To Windshield or not to Windshield

[Stichill_imp]

I've not (yet) owned a standard without a windshield. Both of my current bikes have windscreens and I would agree that they can increase helmet buffeting if the air stream hits too low. One of the few advantages I've found to being short is that I don't have that problem...the wind hits my visor and flows over. This airflow adds substantially to helmet noise. If I stand on the pegs and get clean air on the helmet, things get a lot quieter.

I've ridden a CB1100 rental for a day, and I've ridden a Honda Hawk GT for an hour. Neither had a windshield. I remember remarking to myself on both occasions how surprisingly calm it was to ride in clean airflow. I did take the CB1100 out on the highway at about 120 km/h (75 mph) and noticed that the wind blast does creating some fatigue after a while.

Personally I would not fix a windshield the CB1100 for aesthetic reasons and because of limited utility. If I were planning a lot of highway miles, I'd take a different bike or go ahead and put on a large enough windscreen to get some of the wind off the chest area.

[Ctatyk_imp]

I bought one of the Puig wind screens, but I think that I'll probably end up cutting it down some. I like it, but it's a little tall for my taste. Then again, I rode a Suzuki M109R for 6 years without a windscreen of any kind...I could be strange.

[LongRanger_imp]

Due to the weather, I've not ridden for several weeks but my ears are still ringing from the wind noise kicked up by the screen on my F800GT. And this is with a full face helmet and custom-molded ear plugs. My naked CB is considerably quieter at similar speeds.

[Cormanus]

The Lord is my windshield.

Mine too.

And I shall not want.

[uscgmac_imp]

These are one of those questions which always stir up some debate. It's hard these days to have an all around one bike do it all type. I know people in the past didn't have the options of today so they made due. Strapping things with bungi cords all over and large slabs of plastic up front which look like riot shields. Theses days with so many choices I don't know if I would pick a naked retro bike as my do it all bike, that's why I have a full touring bike in addition to my CB. Plenty of bikes come with removable bags, sissy bars and tour packs with windshields if that's what you need. This bike has a limited aftermarket for accessories so you could spend a lot to try and get it the way you want and never quite achieve that goal. It's real tough to find that perfect windshield for this bike, it's probably the reason so few companies have made a dedicated windshield for the CB, especially Honda themselves.

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[Ben70_imp]

I really like my Slip Stream Spit Fire. Big enough to keep wind pressure off my chest and angled to deflect the airflow at my face. Buffeting seems quite tolerable to me with a full helmet. No problems in cross winds. I have had it up to 90mph where the buffeting is more of a problem, but tucked in a bit is not bad, and it seemed stable. Without it I feel like I will blow off the bike. Not that I spend much time at that speed. Just trying it out

[flynrider]

I like that Givi Aschem.

Uscgmac, why is looking though a windscreen bad? Not trying to start a fight, just looking for info.

I'm not Mac, but the conventional wisdom is that without a windshield wiper, rain or mud or some other substance could block your view of the road.

I experienced this a young rider. I'd bought a tall windshield for my Windjammer fairing and the first time I rode in the rain, I knew I'd made a mistake. Particularly when a car ahead of me hit a mud puddle. I was having to stand up to see where I was going.

[jerrycon_imp]

After that large grasshopper strike to the throat in 19??, a windshield is always on for any out-of-town riding. It's a small one in hot weather, and a barn door (National Cycle Plexistar 2) in cold weather. Terrible buffeting with the big screen, but I choose to tolerate that instead of being cold.

[caseyjones_imp]

I like my Road Comet fairing, although I think it could come cheaper. It takes a good lot of pressure off my torso at high speed or on long distances, while leaving my helmet in relatively clean air, and it looks good on the bike. But one big advantage is that, once you have installed the bolts provided (two on the headlight, one above the horns) it takes about 3 minutes to take it off or to put it back on . So I ride my bike naked or "dressed" every other day according to my fancy or to the kind of trip I have planned. A good choice if you are still pondering about to windshield or not to windshield, TCBronson!
Before moderation strikes: "naked" refers to the bike, not the biker!

[uscgmac_imp]

Looking through the windshield can distord your line of view and inclement weather conditions you can completely loose your view. Taller shields also create much more buffeting to the head. If the shield is at the correct angle it will deflect the air over your head or close to it so no need to look through it. It's actually dangerous to do so.

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