Riding Without a Windshield
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 4,082
Likes: 11
From: Long Island, NY
From reading the opening post, sounds like you need to get some miles under your belt w/o a windshield to get used to the wind, then it will feel natural and really good.
On long interstate rides a windshield helps a lot to reduce fatigue.
On long interstate rides a windshield helps a lot to reduce fatigue.
Thread Starter
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Novice
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Round ROck, TX
I have limited experience without a windshield. The most I did was when I did some military stuff in Hawaii and I rode a stock Blackline without a windshield up H3. Hawaii's a pretty windy place and riding through the valleys on H3 felt like I was going to get blown off. My next bike is a chopper and you just don't put windshields on choppers. I'm going to try a bandana and just become acclimated to it. Thanks for the input all and keep it coming. Interesting perspectives.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,056
Likes: 251
From: Connecticut
Been riding 30 years and never heard of anyone having a hard time breathing because of the wind. Breathing is a natural thing, I can't see any reason why anyone would have a hard time breathing because of wind in their face. The OP said he had a hard time breathing with constant blasts to the nose and mouth. Hope he's not trying to breath though his mouth. Maybe he has sinus problems? Maybe he gets tense/anxiety? I don't know, never heard of anything like this.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,291
Likes: 11
From: The Whale's Vagina
I wear a 3/4, goggles, and this:
It won't stop much, but keeps me warm in the mornings and stops the sting of blowing sand.
I wish I could find a Darth Vader version.
I have a Windvest, but it gets me into trouble. When I first started riding without it, I felt like I was being peeled off the bike above 70 and my neck would get sore. Now I'm totally comfortable at 80 and no soreness. Just takes getting used to.
It won't stop much, but keeps me warm in the mornings and stops the sting of blowing sand.
I wish I could find a Darth Vader version.
I have a Windvest, but it gets me into trouble. When I first started riding without it, I felt like I was being peeled off the bike above 70 and my neck would get sore. Now I'm totally comfortable at 80 and no soreness. Just takes getting used to.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 652
Likes: 7
From: Maui, Hawaii
RobV10, After 20+ years in South Florida I moved to Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii - home of Trade Winds blowing 8-9 months out of the year at 20+ miles an hour. Do the math, 60MPH forward speed against a 25MPH head wind equals an 85MPH headwind. I got tired of being beaten up by the wind and put a National Cycle Windshield on my 2009 Sportster - it's almost bearable now. Of course when you have the wind at your back, it's soooo nice! Then again, the ride through the West Maui Mountains between Ukumehame and Maalaea can be downright dangerous with crosswinds through the gulches at 45MPH+ at times. But then again it doesn't snow and the coldest it gets on winter nights might be in the high 50's to low 60's at the higher elevations on the mountain... Sadly, no perfect solution - not even on Maui.
Enjoy the ride, Str8chuter
Enjoy the ride, Str8chuter
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 12,227
Likes: 7,803
From: Along the shoreline in SW FL
Looking back over last year.....my windshield was on really just in the spring...heavy bug season. Once bug breeding season settled down (by end of June or so_)...seemed to be off for the rest of the year until cold weather (November) started coming in.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
On my RKC, any speed over 50 mph without the windshield and it feels like you are going to be blasted off the bike. I never take it off. On the shovel, I can ride at any speed and the wind is not a problem.