Did It! But no verdict yet
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,739
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From: Fayetteville, NC
Did It! But no verdict yet
Rode to Ray Price HD in Raleigh with about 15 other guys and ended up purchasing a windshield finally. 15% off too
Anyway, the guys helped me install it in the parking lot and they were all happy for me as I was the only one without a windshield. So---I did notice a difference with wind protection to the face. No rush of wind into my ears, I wore regular sunglasses with it and no tearing of the eyes (no goggles needed)----I noticed that my lower back felt really good on the way back and I wasn't fighting to sit straight up or hold on to the bars. I had no buffeting to helmet as some speak of---I noticed more wind coming up the front of my jacket so maybe having my seat reworked to put me back has something to do with that. I had wind coming up my nose a little more and I only noticed because I was concentrating on noticing the differences. I expected to have NO wind to my face but that wasn't the case. At slow riding around Raleigh--no wind; but once up to highway speed---I still had some of that HD wind to the face.
But the delima is this--------do I cut the windshield (King size nostalgia) or not. All the guys I was riding with look through theirs and say it doesn't bother them. Well, as for me---I haven't looked through a shield for a couple of years (full face on crotch rockets) and it was a little different. I could see and it wasn't distorted or anything----but different (if that makes since). We rode back at night on the interstate and I could see just fine...just different. This has been a long time discussion; but I'm wondering if I should just go ahead and cut it. For those who did cut---how did u determine the inches to cut off? Or maybe just leave it for now. I will get the wind deflectors at Cape Fear HD next week (15% off sale) just to see what difference they make in the wind coming up my jacket.
Anyway, the guys helped me install it in the parking lot and they were all happy for me as I was the only one without a windshield. So---I did notice a difference with wind protection to the face. No rush of wind into my ears, I wore regular sunglasses with it and no tearing of the eyes (no goggles needed)----I noticed that my lower back felt really good on the way back and I wasn't fighting to sit straight up or hold on to the bars. I had no buffeting to helmet as some speak of---I noticed more wind coming up the front of my jacket so maybe having my seat reworked to put me back has something to do with that. I had wind coming up my nose a little more and I only noticed because I was concentrating on noticing the differences. I expected to have NO wind to my face but that wasn't the case. At slow riding around Raleigh--no wind; but once up to highway speed---I still had some of that HD wind to the face.But the delima is this--------do I cut the windshield (King size nostalgia) or not. All the guys I was riding with look through theirs and say it doesn't bother them. Well, as for me---I haven't looked through a shield for a couple of years (full face on crotch rockets) and it was a little different. I could see and it wasn't distorted or anything----but different (if that makes since). We rode back at night on the interstate and I could see just fine...just different. This has been a long time discussion; but I'm wondering if I should just go ahead and cut it. For those who did cut---how did u determine the inches to cut off? Or maybe just leave it for now. I will get the wind deflectors at Cape Fear HD next week (15% off sale) just to see what difference they make in the wind coming up my jacket.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 422
Likes: 0
From: Brookville, Ohio
RE: Did It! But no verdict yet
I'm still lookin' thru my windsheild. I haven't got up the nerve to cut it. I'm not sure I need to.
The lower wind deflectors will make a difference. I will stop most of the deflected wind from under the shield. My jacket collar used to beat my cheeks up pretty bad, but not after the install. You may notice more wind on the lower pant legs and feet. All that air has gotta go somewhere.
The lower wind deflectors will make a difference. I will stop most of the deflected wind from under the shield. My jacket collar used to beat my cheeks up pretty bad, but not after the install. You may notice more wind on the lower pant legs and feet. All that air has gotta go somewhere.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 291
Likes: 2
From: Delaware
RE: Did It! But no verdict yet
I get the best of both worlds with mine. If I sit back against the back rest, with the feet up on the engine guard pegs, I look through the windshield. If I set up straight, I look over the top. Having both options seems to be a great deal to me. I debated as well about cutting the thing down, but glad I didn't as I like both options now. Would also recommend getting the deflectors. They're only $45 and stop a lot of the updraft in front of you. I think they also look pretty nice! You may want to ride it around for a bit before making the decision.
CJ
CJ
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,256
Likes: 5
From: Concord, CA
RE: Did It! But no verdict yet
See if you can find a shorter one on a friends bike or a used one at the dealer.
Try it out. Dealer let me borrow one for a quick ride.
Measured the difference, cut it, tryed it, etc...
