Riding without windshield
#21
06-05-2013, 12:57 PM
Stellar HDF Member
Almost all of my bikes after graduating form dirt bikes have had windshields.
I bought a 2013 Heritage Classic and I Love the look of the bike without the shield, I also like the feel of the bike looking out at the open road without the shield blocking me.
I like riding with the windshield, especially when I will be doing a lot of highway riding, or riding at night and the bugs are bad.
When I have taken the windshield off I have had two problems:
1. Way to much wind in my eyes, so I have ordered a pair of WileyX glasses which should help with that.
2. Wind noise is just to much, very uncomfortable and I do not want to loose my hearing.
As far as the wind noise I do have ear plugs which help tons, but I have to remember to put them in!
Any advice from those who have been riding al-la-natural for a while?
I bought a 2013 Heritage Classic and I Love the look of the bike without the shield, I also like the feel of the bike looking out at the open road without the shield blocking me.
I like riding with the windshield, especially when I will be doing a lot of highway riding, or riding at night and the bugs are bad.
When I have taken the windshield off I have had two problems:
1. Way to much wind in my eyes, so I have ordered a pair of WileyX glasses which should help with that.
2. Wind noise is just to much, very uncomfortable and I do not want to loose my hearing.
As far as the wind noise I do have ear plugs which help tons, but I have to remember to put them in!
Any advice from those who have been riding al-la-natural for a while?
2. Fullface Helmet with earplugs.
If you dont like 1 or 2 then freaking deal with it.
Putting a windshield on creates buffeting no matter what. unless you are enclosed like a goldwing.
I have a Roadglide and when I went to the dealer and rode an 883 the noise basically disappeared. The difference was having a windshield and no windshield. But I also wear a FF helmet.
#22
06-05-2013, 01:24 PM
I rented a Road King about a month ago in CA for a trip up the Pacific Coast Highway LA to San Francisco and back. They threw this tall windshield on that was scratched and I said take it off and did 1,500 miles in 5 days without it.
Along the ocean with 50 mph head winds I got one hell of a workout LOL.
Looking forward to see what works best for me on my Heritage!
Along the ocean with 50 mph head winds I got one hell of a workout LOL.
Looking forward to see what works best for me on my Heritage!
#23
06-05-2013, 02:59 PM
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Not long ago I took the Memphis Shades fairing off as it was such a nice day. The wind liked to rip my helmet of so went back home and put the fairing back on. Used to like riding without a shield but guess I am getting older and not as tolerant.
#24
06-05-2013, 03:53 PM
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Dave
#25
06-05-2013, 04:26 PM
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I've never had a windshield on any of my bikes. Can't stand trying to look through them at night or in the rain or always having to clean the bugs off to be able to see, and it seems I'm one of the minority around here but I actually *like* the wind in my face - no matter what speed or distance I'm going. The bugs nor the rain nor the sleet bother me (I've ridden in hail but it wasn't fun and try to stop if it happens to come up on me now).
I've *always* worn a half-helmet and earplugs too...seems again I'm in the minority around here because I don't give a rats butt what people think about what I look like, what I wear or don't wear, etc.
My eyes have always had the problem that even a fly fart can make them water, so I've always worn whatever works best at the time to keep 90% of the wind out of them. Nowadays I use a good pair of Halcyon goggles from here http://classicpartsltd.com
I have a set of clear and dark *glass* lenses for my goggles. They're comfortable as hell, keep the wind and most of the rain out and simply do the job I need done.
Either way, no one has enough money to get me to put a windshield on my bike...plus, many of the bugs aren't too bad tasting (the lady bugs suck though and they stink).
I've *always* worn a half-helmet and earplugs too...seems again I'm in the minority around here because I don't give a rats butt what people think about what I look like, what I wear or don't wear, etc.
My eyes have always had the problem that even a fly fart can make them water, so I've always worn whatever works best at the time to keep 90% of the wind out of them. Nowadays I use a good pair of Halcyon goggles from here http://classicpartsltd.com
I have a set of clear and dark *glass* lenses for my goggles. They're comfortable as hell, keep the wind and most of the rain out and simply do the job I need done.
Either way, no one has enough money to get me to put a windshield on my bike...plus, many of the bugs aren't too bad tasting (the lady bugs suck though and they stink).
#27
06-05-2013, 05:28 PM
Cruiser
I've been riding since I was 16 and have had no windshields, clear windshields, a plastic handlebar fairing on a Honda CB350 and one with a frame mounted monster that looked like hell (white fairing on a burgundy bike).
Every bike had good and bad points concerning the windshield or lack of.
The Harley however, has a DETACHABLE windshield which let's me choose when to use it. That's what I would recommend if you not sure how you want to ride.
As for noise, bugs and watery eyes, live with them or wear a FF . It can keep your chin pretty too.
Stay safe.
Every bike had good and bad points concerning the windshield or lack of.
The Harley however, has a DETACHABLE windshield which let's me choose when to use it. That's what I would recommend if you not sure how you want to ride.
As for noise, bugs and watery eyes, live with them or wear a FF . It can keep your chin pretty too.
Stay safe.
#28
06-05-2013, 07:24 PM
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I use to take my windshield off thinking how cool it looked... I would make it a few miles down the road and think man i am getting to be such a puss...I now have a batwing and most likely will never take it off...on the same note I think I will sell my road king windshield hardware with a 19" smoked LRS on it if any takers....
#29
06-05-2013, 07:41 PM
BS! "Putting a windshield on creates buffeting no matter what. unless you are enclosed like a goldwing. "
I have a detachable windshield on my bike and it creates absolutely no buffeting. I only use it for long distance riding now, since I started wearing a full face helmet. I originally got the FF just for cold weather riding, but I like it so much that I wear it 90% of the time.
I have a detachable windshield on my bike and it creates absolutely no buffeting. I only use it for long distance riding now, since I started wearing a full face helmet. I originally got the FF just for cold weather riding, but I like it so much that I wear it 90% of the time.
#30
06-05-2013, 07:41 PM
Has any of the windshield brands ever done a wind tunnel test where they put the smoke in the slip stream to show where the slipstream goes? Pictures of that would be great to illustrate the airflow, buffeting, etc...
I have a QD windshield that I am on the fence about taking 1-1/2" off because it seems a little too high, but it acts differently with different helmets so I am hesitant to take a saw to it just yet. My thought is that a if a batwing and small windshield on top work as well as I keep reading here and they are A LOT lower than my windshield, I should be OK. I just don't want to make a $300 mistake and have to buy a new windshield.
FWIW. Cold weather and lots of highway I put it on. Otherwise it's off.
I have a QD windshield that I am on the fence about taking 1-1/2" off because it seems a little too high, but it acts differently with different helmets so I am hesitant to take a saw to it just yet. My thought is that a if a batwing and small windshield on top work as well as I keep reading here and they are A LOT lower than my windshield, I should be OK. I just don't want to make a $300 mistake and have to buy a new windshield.
FWIW. Cold weather and lots of highway I put it on. Otherwise it's off.