Your Goldwing is pretty darn fast and maybe you’re having a hard time keeping your eyes open. Or maybe it’s making you really cold. Either way, a windshield would be pretty slick and productive for you. It also decreases the chance of a major accident.
Windshield pays every penny of it’s worth when it starts raining. Now you won’t have droplets hitting your goggles or visors if you’re sitting in the correct position. Many times I got hit in the face with bugs or flies while I was riding. Installing the best windshield for 1800 Goldwing ensures that you won’t be the victim of any such scenario.
Selected Few for Best Windshield for 1800 Goldwing
Now that you have gone thoroughly through the guidelines for a top-notch windshield for 1800 Goldwing, here are some of the best in the market for you to favor.
1. National Cycle VStream Clear Windshield
Standout Features
If you are looking for a quality windshield for Honda GL1800, then the National Cycle VStream would always have to be on your list for consideration. The height & width of the windscreens is measured 22 inches (55.9cm) & 26 inches (66.0cm) respectively to the top & widest point of the screen.
National Cycle has a very robust build quality for its products. The VStream is not exceptional. They have constructed it from durable hard-coated polycarbonate material to provide ultimate protection against any sort of filth that occurs in the air.
Not only would the windscreen protect you from any sort of debris, but on top of this, it is scratch-resistant due to the Quantum hard coating, or FMR hard coating. But surely that varies due to shape and size. With a mounting bracket system included with the VStream, it can easily replace most windscreens on most models.
Even if you are going at a high speed on the driveway, you are protected by this quality windshield from National Cycle. The manufacturer also covers an exclusive 3-Year Warranty against breakage on the windshield for customer convenience.
Letdowns
- The stock vent is a bit small.
2. Slipstreamer S-267 Windshield
Standout Features
When you see the Slipstreamer logo in front of the windshield, you know you are seeing a quality product. Many users prefer their dark smoke screen more due to the looks of the windshield.
Slipstreamer has manufactured these windshields from the same material they used with GL1800 shields, .177 Lucite aircraft quality acrylic. You can’t question the durability of the screen due to this material & build quality. It would easily resist any sort of filth or debris in the air, making your whole motorcycling experience a sweet ride.
The overall height of the dark smoke screen is 11 inches. It gives a very sleek look to your GL1800B Gold Wing. But if you prefer a clear version of Slipstreamer S-267 Windshield, then there is a 19 inch vented one with the same OEM quality for GL1800s.
The installation process of the windshield is fairly easy for everyone. You will get a guide for this purpose. With a dark jacket on you, this windshield for 1800 Goldwing would give an Aesthetic look to your whole attire.
Letdowns
- You will have to cut out the holes for the metal slides to fit in.
- May get a bit of buffeting on the road.
3. Memphis Shades MEP4876
Standout Features
Many people have a desire for gradient colored windshields for their motorcycles. Memphis Shades has come up with just the screen for them. Their MEP4876 windshield for 1800 Goldwing is available in multiple gradient colors, clear & solar.
The construction of this high-quality windshield is DOT approved 3/16″ Lucite. So these screens go great as an OEM replacement for better visibility on the road for a long time.
There are two additional fittings for the MEP4876. There is the standard OEM style height 7 then there is the one which is 2 inches taller. They do have a vent hole but the vents are not included with the windshield. You need to use your existing OEM one or a replacement from Memphis Shades.
They are very easy to install & gives you a clear non-distorted view of everything around. With four color options to choose from, you can choose your favorite color to give yourself an excellent look.
Letdowns
- Despite of having vent holes, vents are not included with the windshield
- It may come short on the height for some people.
4. PLS Motorcycle Windscreen Windshield
Standout Features
This clear windshield for 1800 Goldwing is presented by PLS. Being made of high-quality Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic it is bound to serve you with great service for a long time. As you can see from the pictures, it has a smoke clear appearance to give you a great look overall.
These shields are approximately 63 cm long, which is enough for your standard motorcycle height. They do a great job of keeping all sorts of filth & debris away from your face to give you an excellent ride every single time. Noise & buffeting is also reduced to a significant amount.
There is a vent hole in the middle of the windshield & vents come with the unit too. The installation process is very easy & is excellent for all 2001-2017 year models.
Letdowns
- These windshields are very thin & scratches are common to see on it.
- It comes blurry which may risk your safety on the road.
- The vents don’t stay open, making it useless.
5. Show Chrome Accessories 20-518 Windshield
Standout Features
Now we have come to our last windshield, Show Chrome 20-518 windshield. It has fitment for all Honda GL1800 2001-2017 Goldwing. This clear vented windscreen has a measurement of 3-1/2 inch in height and 3-1/2 inch for wider than OEM one.
