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Bet you're a youngster. When I finally broke down and put a shield on for a Sturgis trip in 2000, my daily mileage went up from about 300 - 400 a day to up to 650. Stops that were regular overnighters disappeared. I used to have to hit Bishop, Ca on my way back from Vegas or San Diego but now I have to call my ol' lady and tell her to lose her boyfriend a day early cause I ain't stoppin!
I'm 46; been riding since I was 18 - still a youngster at heart I guess :-)
I don't have a windshield, never rode with one. Personally, I don't like how it looks on my Fatboy Lo or how it looks on other bikes. I wear a full face helmet so that takes care of any debris. As for the wind, isn't that 90% of the reason for riding?
On the other hand, if you prefer a windshield on your bike, more power to you! That's what makes motorcycle riding so unique and fun - no two bikes will be exactly alike nor will two riders enjoy exactly the same setup.
Like some others thought, the "no way" vs. "wouldn't leave home without it" choices are kind of restrictive. I have a detachable windshield... for a reason. I take it off when i'm just bombing around on the short haul. I do like the wind (to a point) and the bike just looks better. Most highway riding sees it go back on though and, as I hit the highway pretty much every day, it's on the bike 85% of the time.
Nice avatar there swampfox! I voted "no way." I hate friggin windshields. All my buds have em, and said try it and you will want one. I did, and I still don't want one! I feel all clausterphobic with a shield on. Plus, I live in Florida, so the reduction of air flow is no bueno for me. I wear a modular helmet, so over 40mph, I put the shield down and all is well. I can ride about 200 highway miles before feeling fatigued. I guess I have strong neck muscles....If I were to do a 500 mile highway trip, I would get a detachable just for the fatigue factor.
Nice avatar there swampfox! I voted "no way." I hate friggin windshields. All my buds have em, and said try it and you will want one. I did, and I still don't want one! I feel all clausterphobic with a shield on. Plus, I live in Florida, so the reduction of air flow is no bueno for me. I wear a modular helmet, so over 40mph, I put the shield down and all is well. I can ride about 200 highway miles before feeling fatigued. I guess I have strong neck muscles....If I were to do a 500 mile highway trip, I would get a detachable just for the fatigue factor.
+1 on avatar swampfox....... but I bet if you wore more clothes on your bike you wouldn't feel like you needed the windshield so much
First thing I did when I got my Heritage home was take the windsheild off and store it. Never liked windsheilds. Then I started riding a lot more open highway and got blown around a lot. Put it back on for a weekend. I was much less tired after a long, windy ride. It hasn't been back off since. They even look pretty good to me now.
Went through phases first started riding was a part of the bike looked cool.Then built choppers and rode Superglides did not want one.Now back to dressers and winshields
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Will only ride with, too many trucks spray shti on me and everyone else as they go down the road.
The enjoyment of friends getting hit by beetles is also fun.
I believe that as you age you deserve to be mellow if you want, bring on the sofa-glides!!
Why do they call those chairs American Comfort?!
You bought an American Comfort Bike damit, enjoy the thing. If someone don't like it tell them to kiss your asp.
Last edited by DavidStiebel; Oct 6, 2010 at 03:21 PM.
I remember the first time I put one on a bike. I almost had to pull over; I found it so distracting. It totally distorted my vision, until I realized you're supposed to look over it. Well, several bikes later, I have come to love my windshield. However, I do prefer the look of the bike without one. So whenever I wash & detail the bike I leave it off for a day or two just to remind me why I love it so much.
The windshield has saved me from large rocks, bugs, and many tears. It's like my eyes bleed tears continuously when I don't have one. There's no looking back. I guess i'm getting old. lol
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