[Vankemp]

As a long time ATV riders (never owned a sbs), I was wondering your thoughts or input on a windshield.

My wife and I ride in Michigan and she always wants me to lead, leaving her many times in clouds of dust. I have done some research and found that getting both.. The front AND rear will cut a lot of this down, and of course I have found there are varying opinions on this subject. So I come up with a couple of questions of my own related to this.

1) on a dry hot day on a dusty trail, will a windshield be better to have on to reduce the dust, or off to increase the airflow?

2) I have read many/most opinions on the half windshield is a waste of money -- True? (Not the answer to question 1)

3) if you are taking on a lot of dust, how do you clean as you go, or are frequent stops required.

4) same as question 3, only apply mud instead of dust.

Sorry if you think these are silly questions, but I'm trying to put my imagination in theses elements and I am now wondering if no windshield would be less hassle under heavy dusty trails, or if your going to hit lots of mud holes.

Any thoughts?

 

[luvdamud]

Van kemp, you may want to hold off and see if anyone starts making a flip up style before long. i have one one my Wildcat and it is the best of both worlds. It is about a third of the way up the roll bar and the top two thirds opens out and up. Fresh air when you want it and mud/water/dust protection when you need it. One thing to consider, if you do a lot of night riding and ride with folks with lots of LED lights, the glare from behind on a full windshield is a *****. I have to turn my lights off if I'm not in front and I'm following riders with fixed full windshields..

If you don't want to wait I would do with the half windshield, at least you can duck down a little to get out of the rain. Not the best option but it helps and no nite time glare issues.

 

[Geerhead]

1) On a hot dusty day a windshield is probably a toss-up. It probably depends on how hot or how dusty. The dust will still get in, but not as much.
3) I carry a spray bottle and a silicone squeegee for windshield cleaning. Dust or 4) mud. Some guys even have wipers.
To me, the real advantage of a windshield is in the cold and rain.

 

[Vankemp]

More after market stuff..

Polaris Ace Hard Coated MR10 Full Windsheild with Fast Straps P N 12482 | eBay

 

[1Hdslider]

I agree on a cold day or rainy. There awsome. Here in bama summer there way to hot blocking airflow.also one must think of where you ride. For me I do lot of woods riding and will ruin a. Windshield in a day. From limbs and thorny vines.

 

[bjniceguy]

assuming it ends up working the same as the big RZR, I have found on a dry dusty day that a 1/2 lock & ride windshield held up 1" from hood (helps brake vacuum) plus the rear window helps a bunch with the dust. Not perfect, but way better than no windshield. It is a new animal, but assume will react the same way. That is what I bought for wife's ace (& my 1000 LOL)

 

[The Texan]

Those that condemn the ½ windshield, did NOT know how to mount them. I have had a ½ on my Rzr since new and just recently changed to a flip-up EMP full windshield. If you mount the ½ windshield so that it is at least 1½"-2" off the dash, it will NOT create a vacuum and will work very well in dust and allow you to duck behind for rain. Yes, for it to work best, you should also have a rear shield, but when it is raised that 1½"-2" it will still work good without the rear.

I too carry a spray bottle and a micro cloth to clean the windshield if needed.

 

[Scoundrel]

Agreed on the flip-up windshield. I've been using that on my RZR for 3 years along with a rear window and it really cuts down on the dust.
How often you have to stop and clear it depends on how dusty, how close to the person in front of you, the consistency of the dust, etc. No way to quantify that for everyone.
I also carry a spray bottle, a squeegee, and a towel.

Since there is no flip-up offered for the ACE yet, I went with the little sport windshield.
From what I hear that might be a dust sucker though.
I'm usually leading and don't ride that much in dust, so I should be OK for now.

 

[Scoundrel]

I'm considering buying the flip-up windshield hardware kit, and then buying a full ACE windshield, and then cutting the ACE windshield down a bit to allow it to flip, and attaching it to the flip hardware.
Crazy, I know - but I'm desperate for a flip-up on the ACE.

 

[Scoundrel]

Hardware kit found on eBay.
They wanted $124 plus $13 shipping, but it is missing a piece (which I happen to have an extra one from replacing the gas struts on my RZR).
It had a Make Offer, so I offered $80 plus $13 shipping, and they agreed, so it is on its way.

I'm pondering whether to buy a real Polaris full windshield with hard coat on it for $135, or get a cheap sheet of plexiglass from Home Depot for my first attempt.

The Polaris shield would have the curved bits to make it more rigid, but I can use aluminum angle bracket to stiffen up a plexiglass sheet.
The Polaris shield would have the hard coat, but I'm not sure how important that is, at least for the short term.
If I can do it with cheap plexi, and it works out, then I'll be more confident about cutting up a better one later, and I will have a template to trace for cutting.

View attachment 1061

 

[Scoundrel]

Already have it, thanks.

 

[ACE Ventura Polaris]

Scoundrel please let us know how this works out . I for one
Like the idea of the kit.
Thank you Sir

 

[Vankemp]

I answered my own question this weekend about a windshield and dust control and its plus and minus's. I had my first real summer trail ride experience this weekend.

Riding in Northern Mi -- Majority sand trails and very dry, The verdict on the windshield is HECK NO!! I took on more dust, noise, and heat that I could hardly stand it. My wife was riding her Polaris 550 , and when we switched rides, her first reaction was "I think you made a mistake buying this thing" due to the heat, dust, poor visibility (due to dust build up on window). I tried to vent it at the bottom and no difference -- Bottom line, I would NOT advise having this thing on in the above mentioned conditions. The next day I removed and the riding experience was total day and night. I let wife lead with windshield off and her new reaction was "Oh my god, this thing is great!"

I got LOTS of questions about the machine from on lookers, and at the end of the day -- I still have no regreats. I will write up a review when I get the time about our 7 hour round trip and how the ACE did!

 

[Scoundrel]

Dust sux. My solution is to be the guy in front.

 

[bjniceguy]

I have to agree on the "No Windshield" in hot weather. We took ours to northern Wisconsin this weekend(80 degrees & DRY). First day had EMP full front & Polaris rear in (super hot & windshield attracted Dust). After a couple hours, raised the front as high as I could get it & took off the rubber strip. That helped, but still very warm & windshield got coated. Second day road with just rear in. Way more dust, but got the heat out. I have a Polaris 1/2 shield that I left home (dah) I think it might be better? Also may cut off EMP one to fit just above 1/2 shield & use alone or both if raining.

Was wondering if there is anything to use on windshield to reduce the static attraction to dust? I can live with some dust, but have to see. Was careful not to ruin it figuring I would try something else next time.

Side note - Wife & I both agree that the Ace is easier on your back & neck than a regular ATV, but a little harder to get through tight corners (because of wheel base) than ATV. A little noisier too.

Just my thoughts (that & a $1 will get you coffee some places LOL)

Doug

 

[Hayseed]

I use All Kleer on my windshied and it helps with the dust. One-Shot gave me a tip that also works. He applied the All Kleer to his speedometer lens and to his rear view mirrors. It does eliminate the dust but it does reduce it.

 

[Extreme Metal Products]

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2014 Polaris Sportsman Ace

 

[Scoundrel]

we offer 10% off for members using the coupon code "ace forum" when checking out.

2014 Polaris Sportsman Ace

Make a set of UHMW skids and A-arm guards and we'll talk...