Riding Without Windshield Uncomfortable
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 304
From: mid Michigan
When I had a Vulcan I would go back and forth threw the seasons. Always ran full face back then. I loved having the shield off in the summer but didn't ride it as much as the batwing hog, ride it two or three times as much. Being older not sure I would want to take the wind like that anymore. Test rode a fat Bob for fun and forgot how strong the wind gets in short order
Last edited by xcbullet; Jun 2, 2019 at 07:32 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 10,833
Likes: 6,485
From: Canada Flats
The only time I remove my shield is when I'm giving the bike a good cleaning . To me , having a shield makes riding a lot more enjoyable , and after 15 years of riding I just recently started using a modular helmet . Sure makes riding in the rain more tolerable . And yes , cruise control is a must . I'm must be getting old !
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,535
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
I NEVER rode a motorcycle with a windshield until the King. After washing it one day, I figured I would take a ride without the windshield. After about a mile, I buzzed right back to the house and put it back on.
Spoiled...
Spoiled...
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 273
Likes: 23
If you ride without a shield you need a good aerodynamic full face helmet or 3/4 with face shield. My Road King sports a extra wide vented 17 inch Clearview. As noted you should be looking over not thru and getting the height right is key. Not sure where you find a "cheap" shield to cut down bit by bit but that seems an excellent way to find the sweet spot.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 836
Likes: 230
From: Deep South
When I was just a wee lad I rode sport bikes everywhere. The wind was wind and it never really bothered me. My first "cruiser" was a Yamaha Warrior (no windshield) and man, it looked great and felt great with that one with nature feel. Next bike was a '96 Heritage Classic with the super tall windshield and boy did that change my life in regards to being comfortable on a ride but it definitely lacked that wind-in-your-hair feel as you were looking through a windshield the whole time. Fast forward to 40 years old and I have a '19 Road King with the stock WS. Now, it's a decent ride but I'm having the issue where the top of it is right at my line of site. So the other day I took it off and went cruising to work (about 35 miles one way which I do every day). I almost turned around to go back and get it. I couldn't believe how uncomfortable I was. Then, last weekend, we ride at West Coast Thunder and that seems to be the "look" (RK with no WS). Any RK with any customization had the WS off. So what am I missing? Is there some kind of deflector I'm missing out on that would make a no WS setup more comfortable to ride with? What's the deal? Is it just my positioning on the seat? I want to put some mini-apes on it and take the WS off but I'm afraid I'll hate the ride even more. I've also been looking into the LRS shield which seems pretty cool and from the forum posts does the job for deflecting the wind and getting it out of your face. Thoughts? What's the trick on custom RK's with no WS to make them rideable? Am I just being a baby?
you should be looking just over the top without it interfering with your line of site.
Good luck !!!
hacksaw 012
hacksaw 011
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Advanced
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 64
Likes: 12
From: ontario
Uncomfortable
Many of the riders riding without windshields, arent going far or very fast. Their ride is about form over function.
On a sport bike youre riding leaning forward into the wind, a much smaller, more aerodynamic profile. On a cruiser or touring style ride, sitting upright, your chest is catching wind like a billboard. When on a long ride it becomes tiring, due to distance and speed. Get a properly fitted windshield and enjoy.
On a short or around town ride remove it and enjoy the wind, best of both worlds.
On a sport bike youre riding leaning forward into the wind, a much smaller, more aerodynamic profile. On a cruiser or touring style ride, sitting upright, your chest is catching wind like a billboard. When on a long ride it becomes tiring, due to distance and speed. Get a properly fitted windshield and enjoy.
On a short or around town ride remove it and enjoy the wind, best of both worlds.
Last edited by rod5557; Jun 2, 2019 at 09:51 AM. Reason: Spelling
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 69,901
Likes: 18,589
From: South Florida
Many of the riders riding without windshields, arent going far or very fast. Their ride is about form over function.
On a sport bike youre riding leaning forward into the wind, a much smaller, more aerodynamic profile. On a cruiser or touring style ride, sitting upright, your chest is catching wind like a billboard. When on a long ride it becomes tiring, due to distance and speed. Get a properly fitted windshield and enjoy.
On a short or around town ride remove it and enjoy the wind, best of both worlds.
On a sport bike youre riding leaning forward into the wind, a much smaller, more aerodynamic profile. On a cruiser or touring style ride, sitting upright, your chest is catching wind like a billboard. When on a long ride it becomes tiring, due to distance and speed. Get a properly fitted windshield and enjoy.
On a short or around town ride remove it and enjoy the wind, best of both worlds.
Being on the highway a lot, at a sustained 80 - 85 mph it becomes unpleasant for any length of time.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 4,620
Likes: 3,938
From: Near Yosemite
When I got my first Road King, the windshield was way too tall for this jockey size body, LOL. I took my windshield, a tape measure, and a dry erase pen and drew lines from the top of the windshield down every inch with a dry erase pen. Took it for a ride back and forth to work one day and then determine how much shorter my windshield needed to be. I like the looks of the OEM windshield so I just purchased a new one through HD at the height that I needed it. I do like taking the windshield off occasionally if I'm only going into town and not hitting high speeds. It's nice to have my beard blown flat against my chest instead of up into my face for a change, LOL.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 426
From: Northern NY
I know what you are saying. When I was young, I used to bust ***** about windshields and stereo's. I wouldn't ride across the street w/o either one now. I have had Road Kings in the past. Same as others, took the windshield off and turned around and put it back on. I have had a stripped down FLHTC since 2002. I have cut my own design windshields from plexi glass for it since 2002. Got tired of the scratching and cut my original oem down to 8" with a bit of a square profile. Just mark yours where you want it, use tape to set the height. Tape both sides, scribe a sharpie line and cut with a fine tooth blade in a jig saw. Finish sand the contour with a sanding block.
FYI, if you want the "look" without a wind shield use a poor mans windshield. Roll up your leather or get a Mexican style blanket and roll it up. Strap to your bars on top of the nacelle. Looks good and will divert the wind bugs etc over your head. Just have to figure out the height. Did this for years on my Shovel, FXR and Heritage. Works like a charm.
FYI, if you want the "look" without a wind shield use a poor mans windshield. Roll up your leather or get a Mexican style blanket and roll it up. Strap to your bars on top of the nacelle. Looks good and will divert the wind bugs etc over your head. Just have to figure out the height. Did this for years on my Shovel, FXR and Heritage. Works like a charm.
