If you are going to do lots of highway travel,I'd leave it on.

 

11 hours on the higway with it feels like 1 hour without it. You decide.
Have ridden in cross winds of 40+ and it becomes an issue if the wind hits it just right. But, measure the effects of that wind against your unprotected torso and the shield is worth it.
Take it off when you get to where you're going if you plan to stay a while.

 

+1

 

Sometimes I have to duck down over my tank and put my feet on the back pegs without my windshield to avoid high wind impact. Does anyone else do that?

I do prefer the look and the ride with it off but I must admit it is much more comfortable withit on.

 

I've done long trips in the past (before I knew any better) on my Sportster with no windshield. I would strap my sleeping bag to the handlebars and it kind of worked like a fairing and helped somewhat. Now that I have a Road King with a batwing fairing I can't imagine riding far without a windshield or fairing!

 

i would leave it off. i am planning a weeklong trip this summer, too, and putting a windshield on hasn't even crossed my mind

 

For long hauls you can't beat a windscreen. After a few hours on the road, wind pounding, a half-pound of bugs, then some road crud, you will appreciate it.

 

I always ride with my windshield on especially after a big black bird sacrificed his life when he hit my windshield at 70 MPH, that would have hurt if it was me and not the windshield.

 

I do the same thing, especially when there is a strong headwind. I also do it to shift my weight when riding any long distances on my little seat. I find it makes a noticeable difference to have something tied to the bars such as a jacket, sleeping bag, or other bag that sticks up over the trees. It doesn't keep the wind off your face, but it does keep you from taking it as hard on the chest. Over the course of several hundred miles, it'll make a real difference.

I'd say the answer to your question depends on how far you will be riding each day andwhatwind andweather conditions are where you'll be.

 

Just finished a trip where we covered 300+ miles a day. One of the riders was on a Dyna without a shield. At the end of each day he was beat up from the wind. If you're riding at 35 mph then it's not as big a deal, but at 60+ mph you'll really appreciate the shield after 5 ot 6 hours in the saddle.