wilderness. The whole tour was 200 miles long and 90 % of it small curvy and hilly roads on Finnish country periphery. I was´t able to drive very fast, so the edge of the windshield disturbed the riding very much specially as the sun was shining from below and the stain, dead insects etc. made it very difficult to see onward as I had to focus my sight nearer so I had to look through the windshield.

I should get the windshield later this week, so I hope there will be a couple of nice tours before closing up this season. So far 5000 miles in 5 months and hopefully 400-500 miles more.

Ordered the Givi Airflow windshield yesterday at 7 pm. Got a text message from the post office at 1 pm that it has arrived as ifI asked them to deliver it express and I did not. After collecting the package I read the label: the Finnish import office is located only 3,5 miles from us. I can´t wait for the first ride!

I would recommend that you use the support brackets to install the Airflow. Not sure if it comes with the package. You may have to order the installation kit. Check first what is included. Good luck.

Easyrider wrote:

I would recommend that you use the support brackets to install the Airflow. Not sure if it comes with the package. You may have to order the installation kit. Check first what is included. Good luck.

Mine came last week with the metal brackets which I duly fitted. It only takes a bit of careful drilling of the plastic (don't go too far in or damage to the bolt retaining nut will occur) for the fourth bolts. Makes it nice and sturdy.

I thought that I would throw my 2 penny worth into this discussion.

I had a Givi Airflow screen on my GS1200, worked really well. Good kit but a little pricey.
As for the Swing, I have fitted a Laminar Lip, absolutely brilliant piece of kit, no buffeting and does everything that I was after. Less money than the Givi screen so if you want a screen but don't want to spend 3 figures, consider the Lip, it really does a good job.

Flyingpanman wrote:

Being 6' 3", the screen wasn't tall enough.... Overall, it's a much better experience when you're behind the AF214 screen.

As a fellow taller type, that is exactly the recommendation I was looking for. Thanks.

What solutions have you used to deal with the lack of long-legroom?

(I was in Morecambe last weekend, albeit not on the Swing, as it didn't arrive until Monday)

I have the GIVI two up touring wind screen, love the protection even in the rain. The leg room, just remove the back pad, that really works to stretch the seating out.