Dag
Member
Posts: 1779
I have a love affair with a bumblebee
Country Rep. Norway
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« on: January 19, 2010, 10:54:54 AM » |
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Personally, I'd rather ride without one, winshields are ugly! (how many friends do I have now)?  I like to feel the wind in my face instead of pushing the air in front of me. Leather and a fullface helmet pretty much take care of the wind. |
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The question is not what you look at...but what you see...
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Jack
Member
Posts: 1889
VRCC# 3099, 1999 Valk Standard, 2006 Rocket 3
Benton, Arkansas
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« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2010, 11:32:05 AM » |
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I don't use a shield and, I believe, Willow doesn't.
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"It takes a certain kind of nut to ride a motorcycle, and I am that motorcycle nut," Lyle Grimes, RIP August 2009.   |
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fudgie
Member
Posts: 10613
Better to be judged by 12, then carried by 6.
Huntington Indiana
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« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2010, 11:45:11 AM » |
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Never will ride without one. My 96 VLX had no shield. After getting the tourer there is no way I could again. It is nice!  Be able to talk to my passenger without yelling, listen to radio, spit, and makes rain and colder weather riding better. No wind fatigue unless its a cross wind. Nice to have a pocket of 'no air' infront of me. The batwing doesn't do as good as my oem shield did but looks better. I had no shield when I put the batwing on for a test ride for a few days. Couldn't believe how windy it was. Keep blowing my glasses up and my beanie off my head. Not to mention making the eyes water. Plus I don't wear a helmet.  |
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 Now you're in the world of the wolves... And we welcome all you sheep... VRCC-#7196 VRCCDS-#0175 DTR PGR |
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Serk
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« Reply #4 on: January 19, 2010, 11:46:20 AM » |
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NOT trying to start a "you should, you shouldn't" argument, but I've replaced too many cracked windshields from rocks (or even June Bugs!) hitting 'em over the years to do much riding without one...
In the summer I'll occasionally take mine off, but generally not for long...
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Never ask a geek 'Why?',just nod your head and slowly back away...  IBA# 22107 VRCC# 7976 VRCCDS# 226 1998 Valkyrie Standard 2008 Gold Wing Taxation is theft. μολὼν λαβέ |
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Dag
Member
Posts: 1779
I have a love affair with a bumblebee
Country Rep. Norway
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« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2010, 11:47:07 AM » |
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I think the wind is colder where I live  |
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The question is not what you look at...but what you see...
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Willow
Administrator
Member
Posts: 16631
Excessive comfort breeds weakness. PttP
Olathe, KS
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« Reply #6 on: January 19, 2010, 11:58:04 AM » |
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I think the wind is colder where I live In fairness, Dag, I do wear a full face pretty much any time the temp drops below 50 (10C), but I tend to leave the visor open.  |
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valkmc
Member
Posts: 619
Idaho??
Ocala/Daytona Fl
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« Reply #7 on: January 19, 2010, 12:00:47 PM » |
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My Valk has 68,000 on it and I have never had a windshield. Trips from Central Fl to places like Sturgis, Upstate NY, Detroit, etc included. I tried a windshield on my previous bike it lasted for about 5,000 miles. That bike had 90,000 on it when I got rid of it and bought the Valk.
I have tried them on other bikes and never found one I liked.
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2013 Black and Red F6B (Gone)
2016 1800 Gold Wing (Gone)
1997 Valkyrie Tourer
2018 Gold Wing Non Tour
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Big IV
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« Reply #8 on: January 19, 2010, 12:08:28 PM » |
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 It is a personal preference. I think Valks look good either way. I like mine shielded. If I bought a second I might run it sans shield. But my primary Valk is on its second windshield. |
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« Last Edit: January 19, 2010, 12:10:09 PM by Big IV »
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"Ride Free Citizen!"
VRCCDS0176
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FLAVALK
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« Reply #9 on: January 19, 2010, 12:18:20 PM » |
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No shield for me unless the temp is really cold
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Live From Sunny Winter Springs Florida via Huntsville Alabama
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Black Dog
Member
Posts: 2606
VRCC # 7111
Merton Wisconsin 53029
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« Reply #10 on: January 19, 2010, 12:26:59 PM » |
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Depends on the ride... 500 miles or better in a day, you bet I use the shield/fairing. For no other reason than to arrive without feeling like I'm ready for a nap (not to mention the ability to listen to my tunes). Heck, most any riding on the super slab, or speeds over 60 mph, it's almost required for me... At 6'2" and scary close to 275 lbs, my body is like pushing a 4' X 8' sheet of plywood through the air  . I have to hang on for dear life! I do like to drop the shield/fairing, on a warm summer day, while cruizing the two lane back roads, but as others have said, a rock, or even a June Bug, can leave a dent in yer face, at speed  , unless yer wearing the full face, but then, why not use the shield? I love the look of the 'Fat Girl' without the shield/fairing... But, like Big IV says, I love the look of any Valk, shield, fairing, or not Black Dog |
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Just when the highway straightened out for a mile And I was thinkin' I'd just cruise for a while A fork in the road brought a new episode Don't you know... Conform, go crazy, or ride a motorcycle...  |
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Mikey
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« Reply #11 on: January 19, 2010, 12:48:14 PM » |
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I put the shield on once it gets down around 40 degrees... I think it makes it handle like a boat.
