I just bought a new 2011 sportster custom in black. Will adding a windshield substantially decrease the wind I feel, or is itva waste of money and just jack up the look of the bike?

 

The windshield will make your riding comfort a lot better. If you are more of an around town driver, you probably don't need a windshield. If you put lots of miles on the bike, it would be worth it, along with a nice seat, to increase your comfort.

 

I use my HD clip on on long out of town trips and it makes riding so much fun. No bugs on my visor, no rain or water on my visor and no hanging onto my bars for dear life. The only sound I can hear is the whisper of the wind over the shield and the engine doing its work. no wind noise from my helmet.

 

Well said Guys,,,

 

I've been hit many, many times by pebbles and rocks, twice by soft drink cups with ice in them thrown from passing vehicles, once by a still smoldering cigarette butt that went down the front of my jacket, once by a bee that got inside my helmet still alive, and once by a bird. The bird hurt. It got me in the left shoulder at Interstate speed, beak on. Lord only knows how many large, fat bugs lost their lives for the cause.

Windshields are the way to go, along with a full face shield or at least goggles for eye protection.

 

Yes they make all the diffrence.

 

Wind shields usually make the bikes feel better and look worse.

 

I'm in the clip on for longer trip crowd. Just recently I ended up behind a gravel truck (untarped) Was nice to have something to duck behind while having to pass him.

 

I have an HD clip on shield that came with the bike when I bought it. I took it off when I changed to 16" apes. I honestly dont care about the wind hitting me at speed. I wear earplugs on the interstate to reduce noise but the wind pushing on me doesnt bother me too much. I will say that a bandana over the face helps with rain, sand, and bugs but I just dont like the look of a shield on my bike. Like was said above, I got smacked dead center of the chest by a bird at about 70 mph, felt like a baseball. Anyway, it may make a long ride more comfortable, but I just dont like the look of them. To each his own. I plan on putting my shield, stock 1200C seat, and other stock parts on ebay unless anybody here is interested in them.

 

It'll jack-up the looks of your bike.
Windshields are for cars. I've been hit by pebbles, rocks, sticks, bugs, bees and a bird, too. Yes, the bird hurt. So did alot of other pieces of whatever. I just don't care for the looks of a windshield. For me, it takes part of the experience away. Obviously, others like 'em. They pay for their bikes and I paid for mine.