Why are windshields uncool?
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 33
From: Acworth
RE: Why are windshields uncool?
Motorcycles are COOL the windshield just make the long rides \\;easy -er. Funny thing is almost all of the young / new riders like the custom sleek look and most of the older veterian riders are on touring bikes. Its just \\;evolution. Eitherway, bikes are COOL! \\;
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,597
Likes: 3
From: Inland Empire, So Cal
RE: Why are windshields uncool?
ORIGINAL: GuessWhoFan
It's a matter of form vs. function. \\;\\\\\\;
 \\;\\\\\\;
FORM
One of the big reasons I "upgraded" from an EG to a RK was its "convertable" nature (e.g. removable wind shield). \\;\\\\\\; \\;\\\\\\;IMHO, a RK with hard bags and no wind screen is about a beautiful as a motorcycle gets. \\;\\\\\\; \\;\\\\\\;
 \\;\\\\\\;
FUNCTION
In fact, I find myself \\;\\\\\\;leaving the wind shield on as often as not, especially when \\;\\\\\\;planning to do some extensived highway riding. \\;\\\\\\; \\;\\\\\\;I'm all for the "wind in the face" thing, but I'm also for a little more comfort since I've turned the corner on 50 years old.
 \\;\\\\\\;
 \\;\\\\\\;
It's a matter of form vs. function. \\;\\\\\\;
 \\;\\\\\\;
FORM
One of the big reasons I "upgraded" from an EG to a RK was its "convertable" nature (e.g. removable wind shield). \\;\\\\\\; \\;\\\\\\;IMHO, a RK with hard bags and no wind screen is about a beautiful as a motorcycle gets. \\;\\\\\\; \\;\\\\\\;
 \\;\\\\\\;
FUNCTION
In fact, I find myself \\;\\\\\\;leaving the wind shield on as often as not, especially when \\;\\\\\\;planning to do some extensived highway riding. \\;\\\\\\; \\;\\\\\\;I'm all for the "wind in the face" thing, but I'm also for a little more comfort since I've turned the corner on 50 years old.
 \\;\\\\\\;
 \\;\\\\\\;
+1 on that RK. \\; When I can add a 2nd bike to the garage, it will be an RK due to it's versatility and awesome looks.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 596
Likes: 39
From:
RE: Why are windshields uncool?
My softail is mainly a Boulevard bike rarely ridden above 60MPH, so no windshield. Looks better without one, and there's nothing like having the wind in your face on a hot summer evening. When I need to put some miles behind, I saddle up my RK, and there's nothing like a windshield to keep from crushing bugs with your face.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 889
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, New York
RE: Why are windshields uncool?
ORIGINAL: King FLH
My softail is mainly a Boulevard bike rarely ridden above 60MPH, so no windshield. Looks better without one, and there's nothing like having the wind in your face on a hot summer evening. When I need to put some miles behind, I saddle up my RK, and there's nothing like a windshield to keep from crushing bugs with your face.
My softail is mainly a Boulevard bike rarely ridden above 60MPH, so no windshield. Looks better without one, and there's nothing like having the wind in your face on a hot summer evening. When I need to put some miles behind, I saddle up my RK, and there's nothing like a windshield to keep from crushing bugs with your face.
+1
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 29,598
Likes: 19
From: Oregon
RE: Why are windshields uncool?
All of our bikes have windshields. If I ride any distance I am so much more rested when I arrive because of a windshield. The Deuce has a Windvest and it works really well. I do often pop the shields off for around town.
 \\;
 \\;
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 620
Likes: 2
From: NJ
RE: Why are windshields uncool?
Nothing beats riding with nothing in front of you or around you, particularly a part of the bike. \\; I don't feel nearly as free and open as when I'm riding my Sporty without a windshield and while wearing my half helmet. \\; Even though you look over a windshield instead of through it, there's this big thing in your face that takes away the feeling of being totally out in the open, kinda like flying close to the ground. \\; Even better \\;than an open cockpit airplane, where you'd have the propeller and a few feet of plane in front of your face. \\; I do have a Harley quick-disconnect windshield that I use when going distance on the interstates. \\; The wind and 75 mph bug collisions are bitches!
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 931
Likes: 3
From: England
RE: Why are windshields uncool?
For me its not a question of cool / uncool but rather personal preference. \\; Harley sell bikes without them to keep costs down I guess and then for you to express personal choice and for them to rip you off when you want to add one on afterwards.
 \\;
I just prefer the without look and enjoy the full on wind experience.
 \\;
 \\;
 \\;
I just prefer the without look and enjoy the full on wind experience.
 \\;
 \\;
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 577
Likes: 0
From: Carrabelle, Fl
RE: Why are windshields uncool?
ORIGINAL: SuperBogs
I see most bikes that are not touring models don't come with windshields but why so \\;\\\\\\;many refuse to install them after they buy the bike? I have ridden almost 30 years and have \\;\\\\\\;always had a windshield and can't imagine going on the highway any distance without one. Some guys with RoadKings even remove their windshields for a different look, that's cool if your just a city bar hopper but if you put any miles under your azz it must be \\;\\\\\\;really uncomfortable \\;\\\\\\;to do it without a windshield. What ya all think?
I see most bikes that are not touring models don't come with windshields but why so \\;\\\\\\;many refuse to install them after they buy the bike? I have ridden almost 30 years and have \\;\\\\\\;always had a windshield and can't imagine going on the highway any distance without one. Some guys with RoadKings even remove their windshields for a different look, that's cool if your just a city bar hopper but if you put any miles under your azz it must be \\;\\\\\\;really uncomfortable \\;\\\\\\;to do it without a windshield. What ya all think?
Who cares what anyone else thinks. It's your scoot so you do it your way!!!
Personally I have a quick detach and love having it on when travelling. It keeps me more relaxed without all that wind on my chest trying to knock me off. Not to mention the bugs and rain.
Still get plenty of wind in the face when I sit up straight...
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,823
Likes: 2
From: THE MARITIMES Canada
RE: Why are windshields uncool?
ORIGINAL: CSI Topeka
It is all about trying to portray an image.
 \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;
 \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;
I, on the other hand prefer comfort.
It is all about trying to portray an image.
 \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;
 \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;
I, on the other hand prefer comfort.
sooooooooo, exactly what image was I portraying back in 1979 on my old 75 CB550 that didn't have a windshield? Huh? Huh?
 \\;J/K \\;\\\\\\;
In other words, besides my ST1300 there has never been a windshield on any of my bikes. Cool or not, has nothing to do with it, once you get used to riding without a windshield, it is very hard to enjoy the ride with one. I've tried it, I've ridden all kinds of bikes from the shop that had windshields on them and it just isn't as comfortable for me. For most folks, it is simply a matter of what you get used to.....what you look like doesn't come to mind. A half decent helmet, a good pair of goggles and I'm happy. Now, from a safety point, is a windshield better for you.....of course it is.