Brand new rider with a question

[Roadrunner1970]

I just finished my MSF course 2 weeks ago, and have already bought my first bike. Its a gorgeous 1999 Honda Shadow 600 VLX, and ive really been enjoying riding it every chance i get. Im so proud!

I started out just riding around neighborhood streets, but ive been gettig more, and more comfortable, and now im actually venturing out in traffic on major streets. The issue ive been having is going above 45 mph. Ive had it up to 55 but couldnt go faster or maintain speed. I start getting nervous and back out of it cause it feels like my clothes are acting like a parachute, and im gonna launch off the back of my bike.

How much would a windshield help with this? There are some awesome roads here to ride but you have to jump on a superslab for aleast a little bit to get to them. As nervous as 55mph made me i cant imagine going 75! My hands were hurting just from the short sprint at 55 from my death grip on the handel bars. Im really hoping that if i bought a windshield it might make me feel more at ease cause i wouldnt have so much wind pushing against me? Will this be the case? What are peoples opinions on windshields?

[mogster]

Hi &

I have never ridden with a windshield but guess it woiuld help. However, before you bother gettin one may I suggest you do a bit more riding?

If you are still at the deathgrip stage then perhaps you are not ready for higher speeds anyway? As for clothes flapping...are the they the correct fit?

A certain amount of buffetting is inevitable on a bike & a windshield won't really help with crosswinds.

Just enjoy pootling about for a bit longer to increase you confidence & then decide.

Enjoy!!

[Johnj]

Hello and welcome to the forum. The wind is one of the things you learn you learn to deal with. You will learn to dress accordingly, and to zip up so air can't get in. A windshield ill work too. I have a bike with a windshield and one without.

[pchast]

Clothes flapping makes me ask... Do you have a proper Motorcycle Jacket?

I run with an after market windshield and I prefer it. You will hear opinions both ways
and justifiably so. It really does sound like you need to spend lots more time getting
used to riding, Even parking lot days.... Before you decide to go out and spend a
couple of hundred for a windscreen.

[TechTMW]

Ditto on above. I was scared 'poop'-less the first time I ever went on an interstate. Just know this. You WON'T blow off the back of the bike Once you get comfortable with 55, get on the interstate for just one exit - goose it up to 65 or whatever the speed limit is and then just get off at the next exit.

Also. Ditto on the protective gear. If you have a proper armored jacket (And Pants!) falling off the bike and sliding at speed is going to hurt alot less if the gear is of the proper fit - and you have armor on the hips, knees, elbows and back. I would say make sure you have proper gear befor spending money on a windshield.

[Lion_Lady]

Wearing motorcycle gear - a jacket, and gloves, etc. - does more than keep you from losing swathes of skin should you go down. It doesn't "flap" in the wind. You'll be less fatigued and will find you can ride longer if you're wearing gear.

A windshield will probably deflect wind from your chest/shoulders, but it can cause "dirty" air or bad turbulence around your head depending on how tall you are in relation to the rest of the bike.

P

[Roadrunner1970]

What a diference gear made for riding makes! I went out and bought a Bilt Typhoon jacket today and it made a truely huge difference! With the vents on it it didnt fill full of air, and i no longer felt like i was gonna fly off the back! It was very confidence inspiring! I even took it up to 65 for a bit, and it felt great! Some wind buffeting experienced above 45mph, but it didnt totally unnerve me like before. I even contemplated jumping on the freeway, but then thought better of it. I never wouldve considered that before now! My hands didnt hurt either cause i no longer had a death grip on the handel bars! I really am happily suprised by the differences! Now as soon as i can afford it ill buy a pair of Draggin jeans and ill be set as far as gear, atleast till it starts getting hot!

[sunshine229]

Hi Adrian, I'm glad the riding gear is working out for you. Don't worry, even when it's hot you can stay cool under gear because of the wind factor. That is, until you get stuck in traffic...