too windy at 50mph plus, add windsheild?
Banned
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 7
From: Southwest Florida
I love riding my Super Glide w/o a winshield, but I find that a backrest really helps me to hold up at higher speeds. I have ridden up to 90 with no problem. It gives me a sold feel when the wind is pushing back on me. I am getting a qr tourinng shield for winter rides to extend my riding season. i also use a full face helmet that really helps, otherwise my eyes water so badly i have a hard time seeing at times.
They rule. No watering, no dry eye. No fogging (yet). Good ventilation. Like behind a car windshield, eye-wise.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,919
Likes: 23
From: Seattle, WA
To all you guys suggesting man up and go sans windshield to keep your bike looking pretty, please let me know when you are going to ride by so I can gaze in admiration of how cool you look! Make sure you got no shirt on, a old scrufty leather vest that accents your skull and dagger tattoos 
Make sure there is no polish on your engineers boots and that the oil on your Levi's is at least 1/8th inch thick. Arch your back a tad and look loose in the saddle as you scream by me with a weed hanging out of your mouth. If your pony tail don't trail in the wind behind your helmet then don't bother gracing my street with your presence! I'm looking to only see the tough guys.
Make sure there is no polish on your engineers boots and that the oil on your Levi's is at least 1/8th inch thick. Arch your back a tad and look loose in the saddle as you scream by me with a weed hanging out of your mouth. If your pony tail don't trail in the wind behind your helmet then don't bother gracing my street with your presence! I'm looking to only see the tough guys.Good comeback
if i was in the US and i had the weather a lot of you guys had i would defintely ride without a shield, the warm air i dont mind if its 80mph plus tryna blow me off the bike. but over here in england, doin a 5 hour ride to the other end of the country in cold weather, then a 3 hour tattoo session and straight back on the bike 5 hours in the rain n dark, im considering a windshield.
the full face i couldnt do without it on this trip, but i never expected the wind and rain to **** me off so much, felt like my fingers tightened up, my back ached, and my right leg blew just enough back to be uncomfortable and pull a muscle in my groin.
im only 25, in the prime of my youth, and i take the **** out of my dad for fitting his harley with big foglights, saddlebags, hand warming grips, and all the seemingly ***** things that "take the spirit of riding out of the bike", but needs must, and if you dont enjoy ur ride, whats the point in having a harley.
Ive just ordered saddlebags, im looking into getting a screen, and ive just rigged up a satnav plug and waterproof bar bag for it to go in. this is my only transport and for riding 10 hours in the wind n rain on my harley, instead of hiring a crappy car to ***** out n be warm n safe as i go there, im awarding myself a "hardcore biker" medal.
customisation means to tailor to your needs, not just to paint flames n add as much chrome as possible. if it lets you ride happier, do it
the full face i couldnt do without it on this trip, but i never expected the wind and rain to **** me off so much, felt like my fingers tightened up, my back ached, and my right leg blew just enough back to be uncomfortable and pull a muscle in my groin.
im only 25, in the prime of my youth, and i take the **** out of my dad for fitting his harley with big foglights, saddlebags, hand warming grips, and all the seemingly ***** things that "take the spirit of riding out of the bike", but needs must, and if you dont enjoy ur ride, whats the point in having a harley.
Ive just ordered saddlebags, im looking into getting a screen, and ive just rigged up a satnav plug and waterproof bar bag for it to go in. this is my only transport and for riding 10 hours in the wind n rain on my harley, instead of hiring a crappy car to ***** out n be warm n safe as i go there, im awarding myself a "hardcore biker" medal.
customisation means to tailor to your needs, not just to paint flames n add as much chrome as possible. if it lets you ride happier, do it
* * *
I used to get a ration of **** for putting a fairing and lower fairing on my bike ...
but, it is all quick detach ... strips down to this in just a few minutes ...
This past spring when I first stripped it down, it was a refreshing feeling to ride with the wind in my face (I am required to wear a DOT approved helmet, so sport a Fulmer skid lid) .... I don't mind riding an hour or more at highway speeds with no windshield ... but it does suck getting pelted with rain drops or debris that gets kicked up by traffic ....