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Remember folks, street lights timed for 35 mph are also timed for 70 mph
VRCC# 30782
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BF
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« Reply #12 on: January 19, 2010, 01:12:15 PM » |
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Because my body description is scary close to BlackDogs, I think the Valk handles better with the shield on it. It's more aerodynamic than I am.
However, the short answer is......it depends. The shield does come off for most of the summer becuase it's like a sauna here in the summer.
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I can't help about the shape I'm in I can't sing, I ain't pretty and my legs are thin But don't ask me what I think of you I might not give the answer that you want me to  |
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Rocketman
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« Reply #13 on: January 19, 2010, 02:20:55 PM » |
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I think the wind is colder where I live In fairness, Dag, I do wear a full face pretty much any time the temp drops below 50 (10C), but I tend to leave the visor open. That's full time in Norway, right? |
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Dag
Member
Posts: 1779
I have a love affair with a bumblebee
Country Rep. Norway
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« Reply #14 on: January 19, 2010, 02:27:44 PM » |
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I think the wind is colder where I live In fairness, Dag, I do wear a full face pretty much any time the temp drops below 50 (10C), but I tend to leave the visor open. That's full time in Norway, right? We have actually a few moths with 70 to 90F. Whole last week, the daytime temperature here was the same as night temperature in Houston |
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The question is not what you look at...but what you see...
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czuch
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« Reply #15 on: January 19, 2010, 02:31:36 PM » |
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Nothing pulls the heat up off the motor in the summer like that shield. Valkmotor plus 115deg,
plus 190 deg. comin off the asphalt NOWTHATS LIVIN.
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Aot of guys with burn marks,gnarly scars and funny twitches ask why I spend so much on safety gear
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Psychotic Bovine
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« Reply #16 on: January 19, 2010, 03:29:10 PM » |
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5 minutes after I arrived home with my 97 Valk tourer from the dealer, the windshield was off. The buffeting that I get from windshields makes riding near impossible for me. Even as well designed as the stock Valk shield is, I still got outrageous buffeting.
The only shield I could ride behind for any period of time was on my oldest brother's Pacific Coast (and my fj1200, but that was barely a shield).
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"I aim to misbehave."
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Big Rig
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« Reply #18 on: January 19, 2010, 06:06:04 PM » |
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Shield and 1/2 helmet all year long...temps yesterday morning 33 degrees...did sport the mask below 45 with the windchill unknown at 60mph....I am looking to replace my OEM I/S shield...thinking solid black sport shield...would like some feedback from any one that has that...
6'4" 240 lbs and look over the windshield...
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Colin
Member
Posts: 597
My old job
Orba, Spain
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« Reply #19 on: January 20, 2010, 12:32:06 AM » |
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Dag,
I'm with you on this , the first job I did on my Valk was to remove the screen.
When I started riding bikes the only fairings were on racing bikes none had screens. When I started riding for a living none of our Triumphs had screens but we did have fibreglass leg shields. It was only when we got BMW's in the late 1970's that they came with fairings so we had to get used to them.
It's personal choice and for me I think they spoil the lines of the bike and I prefer to ride without them.
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JimL
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« Reply #20 on: January 20, 2010, 04:37:47 AM » |
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I agree with all of you! The Valk looks much better without the windshield...the way a motorcycle was meant to look.
However Fudgie and Serk make good points, there are only so many bugs I am willing to ingest (and we have plenty of them here in the south)... not to mention the bug guts all over my helmet and jacket and the flying pebble hazard.
Anyway since Fudgie won't wear a helmet....he NEEDS some protection!
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Jabba
Member
Posts: 3563
VRCCDS0197
Greenwood Indiana
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« Reply #21 on: January 20, 2010, 05:15:56 AM » |
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I only put my shield on when the SO is with me, because she likes it. When I am solo... I am shieldless, and full face helmeted.
Side note... BlackDog is skinny compared to me. 6'-2" and about 325.
Jabba
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Black Dog
Member
Posts: 2606
VRCC # 7111
Merton Wisconsin 53029
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« Reply #22 on: January 20, 2010, 05:56:27 AM » |
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Side note... BlackDog is skinny compared to me. I do believe, that that is the first time my name has ever been in a sentence, with the word 'skinny'...  Black Dog
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Just when the highway straightened out for a mile And I was thinkin' I'd just cruise for a while A fork in the road brought a new episode Don't you know... Conform, go crazy, or ride a motorcycle... |
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Spirited-6
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« Reply #23 on: January 20, 2010, 06:22:35 AM » |
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I agree with JimL. Riding @ turnpike , old word, interstate speeds , I need the shield to reduce wind pressure on my chest and other parts of my person.  I do like to remove in warm weather for slow rides on country roads. Slow rides the bugs don`t splat as much.  The Valkyrie, I think, has enought power that the shield does not make THAT much of a wind drag. I have never checked MPG w/o the shield. Bottom line, cool , cold weather , a shield is a must for me. |
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Spirited-6
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MAD6Gun
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« Reply #24 on: January 20, 2010, 09:10:09 AM » |
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I too ride without a sheild. I have tried a few different shield and have not found one that does not cause turbulance around my helmit. I just ride with a fullface helmit and a backrest. Backrest is a must without a shield....
