All '08 Owners Out There! I Need '08 Windshield Advise!

[majicmaker]

Hey Guys! I have an '06AE, The stock windshield is so soft, you can damn near scratch it with your finger nail!

I've heard from many sources that the "New Windshields" have way more scratch resistance. I need to know how true that is!!

Because of so many scratches (looks like crap!!), I'm ready to pull the trigger on a new one.

I'm not considering any aftermarket windshields because to me, the original windshield is half the beauty of the profile of this gorgeous machine!!

From reading all the threads about wind noise and protection, I think I'm one of the few lucky ones that don't have a problem we either.

I've seen many aftermarket windshields and in my opinion, none of them make the bike look as good as the original. Yammy designers got it right!!

So Please! all you '08 owners, I need your Avice. Thanks, VIC

 

[FJR919]

1000 miles on my'08 and it seems as scratch resistant as my '05 FJR. My '06 FZ1 windshield scratches very easily, but the Novus plastic polishing system has helped a lot.

 

[Steve01]

No scratches `visible so far.. but i do only clean it with warm soapy water then dry it with a wash leather...

 

[bramfrank]

It is supposed to be the same as the touring shield for the second gen machines - and that is a very good finish. But I haven't see a price or part number or I'd buy it in a second - and if you can't scratch the '06 with your fingernail may I suggest you start taking gelatin tablets!!

 

[dsmack]

+1 on the suggestion FJR919 makes for use of the NOVUS (or similar) plastic polish on the windscreen!

The three part system for removing scratches up to pretty damn severe in nature works very well. Once you get the scratches removed with about a 1/2 hour of work, the maintenance of the w/s in pristine condition becomes second nature.

I find that using microfiber towels on the w/s goes a long way toward preventing light scratching while cleaning off the bug residue. Even decent terrycloth towels WILL leave light swirl marks in polycarbonate windshield materials such as we have on our bikes.

Start off your cleaning process each time with a soft old 100% cotton T shirt, soaked in warm water. Just drape it over the w/s for 15 minutes while you do some of your other TCLOCK checks prior to riding. That gives the warm water a chance to soften and loosen the bug carcasses.

Then use a cleaner such as NOVUS, applied with either a microfiber cloth or another old, soft T shirt. Only apply with vertical (up and down) strokes! That will minimize the chance of horizontal scratches/swirl marks, which tend to refract light much worse than any vertical ones you might have.

Finish up with an application of the 3rd part of the system (the Polish), and again lightly buff out with a microfiber towel. If you keep up with the maintenance on the w/s, after about two or three cleanings, you'll find you only need the Polish on a regular basis, saving yourself a ton of time and effort.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes, eh?

Don

 

[FightOrFlight]

I must have lucked out and received the clear titanium windshield because I wasn't particularly careful with it and it didn't scratch. I'm using past tense because I've since switched to a V-Stream, which is functionally superior but I agree does not have the good looks of the stock.

When the stock screen was on the bike, I would just use Plexus and paper towels or an old t-shirt. Didn't worry too much about which direction I was wiping. And please note that I'm particular - I would have noticed scratching.

Majicmaker, you might try posting a "wanted" note as there may be '08 owners who are willing to part with their screens. I'm keeping mine boxed up in case 1) I sell the thing or 2) I want to bring back the deafening roar and buffeting in exchange for more airflow in the St. Louis summer months.

 

[Tek]

I haven't done anything special with my windshield other than the occasional washing, and it still looks good and has no scratches. I don't know what the shields were like on the earlier models, but I'm pretty happy with this one so far.

Tek

 

[saread]

I managed to kill most of the bugs in 3 states this year and the windshield survived all the scrubbing pretty darn well. Still looks like new. Unlike the visor on my Arai. The hard coating seems to be the ticket.

 

[Tommy J]

Plexus and a microfiber cloth works great.

 

[terrysig]

no scratches to date and using the same cleaning routine as with my 04 which was only lightly scratched despite mile of bugs and many cleanings.

after cleaning i always apply a couple coats of s100 pure carnuba wax...buffed out very lightly. seems to help with the cleanup the next time.

 

[GPRIDER]

Hey Guys! I have an '06AE, The stock windshield is so soft, you can damn near scratch it with your finger nail!
I've heard from many sources that the "New Windshields" have way more scratch resistance. I need to know how true that is!!

Because of so many scratches (looks like crap!!), I'm ready to pull the trigger on a new one.

I'm not considering any aftermarket windshields because to me, the original windshield is half the beauty of the profile of this gorgeous machine!!

From reading all the threads about wind noise and protection, I think I'm one of the few lucky ones that don't have a problem we either.

I've seen many aftermarket windshields and in my opinion, none of them make the bike look as good as the original. Yammy designers got it right!!

So Please! all you '08 owners, I need your Avice. Thanks, VIC

I put a Cee Baily on my old 04 and now my new 08. My windshield looks a lot like the stock shield and is 3" taller. Those boys make a pretty good product. They curve the windshield vertically and horizontally, just like the stock screen. If you want something that looks similar to a stock windshield but a little taller or even wider this could possibly be the way to go. I don't like the shape of some of the aftermarket windshields either, but liked the looks and function of the Cee Bailey.

GP

 

[Further]

I replaced the stock '08 w/s on mine about 5 months ago with the factory +4 inch model to get a little more rain protection when I need it. I only had the orig. w/s on for about 600 miles. It's still perfect and I'd like to sell it, just hadn't gotten around to posting an ad yet.

If you'd like it, find out what the stock price is and I sell you mine for 1/2 that if you like.

