There comes a point where every UTV owner must decide: do you get a polycarbonate windshield or a glass windshield?
We’ve talked at length about how awesome our polycarbonate windshields are.
Today, we’re talking all about what makes our glass windshields so great. For one, you might not know that we have a bunch of glass windshields including flip versions. And that’s just the start.
Here are the top 6 reasons we think you’ll love owning a glass windshield.
Glass is the most scratch-resistant windshield material you can put onto a side-by-side. If you’ve never had a windshield on your UTV before, you might be wondering why that matters.
Your machine goes through a lot of trail crud every ride. Whether you’re cruising through the woods, tackling a dune, or diving into mud holes, your cab is under attack by lots of different stuff. Stuff like sand, gravel, rocks, and branches can scratch up an uncoated polycarbonate windshield (and even hard-coated polycarbonate, although it’s much less likely). But put that stuff up against glass, and you’re not likely to see a scratch anytime soon.
If you’re worried about scratches, glass is the way to go.
Since glass is just so dang scratch resistant, you can use a wiper on it without scratching the glass. So we include a manual wiper with most glass windshields! Some of our windshields, like our MaxDrive Power Flip Glass Windshields, have an optional electric wiper and washer kit instead.
Having a wiper on your glass windshield is a game changer, and it’s not just for rain. Windshields collect mud, dust, and other crud on any good trail ride.
With our front glass windshields, all it takes is a few swipes of the manual wiper to help clear your view and hit the gas. And the same goes for dust, wet sand, creek water, and rooster tails.
We also paid careful attention to the wiper’s placement. Many competitors mount the single wiper dead center on the windshield. We tested windshield wipers like that, and we noticed that after a few hours of riding, our necks started to hurt.
Why?
Because we were leaning toward the center of the UTV where the windshield was clean without even realizing it!
Our wiper is mounted to clear the biggest area in front of the driver, aka the person that really needs to see the trail ahead.
We’ve all had those windshields. The ones that are full of great features and offer great protection from the elements, but let moisture and wind in around the edges. You end up with water dripping on your dash when it rains and frostbitten fingertips when it’s cold.
We didn’t want that, so we came up with Secure Seal.
Secure Seal isn’t one thing in particular, but rather a precise combination of high-quality bulb seals and gaskets along with heavy-duty windshield clamps. Careful design allows these components to work together to seal tightly against your machine’s frame.
What’s the result?
You get much less air blowing in from the edges, and water has a much harder time finding its way into your cab. And that means more comfortable rides regardless of the forecast.
Speaking of comfort, our standard glass windshields have BreezeRite Vents built into the frame. They’re great for keeping you cool on those warm summer rides.
BreezeRite Vents are injection-molded vents that let you set them to fully opened, fully closed, or half open. They’re sturdy enough to stay where you set them even when the ride gets really bumpy.
They let you react to changing conditions so you stay comfortable all season. A little afternoon rain in the forecast? No problem. Close them up and they’ll help keep the wind and water out. And don’t be fooled by their size—they let in a ton of air thanks to the aerodynamics of UTV hoods.
Some models use a flip-up or sliding panel instead of BreezeRite Vents. You can expect the same ease of use and excellent airflow control from our panels.
With comfort control right from the driver’s seat, you can keep this windshield on year-round.
We have more than just standard glass windshields. We also have flip-down glass windshields, rear glass windshields, and our impressive MaxDrive Power Flip glass windshields.
If you’re the kind of person that only needs a little airflow to cool down in the middle of summer, our standard glass windshields will probably suit you fine thanks to their built-in vents.
Our flip windshields come in when you want more of that open-cab feel. Our flip-down glass windshields are manually operated and secure to the hood when opened. Many of them have vents built in too.
For ultimate versatility, check out our MaxDrive Power Flip Glass Windshields. They open and close using electronic actuators that are operated with a dash-mounted switch. Plus, they’re compatible with our electric wiper and washer kit.
Don’t forget to add a rear glass windshield too. Rear windshields are always important to run with a front windshield because they stop the dust suction you can get from running a front windshield alone. We have fixed and sliding rear windows. We love sliding rear windows because they give you even more airflow control and easy access to your bed.
That’s a pretty premium selection.
Glass and metal have one important difference: you can’t see through metal.
But a metal frame is built into many front glass windshields to hold it, keep it rigid, and give it structural integrity. We spent a lot of time making sure our metal frame was as small as it could be to preserve your viewing angles. Your peripheral vision stays intact so you get a better view of what’s around you.
Also, our glass is lightly tinted. It’s not an applied film like you might expect, but a quality of the glass itself, and you’ll be hard-pressed to see it. What you will notice is a reduction in glare from the sun.
Less glare means more clarity and a more pleasant time behind the wheel.
If glass sounds like it’s the right thing for you, go check out our selection of glass windshields. If you’re reading this and feel like you’d still rather have the impact strength and versatility of polycarbonate windshields, we’ve got you covered there too.
But we’re pretty excited about our glass windshields, and we think you should be, too. They just make every ride clearer and more comfortable. And when you stop worrying about how you feel, you start having a lot more fun.
Check out all our glass windshields.
Disclaimer: This article was written by an employee of SuperATV. The views, opinions, and recommendations expressed in this blog are the writer’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of SuperATV. This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as safety advice or official technical guidance. Modifying vehicles and using aftermarket parts can impact performance and safety. Readers are responsible for ensuring proper installation, compatibility, and safe operation. SuperATV makes no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or completeness of this information and assumes no liability for any actions taken based on it.
