Highway rush hour traffic - Windshield or not?

[Sev]

Stolen from a motorcyle review -- couldn't resist-

But the upright and exposed riding position means high speeds are something you attempt only when your subscription at the gym has expired - half an hour at 80mph into a headwind is worth at least a fortnight's worth of bench presses.

Windblast was less noticable and less uncomfortable on my Honda 599 with no windscreen then it was on my LS650 which also had no windscreen. While riding the Savage I was constantly pushed back so I was pulling on both bars with my arms to hold myself up. On the 599 this was not as much of an issue.

In fact, I can comfortably do 140km/h on the 599, whereas the windblast was annoying and difficult to deal with at 100km/h on the LS650. It may have something to do with the clock configuration, or the change in seating position, leaning forwards into the wind, bringing my stomach chest and back muscles into the equation. But either way the standard that I own is better for windblast then the cruiser that I owned.

Reading about it is all well and good, but my actual experiences have left me to conclude differently.

[safety-boy]

Hi Sully,

I have considered a windshield for the highway. I have a 454 Ltd., which looks a lot like the modern Kawa Vulcan 500.

I sit a bit forward, and the wind at 75/80mph is a real drag! I'll be riding into the wind at 75, then it changes and I shoot past 80. A lot of it is the drag from my chest and helmet.

Here are a few windshields that work with my bike. This site lets you search by make/model to get the right shield. I am leaning towards the Street Shield.

Good luck,
Dave

[biff]

I live in S.W. Texas. Lost o' sun and lots'o Kamikaze birds. I actally caught a bird in the face on my bike, on the freeway. To make things fun all I had on was a healf head city bucket. So sheild or no shield...everyone has a plan till' they get hit. And I got hit... :grimmace:

[JustJames]

Before I don't like the look of windshild on my V-Star either. I decided to try it becuz I quite often ride at night and at pretty high speed. I swear, I just wanna try once and then take it off or install it when needed, but it end up alway on my bike. THe only time I take them off when I'm doing pratice.

BTW I have Memphis shade windshield which I can take off / installed in 2 mins.

[basshole]

If I wanted a windshield, I'd drive my truck! Ride glass free dude!!

[old-n-slow]

Reading about it is all well and good, but my actual experiences have left me to conclude differently.

There you go. The voice of experience.

I wonder what your experiences will be saying when you hit 60? (and I don't mean miles per hour)