[jackolantern22]

Was thinking of taking my windscreen off my '08 Vulcan Classic because -- as with so many of us -- I think the look would be dramatically different (and better).... but I've always had one on this bike (previous bike was an '89 Ninja 600R, so not really same kind of riding) AND I have a ~350 mile ride coming up this weekend..... after reading some of the testimonials here, I guess I should only test out the no-windshield look on a shorter day.

Thanks, as always, forum members.

 

[rbentnail]

I think you've come to the right conclusion- definitely wait for a shorter ride day to change. You'll be glad you did.

 

[inertiaman37]

Here in Alaska with out super short riding season a windshield combined with a heated vest can extends things at least until the snow falls. I put one on my W650 and it may not be sexy but I will never go back.

 

[zardoz]

I've owned 15 bikes over the years and FINALLY put a windshield on one last spring. All I can tell you is that I will NEVER ride without one again! Of course the design of the bike is the ultimate determining factor in the size and design of a shield. Presently I'm riding an old 83 GN400 with what looks like a vintage "batwing" full fairing, I took a gamble that it would fit on my old bike and it worked out perfectly (not much of a gamble at only 50 bucks). Next summer I'm hoping to be riding my newest build, it's a 1987 Honda CBX250... if all goes well it will be a board tracker next summer. I'm aiming for a "steam punk" look but would still like at least a small windshield to deflect some of the wind blast.

For me at least... a windshield is a MUST HAVE

z

 

[Quiz Kidd]

Well...never had a windshield, never wanted a windshield...years spent building choppers tilted me toward custom-building my V-twins to ride lower, handle tighter roads and stop faster them my earlier racked-and-stretched rides...they were great on highways and long roads with little twisting...

So when considering a return to bikes last year the Mean Streak caught my attention...low, nimble, huge brakes...it needed a better seat, natch, and the Corbin Rumble Seat let me preserve the low-and-solo look I liked but provided a better ride for the Bride...but also wanted something up front resembling the smallish fairings of cafe' racers...

The Bride came through for my birthday with the National Cycles FlyScreen that adorns the Streak today...small -- it just hugs the headlight and shields the instrument cluster -- but effective in cutting down the turbulence and hammering of 70, 80, even 115 mph...

Plus...think it looks cool on the Streak...not an every-bike accessory, but ideal for this bike and me...doesn't make the bike look like it should be ridden by someone my age (old-fart qualified since 2012!)...with luck playing hookey and going riding is on today's dance card...

 

[123vulcan2]

try lemon pledge, i've used it for years, it cleans great and smells good too!

 

[RoadRunner322]

Another uncool old fart here. I love my Plexifairing III windshield on my ZN700. The wind buffeting around my helmet is less and it's much warmer in the cool weather riding. Not to mention the rain protection it provides.

 

[dutchman22]

Yea i have a pretty large windshield on my bike, was on there when I bought it just kinda left it on. I often wonder if the bike would look cooler without the fairing, but the storage is nice and i dont have the original headlight or signals so its going to stay the way it is.

 

[Hoyt Clagwell]

Personally I don't like windshields at all. The fewer layers of glass and plastic between me and the open air the better. I actually enjoy the feel of the wind on my face and body. I do extended week long road trips, riding 8 hours a day with no problems.

There may come a (sad) day when I feel the need for a windshield but for now I like the front end as open as possible. No fairings either. I have two '84 ZN1100s and both had windshields when I bought them. I couldn't stand looking through them so I took them off first thing. I'm not knocking anyone who prefers to have a windshield. I say do what pleases you. I just thought that this thread needed another viewpoint.

Here's my beast as it was 2 years ago.

 

[Hoyt Clagwell]

Hi, I'm not Hoyt Clagwell. I am his girlfriend. I desperately want a windshield. I am puny and get pummeled by the wind. But he converted my bike to a cafe racer and won't let me have a windshield because it would ruin the "look". (He's an ARTIST, you know.)

My bike before

My bike now

 

[Hoyt Clagwell]

 

[RoadRunner322]

Hoyt, If you live in Canada and don't use windshields or fairings, you must like the cold or just ride for a couple of months each year!

