Windshield & long trips

[MikeAstringer]

Originally Posted by 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.

It depends on how large your windshield is and where you mount it.

[kaikara]

Originally Posted by MikeAstringer

It depends on how large your windshield is and where you mount it.

I have the memphis fats, so it's quite large. Also, your windshield should be mounted below eye level. Based on simple physics and the way the wind flows around an object, it's impossible for a windshield to block all wind.

[rmw]

No. I'm getting too old to be beat around by the wind all day, day after day on a long trip. Besides I don't like bug goo all over me.

[squidchief]

Something to think about as you read the various answers to your question: How many people who say “I wouldn't go around the block w/o a shield” would actually consider going coast to coast on a bike in the first place? I've went coast to coast a number of times including one Alaskan Highway run. As a matter of fact I'll be doing a North Carolina to Nevada run starting this Friday. Never have I used a shield and I sure as heck am not planning on using one now. On my last run-for-the-wall probably better than 60% of the bikes had windscreens. When asked, most said they did it to protect themselves from highway road debris getting kicked up from riding in formation. I've never heard anyone who did distance rides complain about the wind "pushing them around". Personally, I feel if someone is physically exhausted after only sitting on a bike all day they might want to invest in a good pair of running shoes or a gym membership instead of a windshield.... but that's an opinion. Riding through farm country, especially at night, you're going to get some bugs on you... that's a given. They wash off a face shield just as easy as they wash off a windshield. I do wear a helmet that has a visor on it. The visor pretty much only comes down at night. During the day it's up and I'm looking at the world through good impact resistant sunglasses. I’ve been dinged a few times. Nothing that hurts more than a minute or two. In my experience, the only time a shield would be beneficial is hauling butt down the highway and a big chunk of debris comes flying back at you. Now you just have to ask yourself: How often has a big chunk of debris bounced off the windshield of your four wheeled vehicle? If you ride without one now, more than likely you’ll be fine without one later. If every time something hits you you find yourself wishing you had a windscreen then you might want to head on out and get one and put it on. My .02 anyway

[still.southern]

I've done a few longer rides without a windshield and like it...it does wear on you if you go over 65-70. I'm planning on cross country this summer without a windshield as well. As many have said, it depends on your taste and make sure that you don't start going sans windshield on your trip. A good friend of mine rode from Savannah, GA to Alaska and back on a Harley with ape hangers and no windshield then rode from MI to Yellowstone to Grand Canyon and back last year. He might be an unusual case, but it can certainly be done.