There are trade offs, use a shield if you want ... just be prepared to be roasted on your next thread asking about how to counter the buffeting ... LoL
Enjoy your bike ... windshield or not ....
R/
'Chop
p.s. I also highly recommend ear plugs if you're using a half helmet ...
Last edited by SURFOR Chop; Aug 2, 2010 at 05:37 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 11,483
Likes: 39
From: Passaic County, NJ
Ok...I've seen this response on at least 3 different threads this morning. WTF...
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...ml#post7219630
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...ml#post7219635
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...ml#post7219629
Last edited by SC-Longhair; Aug 31, 2010 at 06:41 AM.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 449
Likes: 1
From: The Mohawk Trail
Ok...I've seen this response on at least 3 different threads this morning. WTF...
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...ml#post7219630
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...ml#post7219635
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...ml#post7219629
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...ml#post7219630
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...ml#post7219635
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/dyna-...ml#post7219629
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 609
Likes: 3
Been riding for 37 years. Never had a windshield, never will. Been hit by birds, rocks, large insects, cigarette packs... it's no big deal. It's just part of "it".
It's not a "man" thing; it's not a "*****" thing: I just love being in the wind.
I do take care of my eyes, though. The older you get, the more prone your corneas are to drying out. My glasses have foam inserts that keep the wind from swirling behind the lenses.
It's not a "man" thing; it's not a "*****" thing: I just love being in the wind.
I do take care of my eyes, though. The older you get, the more prone your corneas are to drying out. My glasses have foam inserts that keep the wind from swirling behind the lenses.
Stage IV
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Just went thru the same debate and decisions here. I ride in Northern Canada where the bugs are insane, even on a hot sunny day. Bought a QD windshield for the longer highway rides. Don't like the looks, hate looking thru it, but it serves its purpose and I will use it when I need to. Still prefer the open air experience in general for sure. One thing I highly recommend and was touched on earlier by Rounder. Try some good earplugs! I actually bought some custom plugs made specifically for wind noise reduction. They are very small and do not protrude out of your ear at all. My first ride with them (no windshield) was SHOCKING. The difference was amazing. Hard to believe that it can make that much difference. The plugs I got have a filter in them to allow normal conversation thru so you can hear, you can talk at a light, etc. but the wind noise is zero. The big plus here is that surprisingly by taking out the wind noise element and the mental fatigue and stress it causes the wind pressure itself didn't seem nearly as bad. In fact the ride was much more relaxing. I have used the windshield as well on big bug days and with both its almost too nice, altho I still don't really like the windshield.
Do yourself a favor and try the plugs, it really does make a big difference.
Cheers.
Do yourself a favor and try the plugs, it really does make a big difference.
Cheers.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Tennessee
If you do decide to go with a windshield take a look at Windvest windshields. Low profile, extremely thick and it only takes about 2 minutes to take it off or put it on. I slap on a 14" windvest when I am on long rides and love it. Just enough to take the wind off of your chest and does not get in your line of sight.
Road Master
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 846
Likes: 0
Just went thru the same debate and decisions here. I ride in Northern Canada where the bugs are insane, even on a hot sunny day. Bought a QD windshield for the longer highway rides. Don't like the looks, hate looking thru it, but it serves its purpose and I will use it when I need to. Still prefer the open air experience in general for sure. One thing I highly recommend and was touched on earlier by Rounder. Try some good earplugs! I actually bought some custom plugs made specifically for wind noise reduction. They are very small and do not protrude out of your ear at all. My first ride with them (no windshield) was SHOCKING. The difference was amazing. Hard to believe that it can make that much difference. The plugs I got have a filter in them to allow normal conversation thru so you can hear, you can talk at a light, etc. but the wind noise is zero. The big plus here is that surprisingly by taking out the wind noise element and the mental fatigue and stress it causes the wind pressure itself didn't seem nearly as bad. In fact the ride was much more relaxing. I have used the windshield as well on big bug days and with both its almost too nice, altho I still don't really like the windshield.
Do yourself a favor and try the plugs, it really does make a big difference.
Cheers.
Do yourself a favor and try the plugs, it really does make a big difference.
Cheers.
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Stage IV
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 4
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