Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Thanking about getting a windshield. What's your opinion?

I think there are two materials windshields are made from
Acrylic and Polycarbonate

calsci com has an article on windshields and many other subjects

Does a crosswind have a great affect on the stability of a bike with a windshield?

They come in different sizes so what benefit would a different size make?

Is there a Rain-X product for mc windshields?

I remember reading with no windshield one could lean into the wind like leaning against a wall. And so reduce fatigue... is that true?

redwing wrote:I think there are two materials windshields are made from Acrylic and Polycarbonate

Mine is made of Lexan, don't know if it fits into either of those two products...

redwing wrote:Is there a Rain-X product for mc windshields?

To the best of my knowledge, NO. Some riders use Pledge wipes or spray on to get a similar effect...

redwing wrote:I remember reading with no windshield one could lean into the wind like leaning against a wall. And so reduce fatigue... is that true?

I've never been on a long ride where I felt that having "no" windshield reduced fatigue. On the contrary, I've found the inverse to be true, a windshield helped prevent the fatigue of fighting the head on wind.

My

Windshields are a matter of personal taste. I try and ride up to the first snowfall in Dec/Jan here. Riding when it's 38- 42 degrees F without a windshield and no electric suit defines Masochism, since you're in Louisana, guess that's not something to worry about.

As far as windshield polish, I use Novus plastic clean and shine. Just place a soaked terry cloth towel on your windshield to soften the bug splatter, then spray and polish the Novus on.

On a cruiser sitting almost upright I don't like the drag on my chest w/o a windshield. Mine is 14" high, covers my chest and it pushes the wind over my head, can do 80 mph on I-70 here no sweat. With your Beemer, am guessing you might feel the same.

I sit nearly upright on my GS500 as you would on a R1200R and still ride year round here in NE Ohio and used to ride in temps down to 20F but have been keeping it above freezing the past couple years. A concession to age, I don't use electrics.

A Rain-X product for windshields is a moot question to me, I keep the top of the shield below eye level and look over it all the time and not thru it. Get a much better view of the world without looking thru a windshield wet or dry.

I use a large National Cycle Plexi 2 shield in the winter and have for many years and wouldn't go thru a winter here with less shield. I put a smaller Spitfire shield on for summers and find it adequate for 70-80 mph indicated freeway travel all day long. It gives more wind in the face and on the arms and legs than the larger Plexi 2 but still takes the load off the chest for comfortable high speed travel. There is a very noticeable difference in the crosswind effect between the two shields, I don't find them objectionable with the smaller shield.

All I know is i hate looking at them, but they sure do work.

Scott58 wrote:All I know is i hate looking at them, but they sure do work.

+1 amen.
You can always get a quick release so you can go both ways, one day ride with the next day ride without.
I took mine off of my old HD once and felt like I was sliding off of the seat, with the wind hitting me square on. I felt like I had a work out so the shield went back on and stayed on except for games. I feel that it actually cuts through the wind, my opinion. As far as cross winds, no issues at all.
However on my FLHX the wind does catch the faring so I have not changed from my 4" windshield I don't want the extra drag for me.

The ST, well the shield is fixed.

Lexan = Polycarbonate. Think Nalgene bottle.

There should be a ton of bolt-on options out there for your BMW.

How does a windshield effect mpg?

I don't think that it will make much difference on your mpg - whatever wind that you don't catch on the windshield, you will catch on your body. I have ridden both ways and I like the idea of having a windshield with a quick release. Sure is nice to have on long road trips.

They definitely help with reducing the buffeting and resulting fatigue you get when riding. They do nothing for or against a side wind. A good plastic cleaner works well and helps bead up the rain, but it’s not RainX. My shield comes about ¾ of the way up to protect me and my helmet does the rest. I have seen bugs sweep over the shield and my helmet so it does a nice job of protecting me there. I thought long and hard about getting one and I am glad I did. I ride a V Star cruiser by the way.