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What are the advantages/disadvantages of a windshield? I see that some bikes do not have one.

advantages:
keeps wind and bugs off you

disadvantages:
wind wash at 110+ is blistering!

It also depends on what you mean, and where they are applied. Large cruiser with large windshields are like sailboats in high wind or at freeway speed. On sportsbikes a large windshield is rare, but usuallly a bigger bubble on the aerodynamic shape. On which kind of bike are you refering?

scanevalexec wrote:It also depends on what you mean, and where they are applied. Large cruiser with large windshields are like sailboats in high wind or at freeway speed. On sportsbikes a large windshield is rare, but usuallly a bigger bubble on the aerodynamic shape. On which kind of bike are you refering?

I originally saw that the 04 Alphasports GV250 did not have a windshield. I was wondering if that was a good or bad thing.

Well, I'd see what others have to say besides me, but I think a windshield on such a small bike is overkill. But I have seen 250s cruisers (like the one you are looking at) with windshields and gear. I think if you wear a full helmet you should not need the windshield and it will only steal some of your power due to wind resistance. Let's see what others think to though.

For gentle cruising at moderate speeds, takes a load off your body and fewer bugs too. For high speeds, not exactly aerodynamic.

I choose not to go with a windshield for one completely impractical reason. I think they kill the look of the bike. Now before you all flame me for that, I don't care what other people think. I like looking at my bike without one, and hate the look of bikes with them. Again, by my admission, completely impractical, but it makes me happy.

I'm with Canucker - I ride a Triumph Bonneville, and a big windshield is incompatible with "the look." Dumb, yeah, whatever.... I might put a flyscreen on the bike, which is a totally cosmetic addition IMO. But for a Bonnie, it's part of "the look." Dumb, etc....

I notice that the big windshield on our Suzuki Marauder suceeds in focussing the wind blast right on the top of my helmet, which I hate. I'm 6'1", a shorter rider probably wouldn't have this problem. I'd rather have the wind stream distributed over my whole body, as on the Bonneville, than focussed on my head. I take the Bonnie up to about 85mph, I lean forward into the windstream, I'm used to it, no problem. I wear a full face helmet, a balaclava underneath, and a jacket with a high collar - very little cold air gets through, even at 80mph and 30 degrees F.

My bike has a large screen on it, I cant stand it. Its coming off as soon as I get a headlight and turn signals to replace the fugly vetter fairing on my bike