Do some windscreens scratch more/less than others?

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

My ‘03 R1 has a clear MRA screen which gives a little extra protection without looking too different from the stock item. Nominally it’s a “double-bubble” but you wouldn’t know to look at it, it’s subtle. Over the years the surface has picked up quite a few small blemishes all over. I’m not talking about single scratches here but the cumulative effect is ugly.

Last year I used an anti-scratch kit which improved the general appearance a little, but now I’m thinking of getting a new screen.

When I look at the ZX6R’s screen it has far fewer marks. That aftermarket screen came with the bike and there are no clues as to the manufacturer.

TL:DR - Generally happy with MRA screens but wonder if they scratch more easily. Any recommendations?

[jeffyjeff]

I had a tinted Puig screen on my first VFR that worked well and did not degrade over the six years (57,000 miles) that I rode that bike. A quick search shows that they make a screen for the '03 R1

https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/puig-racing-windscreen-yamaha-r1-2002-2003?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIp7GGso_T7wIVQx-tBh3itQAoEAQYBCABEgL-qvD_BwE&sku_id=874623

< PS. Just noticed. There it is on my avatar pic.
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History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

But it looks like all Puig have left are dark smoke, orange or yellow, and the dark smoke is darker than I’d like. I was just wondering if old-stock will have suffered UV and other degradation already but MRA say they make to order.

[MCN]

Screens comes in different grades.

Hardness, ductility etc.

My K1300 has a Shop-Front of a screen I think about 26k miles but still flawless.

https://www.curbellplastics.com/Research-Solutions/Plastic-Properties/Acrylic-vs-Polycarbonate
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

Ok, so Puig and Ermax are acrylic (PMMA), and MSA say they use a unique aircraft grade material so it’s probably a combination, maybe polycarbonate with an acrylic coat. Aircraft use polycarbonate, acrylic or both (and glass).

Polycarbonate is stronger than acrylic.

Acrylic is optically clearer.

Acrylic sheet can be polished to a smooth finish, but you can't polish polycarbonate.

Acrylic has better scratch resistance than polycarbonate.

Polycarbonate is more expensive.

Regardless, there’s not exactly a wide selection for an 18 year old bike. Maybe I’ll stick with what I’ve got.

https://www.cutmyplastic.co.uk/guides/which-plastic-should-you-choose/

https://www.mecaplex.ch/en/transparencies.html

https://aviation.stackexchange.com/questions/21802/what-kind-of-materials-is-being-used-for-fighter-jets-glass-shields