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After I’m on my cruiser, I like the texture of air passing over me whereas driving backroads, however within the colder months – or after I’m on the interstate, which has a velocity restrict of 80 mph the place I reside – a windshield gives a nice reprieve that lets me take pleasure in different features of driving. My spouse appreciates it too.
The manufacturing facility windshield on my 2004 Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail was beginning to yellow and haze, which could be a major problem when driving towards the setting solar. It additionally had some pitting, to not point out a couple of ugly scratches from an incident I’m too embarrassed to narrate. The scratches weren’t immediately in my line of imaginative and prescient, however they have been nonetheless proper up entrance, detracting from an in any other case almost flawless 20-year-old bike. So I used to be excited after I found Nationwide Cycle made a substitute.
Associated: A Story of Two Brothers and a Deal for a Harley-Davidson
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However let’s be clear (pun completely supposed), the SwitchBlade 2-Up Fast Launch Windshield is greater than only a substitute; it’s a step up. Nationwide Cycle has had varied SwitchBlades in its lineup – together with the shorter Chopped windshield – for about so long as my bike has been round. The two-Up matches the scale of my inventory windshield and, because the identify implies, supplies good wind safety for each rider and passenger.
The two-Up is constructed of 4mm polycarbonate with Nationwide Cycle’s unique Quantum hardcoating for scratch resistance. In a Taber abrasion check, the Quantum hardcoating measured 10 occasions extra abrasion resistant than FMR hardcoated polycarbonate and 33 occasions greater than acrylic. Nationwide Cycle additionally claims Quantum gives 2.5 occasions extra UV safety than FMR.
The distinction in visibility between my previous windshield and the SwitchBlade 2-Up (MSRP $409.95 with a three-year guarantee towards breakage) was instantly obvious and pleasing. Set up of the {hardware} ($110.95, bought individually and model-specific) was fast and straightforward, however I like to recommend saving your previous {hardware}. The windshield set up instructions specify {that a} “slight flexing” of the defend is likely to be required to get the decrease notches on the decrease spools, however I couldn’t bend the defend sufficient earlier than getting blocked by the inventory mild bar, so I had to make use of a few my previous washers for the decrease spools. Even then, I needed to loosen the highest lights on the bar to squeeze the defend over the principle nacelle and between the sunshine bar and the fork.
After making these lodging, the windshield now pops on and off with none issues. I like the fully unencumbered view from behind the handlebar of a cruiser, however the SwitchBlade 2-Up Fast Launch Windshield permits me to decide on the wind safety after I need it, mixed with a crystal-clear view that ought to final for one more 20 years.
See all of Rider‘s Components & Equipment evaluations right here.
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