Slipstreamer

Got a tech tip for Voyager 12's from your personal experiences, or one complete with pictures and instructions, here's where to post it. You can also ask about tips or procedures here.

Moderators: the2knights, Highway Rider

Post Reply
User avatar
mickier
Cruiser
Cruiser
Posts: 40
Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2020 1:34 am
4
Current bike(s): 2002 Voyager XII
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 3 times

Slipstreamer

Post by mickier »

When I got my bike a few weeks ago, the windshield was lightly tinted, and the chrome edging around it was cracked in a couple of places, but not too bad. But when I washed it, I realized the windshield was NOT right - it was actually very very thin and "floppy"... took it out on for a ride and found that at speeds up to 70 MPH it was "ok", but when trucks went by, the windshield actually started to bend and kinda flapped around (!) YIKES! :shock:

Ordered a new slipstreamer - it came in just 2 days. Turned out to be just 15 minutes to install it, and also figured out what I had already suspected - the previous owner just cut the old one out of a piece of plexiglass... Not smart.

It's great to have a totally clear windshield with no scratches or anything.
:wnk2:
User avatar
VoyKimmer
Grand Tourer
Grand Tourer
Posts: 526
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:47 am
16
Current bike(s): 2002 Voyager XII
1996 Voyager XII
Location: Gurnee, Illinois
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 104 times

Re: Slipstreamer

Post by VoyKimmer »

I put slipstreamer windshields on both my bikes. Great windshield and sturdier than stock. Same size also. I took the sticker off both of mine. And you can’t beat the price. I believe just around $89 if I remember right. I don’t see ever having to replace them but if something happens like a big rock I would not hesitate but replace with the same windshield. Thinking about even purchasing a spare.
User avatar
mickier
Cruiser
Cruiser
Posts: 40
Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2020 1:34 am
4
Current bike(s): 2002 Voyager XII
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 3 times

Re: Slipstreamer

Post by mickier »

Mine was $105 shipped.

Was very impressed with it - just gorgeous. One of the slits at the bottom (angle cut by the factory) was sharp as a razor and cut my finger while i was putting it on.. was more careful after that!

Hope it stays clear... my old kz1000 police had a lot of haze in the windshield - I'll be careful - soaking bugs off with a damp rag etc..

Did you get some of their windshield polish/wax? wonder if I should.

(their sticker said - "rule of thumb - if it's made for glass don't use it on plastic!"
User avatar
VoyKimmer
Grand Tourer
Grand Tourer
Posts: 526
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:47 am
16
Current bike(s): 2002 Voyager XII
1996 Voyager XII
Location: Gurnee, Illinois
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 104 times

Re: Slipstreamer

Post by VoyKimmer »

I use plexus on my motorcycle windshields always have. Works great. I use Honda spray polish to clean the plastic on my bike. No soap no water.
User avatar
Barry
Grand Tourer
Grand Tourer
Posts: 398
Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 2:00 pm
16
Current bike(s): 87 Voyager 12
Has liked: 100 times
Been liked: 69 times

Re: Slipstreamer

Post by Barry »

I just went to their site and they say suggested retail price $167.95. So how did you get such a good deal? Also how thick is their shield? I have a tinted clearview that's 1/4" thick. It has a vent in it that is really nice on hot days. Mine is 16 years old and I may need to replace it some day.
Barry
87 Voyager XII
User avatar
VoyKimmer
Grand Tourer
Grand Tourer
Posts: 526
Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:47 am
16
Current bike(s): 2002 Voyager XII
1996 Voyager XII
Location: Gurnee, Illinois
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 104 times

Re: Slipstreamer

Post by VoyKimmer »

Well it’s been a few years since I got them so yes lots cheaper then but you can get them as low as $100 right now on line any wear but from slipstreamer. eBay, Amazon, powersports, anywhere new . I think I got mine from bike bandit or one of those places for $89 and free shipping but that was at least 8 years ago. I didn’t measure the thickness but much thicker than OEM. Nice and thick and sturdy. None of the slots have cracked yet.
erock
Cruiser
Cruiser
Posts: 31
Joined: Mon Sep 09, 2019 2:03 am
5
Current bike(s): 2001 Kawasaki Voyager XII (low mile gem !)
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 2 times

Re: Slipstreamer

Post by erock »

