​An Analysis And Buyer’s Guide On Kawasaki Mule Windshields, Kawasaki Teryx Windshields, And Kawasaki KRX Windshields

If you ask around about Kawasaki UTV windshields, everyone and their grandma will give you their two cents. The fact of the matter, though, is that every situation is different, and every rider has a unique set of personalized needs. A Kawasaki Mule half windshield that’s designed to abate heat, for example, may be perfect for riders down south, but a Mule owner up north is probably better off with a thick Kawasaki Mule glass windshield -- that is, if they ride throughout the winter. Similarly, while a Kawasaki Teryx KRX with full front and rear polycarbonate windshields is equipped nicely to block dirt, sand, and dust at the dunes or racetrack, a scratch-resistant Kawasaki Teryx windshield would be more suitable for those who ride wooded trails and mountainous ORV roads. Other environmental factors like rain and bugs should also be considered when deliberating over which UTV windshield to choose. Be it a full front Kawasaki Mule windshield with wipers or foldable Kawasaki Teryx windshield, here are our thoughts on the best factory and aftermarket windshields for the Kawasaki Mule, Teryx, and KRX.

Polycarbonate Kawasaki UTV Windshields

Polycarbonate windshields are among the cheapest options available for Kawasaki UTV owners. You can get full polycarbonate windshields, half polycarbonate windshields, and even folding polycarbonate windshields that lock into place in either an upright or downward position. In the short term, polycarbonate windshields for the Kawasaki Mule, Teryx, and KRX are a great deal, but beware of those that aren’t made with a hard coating or supplemented with scratch-resistant outer layers. Without said measures, polycarbonate windshields are extremely easy to scratch. Even if you don’t ride through thick forests or wooded trails, there are countless ways in which non-coated polycarbonate windshields can become scraped, scratched, and otherwise damaged.

If you wear a wedding ring and wipe the fog from the inside surface of you poly windshield, you’ll likely scratch it. If you ride in dusty areas and improperly wash the grit from your poly windshield, you’ll almost surely scratch it. Or if you use a vertical in-cab gun rack and the barrel of your rifle rubs against your non-treated poly windshield, you can bet your bottom dollar that scratches will quickly develop. This, however, is almost exclusively an issue with untreated poly windshields. With a hard-coated or scratch-resistant poly windshield like those by Spike Powersports, SuperATV, or Extreme Metal Products, large gouges and minor scratches are far less likely to occur. No windshield is indestructible, but when it comes to impact resistance, polycarbonate as a material is hundreds of times stronger than non-tempered glass. And for this reason, you’ll often see polycarbonate windows and windscreens used in both the marine and aviation industries on vehicles like speed boats and jet airplanes.

There is one thing, however, that can still damage hard-coated polycarbonate windshields, and it comes in the form of chemical cleaning products. If you apply the wrong windshield cleaner to your poly windscreen, it can become hazy, foggy, and opaque, restricting your visibility and making it difficult to see what lies ahead. But as long as you use the right poly-safe windshield cleaning products, this is an issue you’ll never have to confront!

Glass Kawasaki UTV Windshields

Although glass windshields for the Kawasaki Teryx, Mule, and KRX can chip, they’ll never scratch like a non-coated poly windshield. And for this reason, most riders who use windshield wipers often opt for full glass windshields. Not only will a full glass windshield protect the inside of your rig from mud and water, but glass is also a better thermal insulator than plastic, and will thus hold in greater amounts of heat. In cold climates, this is a definite boon, but in warm climates, vented glass windshields -- like the Dirt Warrior windshield by Deranged Off-Road -- or half glass windshields may be more appropriate.

As far as safety goes, tempered safety glass windshields are about as strong as they come. And depending on where you live and ride, you might be required to use a DOT-approved glass windshield like those by UTV Zilla or Kolpin Powersports in order to make your UTV street legal. Although front Kawasaki Mule and Teryx glass windshields are more common than rear glass windshields, you can still find rear windscreens for Kawasaki UTVs constructed out of glass. And like poly windshields, glass windshields also come in the folding variety!

Folding Kawasaki UTV Windshields

Whether it’s a pop-out Kawasaki Mule windshield, a fold-down Kawasaki Teryx windshield, or a tip-up Kawasaki KRX windshield, you can reap the benefits of both worlds with a folding Kawasaki UTV windshield. If steam accumulates on your windshield after creek crossings on cold days, products like the flip-up windshield by SuperATV can be cracked for increased airflow to clear things up.

Like the folding SATV windshield, the flip-up Kawasaki UTV windshields by Essex Manufacturing and Fortress are also sturdy and robust. They can easily handle 80+ MPH on the back of your open-air trailer, and they can take a few whacks from tree branches without breaking or bending. When trailering, though, you should always use windshield covers to ensure that flying rocks don't cause damage. As the saying goes, you can choose either an ounce of prevention or a pound of regret!

Half Kawasaki UTV Windshields

If you ride in busy areas, you’ll find that most riders with folding windshields primarily ride with them in the open-most position. And this begs the question, why not just get a half Kawasaki UTV windshield? In addition to being less hot than full windshields, half windshields are also good for visibility -- after all, your line of sight can’t be restricted due to mud and dust if there’s nothing there for crud to cling on! Both glass and poly half windshields will protect your hands and face from the cold, and if you get a tinted half windshield, it’ll also help mitigate glare from your hood!

Vented Kawasaki UTV Windshields

For situations where half windshields provide too much airflow and full windshields are too restrictive, Kawasaki UTV windshields with vents may be the ticket. When things get hot, you can pop the vents open for a little extra cooling. Then if things change and it becomes cold or rainy, you can close the vents to stay warm and dry. Alternatively, if you already have a non-vented windshield, you might be able to use an aftermarket vent kit to achieve the airflow you desire!

Closing Thoughts On Kawasaki UTV Windshields

Some riders like to blast coyotes and prairie dogs from the cockpit of their Kawasaki UTV, and for this, half windshields, ¼ windshields, and folding windshields are great. For those who use their Mule / Teryx to plow snow, ice fish, or shred powder, going with a full glass windshield is probably the correct course of action. But regardless if you use your Kawasaki Mule 4010 for a mix of work and recreation, your Kawasaki Teryx for hunting, or your Kawaskai KRX to get your daily dose of adrenaline, using the appropriate windshield for the application at hand will improve the quality of your rides dramatically. And for the best Kawasaki Mule windshields, Kawasaki Teryx windshields, and Kawasaki KRX windshields in all varieties, Everything Kawasaki Offroad is the place to go!