Windshield On or Off?

degreaser · 05-03-2016, 05:41 PM

I am thinking of removing my windshield, good idea? or bad idea. Anyone ride without a windshield and like it?

duffy · 05-03-2016, 05:44 PM

I rode without a shield for many years............after riding with shield I'll never ride without one again (unless it a dirt bike).

jtascone · 05-03-2016, 05:48 PM

I tried it one time. Couldn't wait to get back home and put it back on. JMO.

recumbentbob · 05-03-2016, 05:53 PM

Windshield ON

Tortuga · 05-03-2016, 06:06 PM

It doesn't matter what others think. It's up to you. I don't like it on but with the swarms of bees and other bugs that seem to hit like rocks, I'll keep it on. You haven't lived till you drive into a swarm of killer bees. You'll wish you had a suit of armor on.

**JD Hog** · 05-03-2016, 06:08 PM

All of my experience has been with a windshield except for an 1800 VTX that was given to me. It had no windshield but I did put a small after market one on it right away.

I will always go with the windshield for my choice.

VulcanE · 05-03-2016, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tortuga

It doesn't matter what others think. It's up to you. I don't like it on but with the swarms of bees and other bugs that seem to hit like rocks, I'll keep it on. You haven't lived till you drive into a swarm of killer bees. You'll wish you had a suit of armor on.

Been there done that..................... I don't think they were "killer bees", but I did ride thru a swarm of honey bees............ almost laid the bike down getting it stopped, and I'm standing on the side of the road jerking my cloths off, and getting stung all the while.
I don't know if not having a windshield would have made any difference.

**Top Cat** · 05-03-2016, 06:23 PM

I have had about 10 bikes and the only one that didn't have a windshield was my 250 BSA back in the sixty's.
I even had one on my 90cc Bridgstone, the first bike I ever owned

I can't stand riding without one.

**MAS Tequila** · 05-03-2016, 07:14 PM

We all appreciate the comfort provided by the windshield.

I can remember how tiring riding was without one, way back when.

MT

Tortuga · 05-03-2016, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VulcanE

Been there done that..................... I don't think they were "killer bees", but I did ride thru a swarm of honey bees............ almost laid the bike down getting it stopped, and I'm standing on the side of the road jerking my cloths off, and getting stung all the while.
I don't know if not having a windshield would have made any difference.

Trust me, a windshield makes a heck of a difference. Here in AZ they seem to swarm looking for a new home at about shield height. If you're really quick you can duck enough that most, not all, miss you. If your shirt or jacket is loose....well, you too will bee dancing on the side of the road. My wife has hit two swarms in the truck thus far this spring and you could almost not see through the windshield. And, I've encountered one on the bike (OUCH!) and one in the truck. A friend on a bike got hit pretty bad, but was able to stop quickly. The bees turned and went after him. He got a couple stings on his neck and back but out ran them. They are not your average honey bee from a Walt Disney cartoon out here. A shield can help for sure....

**Top Cat** · 05-03-2016, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tortuga

Trust me, a windshield makes a heck of a difference. Here in AZ they seem to swarm looking for a new home at about shield height. If you're really quick you can duck enough that most, not all, miss you. If your shirt or jacket is loose....well, you too will bee dancing on the side of the road. My wife has hit two swarms in the truck thus far this spring and you could almost not see through the windshield. And, I've encountered one on the bike (OUCH!) and one in the truck. A friend on a bike got hit pretty bad, but was able to stop quickly. The bees turned and went after him. He got a couple stings on his neck and back but out ran them. They are not your average honey bee from a Walt Disney cartoon out here. A shield can help for sure....

Great, something else to worry about on our upcoming trip to Utah and the Grand Canyon

twowheeladdict · 05-03-2016, 10:13 PM

I would rather wear a modular helmet and mesh gear in the summer heat without a windshield. Too much buffeting behind the windshield for me.

If you are not wearing a helmet and gear you better leave it on unless you are just riding around town.

I put a quick release on the Nomad, and pulled the shield that came on the meanstreak.

**Rasta** · 05-03-2016, 10:47 PM

No way will I ride with out one now if I have the choice. Test rode a Triumph Commander during out local dealers open house and it did not have a shield. Came back told them, plenty of power but wind kills you and they agreed

usranger74 · 05-03-2016, 10:54 PM

After a ridding for a while I look at my windshield and I know I don't want those bugs in my teeth. Also, if you tour a lot you are going to run into rain. The windshield will keep a lot of rain off you.