I think Barrymade the best choice with the Clearview product. I've had both, and that brand is the better product. Not cheaper....but better quality. Like anything, you get what you pay for. Just depends on how much you want to pay, I suppose. My 2 cents is with Clearview.
User avatar
mickier
Cruiser
Cruiser
Posts: 40
Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2020 1:34 am
4
Current bike(s): 2002 Voyager XII
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 3 times

Re: Slipstreamer

Post by mickier »

erock wrote: Sat Apr 11, 2020 1:20 am I think Barrymade the best choice with the Clearview product. I've had both, and that brand is the better product. Not cheaper....but better quality. Like anything, you get what you pay for. Just depends on how much you want to pay, I suppose. My 2 cents is with Clearview.
I think i get what you're saying - but please allow me to mention that it kinda signals my "bs filter" when someone makes an un--substantiated or unsupported declaration - "it's better..."

It might be better - but what do you mean by that? For example - I found the Slipstreamer slightly thicker than stock, and at lest from their published specs, it's made from a better type of plastic in terms of clarity and durability, specifically it doesn't tend to "yellow" like the stock windshield. I also love the super-accurate cutouts for mounts etc. This is finely machined not stamped.

Would be grateful if you would be willing to kindly say what you found to be the difference between Slipstreamer and Clearview.

No offense intended
erock
Cruiser
Cruiser
Posts: 31
Joined: Mon Sep 09, 2019 2:03 am
5
Current bike(s): 2001 Kawasaki Voyager XII (low mile gem !)
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 2 times

Re: Slipstreamer

Post by erock »

Sure. No offense taken. I fully agree that the Slipstreamer windscreen is superior to factory stock. In fact, it's what I currently have on my own Voyager. It happened to have been recently installed before I purchased the bike last fall, so no need to change it out. You are completely correct in it being thicker and more robust. Very nice product for it's price point, without argument. In my humble opinion, the Clearview line takes it up another notch in terms of quality. They seem to be even more optically clear, made from an even tougher and thicker yet material, and offer several options to sex it up, if you will. I've had two on various bikes. Both were ordered by me in tinted, wider than stock, with a center adjustable vent, and a reverse "flip" on the top edge of the windscreen to kick the windblast up another 2-3 inches over the rider's head. Even the care that went into the packaging was quite impressive. If anyone on here has ever ordered one, you understand what I mean. That being said, you can't go wrong with either one. Both are an obvious step up. As mentioned earlier, it's simply a matter of how much do you want to spend. That's just my personal experience with both brands. Clearview is not the same pricepoint, but competitive, given what they have to offer. You could wave the options they have completely and go apples to apples and then you would have a more fair comparison. Be safe out there !!
User avatar
Van Voyager
Grand Tourer
Grand Tourer
Posts: 435
Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2017 8:01 am
7
Current bike(s): 1986 Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager
Has liked: 46 times
Been liked: 40 times

Re: Slipstreamer

Post by Van Voyager »

I remember reading somewhere that a hardened polycarbonate (like Lexan) is apparently the toughest windshield material - compared to acrylic (like Plexiglass) but polycarbonate is more expensive. Does anyone still make polycarbonate motorcycle windshields? I think both the Slipstreamer and Clearview are acrylic.
User avatar
Barry
Grand Tourer
Grand Tourer
Posts: 398
Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 2:00 pm
16
Current bike(s): 87 Voyager 12
Has liked: 100 times
Been liked: 69 times

Re: Slipstreamer

Post by Barry »

I'm pretty sure Clearview is Lexan. Shortly after I installed mine 16 years ago I took a trip to Colorado. A dump truck with a flat bed was approaching me and a rock the size of a cantaloupe fell off and bounced up hitting my new windshield. I really thought it would have shattered and sent me to the hospital. The shield got a starburst set of cracks 3 inches in diameter. I stopped at the next gas station and drill stopped them. It's not pretty any more, but has definitely earned its keep.
Barry
87 Voyager XII
User avatar
mickier
Cruiser
Cruiser
Posts: 40
Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2020 1:34 am
4
Current bike(s): 2002 Voyager XII
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 3 times

Re: Slipstreamer

Post by mickier »

Wow what a close call... You could have been hurt very seriously.

As you said in an earlier past, God has been watching over you!

