To windshield or not?

[JenM]

My bike does not have a windshield, and since I'm a noob, I don't really know any better and had honestly not even thought about it....but I was talking with a few guys today at work and the subject of bugs came up, and I made a comment about being tired of having to pick bugs out of my bra after riding (I work in a factory...shop talk is cool!) They looked at me and said, "You don't have a windshield???" I said, "nope." They all highly recommended getting one. One of them said, "Besides the bugs, you probably feel like you've been beaten half to death after riding, don't you?" I said, "Yep, I thought it was just me!"

So....how many of you have them, and do you recommend me getting one, and if so, from where? I found a few possibilities on JC Whitney's website ranging from $70 - $200, but I'm wondering if I might be better off going to the Honda dealer and ordering one specifically for my bike?

[blues2cruise]

I have a windshield. Last weekend after coming back from a daytip to Harrison and Hemlock Valley, most of the windshield was covered with bugs. Can you imagine if my bike did not have a windshield?

Last night and today I had to do freeway riding and keeping up wth traffic meant going 110kmh most of the way. The windshield got most of the buffeting from the wind instead of me being buffeted.

I think it was worth the extra cash to have it installed. You don't have to have the same brand as your bike. You can have an after market one.
My windshield is a Memphis Shades made to fit a Yamaha. It was a little less expensive than the Yamaha brand.

[old-n-slow]

Second what Blues2 said. I never ride highway without a windscreeen, just too much pressure against your torso. With even a smaller windshield, rider comfort is increased dramatically. Here on Vancouver island,bugs aren't the problem that they can be in other places though we still have them.

On my Yamaha I have an aftermarket, large windshield with fairing to cut the wind to the hands as well as the body. No buffeting at all with that baby. Without the windshield I need my jacket zipped up right to the neck or else it billows and fills up with air like a balloon, not so when the bike has the windscreen on.

[DustyJacket]

I have a quick-detatch windshield.
I use it almost all the time. Protects me from bugs, gravel, rain, road trash, and highway riding.

I only take it off for local riding in really hot weather or just to have some fun, but never in the evening. I cam back at 10pm totally spattered. I couldn't wee well out of my helmet and was picking bugs out of my mesh jacket for quite a while.

[nyrblue35]

i only take off my shield to clean the bike and the quick release option rocks.
plus im always looking for a place to put my sunglasses and small stuff and the windshield pouch is quite handy. another huge thing is i can wear my shorty helmet and it never moves on my head whereas with the shield off, it starts to inch back the faster i go.

[Itzamna]

I personally couldn't stand having a windshield, but to each their own. I personally like the wind beating me and the rain coming directly on me, but I am a little crazy. If you are really feeling the effects of the bugs and the wind, then you probalby should get one.

[Mag7C]

Second what Itzamna said.

My bike came with a windshield and saddlebags. I removed both. Prefer to have my bike as minimally equipped as possible. I don't even like riding with the face shield down.

But one of these days I'm going to take a week off from school, hook up the windshield and bags, and go road tripping. I think it would be great for long distances.

[JustJames]

I just installed windshild on my bike.

If you normally don't ride fast over 65 mph, then you might not need a windshild.
If you plan to get a windshild make sure the height is suitable for you, too short you will get a lot of head wind, too long you might endup look through windshilde which is not recommened.

For me, I'd prefer windshield but if I plan to ride twisty, it will be off the bike (get easy on/off one).

[flynrider]

I've usually had a windshield for whatever bike I was riding, but it's always been one that's easily removable. Sometimes you need one, sometimes you don't.

I've had great luck with windshields from National Cycle. They have a huge selection of sizes and styles. One should fit you. I've been using their Plexistars and Plexifairings for almost 20 years now. Easily removable (no tools req'd) and you can customize the installation to fit your bike and your self. My current plexifairing can be adjusted 30 degrees forward or back.

[Sobereality]

get a windshield you dont wanna be hit by a bird