To shield or not to shield?

[Scruffy]

I hate windshields. I have a bad back. I put a small shield back on it tonight. At least I can ride somewhat less painfully now. So much for 50+ mpg...
-Scruffy

[Wicked96SS]

My bike came with a windshield, but I took it off before I did any major riding whatsoever, for looks alone. Since this is my first motorcycle, and I don't know any better, I don't really feel the need for a windshield yet, but it is nice to know I have one if I want to put it back on. Granted, the longest trip I have taken on it has been 100 miles so far, with lots of highway speeds, it didn't bother me all that much. I wear a full face helmet, and am a large person, not sure if they have anything to do with it.

[uechi kid]

Which windshield did you order?

[jukief]

I can't ride without a windshield. And I actually like the way they look on big cruisers. They're a pain to keep clean--until you remember that all those bugs would be on YOU if you didn't have the shield.

[vulcancgc]

I have an 800B and have ridden without a shield for 2 years. I just got back from a trip from MN to CO. I resisted getting a windshield because I'm not a big fan of the look. After the first few hundred miles on the freeway at speeds of 75-80 mph I was wishing I'd gotten one for the trip. My personal opinion... Good for long, high-speed trips, but I haven't really felt the need for one around town or for shorter rides.

[VulcanRev]

Yes, the difference is huge! Got my 900LT and decided It would look a lot "cooler" w/o the shield - it did - rode it 1 block and turned around to get ear plugs to cancel out the wind noise, got another block and caught a few bugs in the neck, and just the force of the wind in my chest I can imagine after a long ride would be exausting for me. I got home from work and the shield went back on and there it will stay, looks or not. I may be missing some of the "experience" but I'm older and a little lazier than a few years back and want an easy ride - when I get off the bike after the first 200, I still feel like going another 200+.
I guess to ride w/o a shield I now need to get a meanie!

[Scruffy]

Rev, where in Puyallup are you? I just moved from there to Buckley. Swing by my shop this weekend if you are around... I'm with, um, Bent, um, well, you know. On Auburn Way. I'm the guy that looks like Manson on a bender.
-Scruffy (sometimes known as Jeff, but I never answer to it)

[VulcanRev]

Scruffy-I'm out in what used to be the "sticks" 10 years ago between Puy & Graham. I am down that way a lot - will stop in next time...

[Airgunner]

Here is an update since I started this thread. I got the new windshield on Monday and installed it on Tuesday morning. It is a slipstreamer that I got on Ebay. Since I wear a full face helmet, I didn't really need it for bug protection. I wanted it for the wind and although it keeps the wind from hitting me in the chest, it does not eliminate the wind totally. I do feel the wind whipping at my sides and since it is 16 inches above the headlight and I look over it instead of through it, I feel a little wind whipping at my helmet too. Overall, I think that I will keep it on the bike. I like the look of it and I also think that it will help to keep me warm when the temp drops down near 40 degrees.

[lynchpad]

Originally Posted by jukief

I can't ride without a windshield. And I actually like the way they look on big cruisers. They're a pain to keep clean--until you remember that all those bugs would be on YOU if you didn't have the shield.

I agree 100%. I guess it's personal taste, but I like the winshield and my days of snarffing down junebugs at 1oo km/h are long gone . Since it gets cold sooner than down south up here (mornings are already quite fresh ) it's more comfortable with shield.

[troop]

Just get a quick detach shield. You can go back/forth in seconds...