[Toxicity]

I thought that my bike would look really cool with the windshield off. So I took it off and boy did it look awesome! Then the next day I took my wife into town which takes 1½ hours. That wind was pushing me so hard at 70mph it felt like I was holding on for dear life. On the way back I slowed to a nice cruising speed of about 55-60mph. The next day decided to be in the 50's and I had to get to work. Now... Lets just say I'm happy to have had the experience.

 

[Suze711]

I HATE the look of a windscreen. But, I have a quick release Memphis Shades that I keep nice & neat in it's box. When I take a trip, I fling it on. That parashooting while you ride will wear you out!

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

AH, the never-ending, adolescent desire/determination to LOOK cool - at ANY price!

AS a more realistic old coot, no longer ABLE to "look cool", I have to settle for the far more realistic NEED to be PRACTICAL, instead!

Check out my bike in the pic over there at the left...

 

[rstnick]

Also ride with a windshield.
Took it off at the beginning of a season a few years back, and after a few high speed rides, on it went again.
I'm converted for life.
Now I duck down a little and my bike slices through the wind.
Big trucks going the opposite dirrection, tuck down a little and I barely feel any wind blast.

 

[Baitis]

I must be getting old. I've got a small 17" detachable after repeatedly getting worn out on trips. Hate the look and don't know how I made it 40 years of riding without some kind of wind protection.

 

[Toxicity]

To be honest I really like the look of the windshield. I think it makes the bike look classie and as a wife of a friend stated "it looks like an old man's bike". So I guess it suits me and my stetson after shave well.

 

[pitchinguy]

Rode all my life w/out a shield. Wouldn't have one, didn't like the uncool geezer look, blah blah blah. I put one on my 1600 about 5 years ago, thinking some protection was better than none at all after a near 70 mph collision with a Rubbermaid trash can. The ride is so much more enjoyable I wish I'd put it on 35 yrs ago! :mrgreen:

 

[Toxicity]

Now just to figure out the right height of the windshield and I will be golden. I know it should be level with the tip of my nose but mine doesn't go that low. I know I'm not tall by any means but I'm not so short that this is uncommom. When I lower the shield to it's lowest setting I get a line in the middle of my vision from the tip of the shield. It really is annoying and not safe for my riding conditions. So I raise to the heights point and apply rain x to the shield so that water beads off.

 

[Baitis]

Most windshields can be trimmed with a jigsaw or rotozip. After some light sanding finish off the edge to make it smooth and shiny with a heat source, propane works good.

 

[86655]

Now just to figure out the right height of the windshield and I will be golden. I know it should be level with the tip of my nose but mine doesn't go that low.

I have heard a lot of guys say that but it has NEVER worked for me......with lots of bikes and several different styles of shields over a LOT of years. To get the air deflected OVER the top of my helmet I have always had to put the top of the shield about mid-forehead lever. Regardless of the angle of the shield, the air is only deflected about 4 inches at speed, and if set at nose level, the air tries to rip my helmet off......and deflects bugs and stuff right into my eyes.

 

[johnathon amos]

I used to ride w/out a windshield, but when i put one on the bike ,i never looked back. makes for a more enjoyable ride . no more parachuting.

 

[T Gibbs]

Now just to figure out the right height of the windshield and I will be golden. I know it should be level with the tip of my nose but mine doesn't go that low. I know I'm not tall by any means but I'm not so short that this is uncommom. When I lower the shield to it's lowest setting I get a line in the middle of my vision from the tip of the shield. It really is annoying and not safe for my riding conditions. So I raise to the heights point and apply rain x to the shield so that water beads off.

I don't think I'd apply Rain X to my windshield. The instructions that came with mine say "if it's made for glass, do not use it on plastic". A leather shop here sells a product to put on your windshield that says it keeps bugs and stuff from sticking to it, so I'd assume it would shed the water.

 

[Toxicity]

T Gibbs next time you go into that leather shop would you mind getting the name of that product? I would really appreciate that.

 

[86655]

A leather shop here sells a product to put on your windshield that says it keeps bugs and stuff from sticking to it, so I'd assume it would shed the water.

There is, I believe, a RainX product made specifically for plastic bike shields......but I don't think it is widely available.

The spray cleaner/polish in a black can works good for paint, chrome and plastic shields.
It should be available in all bike shops, sometimes under Honda or Kaw....and sometimes just a generic label.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

I don't think I'd apply Rain X to my windshield. The instructions that came with mine say "if it's made for glass, do not use it on plastic". A leather shop here sells a product to put on your windshield that says it keeps bugs and stuff from sticking to it, so I'd assume it would shed the water.

I guess ignorance IS bliss - I've used RainX on my Plexiglass windshield with excellent results, and also plastic preservers - no ill effects so far - maybe "Plexiglass" is different from plain plastic?

 

[pitchinguy]

I've heard many times Rain X is bad for plastic shields but have never tried it so I have no 1st hand proof. So I Googled & there are bunches of negative experiences that are not always immediate.

Found this caution on the RainX site: "Avoid using Rain‑X® Original Glass Treatment on any plastic surfaces, including motorcycle windshields, ATVs and solar panels."

This is the only RainX product I saw that advertises for use on plastic & it's just a cleaner & not a treatment: Rain‑X® X-treme Clean™
RENEWS GLASS AND PLASTIC

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

HMMmmmm - guess I'll hafta eliminate RainX from my bike maintenance supplies!

 

[Steammaker]

T Gibbs next time you go into that leather shop would you mind getting the name of that product? I would really appreciate that.

Just get some "Lemon Pledge" its the same feeling as the windshield. You'll wish you'd started using it 25yrs. ago.....
I swear by the stuff, windshield, tins, chrome & leather it works GF8 on all of em...

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

YUP - as I stated earlier, I've used the RainX stuff on my windshield with no observable issues, but mostly have been using the highly recommended Lemon Pledge - the stuff works great on everything on the bike but the tires - shucks, might even be good on them too!

 

[Toxicity]

Well I guess I won't be using RainX anymore. However, I started using this can called Ezdetailer. My wife picked it up at Sams years back and I never used it. Turns out this stuff is awesome! It even removed the fresh tar Bay City desided to lay just days after I bougth my bike.

Oh and I love pledge! I think I'd spray some on the windshield just so I can smell the fresh lemon scent as I cruise around.

Link to that Ezdetailer stuff is right here: EZ Detailer Carnauba Wax (6 cans) FREE DOMESTIC SHIPPING!