Windshield-no
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 882
Likes: 2
From: gone 4 good
RE: Windshield-no
I have an 07' Deluxe andit's the first bikeI have ever put a windshield on. I must admit the first ride I took I almost had to pull over. It was so strange with it on, plus being brand new, I was looking through it, which distorted my vision. I finally figured out you're supposed to look just over the top of it. I now love it. I can't imagine riding any distance without it. The buffetting you speak of, I have never experienced anything like that. The only thing I notice is when cornering at 50 -60 mph it makes a humming like, whistling sound. If anything it blocks a whole lot of wind that would be normally blowing me around. Also, in colder weather it blocks some of the cold wind. I guess to each his/her own.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 269
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Windshield-no
Funny, how this post coincided with me riding without my windshield for the first time in years. I took it off when I had the bike dynotuned yesterday. On the ride home I noticed how much fun it was to have the wind in my face and nothing to see thru. Today, I noticed that at 60 plus mph, there was almost zero buffeting. With the windshiel on, at 60 plus, the bike used to twitch a little as the wind hit it. Now the bike just cuts thru with almost no twitching at all. That's the good news. On the other side, I got hit with a beetle in my forehead doing 60 and it felt like a pellet gun zapped me. Then there was the sand coming off the truck in front that sandpapered my face for a while. And finally, I did feel a little fatigue from all the wind on me after an hour. So I've decided, for short trips off the interstate, and in 75 degree or higher weather, I'll ride without the shield. All others, I'll put it back on. I guess there's no free lunch.
Thread Starter
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,163
Likes: 2
From: Franklin, TN
RE: Windshield-no
ORIGINAL: marty44
Funny, how this post coincided with me riding without my windshield for the first time in years. I took it off when I had the bike dynotuned yesterday. On the ride home I noticed how much fun it was to have the wind in my face and nothing to see thru. Today, I noticed that at 60 plus mph, there was almost zero buffeting. With the windshiel on, at 60 plus, the bike used to twitch a little as the wind hit it. Now the bike just cuts thru with almost no twitching at all. That's the good news. On the other side, I got hit with a beetle in my forehead doing 60 and it felt like a pellet gun zapped me. Then there was the sand coming off the truck in front that sandpapered my face for a while. And finally, I did feel a little fatigue from all the wind on me after an hour. So I've decided, for short trips off the interstate, and in 75 degree or higher weather, I'll ride without the shield. All others, I'll put it back on. I guess there's no free lunch.
Funny, how this post coincided with me riding without my windshield for the first time in years. I took it off when I had the bike dynotuned yesterday. On the ride home I noticed how much fun it was to have the wind in my face and nothing to see thru. Today, I noticed that at 60 plus mph, there was almost zero buffeting. With the windshiel on, at 60 plus, the bike used to twitch a little as the wind hit it. Now the bike just cuts thru with almost no twitching at all. That's the good news. On the other side, I got hit with a beetle in my forehead doing 60 and it felt like a pellet gun zapped me. Then there was the sand coming off the truck in front that sandpapered my face for a while. And finally, I did feel a little fatigue from all the wind on me after an hour. So I've decided, for short trips off the interstate, and in 75 degree or higher weather, I'll ride without the shield. All others, I'll put it back on. I guess there's no free lunch.
Marsh
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 68
Likes: 1
From: Yucca valley
RE: Windshield-no
I've done a couple of 400 to 550 mile weekends recently with a windshield on my Fatboy and experienced very little fatigue. I did a 270 mile round trip to L.A. without it and was beat up by the Hi Dez winds on the way home. The windshield works for longer rides (especially when you're geting close to 60 years old.) The only thing that bugs me is I have a really long beard and have to wear a bandana so the buffeting doesn't blow it up in my face!
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Windshield-no
I hate the look of the windshield - but rock hurt @70+ so highway riding I use the windshield - but you may try a shorter one to meet your needs.. Nice Bike Man,,
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 672
Likes: 1
From: Southern Indiana
RE: Windshield-no
Me and 4 other guys went to the 1st annual Iron Horse Smokeout in Cottonwood, AZ last year. I have a detachable for my standard and althoughI hate the look of it, I threw it it the "support" truck and rode without it the first day. The wind wore me out so I put it on the second day and I was so glad I did. I was riding with 3 other riders and we were runnin into strong headwindsall day. None of the other guys had windshields soI washidin mine watching those guys take it on thechin.
Something else I have noticed is, sometimes I roll my jacket up and strap it to my handlebars and it cuts a LOT of wind off my chest.
Rick
Something else I have noticed is, sometimes I roll my jacket up and strap it to my handlebars and it cuts a LOT of wind off my chest.
Rick
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 417
Likes: 0
From: Akron, OH
RE: Windshield-no
I was taking my friends Fatboy (no windshield)into Nashville yesterday to drop it off for him. I got out on I-24 heading out of Murfreesboro and got up to highway speed (70 mph) and felt like I was hanging on to the bars to stay on the bike. Nobody does the speed limit around here, so I also felt like I was in everybody's way. I just didn't feel comfortable, so I got off on 840 and went up Nolensville road. That wasn't too bad. When I got back to the house, I jumped on my bike and WOW....what a difference! Riding is so effortless compared to his. My windshield is just above my eye's and I have the HD wind deflectors on the forks. I get absolutly no buffeting and I love the sound of my 88B.
PS:
I road through my 20's and 30's without a windshield because they just wern't cool....old man stuff. Now I understand. (I still think bikes without windshields look cool, but won't ride mine without one).
PS:
I road through my 20's and 30's without a windshield because they just wern't cool....old man stuff. Now I understand. (I still think bikes without windshields look cool, but won't ride mine without one).