Cutting is fast and easy. Getting the nerve to make that fist cut is the hard part. Cleaning up take a few more, but don't make it perfect until you have the height right.
I firmly believe you must be able to look over it. When it gets real dirty or misted up you can't see squat through it when headlights hit it. Real dirty can sometimes happen fast. On my way to street vibs i rode through a dust storm for about 2 minutes or so. It was coated both sides in a dust film. Headlights hit it that night and it was completely opaque.
Try it out. Dealer let me borrow one for a quick ride.
Measured the difference, cut it, tryed it, etc...
Cutting is fast and easy. Getting the nerve to make that fist cut is the hard part. Cleaning up take a few more, but don't make it perfect until you have the height right.
I firmly believe you must be able to look over it. When it gets real dirty or misted up you can't see squat through it when headlights hit it. Real dirty can sometimes happen fast. On my way to street vibs i rode through a dust storm for about 2 minutes or so. It was coated both sides in a dust film. Headlights hit it that night and it was completely opaque.
RE: Did It! But no verdict yet
When I picked up my bike the dealer offered to cut my windshield down for. I decided to try it for a while the way it came it is now two years and I never cut it. I suggest you give it a good chance ride full and after about two or three weeks then make a decision. Once you cut it its done you can always cut it later.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,739
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From: Fayetteville, NC
RE: Did It! But no verdict yet
yeah---I'm gonna ride all week. The temp is in the 80's here in Carolina. I can't look over it unless I stretch waaaay up; but I'll give it a few test rides this week before I cut it. I think I may end up cutting it though.
OKKKAAAYYYYY-------------just got to work and I did notice on the way in that if I sit perfectly straight I can see over the shield. I do mean "perfectly"--which most people don't do. Also, if I sit all the way to the rear of the seat (hump) and sit straight up--I can see over. I do notice that when I sit up straight where I can see over; I get buffeting to my helmet. I'll try it this way for now while my shield is clean, stratch and swirl free It's amazing how I can now hear the engine turning and I needed no sweater or jacket on the way in. I've officially become an old geezer
Just jokin guys----------but the comfort level has been increased
OKKKAAAYYYYY-------------just got to work and I did notice on the way in that if I sit perfectly straight I can see over the shield. I do mean "perfectly"--which most people don't do. Also, if I sit all the way to the rear of the seat (hump) and sit straight up--I can see over. I do notice that when I sit up straight where I can see over; I get buffeting to my helmet. I'll try it this way for now while my shield is clean, stratch and swirl free
It's amazing how I can now hear the engine turning and I needed no sweater or jacket on the way in. I've officially become an old geezer Just jokin guys----------but the comfort level has been increased
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Road Master
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RE: Did It! But no verdict yet
This old geezer can't hardly stand to ride without a windshield anymore. It doesn't take long to aquire the taste - and once you own one, it doesn't take to many rides without it to make you clip it back on. 
I'm in the same boat as you - can't decide wether to trim an inch off or leave it as is. Mostly look through it, but can sit up straight to look over it. Sometimes I feel my view is a little distorted looking through it - other times it doesn't. I never listened when Mom said "sit up straight, don't slouch" and slouching seems to have become normal for me... even after lower back surgery 11 years ago.
Dave
I'm in the same boat as you - can't decide wether to trim an inch off or leave it as is. Mostly look through it, but can sit up straight to look over it. Sometimes I feel my view is a little distorted looking through it - other times it doesn't. I never listened when Mom said "sit up straight, don't slouch" and slouching seems to have become normal for me... even after lower back surgery 11 years ago.
Dave
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,380
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From: NC
RE: Did It! But no verdict yet
Same here.. Well, speed depending.. If I know I'm going to do some time on the highway, I love the windshield.. If it's just cruising around, I can go either way.. But it does make the scoot a lot more comfy.. Less hanging-on to do and a lot less wind noise. I can actually hear those rineharts.. Good way to also hear what your engine is doing.. Can't hear my engine at all without the windshield, but can hear everything better when installed.. with or without earplugs, which are pretty much necessary, to me, when without the windshield. Wind whistling through my helmet is just annoying. Haven't found a helmet yet other than a full face (yuck) that doesn't do it.. And couldn't bring myself to ride one of those 3/4 Evel Knievel / Captain America helmets. hehehe [8D] No offense though to the guys that do.. They're probably quite nice.. especially for keepin' the ears warm.. and safer than a 1/2 shell.