Rode trip without windshield
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 424
Likes: 2
From: Middle of Kansas
There are a lot of things you don't NEED for a road trip............
A rain suit for when it rains,
A pair of warm gloves for when it gets cold,
Sunscreen to help eliminate raccoon eyes,
A credit card for unexpected emergency's,
And........... a windshield........
I've put on thousands of miles without all of the above and survived.
I finally decided that I like to be comfortable and don't leave home without any of them anymore.
I can easily spend 12 hours in the saddle with a shield.
Without,I'm beat after 4-5,and that's with out a surprise all day rain storm!!
A rain suit for when it rains,
A pair of warm gloves for when it gets cold,
Sunscreen to help eliminate raccoon eyes,
A credit card for unexpected emergency's,
And........... a windshield........
I've put on thousands of miles without all of the above and survived.
I finally decided that I like to be comfortable and don't leave home without any of them anymore.
I can easily spend 12 hours in the saddle with a shield.
Without,I'm beat after 4-5,and that's with out a surprise all day rain storm!!
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
From: Chattanooga Tennessee
Good idea take it off after you get there. OK we all know all bikes look way better without the shield, BUT there are a lot better reasons for having it on. I pretty much only take it off to clean behind it, or just really short trips.
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: gainesville fl
Hate the wind coming UP at my face, first thing I did when I got home with my 08' Roadking was take it off, now have 23k miles and no complaints.
But I am headed to Sturgis from FLA and hear the grasshoppers are real big up there in the sumer time so thinking about one of the detachable fairings.
Bottom line is do what the hell you want.
But I am headed to Sturgis from FLA and hear the grasshoppers are real big up there in the sumer time so thinking about one of the detachable fairings.
Bottom line is do what the hell you want.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,913
Likes: 87
From:
I think that if you had posted this in other than the Touring Forum, the responses would have been quite different. Mostly puzzies on these baggers and I guess that includes me. 
I have ridden a lot of cross country trips without a shield and not thought a thing about it. Loved every mile. But now that I have a King I ride with the protection of the shield and love every mile of this also. It's really not bad to be in the wind. Just sayin'.
I have ridden a lot of cross country trips without a shield and not thought a thing about it. Loved every mile. But now that I have a King I ride with the protection of the shield and love every mile of this also. It's really not bad to be in the wind. Just sayin'.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 552
Likes: 50
From:
It seems to me that the real issue is "How are you dressed when you ride?" I get the impression that a lot of people on this forum ride with either no helmet or an open-face helmet. If that describes you, then you would probably be better off with the windshield for a long trip.
I wouldn't ride around the block without my full-face helmet and full leathers. Because of that, I am not uncomfortable riding long distances with no windshield on my RK. The air coming around my head is much "cleaner" (no real turbulence) than it is on my UC. The RK windshield hangs in my garage and is never on the bike. It's ugly and creates turbulence. I can't even figure out how a higher, lower, narrower, wider, or curved version of that windshield would be pleasant to ride behind.
I suppose that it would deflect bugs, gravel, and some of the rain, though.
I wouldn't ride around the block without my full-face helmet and full leathers. Because of that, I am not uncomfortable riding long distances with no windshield on my RK. The air coming around my head is much "cleaner" (no real turbulence) than it is on my UC. The RK windshield hangs in my garage and is never on the bike. It's ugly and creates turbulence. I can't even figure out how a higher, lower, narrower, wider, or curved version of that windshield would be pleasant to ride behind.
I suppose that it would deflect bugs, gravel, and some of the rain, though.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 760
Likes: 1
From: Mesa, AZ
I sold the plastic out of my shield to a buddy for his '97 King that needed new plastic. I didn't use it and he needed it so it seemed like a win-win. I guess I have to ask, what's the downside to taking a weekend trip without one to see how it goes? That's the only way to know for sure. Besides, bugs are an excellent snack, sand is a great exfoliant, and rain...okay...well...I can't lie...rain hurts. But, tie a bandana over your face and it's all good.
