Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Accessories To windshield or not to windshield

Here we are sitting here debating about buying a windshield

i hate the look of my bike with a windshield but also i hate getting hit by a bug at 70mph so im asking the age old question should i get one? pros cons speak up folks i am living in hell debating this with just me

Personally speaking prefer naked look and the aerodynamics can be reduced with a slab of plexy up front.
So whats the odd bug in face/teeth between friends.
Think of the cleaning as well there are always enuff bugs on the lites alone never mind the amount collected on the screen,
Just my opinion as I still LIKE the look of screens on other bikes, just not for me,
bet this hasn't helped in any way!!!!!
Cheers Mike

Hi Stern,
I have a Memphis Shades Fats 19" cut the headlight hole to lower it to about 16" - needs a little more curve to it. It's OK, but it's like pushing a barn door down the road. I wish I'd have gotten a WindVest - I have heard no complaints about the WindVest.
It will knock out all the buffeting and most of the wind. Whatever you get, make it a handlebar mount. The lower fork mounts just don't seem to work well on our bikes. I've even got the Memphis Shades lowers and have adjusted both to every imaginable position, and it still not quite right. Maybe for some, they're OK and I really like mine, but I will get a windvest after a couple other mods (maybe spring 2007). I still prefer no screen at all, but the bugs in summer and on 300+ mile trips, no screen is tiring on a 52 year old.
And Beano is right, cleaning the bugs off extra surfaces is bad, but in Alabama the bugs are usually soft and REAL juicy - splattering over half your face. I have been hit in the sunglasses before and have to pull over gagging because some of the juice got in my mouth and up my nose.

Right after I got my TBA, I took a bee in the throat at 40mph, Triumph sent me a 500 voucher for accessories, so I bought a Stock windshield. soon after I installed it, took a bee in the throat again. Our bikes are like a beautiful lady, they look better with little or no gee gaws on them. I still have the shield, but doubt if I'll put it on again except for a looooong ride. TR

I have the Windvest. I can't imagine riding without a windshield after riding with it. I took it off once and put it right back on. It does not look bad on the bike. Also I started with the Triumph summer screen , there was way too much head buffeting.

i hate the way it looks BUT the triumph roadster screen with memphis lowers makes long trips much more enjoyable. specifically highway runs. no neck cramps or back from the winds, easy enough to drop a hand at 75 and still feel comfortable. up to you. its all personal preference. but for long highway runs you will love it

Frank

I hear ya Chris.... I have never like the looks of windshields on bikes. I have bought several used bikes that had them installed and removed them all save for my old Guzzi that had the whole front fairing. I had to look through that windshield as opposed to over it and it was awful. Comfort finally won out though.... I got caught on the expressway behind a truck hauling sand and even though I looked a few years younger after the dermabrasion the pain wasn't worth it. I put a screen on my bike a few months ago and CAN'T BELIEVE how much more comfortable a ride it makes for. No more cr@p hitting me in the face, no more watery eyes from the cold or speed.... and now that I've had it on there for awhile I've gotten used to the look and actually think it looks pretty cool. Don't think I'll ride without one ever again.

Steve

Stern12,

Just like BeanoGB and others I dislike windscreens on my bike.
However, as SKILLET said, a long journey without one can be very tiring (even for those somewhat younger than 52 ).
I therefore have a (recently acquired, unused and unmounted as yet) Triumph Roadster windscreen sitting around just for the purpose of long journeys - when needed again.

The aerodynamics issue doesn't bother me - I have the same drag as a fence panel anyway!

I considered one but got stories about certain wind conditions making riding equivalent to controlling a wind surfer!
Especially past trucks.

Bugs can be a pest but I wuss out by riding full face anyway.
I can see the advantage for open face riding.

I leave the squashed bugs on the leathers too - my young niece thinks they're gross
Funny how she never wants to hug her big uncle

Love the comfort of a windshield. They don't look that great but they make long rides much nicer with less fatigue. I carry some of those Windex wipes in my bags to clean the bugs off on long trips.

I had a Memphis Slim then went to the fat. I didn't see much difference. I may go back to the slim because I think it looks better and less drag.

Chris,

I've gone through 2 windshields: the Triumph Roadster screen (the big one) and the Slipstreamer Tombstone (small, narrow, like a flatter version of the Windvest). I sold the first one and abandoned the second because of the extreme buffeting about my full-face helmet. Since I ride with a full face helmet 95% of the time, I'd rather do without a screen.

I had a line on a used Windvest, but that seems to have evaporated. I'm not going to buy one new just to try it out.