 

[Hoyt Clagwell]

Hoyt, If you live in Canada and don't use windshields or fairings, you must like the cold or just ride for a couple of months each year!

I ride any time the temperature is above 5C (that's about 42 degrees in ''really''). That's about 6 month's a year. I do wear a full face with a visor in those conditions (and long underwear) When it's warmer, I wear a 3/4 helmet with sunglasses. I also have a heavy leather jacket that has lots of venting so I can wear that until the temperature is over 25C (80 in ''really'') Leather's such a great wind block.

BTW I've been to NC a couple of times. Never on a bike. Y'all got some great roads down there. One of these days I'm gonna' do the ''Dragon''.

 

[RoadRunner322]

Everybody rides the parkway sooner or later it seems. I'm from NC and I don't know what the "Dragon" is? When I first started riding, I used a 3/4 helmet with my regular glasses. (By the way, I bought a couple of used helmets for me and my wife and the large one that fit me was a Captain America helmet. I should have kept that one.) That worked fine until I got caught in a rain shower. Man, those rain drops on the face at 55mph sting! Then I got a bubble face shield. Now, I use a full helmet but it is hot in the summer, so I'm gonna buy a 3/4 or 1/2 helmet.

 

[Hoyt Clagwell]

The ''Tail of the Dragon'' is an extremely windy stretch of road near Deal's Gap NC. It is a mecca for motorcyclists the world over. Check it out on youtube. I've never been on it myself. I've been to NC a couple of times for ''Merle Fest'', a roots music festival. I think it was near Raleigh.
Yeah that rain feels like needles being shot out of a gattling gun. Most times I wear my fullface as it can get me through almost any weather conditions in comfort. If it's over 65 degrees, I leave the visor off and have some great wrap around sunglasses. They are fitted with transitions ''Drivewear"" lenses. They go from a yellow amber colour in low light to a red/brown in medium and dark brown in full sun. They're also polarized. 'very highly recommended.
When it's really warm, I wear the 3/4 Bell 500. I try not to get caught in the rain with this helmet but I keep a leather face bandana with me in case I do.
The captain America helmet would have been great for certain occasions. I have a set of aviator goggles to wear when I want to give people something to look at.

 

[rbentnail]

It is a mecca for motorcyclists the world over.

I guess it depends on what you're used to, but it ain't all that. It's over rated and over crowded. It's a whopping 12 miles.

Like I said, it's worth doing one time if you can get there during the week but the roads going to and from it are way better. Like they say, "sometimes the floor show is better than the main event".

 

[Hoyt Clagwell]

Thanks for the info. From the research I've done I was thinking along those lines too. By looking at maps it appears that the entire area is full of potentially great twisty roads. I personally like less severe bends than the dragon has. I would do the dragon for braggin' rights and then tour the other roads in the area. I'll stay away from weekends also.

 

[RoadRunner322]

Hoyt, thanks for informing me what it was. I googled "Tail of the Dragon" and saw the photos and videos of wrecks and I don't think I will go there. The Parkway is curvy enough for me! I did hear the statement that 250,000 motorcyclists from all over the world go there each year to test their skills.

 

[Hoyt Clagwell]

Hi, I'm not Hoyt Clagwell. I am his girlfriend. I desperately want a windshield. I am puny and get pummeled by the wind. But he converted my bike to a cafe racer and won't let me have a windshield because it would ruin the "look". (He's an ARTIST, you know.)
]

Geeeez!! Look what happened after I let the girlfriend read my post. :icon_frow

At least she let me cut it down as low as I could make it.

'happy wife, happy life.

 

[zoro]

Hi, I'm not Hoyt Clagwell. I am his girlfriend. I desperately want a windshield. I am puny and get pummeled by the wind. But he converted my bike to a cafe racer and won't let me have a windshield because it would ruin the "look". (He's an ARTIST, you know.)

My bike before

My bike now

Now thats what I call a fine lookin little work of art! ...That bike aint bad either...:mrgreen: