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Sunday, November 23, 2008

To Shield Or Not To Shield...That Is The Question

Well, as you can probably tell by looking at my bike, I don't use a windshield of any type. Now I know what your going to say, and trust me, I've already heard it from all my buddies. Windshields cut down on fatique, they keep you warmer on cold rides, they keep you more dry in a rain storm, etc., etc., etc. Anyway, as I've said before I am very much a less is more type of guy when it comes to my motorcycle. So, I have not been able to bring myself to put one on yet. I know there are nice detachable options out there that come right off in 30 seconds. I just can't seem to part with the $$$ to buy one.

I have put some miles on without the windshield and have faired pretty well. I have ridden 700 miles in a day, and 400-500 miles in a day several times. During these trips, all my friends had windshields and I was no more fatigued than they were. Actually, the most beneficial thing I've found on long trips is the rider backrest I have and a well packed duffle bag I can lean back on. Of course I have reconsidered my stance on this since we have spoken about taking a trip from Texas to the Grand Canyon. That trip is about 20 hours one-way, and I would imagine eating sand in the desert for several hours would be no fun. Of course, this is not an ego thing, and this is completely personal preference, so to each his own. Who knows, I may spring for it if the situation dictates, but for now I will just floss the bugs out of my teeth and keep grinning.

Here's a pic of my bike packed for the road. Also, since Mike's ACE was such a hit, here's another shot. This one's free, you gotta pay for the rest.


Also, here's an upclose pic of my backrest. I got if from http://www.firehousecustoms.com/ for about $100. It's perfect because it fits my stock seat which means I didn't have to buy a new one. They make them for all different models and they're made specifically to fit stock seats. I'm trying to get Mike to buy one, but he has resisted so far. The only thing I wish it had is a quick detach feature, but I only use my stock seat for trips or riding 2up anyway, so not a big deal.

14 comments:

Betsy said...

You get bugs in your teeth?

fasthair said...

RTR: I never have had one before. But what I do on long trips is bunji my tent and sleeping bag on top of the triple trees to the bars. It is high enough to take the wind off my chest a great deal. Plus it looks oh so "Then Came Bronsen."

My friends wife put a small one on her Sporty and wishes had done it years ago.

A detachable would be the way to go I think.

That wife of yours is a real card :)

fasthair

Allen Madding said...

Don't know that they keep me warm or dry, but I've seen and heard a lot of stuff bounce off the lexan windshield on Rosie (lugnuts, rocks, bugs). I am just glad the stuff stopped before it hit me :)

TRT said...

Yep, I think I'll keep her. Good idea on the tent and sleeping bag, I may have to try that.

TRT said...

Allen, that's actually the only reservation I have about not having one. A rock to the face might hurt a little.

Anonymous said...

Mr RC has a quick release detachable shield and he just got me one. I've only ridden with it twice so far on short little trips, so the verdict is still out.

My chiropractor would probably agree that a backrest would be a good option. I haven't been able to find anything except a $400 seat with a backrest without going to a passenger seat (which I have no intention of ever using, and would destroy the sleek like of my solo ride). I am definitely going to check it out. Thanks for the tip!

Anonymous said...

Damn fine looking bike next to yours. Maybe you should trade him...

TRT said...

Hey Mike, grow a pair and register a user name instead of lurking around anonymously.

Mr. Motorcycle said...

I would not disagree that windshields have their place, but they can ruin the look of a bike that doesn't have one "built in". Baggers, and street glides, and Heritage Softails, Etc. look fine with them on all the time. Just my opinion but other bikes, like Dyna's, Sporty's, Fat Boys, etc. just look silly to me with windshields on. The windshield almost looks like an afterthought.

If you get one for the "practical reasons", make sure it is detachable. Your bike looks sick the way it is, and a windshield in my opinion will ruin the look.

TRT said...

Mr. Motorcycle,
I agree, they look fine on Road Kings, Street Glides, Heritages, etc. but just don't seem to mesh well with the other models. If I get one it will definately be detachable and will stay in my garage for about 50 weeks a year. Which is why I haven't dropped the cash yet.

Willy D said...

In my younger days I never had one. But I admit I'm now a old wuss and never leave home without one. To each his own. Beauty is in the eye of the owner.

Big Daddy said...

To all of you who read my post's you know they can be catastophic.;]
To those who haven't, Go to older post...till you find armegeddon on my blog.

Willy D said...

Rats, big d. People picking on your windshield and no present!

I still say to each his/her own.

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