Quick question, Road Trip.
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Quick question, Road Trip.
Sadly i work too way too much 
only got time for 2 short road trips a year, and i love the way my 2006 Fatboy look right now. We go for day rides on the wekend around BC but this will be my first 6+ day raod trip South with the fatty and some of my fellow rider have said this to me "you should get a wind shield"
Plan is Vancouver BC Canada to Reno Nevada back to Vancouver via Nevada/Idaho/Montana/BC we re taking off on August 1st ride is about 2200 miles
Long story short
what is it like to ride without is a windshield a must? i guess we ll have to dodge peek hours due the heat waves... doable or not?
only got time for 2 short road trips a year, and i love the way my 2006 Fatboy look right now. We go for day rides on the wekend around BC but this will be my first 6+ day raod trip South with the fatty and some of my fellow rider have said this to me "you should get a wind shield"Plan is Vancouver BC Canada to Reno Nevada back to Vancouver via Nevada/Idaho/Montana/BC we re taking off on August 1st ride is about 2200 miles
Long story short
what is it like to ride without is a windshield a must? i guess we ll have to dodge peek hours due the heat waves... doable or not?
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: gone 4 good
RE: Quick question, Road Trip.
I rode a shovel for years without a windshield. I now have a detachable one for this very reason, road trips. It is a night and day difference. Wait until you hit heavy rain or large bugs, even. You will be thanking me later. I do like being able to detach mine though.
Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2007
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RE: Quick question, Road Trip.
I've ridden my Heritage Classic without a shield and couldn't stand the wind noise above 50mph - it was very loud and I was only wearing a 1/2 helmet. It's not too bad with either a 3/4 or full-face helmet for shorter trips but after an hour I start getting tired from the wind hitting me in the chest. I couldn't imagine riding 2200 miles without a shield.
There is also a downside to using a shield. You get a lot of wind buffeting from the wind coming from under the windshield and hitting your chest/head. It's really bad using a 3/4 or full-face helmet. It used to give me headache's on 2 hr trips - it wasn't that bad using a 1/2 helmet. To correct this I installed Chrome Wind Deflectors (pg. 321 from 2007 HD catalog) - I have no helmet buffeting now and it's great on longer rides. The downside is the wind that normally enters under the shield and keeps the engine/exhaust heat off of you is now gone - so you get warmer, expecially on hot days.
I've also heard that the vest from www.jacksflaps.com website works great at stopping the helmet buffeting. The Wind Deflectors are like $70 US and the vest is like $90 US.
Good luck w/your decision.
There is also a downside to using a shield. You get a lot of wind buffeting from the wind coming from under the windshield and hitting your chest/head. It's really bad using a 3/4 or full-face helmet. It used to give me headache's on 2 hr trips - it wasn't that bad using a 1/2 helmet. To correct this I installed Chrome Wind Deflectors (pg. 321 from 2007 HD catalog) - I have no helmet buffeting now and it's great on longer rides. The downside is the wind that normally enters under the shield and keeps the engine/exhaust heat off of you is now gone - so you get warmer, expecially on hot days.
I've also heard that the vest from www.jacksflaps.com website works great at stopping the helmet buffeting. The Wind Deflectors are like $70 US and the vest is like $90 US.
Good luck w/your decision.
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RE: Quick question, Road Trip.
well i wear a 1/2 helmet but on longer trip i keep ear plugs in for noise... i ve been smacke dby dragonfly size bugs @ 120kms a few times it sux... still woudnt put a shield just for the few bugson the trip i m curious about the 110+ degree wind cooking my face up riding 6 hours in the middle of the desert...
next trip we re off to the Alaska not too worried about the heat there
also dumb question... do all detachableshield out there, require a kit to be mounted?
next trip we re off to the Alaska not too worried about the heat there
also dumb question... do all detachableshield out there, require a kit to be mounted?
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: East NM
RE: Quick question, Road Trip.
Over the years, I have been border to border and coast to coast a number of times. Only had one bike with a windshield and took it off because I didn't like it. Now, on that trip to Alaska, a windshield would probably prove more useful than on a southwest trip because it rains a lot there.
With most aftermarket windshields, they make a number of shields with standard mounting holes, then make a number of mounts to fit them to different bikes. So, even if you get a packaged kit, it will likely still consist of a windshield in one box and a mounting kit in another. The advantage to you is that, if you really like the windshield or spend some cash getting it custom decorated, you need only buy another mounting kit if you buy a different bike.
With most aftermarket windshields, they make a number of shields with standard mounting holes, then make a number of mounts to fit them to different bikes. So, even if you get a packaged kit, it will likely still consist of a windshield in one box and a mounting kit in another. The advantage to you is that, if you really like the windshield or spend some cash getting it custom decorated, you need only buy another mounting kit if you buy a different bike.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: ST. Louis
RE: Quick question, Road Trip.
I believe you'd like one for a trip.
Less strain on the body.
Any kind of small one like a Wind Vest would even help.
"Detachable" is the key and most are simple to put on and off.
Less strain on the body.
Any kind of small one like a Wind Vest would even help.
"Detachable" is the key and most are simple to put on and off.
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RE: Quick question, Road Trip.
i guess i could try riding to Reno without... if its really too hard or too hot i could get one around there i suppose... probably a few cents cheaper in the US anyays...
My buddy decided he is getting one, i ll try without and see the bugs taste like
My buddy decided he is getting one, i ll try without and see the bugs taste like
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Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Douglasville, GA
RE: Quick question, Road Trip.
My 2 cents; On a road trip you can certianly save $$$ without a windshield, of course you have to enjoy eating your bugs raw! Took a 2 day trip to Key West and would not have thought of doing so without a windshield. Wind noise and helmet chatter at highway speeds make the ride too uncomfortable for me. The detachable is nice, you can take it off for around town riding and it completely changes the way your bike looks.
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From: The Lone Star State
RE: Quick question, Road Trip.
Just completed an 1800 mile 4 day trip on an 06 Fatty with no windshield. It wasn't too bad. I had a backrest and a duffle bag to lean on though. Without the something to lean on, it would have been very tough. Otherwise, no problem.
Road Master
Joined: May 2007
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From: Galt, CA
RE: Quick question, Road Trip.
I do several long trips a year, just returned from a 3500 mile ride, I wouldn't ride with out a windshield. Besides the obvious, ( weather, bugs, etc.), road hazards are a very real thing. Trucks flying by at 60-75mph are very prone to throwing rocks, chunks of rubber and other large objects at you. I just had to replace one of my running lights and one turn signal lens because of objects thrown by passing vehicles. I'd hate to think what that would feel like if they had struck my face or chest.
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