Due to the taller & wider appearance of the windshield, it protects you against winds & other elements while you are riding. DOT approved 3/16-inch thick transparent Lucite acrylic is a durable material to be used as a windshields construction material. It will provide you more superior visibility all around our eyesight.
This USA manufactured product has vents coming with it for the uses to adjust the airflow. Improved aerodynamics make sure that you get excellent performance on the road without any wind buffeting even in high-speed bike riding. The difference from the OEM windshield is very much noticeable.
Letdowns
- The height may not be suitable for some riders.
- Scratches can occur in some situations on the screen.
Guidelines for Best Windshield for 1800 Goldwing
The perspective keeps on changing on every aspect as you keep scrolling down the list of windshields. Nothing except the base of it offers a singular option to choose from. Keep aloof from the debris by tagging its decor to your Goldwing.
Sizing
When discussing the size of the windshield for 1800 Goldwing, the height matters more than the width of the screen. If you choose a taller windshield, then you might be forced to see through it while rain or haze may affect your visibility. If you choose a shorter one, then it might not protect you against wind impact.
Select a windshield that goes to your nose level to provide you enough protection as well as visibility above it. Keep the height range within 10 to 20 inches for an effective choice.
Material
There are a hand few materials used for motorcycle windshields. Let’s look at the popular ones.
ABS Plastic
ABS or Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a hard plastic material, is found to produce many of the windshields. But this one is cheap & gets scratches very easily. They even get blurry on the road which can seriously compromise your safety on the road.
Acrylic / Lucite
Manufacturers use it more often because of the lesser cost of it. Probably that’s the reason why you would come across lucite more when searching through the market. Though it has great visibility, the matter of concern with Acrylic is that it can get scratches easily. Buffing may restore the scratches but who would want extra work.
Polycarbonate
If we are talking about a quality windshield for 1800 Goldwing, then the polycarbonate material would be its build material. It is more abrasion & wind resistant compared to Acrylic build.
It can take on all sorts of debris in the air & you won’t need to worry about any scratches on them as they are hard to come on it. But UV rays do cause the material to become yellowish over time.
Mounting
Many riders tend to switch between different windshields or store the windshield for safety. They can choose a quick-release mount if they prefer it. But stock mounting is more convenient for better performance in the long haul. Most windshields we chose are stock mountings.
Installation
Windshields are rather easy to install than all other parts of the motorcycle. Installation guides come with detailed instructions on how to replace your windshields. You just need to mount them to the holes properly. But having to cut the holes to attach them may come as a burden.
Vents
Vents give better control of airflow for the windshield. It makes sure you get a light flow of air to your body in the hot summer days. You can close the vent in the winter days for better convenience. Yet, many users don’t realize the role vents play in windshields.
Style & Color
There are a lot of options for those who are looking for an aesthetic appearance with the windshields. You can choose a fancy look of gradient colors or a classy look of the dark smoke ones.
But make sure these tasteful appearances don’t affect the visibility of the road through your windshield. Otherwise, the windshield won’t even be worth it on the road.
FAQ
Q: How do I install a windshield?
Ans: There are detailed instructions that come with your windshield unit for easy installation. But in general, you just have to line up the windshield with the holes present where fasteners go & then just attach them to the brackets. Following the instructions would do the trick for you.
Q: How do I keep the windshield up to the mark?
Ans: Windshields stand against all sorts of filth & dirt in the air while you are riding. So if you don’t wash them regularly, they may seem scratched up & swirly over time. But you can’t use any abrasive or use too much force on them as they may develop permanent scratches. Use Soft towels or microfibers with appropriate solutions to clean them.
Q: How do windshields help against buffeting?
Ans: There is a good chance of strong wind hitting against your chest or hovering around your whole body while you are riding. This makes your ride a lot more dangerous. Quality windshields create protection to minimize this sort of wind force impact so that you can drive smoothly.
Conclusion
Motorcycle rides are fun, with all the wind rushing through your body making you feel like you’re flying. All the fun goes in vain if you bug squashes on your helmet or blurring visor compromise your visibility. That’s why it is essential to install a windshield to protect yourself from wind buffeting or other filth in the air.
Thankfully, we are here with our expert opinion on the matter to shed some light. The National Cycle VStream is the top choice with its polycarbonate build quality & warranty to back it up. If you’re interested in smoked screens, then the Slipstreamer S-267 would be an excellent quality choice otherwise the Show Chrome windshield is not far behind too.
Height & composed material are the two most important things to look out for while you are in search of the best windshield for 1800 Goldwing. Other aspects aren’t as important but you can consider them as a bonus if they match the aspects.
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