It seems to me that it would depend on where one is riding. If you eschew the Interstate, as I and most of my friends do, as we are recreational riders, then a windshield is an unnecessary abomination. If however you don't mind fighting the semi's and are merely in a hurry to get from point A to points B , C and possibly D, then by all mean put the ugly things on ridein relative comfort and safety.
So, you see we may have two classes of riders. Those that like to get somewhere and get there as quickly as possible (working stiffs for instance), and those that like to take the scenic route and enjoy the journey and are in no particular hurry to arrive at their destination.
I do, I must admit, have a very few friends who ride like I do, for the pure pleasure of getting out in the country, but also have detachable windshields that remain attached. I am very careful not to call them wimps and sissies, least I appear contentious.
Marsh
Please take the above with a sense of humor.

 

Upside of having the windshield is protection from bugs, and debris... downside is, you'll be able to hear your significant other.

 

and lets not forget those nice grain trucks full of corn..feels like you are in a sandblaster when you come up behind of of those things [:'(]

 

Okay, you da man. Not many of us could go real far on your ride. What's the most you have ridden that bad-*** bike in one day?

 

I like the windshield because it is less taxing on me over the long ride. I also feel would like to see the bugs on the screen verses my face

 

I've been riding bikes with a windshield ever since the early 80's. I found that it cut down on fatigue big time on those long rides. I also loved to ride on summer nights alot in my youth, but along with the sultry evening rides came a s**tload of bugs. Man, some of those June Bugs felt like .45 cal slugs, not to mention the funny decorating job they did on me. The only bike I will not mount a windshield on is a dirt bike.
Bottom line, I enjoy riding alot more with a shield. Safety was never my motivation, although I suppose that is a fringe benefit.

 

Don't have many miles on the Heritage yet, but on my old vstar the fuel milage dropped quite a bit when I took the shield off.

I prefer no windshield mostly (looks, breeze, no buffeting), but can't deny the benefits. Looking forward to this season and the quick-detach option.

Damnit Marsh, I can't stop lookin at that bike of yours. Love it. Where did you get the seat?

 

I bought a second stock seat off Ebay and had a local artisan recover it. That way I can still switch back to the stock black when I travel with bags and OL. He has since moved to las Vegas so we have lost a good resource. I tried to get him to do my saddle bags to match but he didn't have the equipment for the job.
Thanks for the compliment. Glad you like it.
Marsh

 

Once in my car on the freeway, a truck lug not came hurling toward my face...happened so fast, (as it had just been "pitched" from someone's tirewho'd run over it) that I ducked on instinct. The noise was incredible as it chipped my windshield which fortunately blockedthe projectile'spath dirctly toward my face.
If you spend a good deal of timesharing the hiway with other traffic, it's simply a matter of time before something gets flung at you. A windshield on your bike or a full face helmet with the visor down, it's your choice.

 

I really am 50/50 on this. I've been hit by flying debris that would have been deflected by a windshield, but being tall I tended to get buffeted around when using one - till I got a better helmet that somehow rides steadier. I like the bike and the ride either way, so I tend to decide based on the temperature.