Windshield vs no windshield - Pro's & Con's

[ORBrit]

My thoughts on windshields.

Pros - less fatigue on longer rides. The wind blocking is significant - Before the shield at 80+ mph I would not feet comfortable letting go with one hand. Now with the shield, I sit back and feel very comfortable at high speeds in a very relaxed posture often just resting my right hand on the bar (with throttle rocker)

Cons - if you can't find the adjustement sweet spot, the buffeting of the helmet can be annoying and cause a severe headache.
More "sail" for crosswinds.

If you decide to get one, make sue you get it well adjusted before your long trip.

[kstateskier]

This is good info, especially since I'm considering the windshield for myself...

ONE QUESTION: Are the Stock VStar shields great shields or should I bypass that and go for something aftermarket like the memphis shade? Anyone have a MS Alley Cat?

[tallannie]

.. one point I didnt see posted... a windshield will absorb a lot of road rash that might have gone on YOU if you low side crash your bike and slide off a road like I did. I could not beleive how much sanding the left side of the MS fat cat windshield took from the road. I could not even see thru the left side...the bike must have slid on that surface for a while (which saved the bike from a lot of chrome damage). I wish I had taken a pic of that. My point is a windshield is a great piece of safety gear too!

[ORBrit]

good point Annie.
A guy I know rear ended a car that stopped to avoid hitting a dog (Lexus with ABS) and the windshield stopped him from going over the bars of his Sportster 1200

[92Notch]

I do not plan on ever getting a windshield. I like the feeling of riding w/o it.

[LCA_koolaid37]

I have mixed feelings.

Pro:
It makes long rides easier because you aren't acting as one huge wind scoop and being forced to hold on for dear life.

Con:
I think it makes my motorcycle look friggin' terrible; and I'm a yuppie, so I have to look C-O-O-L.

[koolbreeze25]

It's up to you when its all said and done. I do agree that the bike looks better without it, but I do have one on my bike. Down here we have these bugs called "love bugs" that swarm twice a year. They don't hurt when they hit, but your windshield is covered where ever you go (on the bike or in the cage).

[DragonRider]

Originally Posted by raycogxxx

I have a MS Poptop shield that I have installed as low on the forks as poss. and at as steep a rake as poss. and find it works very well. In fact discovered yesterday just how well; I had modified the chin vent on my full face helm to try and get a little more air to my face . While testing didn’t seem to be helping as much as should have, then realized I had the shield on which directs wind flow to top half of helmet, so by-passing chin vent. I took shield off to see how that would work and wow, bike has to struggle more to get thru the wind (my big body getting in the way), a lot more buffeting (there is almost none with shield even a high speed (90+ mph)), and a whole lot more wind noise-although the chin vent mod worked very well. Put the shield back on today before going to work and am now back to slipping thru the air with less resistance, less noise and no helmet buffeting (and a little less air to the face). I think I’ll keep the shield and use an open face helmet w/face shield for the summer.

Perfect description. I agree 100 % of everything Ray said,I have the same shield on the same bike and set pretty much the same. Except I always use a full face helmet,and I'm probably not as big as Ray at 160lbs.

Seems like you love them or hate them,it's a personal choice.

[rvcycleguy]

IMO only,

I would not ride without one. I enjoy mine a lot and feel that is keeps me safe from hazards.

My sister, who has ridden thousands of highway miles recently had an incident with a group of buzzards. As she approached them on the side of the road, they took off and one impacted her shield and broke it in half as it went by her. The shield went to her side and did not affect her ability to stay upright. She stopped nearby and inspected the damage and to adjust her riding pants a little. Again, broke the shield in half but did do any other damge to the bike or herself. She feels pretty lucky and fortunate to have had the shield. She said that if not, she may have been killed by the impact of the large bird or the road...

[Davecm203]

I have only owned one bike without a shield of some sort. It is a must for me. I looked at buying a KTM SuperDuke and did not because of the tiny little shield on it. It was blast to ride and I loved it, but I ride a lot and get caught in all kinds of weather. A shield makes a large difference. Even the small ones that come on the sportbikes. If I had a cruiser, I would have to look like a dork and put one on. Unless it is a bike I only rode on weekends and nice days and for short rides.

[Gixxerman]

It's no textbook answer to this one. It depends on the bike, your ridingstyle, your height etc etc.
One guy can feel that the bike is quirky and/or the helmet, and another biker can feel quite the opposite.
You just have to try for yourselves to find what suits you. I have to mention this evertime I sell a helmet or new windscreen to a customer.

[Rickster]

We must be getting cabin fever what with all these old threads being brought back to life, the OP of this one hasn't posted since last June.

[Wyldesoul]

Seriously! I want spring to come!

[Gixxerman]

I have not read the entire thread so this might be something that allready have been suggested....

Some bikes are perfect right out of the box, for you, and could be awful for another one.
To find the right setup you have to know this:

1: Many different bikes behave differently.
2: We all come in different sizes and shapes.
3: A helmet is not "just a helmet".
4: The windscreen comes in different sizes and shapes, too.
5: A certain amount of noise can be normal for one person, but annoying for another. Depends on what we're used to.

There's no correct answer here. You have to learn by doing

EDIT: And I've forgotten that I answered this thread, five days ago lol

[aysrav]

I bought a windshield for the first time this year, wanted to have it for the winter. Made it half way through the winter and couldn't take it any more. With proper clothing it only helped a little and the look just isn't for me so I took it off. One of these days I'll have a touring bike in addition to my S50 and I'll welcome the windshield, but not now.

[cowboyup75146]

Originally Posted by aysrav

I bought a windshield for the first time this year, wanted to have it for the winter. Made it half way through the winter and couldn't take it any more. With proper clothing it only helped a little and the look just isn't for me so I took it off. One of these days I'll have a touring bike in addition to my S50 and I'll welcome the windshield, but not now.

I think you have to have the right hieght, right size. on my rs 06 has one and I really like it . Have rode with it in the summer in texas, not to hot