 

[bramfrank]

I replaced the stock '08 w/s on mine about 5 months ago with the factory +4 inch model to get a little more rain protection when I need it. I only had the orig. w/s on for about 600 miles. It's still perfect and I'd like to sell it, just hadn't gotten around to posting an ad yet.
If you'd like it, find out what the stock price is and I sell you mine for 1/2 that if you like.

Darn; I could have carried in the plane yesterday!!!

 

[spalkin]

IMHO if it's not made out of glass you have to be very careful when you clean it. Paper towels and tissue paper is made from sawdust. Use soft terry cloths like the ones they sell 20 for $5 at Walmart.

When you get in from a ride spray the windshield with a mix of distilled water and car wash, then go after it with a cloth rinsed in hot water.

Also, don't worry about a couple of scratches and nicks. Every work of art has it's history!

 

[painman]

Hey Guys! I have an '06AE, The stock windshield is so soft, you can damn near scratch it with your finger nail!
I've heard from many sources that the "New Windshields" have way more scratch resistance. I need to know how true that is!!

Because of so many scratches (looks like crap!!), I'm ready to pull the trigger on a new one.

I'm not considering any aftermarket windshields because to me, the original windshield is half the beauty of the profile of this gorgeous machine!!

From reading all the threads about wind noise and protection, I think I'm one of the few lucky ones that don't have a problem we either.

I've seen many aftermarket windshields and in my opinion, none of them make the bike look as good as the original. Yammy designers got it right!!

So Please! all you '08 owners, I need your Avice. Thanks, VIC

VIC, I too have an 06 and I didn't really realize that my windshield was so scratched up until I got it home the first day and decided to wait until the 600 mi. service to let the stealer know how bad it was. Whoever cleaned it when setting up the bike must have been a punk kid with a dirty grease rag had just attempted to wipe off the dirt and left it at that. Waiting to report it was the wrong move! The stealer said I should have notified them before I took it home and they could do nothing about it......right.

Anyway, that window was so soft you couldn't touch it without leaving a permant mark and I tried the Novus kit, and everything else possible and got it to look fairly well but again it was too soft and really the end result was alot of work and elbow grease and not good enough results. Don't waste your time on that piece of crap window.

I really like the stocker for summer so by the good grace of one of our fine members here who had just bought an 08, and decided they didn't want or need theirs, I purchased it and the rest is history. This window is like day and night from the 06 stocker. I haven't used it a whole lot since the purchase but I can tell you it is worth the trade-up. There is a major difference. I use the V-Stream in the winter and like it as well. So don't waste your time trying to clean the old one up and believe me mine had more damage than just something to not worry about or just to let it go....Just remember to use a clean micro-fiber cloth or baby diaper along with the Plexus when cleaning and.....Good luck. PM. <><

 

[Daddydukes]

No problems that I've noticed. About the only thing that I use to clean it with is Plexus. Keith

Hey Guys! I have an '06AE, The stock windshield is so soft, you can damn near scratch it with your finger nail!
I've heard from many sources that the "New Windshields" have way more scratch resistance. I need to know how true that is!!

Because of so many scratches (looks like crap!!), I'm ready to pull the trigger on a new one.

I'm not considering any aftermarket windshields because to me, the original windshield is half the beauty of the profile of this gorgeous machine!!

From reading all the threads about wind noise and protection, I think I'm one of the few lucky ones that don't have a problem we either.

I've seen many aftermarket windshields and in my opinion, none of them make the bike look as good as the original. Yammy designers got it right!!

So Please! all you '08 owners, I need your Avice. Thanks, VIC

VIC, I too have an 06 and I didn't really realize that my windshield was so scratched up until I got it home the first day and decided to wait until the 600 mi. service to let the stealer know how bad it was. Whoever cleaned it when setting up the bike must have been a punk kid with a dirty grease rag had just attempted to wipe off the dirt and left it at that. Waiting to report it was the wrong move! The stealer said I should have notified them before I took it home and they could do nothing about it......right.

Anyway, that window was so soft you couldn't touch it without leaving a permant mark and I tried the Novus kit, and everything else possible and got it to look fairly well but again it was too soft and really the end result was alot of work and elbow grease and not good enough results. Don't waste your time on that piece of crap window.

I really like the stocker for summer so by the good grace of one of our fine members here who had just bought an 08, and decided they didn't want or need theirs, I purchased it and the rest is history. This window is like day and night from the 06 stocker. I haven't used it a whole lot since the purchase but I can tell you it is worth the trade-up. There is a major difference. I use the V-Stream in the winter and like it as well. So don't waste your time trying to clean the old one up and believe me mine had more damage than just something to not worry about or just to let it go....Just remember to use a clean micro-fiber cloth or baby diaper along with the Plexus when cleaning and.....Good luck. PM. <><

 

[Shadow]

Try Eagle screens, they are tinted.......Here

 

[sullivan]

9300 miles 6 months: warm/hot water and gentle cleaning> in great shape.

 

[bikerkash]

Hey Guys! I have an '06AE, The stock windshield is so soft, you can damn near scratch it with your finger nail!

I've heard from many sources that the "New Windshields" have way more scratch resistance. I need to know how true that is!!

Because of so many scratches (looks like crap!!), I'm ready to pull the trigger on a new one.

I'm not considering any aftermarket windshields because to me, the original windshield is half the beauty of the profile of this gorgeous machine!!

From reading all the threads about wind noise and protection, I think I'm one of the few lucky ones that don't have a problem we either.

I HAVE A NEW STOCK 08 WINDSHIELD NEVER USED IF YOU WANT IT CONTACT ME AT [email protected] OR CALL ME AT 574 266 5087