Written by:
SPEED Staff
SPEEDtv.com
01/26/2009
Charlotte, N.C.
When in the full up position, the shield gives adequate protection when the weather is really awful.
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Sometimes a product is good for what it is not. The F4 Custom replacement windshield for the Honda Gold Wing (and many Harley’s ) is that type of product. It is NOT hard to install; it is NOT easy to scuff or scrape; and it is NOT hard to clean. Also, it does NOT require special cleaning products and it does NOT distort your vision.
The F4 Custom windshield is made of a polycarbonate Lexan material treated on both sides with a space age coating called Speedglasss. The special coating resists scratching and chemicals. Even rubbing it with steel wool won’t scratch it – I’ve tried. The stock acrylic windshield on a Wing looks great out of the showroom, but its soft surface quickly succumbs to sandblast, bugs, careless cleaning and the occasional airborne missile, hence the need to replace it.
The F4 Custom was fairly easy to install on my friend’s GL1800, . Excluding the obligatory break to pick up a replacement for a lost rubber washer, it took a bit over an hour. Not bad for a first time job. Only a few tools that the average back yard mechanic would own are required.
We selected the stock height windshield, which appears to be almost identical in shape to the stock windshield. Like me, my friend is not very tall, and with only the occasional passenger, the lowest windshield position provides the perfect combination of “look over” height with enough wind deflection to avoid helmet buffeting. When in the full up position, the shield gives adequate protection when the weather is really awful. Riders who really like to avoid the wind may want the taller +2” or +4” versions. The F4 Custom is exceptionally clear and sheds rain nicely for good visibility in the wet.
