To measure a motorcycle windshield correctly, you need a tape measure, a straightedge (a yardstick works well), and a friend to help. The measurement is taken while you sit on the bike in your normal riding position, from the windshield’s mounting point up to the tip of your nose. That distance tells you the windshield height you need.
Why Your Riding Position Matters
The single most important factor in getting an accurate measurement is sitting on your bike the way you actually ride. Not leaning forward to check instruments, not sitting stiffly upright. Hands on the bars, back relaxed, eyes looking straight ahead at the road. This is your true sight line, and it determines where the top edge of the windshield should fall relative to your face.
A correctly sized windshield should have its top edge roughly level with the tip of your nose, or just slightly below your eyes. The standard guideline from National Cycle is that you should be able to look just over the top of the windshield and see the road at a distance of about 50 feet in front of you. Too tall and you’re looking through scratched or distorted plastic in rain and at night. Too short and wind, rain, and debris hit you in the face and chest.
What You’ll Need
- A tape measure long enough to span from the headlight or fairing to nose height (3 to 4 feet for most bikes).
- A yardstick or straightedge to establish the horizontal line from your nose out to where the windshield sits.
- A helper. You cannot do this alone. You need to stay seated in your riding posture while someone else takes the measurement.
Step-by-Step Measurement
Sit on your bike in your natural riding position and get comfortable. Don’t adjust your posture once you start. Have your helper stand to one side with the tape measure and straightedge ready.
First, your helper should hold the straightedge horizontally from the tip of your nose, extending it forward toward where the windshield sits (or would sit). This establishes the target height for the top edge of the windshield. Mark or note where that horizontal line lands in relation to the bike’s front end.
Next, measure vertically from the windshield’s starting point up to that horizontal nose line. Where you start the measurement depends on your bike and the windshield brand you’re shopping for. On many motorcycles without a fairing, the starting point is the top of the headlight. Have your helper hold the tape measure about an inch in front of the headlight, angled to roughly match the angle of the front forks, and measure upward from the top of the headlight to your nose-level mark. That number is your windshield height.
On bikes with a fairing, the starting point is typically the top of the fairing or the base of the windshield opening. Check the specifications for the windshield brand you’re considering, because manufacturers define “windshield height” differently. Some measure from the mounting bolts, others from the headlight cutout, and others from the top of the outer fairing. Using the wrong starting point can leave you off by several inches.
Matching Your Measurement to a Product
The number you measured is not the overall size of the windshield. It’s the height above the mounting point. When shopping, look for the “height” spec in the product listing and compare it to your number. A windshield listed at 16 inches, for example, means 16 inches measured from wherever that manufacturer starts counting.
If you’re between sizes, shorter is generally the safer choice. A windshield that’s an inch too short still deflects most wind and lets you see clearly over the top. One that’s an inch too tall puts your sight line right through the plastic, which creates glare at night and visual distortion in rain. You can always add a small windshield extension later if you want more coverage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most frequent error is measuring while standing next to the bike instead of sitting on it. When you sit down, the suspension compresses, your eye level drops, and the distance between you and the windshield changes. On a touring bike with a plush seat, you can sink an inch or two lower than you’d expect.
Another common mistake is leaning forward during the measurement. If you hunch toward the handlebars while your friend measures, you’ll end up with a windshield that’s too short for your actual relaxed cruising posture. Sit the way you ride for the majority of your time on the road, not the way you ride in traffic or through twisty sections.
Finally, if you wear a helmet with a significant visor or peak, keep it on during the measurement. It won’t change the nose-level reference point dramatically, but it gives you a more realistic sense of your true sight line. Some riders also find that a half-inch taller windshield works better with a half-helmet versus a full-face, since the full-face helmet already provides chin and face protection from wind.
If You Already Have a Windshield
To measure an existing windshield for replacement, lay it on a flat surface and measure from the bottom of the mounting holes to the top center of the shield. This gives you the overall height. If you’ve been happy with the coverage, order the same height. If you want more or less wind protection, adjust by an inch or two in either direction. Measuring the width at the widest point is also useful for ensuring the new shield provides similar side-to-side coverage.
Some dealerships have sizing shields, which are adjustable-height panels you can hold up in front of you while seated on the bike to simulate different windshield heights. If you’re unsure about your measurement or buying an expensive touring windshield, visiting a dealer with this tool can save you the hassle of ordering and returning.