I have a 2002 TBA. I am on my third windshield now. First was the large Triumph Roadscreen-too much turbulence. Next was a National Cycle Heavy Duty Touring model-too much sun reflection off the chrome insturment panel-still have it if anyone wants it.

Now I have the Memphis Shades Alley Cat 20 inches height, 7 inch headlight cutout. Works absolutely great, looks great too. Windshield is barely noticable on the bike, and quick detacable also. Note, I don't cruise much over 75mph and I am 5' 11" tall.

(80812) $63.95 Memphis Shades Alley Cat 20" w/7" Cutout, Solar, Mfg.#: MEP5619 for the shield. Mounting hardware separate, but interchanges with the Memphis Shades Fats & Slims with different plates. Got it from: http://mawonline.com/memphis.htm#Windshields

Handlebar windshields are ugly as sin, in my opinion, but... they sure are nice in a thunderstorm !! I pulled off my Triumph flyscreen, & yes, I can tell a difference.

The flyscreen will divert air up, & hopefully, over your face & head (along with lighter weight bugs). With it off, you get blasted (but ya look cool!!).

There are windshields, and then there are WINDSHIELDS. A friend at work rides his son's HD Road King with a huge windshield and says how the wind never touches him at all.
I never wanted a windshield on my TA, but after getting beaten about the face and head by the wind, I had to do something... I tried a "will-fit" National Cycle screen, rather large, and a pain in the patoot to mount, and it did nothing to stop the buffeting over 40 mph., in fact, it made it worse. So I bought a Windvest. It mounts to the handlebars and when adjusted properly for my height and riding position, it completely eliminates the head buffeting. But, it doesn't block a lot of wind... I think it looks good on the bike, and it solved the problem of buffeting, so it's on there to stay.

The moral of my story is:
You can buy a humungous windshield and lowers and grip shields and keep the wind off you completely, or you can get a Windvest and still feel the wind while not getting battered senseless. Or any point in between....

Good luck on your choice... We're here to help...

Chris,

Although I love the look of the bike without the screen, I bought and use the Roadster screen on occasion. Since I pretty much ride all year round, during the winter months I throw it on, which helps in keeping you from freezing your butt off and on extremely long road trips I use it (my last trip to Tampa FL). The initial mounting process takes the most time, but once it’s mounted, it only takes a few minutes to pull it off or put it back on when you need it. You leave the 2 small mounting plates on the handlebars so it’s basically 2 bolts and 2 nuts to remove or tighten when you use the screen.

Gene

I ran my TA without a screen for a year, then used a national cycle dakota screen (with dodgy home-made mounts) for a while. Got myself the triumph roadster screen and put that on instead and love it. 95% of the bigs miss me, I stay dry-ish in sudden rain (and when it rains here it REALLY rains) and I can sit on the bike all day without the wind trying to push me off. Don't know what the mentions of head buffetting are all about, heck if you REALLY want to stay out of the wind buy a car.

Managed to bend my bike 3 months ago (hit a traffic island in heavy rain at night) and had to borrow a friend's spare screen-less yamaharley for the months mine was in getting repaired - hated it. Got my face stung by bees twice, got rained on lots (rain with an open face helmet at 100+kph hurts!) and generally had no fun. Got my baby back now and loving it all over again.

Matt

Well, as I've always said... It's no coincidence that "windshield" and "wussy" start with the same letter...
Kidding... kidding... I've never liked windshields on bikes. I've ridden bikes with them and really don't like the feel or having to look through them to see the road. Fairings are worse, nothing moves when you move the handle bars.. weird. One cold rainey morning in Kentucky a guy watched me get into my rain suit, looked at my bike and told me I needed a winshield. I just smiled and told him " I am a winshield".
I wear a full face now and that is a vast improvement over the old 3/4 helmet and sunglasses I used to wear but that's likely as far as I'll go. An old riding buddy of mine tells me I'll change my tune as I get older but I guess we'll just wait and see.

I don't like the idea of a wind shield myself. I prefer the wind in my face. But I always were goggle or glasses. Got a bug in the eye at 80km/h once. Very unattractive.

For me, it's all about what I'm using the bike for. To be honest, my BA is a toy that I pose around on when the weather is nice, ergo, no windshield. If I was using it as a second vehicle, i.e., to commute to work with, etc., then I'd be looking for the best windshield available.

I have a large screen on mine.

Until I read this post I never considered it cool or uncool.

I like it as it does take some of the wind away from you, but...

The main downside is the aerodynamics with MrsRod onboard. Apparently the wind hits the screen, rises over me and falls onto her head, knocking it from side to side..

Obviously im not going fast enough, as the comments she comes out with, indicate to me, it has failed to knock any sense into her!

I hope she does not read this!

