Windshield vs. no Windshield
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 322,622
Likes: 3,077
From: .....
Some bikes look like they need a windshield, like dressers...sorry but I can't get used to "baggers". To me, my bike wouldn't look right with one, so wind or not, I'll never put one on it. The closest I'd ever get, would be something like what's on a Street Glide. Even with that, it seems a little too much for a Blackline. To me.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,492
Likes: 19
From: Illinois
All this talk of W/S's has me considering the "Wind Vest". I don't know how it would look on my bike but it is food for thought. I don't know how it would look with the apes I am in the process of getting put on though. Is the wind vest quick connect, pop on and off or not? I don't think I would even consider it unless it was. It does have allot to do with looks too. I show my bike and I just don't see it doing well with a W/S on it. I could be wrong, maybe I could pull it off with the tinted W/S but otherwise I don't think it would do well with one on there. I would hate to find out the hard way. Thinking back, I don't recall seeing any last year in any show that had a W/S on it. Granted, these are not big national bike shows but it is fun and who likes to lose?
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 536
Likes: 36
National Cycle Gladiator vs Wind Vest
Has anyone tried the "Gladiator" from National Cycle? I (think) I like the mounting system on the handlebar mount, very clean looking and easy to adjust. I have NOT seen this shield in person.
Most aftermarket shields have big 'ol fugly mounts, IMHO.
Here is a link for a Fatboy, they have others:
http://shop.nationalcycle.com/perl/c...model=hr%2d065
I borrowed the Wind Vest for a 1,000 mile trip on my 2006 Fatboy. I liked it because I was able to adjust it to the correct height for minimum buffeting. (Just below eye level, or about even with my nose).
I borrowed this W/V from a friend who uses it all summer in So Cal on his
HERITAGE, then switches to his Full "original equipped" windshield in the winter.
Both of us like short rides without shields, install for longer rides.
Most aftermarket shields have big 'ol fugly mounts, IMHO.
Here is a link for a Fatboy, they have others:
http://shop.nationalcycle.com/perl/c...model=hr%2d065
I borrowed the Wind Vest for a 1,000 mile trip on my 2006 Fatboy. I liked it because I was able to adjust it to the correct height for minimum buffeting. (Just below eye level, or about even with my nose).
I borrowed this W/V from a friend who uses it all summer in So Cal on his
HERITAGE, then switches to his Full "original equipped" windshield in the winter.
Both of us like short rides without shields, install for longer rides.
Last edited by Jetfever; Apr 6, 2013 at 08:48 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 14,778
Likes: 69
From: Badlands of ND
if I know I am only going to be going around town, I do love the look of the bike without a shield on it, and it is much cooler with it off as well. i went on a 200 mile ride on my old Night Train without the windshield. It was not fun. Now it is always with me if I am highway bound.
Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
Also a shield is really nice for night ridding. No bugs on teeth.
Took ours off once on a hot summer day and the wife noticed it within a min into the ride. Oh well we wasn't far from home when I turned back to put it back on.
We've had a shield on all our bikes since the Seventy's and I prefer to ride with one.
.
Took ours off once on a hot summer day and the wife noticed it within a min into the ride. Oh well we wasn't far from home when I turned back to put it back on.
We've had a shield on all our bikes since the Seventy's and I prefer to ride with one.
.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: Idaho
Ive got the national cycles switchblade deflector on my Blackline, its small, I still get plenty of "constant" wind but it blocks alot of it and I love it...does the bike look better without? Sure, but the amount of bugs and rock chips and things ive seen bounce off the shield rather than me has made me keep it on. That and I dont feel like im about to get blown off the bike at highway speeds sold me.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 156
Likes: 1
From: Alaska
My king looks awesome without it, but I have pulled it off a few times and decided the cool factor did not out weigh the comfort factor for me. Bugs, wind, and other stuff to the face, and I popped it back on. It is Alaska as well and anything to stay warm as well.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 875
Likes: 2
From: Where I lay my head is home.
Maybe it's that I never had a good one... but I can't stand windshields.
In town (slower speeds) it gets too farking hot behind that thing. On the highway... they buffet my head around and make my beard blow right up my nose. Hate that. Of course... that also look stupid.
Being out in the wind is all part of the fun and the reason I'm out there riding. When a giant bug cracks against your forehead... and your brain has that split second to think... "Wow! That was big. I bet that's gonna hurt like hell" before the pain registers... THAT is the fun stuff.
On looong rides, I'll throw a bedroll or rolled up flannel jacket on my bars. That breaks up just the right amount of wind.
In town (slower speeds) it gets too farking hot behind that thing. On the highway... they buffet my head around and make my beard blow right up my nose. Hate that. Of course... that also look stupid.
Being out in the wind is all part of the fun and the reason I'm out there riding. When a giant bug cracks against your forehead... and your brain has that split second to think... "Wow! That was big. I bet that's gonna hurt like hell" before the pain registers... THAT is the fun stuff.
On looong rides, I'll throw a bedroll or rolled up flannel jacket on my bars. That breaks up just the right amount of wind.
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Novice
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Hermiston, OR
On my ol 750, the (nasty) Vetter fairing came off and never a shield went back on when I ratbike'd her out. All last year I rode without on on my Lo, and this year picked up a Memphis Shades fatty. Under 35 degrees, or over 300 miles/day I'll put it on, but even then I'll be trying to convince myself not too. Detachable is wonderful.
It does make puffing on a stogie while cruising through town easier though, however.
It does make puffing on a stogie while cruising through town easier though, however.
Tourer
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 453
Likes: 0
From: Clarkston
I dont know if this has been mentioned yet, but the best riding glasses by far are the Oakley wind jackets. Oakley can make script lenses for them that offer same protection, all oakley lenses meet or exceed z87.1 which is industry standard and they have a gasket and elastic band that snug up to your eyes like goggles but strip to be oakleys in seconds. No tears what so ever.