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I bought a windshield when i purchased my deluxe back in 04 . I thought i would never use .Thing is i find it hard to ride without it. i took it off one day and i made it about one block and went back and put it on. like the last guy said you can always take it off.
I will agree with the majority here. For me it's a must on long trips, but around town, half the time its off, half its on. Just depends on how lazy I feel that day. The mounting hardware is small and chromed so it don't really stand out when the shield is off.
I think it depends on how old you are and if you have given up yet. If your bike has air ride and a big comfortable seat then get a windshield you will like it. But dont listen to the people who say you can always take it off because nobody ever does once they put it on. You can also add a cup holder and cell phone holder too. Just my opinion (of course that isnt worth @$#&.)
I don't usually ride with it if I'm not doing a long trip on the highway...it doesn't really look that great with my apes. I may do cutouts on the shield for the bars later though.
All 3 Harley's I have had would look bad with a shield IMHO. But other Harley's look good with them or without. Yours would look good still with one. My next bike in 25 years will be a street glide. My dad won't ride without one on his bike (Honda cb400). When I ride long distance at 70 mph I use ear plugs and a bandana and of course glasses but those are on all the time anyway.
You gotta love a shield on the highway. I've got some large nicks in mine. Whatever caused them would have hit me in the face. I also like not feeling the constant 70mph wind pressure on me. I do love to ride without but not on the highway.
I bought one near the end of last season, and although it's ugly as sin, when I was out riding in 40-50* weather, so it feels like 25-35 while moving, the windshield made a hell of a difference.. it really was nice, however, in the warmer weather, i like that wind against me keeping me cool.. it's always annoying to get hit by bugs and rocks and birds and stuff, but it comes with the territory.. it's your choice, and like was pointed out, they are removable.
First thing I did to my Heritage when I got it home was remove the windshield. I decided to put it on temporarily for a weekend road trip a couple of years ago. Hasn't been off since. Much more comfortable at highway speed.
At times mine is on, at times it is off. I prefer the look without the windshield just like I prefer the look without the bags. However, sometimes I want to haul things and sometimes crusing with the windshield is just more enjoyable than without. Not only in cold weather, but even in 110F+ the windshield can block hot air from hitting my face which seems like a hot air furnice.
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