Windshield & long trips

[davelisowski]

i would only bring one if my helmet didn't have a mask/shield/visor or if i expected any cold rides (i.e. below 45F). So morning or night, the temp might get cold.

Bugs will wash away. I've never hit such a terrible swarm that I couldn't keep riding. But I've hit cold that made me stop. I actually stopped to throw up. I would like to think the windshield would have prevented/delayed that.

but i'm greener than grass

[capttwb]

No, way to tiring.

[kaikara]

Occasionally I'll ride to work without a windshield. It's only 37 miles, but all highway. I'm usually picking bugs off the shoulders of my shirt when I get there. I can't imagine how covered I'd be on a cross country ride going all day.

[h13man]

Like my shield so much that I going to order a different one here in the near future. I need a 17" for the proper fit though the 15" works good but bugs are hitting the top of my FF shield on a occassion. The height in my pic worked best but I lowered it and angled it to my fork angle thus needing the 17" height to work like it did before the adjustment. It came with a 19" Memphis Fats and it was too tall and ugly for my taste/need.

[sgtsmestad]

Some people love them and other don't. I have ridden both with and without and I much prefer to ride with one. They do a good job with bug control and wind blocking. As others have said, you are a lot less tired at the end of the day. To each their own.

[vandinroth]

Yeah since i refuse to put a shield on my bike since i think they look stupid, especially those batwing ones that seem to be all the rage nowdays. I'd rather, and have numerous times, take a junebug to the forehead than have a shield on my bike.

Whole point of riding a bike is having the wind in your face, if you don't want that just drive a car, but to each their own.

[randyd]

I take my windshield with me on long trips, but when the mood strikes I take it off and stow it behind me, wedged between my back and whatever luggage I have strapped to the pillion seat. This system works well and allows me to have it both ways.

[walker311]

I dreamed of riding in the wind and now living it. The bugs and rocks are going to happen so I prepare. I have no plans to mess up a good bike with a windshield.

[Frogman172]

It all depends on you. I have a nice memphis shades set up. I havent used it in 4 years. I have drivin 7 hours straight two seperate times without a windshield. My question to you is,... do you ride without a windshield now. If you do go for it. You dont need it! If you ride with a windshield and want to take it off for the trip you will not like it. I say that because you will get bugs in your face and the wind hits your chest differently. I simply use a hanky or a pull over mask over my face to stop the bugs and keep the cold out. I will never go back to a windshield. It takes away from the look of the bike. It takes the wind out of your face. It is a whole new ride without a windshield. But the time to start is not when your goin across country. Start now so when your trip is due you can make an informative decision.

[kaikara]

All these people mentioning that it takes the wind out of your face are lying. I have a windshield and still get tons of wind in my face. Plenty of bug splatters on my helmet to prove it. It lessens the amount of wind on your chest, but you do still get plenty there as well.