My formula is simple. Get a cheap windshield. Put it on for very long rides (over 200 miles). Otherwise stay naked.

Staying naked is a pretty good philosophy for just about anything come to think of it!

I use the Triumph Roadster screen on the SM and appreciate it every time I clean the bugs from it. Not too much buffeting, and protection from sand, dirt, or what ever may fly up from the road. About a month ago while in the N Ga mountains I was "dived bombed" by a large bird and was glad to have the screen to hide behind.

The large windshield has another advantage, it provides enough wind drag to allow Americas a chance to keep up with the SpeedMasters

When contemplating thousand mile increments, yes. Otherwise, take it off and ride in the wind.

After all, you have to get to where you can slalom!

Fatigue is a major factor for yes.
Surfing is the reason for no.

When you 'have to' ride, then maybe.
All the time, if you're lazy.

Since I put the Memphis Shades on, riding has become so much more enjoyable on the interstate to/from work each day. Of course the bike looks better naked but gee, a windshield looks much better than say, engine guards.

I'm with Ryan on this one. Anything long distance and I have a cheap $70 shield to use, otherwise it's not on the bike. Of course it doesn't rain much here, and we don't have many bugs.

I've never been able to figure out those who complain about the plastic bits on bikes, but then strap on this big piece of polycarbonate to their bikes. I hear this mostly from HD owners who like to brag about all their metal parts while pointing to the plastic on the metric cruisers.

Ugliest thing I've seen on a bike is those trim tab oyster shell looking things from Corbin. That is some coyote ugly to put on a bike. Ain't cheap either, something like $800. I don't care how good they are at cutting the wind, they're ugly as sin.

the zen and art of motorcycle maintenance states that it takes away from the experience, can't argue with that logic.

however, for touring I think it's worth it.

I hate windshielsds also. So, I wear a flip up face shield.

Windshields are like floorboards - They're for trucks.

Try to arrange a ride with one before you buy. Some people hate them, others love them. If possible, make your test run on a windy day.

I don't have a windshield on my bike (but am considering a fly screen to take some of the buffeting off my chest) mainly because I think they look like sh*t, no offense to those with them. The fly screen at least is pretty inconspicious and seems to do what I want.

What I'm really surprised with in this thread is the number of people complaining of bugs in the face... WTF?
Wear a full face helmet and those worries are gone guys. When I got my bike last year the first thing I bought was a FF helmet - not only for noggin protection but so I didn't have to worry about bugs, sand, rocks, etc in the face or watery eyes from cold/speed - only makes sense.

But for the bugs, you'd only get in half as many miles in a day because you'd have to keep stopping to eat.

Ok, everyone is getting in their two cents worth. Most everybody would agree the bike looks best without any windshield. I bought a Summer Screen to try because I felt it looked better on the bike than the Roadster Screen (too Harley) and most after market ones. The only problem is I'm 6' and the head buffeting is annoying over 60 mph. BUT, I have never taken it off since putting it on. It appears that if people use them awhile, they appreciate the advantages and don't want to give them up. I've been waiting for ClearView to make a direct replacement about 4" taller (to eliminate the buffeting) and I would still see over the top. If that doesn't happen soon, I may try the WindVest. You can see what mine looks like on my photo post. Personally, I can't stand a full face helmet with face shield because our summers are too hot. It also rains a lot - another windshield plus.

Yeah the windshield is great I have the triumph windshield I removed the black molding around the edge it looks better. it is great on the highway. If you can wait till the salt on the streets is washed away we can hook up.

i agree with Ryan, i put it on when going long distance and i tend to put it on in the winter as it help me to keep warmer. also i have noticed that when i do have the shield on i get a little better gas mileage. mostly i ride naked

Quote:

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Funny how she never wants to hug her big uncle

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Never wants to..... she can't.... her arms aren't long enough
Adey (No offence meant)
Cheers Mike

My bike came with the touring windshield and I've never had it off until this summer. In July, it was real hot and I had the screen off for deep cleaning. Figured, it's so warm, I'll leave it off for a while. Holy cow, the windnoise drove me crazy. With my beanie helmet or half-helmet it was very annoying. Rode once with the wife so said, get that windshield back on! Made it two days without the windshield. Guess I'm offically an old foggie.

It depends again on where you ride, how you ride, and how you fit the bike......

Everybody is different.

Getting off of HD's with full fairings I must have a shield. I have a MS 15" slim and lowers and it affords some protection from the wind but not enough to make me happy. However, anything bigger would look gross on the bike IMO. I don't wear a helmet but may start again to keep from having to worry about my glasses or hat flying off all the time. (Besides the obvious reason.)