Hope you take time to know Him. He wants you (and all of us) to be saved in His kingdom.
User avatar
Barry
Grand Tourer
Grand Tourer
Posts: 398
Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 2:00 pm
16
Current bike(s): 87 Voyager 12
Has liked: 100 times
Been liked: 69 times

Re: Slipstreamer

Post by Barry »

Christ & I have a pretty good relationship. Faith in God has brought me comfort and joy more times than I can count. During this pandemic, prayer and church definitely help.
Barry
87 Voyager XII
User avatar
Van Voyager
Grand Tourer
Grand Tourer
Posts: 435
Joined: Wed Aug 30, 2017 8:01 am
7
Current bike(s): 1986 Kawasaki ZN1300 Voyager
Has liked: 46 times
Been liked: 40 times

Re: Slipstreamer

Post by Van Voyager »

Barry wrote: Thu Apr 16, 2020 12:19 am I'm pretty sure Clearview is Lexan.
According to this: https://www.clearviewshields.com/motorc ... nt-brands/ they're made from an 'acrylic blend'
erock
Cruiser
Cruiser
Posts: 31
Joined: Mon Sep 09, 2019 2:03 am
5
Current bike(s): 2001 Kawasaki Voyager XII (low mile gem !)
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 2 times

Re: Slipstreamer

Post by erock »

mickier wrote: Thu Apr 16, 2020 10:25 am Wow what a close call... You could have been hurt very seriously.

As you said in an earlier past, God has been watching over you!

Hope you take time to know Him. He wants you (and all of us) to be saved in His kingdom.
Amen to that, my friend !
User avatar
mickier
Cruiser
Cruiser
Posts: 40
Joined: Mon Feb 24, 2020 1:34 am
4
Current bike(s): 2002 Voyager XII
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 3 times

Re: Slipstreamer

Post by mickier »

This is the blurb from my Slipstreamer advertizement

It is made of Lucite® which is a very nice windshield material. It is one of the most rigid motorcycle windshield materials on the market. It is one of the most optically clear materials available. Lucite is more optically clear than hardcoated Lexan® windshields are. Lucite resists yellowing more than most other windshield materials. Another nice advantage of Lucite is that it does not have to be coated with any hardcoating. Hardcoated shields deteriorate rather quickly, making this Lucite shield a wise long term investment

FWIW

I dunno anything about this really - just purchased this one because it sounded good... :hmm: and I'm happy with it so far.
erock
Cruiser
Cruiser
Posts: 31
Joined: Mon Sep 09, 2019 2:03 am
5
Current bike(s): 2001 Kawasaki Voyager XII (low mile gem !)
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 2 times

Re: Slipstreamer

Post by erock »

Great research. Bottom line------you can't go wrong with either one. Both are a very good upgrade. Thanks for the update. :-D
User avatar
Barry
Grand Tourer
Grand Tourer
Posts: 398
Joined: Thu Feb 21, 2008 2:00 pm
16
Current bike(s): 87 Voyager 12
Has liked: 100 times
Been liked: 69 times

Re: Slipstreamer

Post by Barry »

Both Lexan and Lucite are used in general aviation (small) aircraft. All depends on the aircraft manufacturers preference. So if it's good enough for aircraft, it should be good enough for us motorcyclists. :thmup:
Barry
87 Voyager XII
erock
Cruiser
Cruiser
Posts: 31
Joined: Mon Sep 09, 2019 2:03 am
5
Current bike(s): 2001 Kawasaki Voyager XII (low mile gem !)
Has liked: 0
Been liked: 2 times

Re: Slipstreamer

Post by erock »

I just went to the websites of both companies. I'm sure some of you have as well. Here's what I found. The Slipstreamer brand is available as one replacement option/size only. A quality replacement ? For sure. the option for the buyer is "take it or leave it", but a definite upgrade.
Then I went to the Clearview site. They also offer stock replacement size. That's where things change. You can also opt for 2" taller than stock, 3" taller than stock, and 5"taller than stock. ALSO....you can opt for 4" wider than stock or even 6" wider than stock. It's available with the Goldwing-style adjustable center vent, available in clear or light gray tint (my preference), come with UV inhibitors on all models to protect the dash, and is Rain-X safe. As I had mentioned earlier.....it's simply a matter of preference and if you would like some options to choose from. Deeper pockets needed. Superior in quality ? Well, I suppose that is a subjective answer. One just offers more options to the buyer.......
Post Reply

Return to “Tech Tips - Voyager XII (1200 Four)”