**cnc** · 05-03-2016, 11:45 PM

Biggest thing you will notice is the wind pressure on your chest at highway speeds. At the end of the day you will feel much more tired without the sheild.

05-03-2016, 05:41 PM	#1
degreaser Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Canada Posts: 614	Windshield On or Off? I am thinking of removing my windshield, good idea? or bad idea. Anyone ride without a windshield and like it? __________________ 04 1500 sold, got an 800 now Atlantic Canada Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-03-2016, 05:53 PM	#4
recumbentbob Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Newburgh IN Posts: 3,404	Windshield ON __________________ VBA #01084 "A well regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the People to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."
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05-03-2016, 06:06 PM	#5
Tortuga Advanced Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Sahuarita, AZ Posts: 562	It doesn't matter what others think. It's up to you. I don't like it on but with the swarms of bees and other bugs that seem to hit like rocks, I'll keep it on. You haven't lived till you drive into a swarm of killer bees. You'll wish you had a suit of armor on. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-03-2016, 06:08 PM	#6
JD Hog Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Placerville, CA Posts: 2,959	All of my experience has been with a windshield except for an 1800 VTX that was given to me. It had no windshield but I did put a small after market one on it right away. I will always go with the windshield for my choice. __________________ Jim Diebolt 2015 Vulcan 1700 Voyager ABS The Black Kaw 2005 Vulcan Nomad Sold 2006 Honda 1800 VTX (Freebie) Sold 2008 Harley Ultra Classic Sold 2001 Harley Ultra Classic Sold Hangtown, Kalifornia VBA #2625
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05-03-2016, 06:23 PM	#8
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	I have had about 10 bikes and the only one that didn't have a windshield was my 250 BSA back in the sixty's. I even had one on my 90cc Bridgstone, the first bike I ever owned I can't stand riding without one. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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05-03-2016, 05:44 PM	#2
duffy Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hot Springs, SD and other warm and dry places Posts: 1,043	I rode without a shield for many years............after riding with shield I'll never ride without one again (unless it a dirt bike).
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05-03-2016, 05:48 PM	#3
jtascone Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 282	I tried it one time. Couldn't wait to get back home and put it back on. JMO.
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05-03-2016, 07:14 PM	#9
MAS Tequila Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Psychiatric Ward FL Posts: 3,429	We all appreciate the comfort provided by the windshield. I can remember how tiring riding was without one, way back when. MT __________________ MT 2016 FLHP Psychiatric Ward FL VBA 936
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05-03-2016, 10:13 PM	#12
twowheeladdict Advanced Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Middle Tennessee Posts: 616	I would rather wear a modular helmet and mesh gear in the summer heat without a windshield. Too much buffeting behind the windshield for me. If you are not wearing a helmet and gear you better leave it on unless you are just riding around town. I put a quick release on the Nomad, and pulled the shield that came on the meanstreak. __________________ 2010 Vulcan Voyager, 2007 Vulcan Mean Streak, 2009 Vulcan Nomad
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05-03-2016, 10:47 PM	#13
Rasta Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Ankeny Iowa Posts: 3,697	No way will I ride with out one now if I have the choice. Test rode a Triumph Commander during out local dealers open house and it did not have a shield. Came back told them, plenty of power but wind kills you and they agreed __________________ VROC#34321 VBA#01867 2012 NCR Rally Savanna. IL. 2013 National Rally Estes Park, CO 2014 NC/SC Rally in the Ozarks, Mountain View AR 2014 NE US/Eastern Canada Rally,Lincoln NH 2015 VBA/VRA Eureka Springs AR 2015 Antlers Rally, Antlers OK. 2016 SCR Rally Salem MO. 2016 NCR Rally Hillsboro WI 2017 Eureka Springs AR 2017 National Rally Lake George NY 2004 Blue and Silver 1500 Nomad(RIP 9-26-19) 2000 Red and Silver 1500 Nomad 2012 Pearl White 1700 Voyager
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05-03-2016, 10:54 PM	#14
usranger74 Sr. Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: La Vista, NE Posts: 4,060	After a ridding for a while I look at my windshield and I know I don't want those bugs in my teeth. Also, if you tour a lot you are going to run into rain. The windshield will keep a lot of rain off you. __________________ Bill (usranger74) Blake 2016 Goldwing VBA # 1505 Last edited by usranger74; 05-04-2016 at 10:43 AM.
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05-03-2016, 11:45 PM	#15
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	Biggest thing you will notice is the wind pressure on your chest at highway speeds. At the end of the day you will feel much more tired without the sheild. __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136
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