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Normandog
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« Reply #25 on: January 20, 2010, 09:30:12 AM » |
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I agree that windshields are ugly. Never seen a bike that wouldn't/didn't look better without one. And I used to never ride with a shield. However, I have transformed to where now I seldom ride without one. It's just a lot more comfortable.
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Jabba
Member
Posts: 3563
VRCCDS0197
Greenwood Indiana
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« Reply #26 on: January 21, 2010, 05:09:14 AM » |
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Side note... BlackDog is skinny compared to me. I do believe, that that is the first time my name has ever been in a sentence, with the word 'skinny'... Black Dog Dog... it's all about relativity. Even an average woman looks HOT when sitting next to a truely ogrish woman. That's how I see us. You're a big man. But sitting next to a fatass like me... you look sveldt.   Jabba |
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Rocketman
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« Reply #27 on: January 21, 2010, 05:54:06 AM » |
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I think the wind is colder where I live In fairness, Dag, I do wear a full face pretty much any time the temp drops below 50 (10C), but I tend to leave the visor open. That's full time in Norway, right? We have actually a few moths with 70 to 90F. Whole last week, the daytime temperature here was the same as night temperature in Houston Last week, daytime was frigid here... |
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cutter
Member
Posts: 575
First Company in... Last Company out! VRCCDS0234
Plantersville, Texas
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« Reply #28 on: January 21, 2010, 05:56:00 AM » |
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Personally, I'd rather ride without one, winshields are ugly! (how many friends do I have now)? Have an I/S...... just put me on the ugly friend list...  |
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On your tombstone there is a dash between the day you were born and the day you die. Make that dash count.  |
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Rocketman
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« Reply #29 on: January 21, 2010, 06:00:27 AM » |
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The Valkyrie, I think, has enought power that the shield does not make THAT much of a wind drag. I have never checked MPG w/o the shield.
I would bet that unless you're a little guy, the rider's wind drag is more than the rider behind a shield. The shield is much more aerodynamic than a person in the Valkyrie's riding position. Put more simply, without having done the math, I'd bet that your overall drag decreases when you put on the shield. Of course, these things are not built for cutting through the wind. Shield/no shield just comes down to rider's preference. |
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VALKTERY
Member
Posts: 128
SIX is SERIOUS
Dundalk MD.
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« Reply #30 on: January 21, 2010, 06:22:28 AM » |
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Yea ride with mine ,most pf the time, but I think the valk looks so impresive without the shield , with guages and that big ol headlamp   |
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03 standard ...vrcc 21799 Dundalk MD. If you live right, things will go right!  |
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Spirited-6
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« Reply #31 on: January 23, 2010, 04:11:37 AM » |
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The Valkyrie, I think, has enought power that the shield does not make THAT much of a wind drag. I have never checked MPG w/o the shield.
I would bet that unless you're a little guy, the rider's wind drag is more than the rider behind a shield. The shield is much more aerodynamic than a person in the Valkyrie's riding position. Put more simply, without having done the math, I'd bet that your overall drag decreases when you put on the shield. Of course, these things are not built for cutting through the wind. Shield/no shield just comes down to rider's preference. I am a "little guy" 5`9" and 170.  You are right. A car/truck will get better MPG with the windows up than down. There is no dought that a bike handles differant with or with out a shield. |
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Spirited-6
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doubletee
Member
Posts: 1165
VRCC # 22269
Fort Wayne, IN
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« Reply #32 on: January 23, 2010, 04:22:23 AM » |
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5 minutes after I arrived home with my 97 Valk tourer from the dealer, the windshield was off. The buffeting that I get from windshields makes riding near impossible for me. Even as well designed as the stock Valk shield is, I still got outrageous buffeting.
The only shield I could ride behind for any period of time was on my oldest brother's Pacific Coast (and my fj1200, but that was barely a shield).
Do you still have the Tourer windshield and mounting hardware? If so, want to sell it? |
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Hoser
Member
Posts: 5844
child of the sixties VRCC 17899
Auburn, Kansas
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« Reply #33 on: January 23, 2010, 07:15:39 AM » |
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Seldom take off the windshield, kinda fun when I do, though.  hoser |
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I don't want a pickle, just wanna ride my motor sickle  [img width=300 height=233]http://i617.photobucket.com/albums/ |
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Wetrudgeon
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« Reply #34 on: January 23, 2010, 11:36:10 AM » |
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We much prefer the looks of the Valk without the shield. However, we find that we are a good deal more fatigued even on relatively short rides without it. Perhaps this is somewhat attributed to our advancing chronological age. But for us, the shield is necessary.  We trudge on. |
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Nickster
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« Reply #35 on: January 23, 2010, 03:19:50 PM » |
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Well being from alaska a shield is a must. Up here a 33 degree ride is almost t-shirt weather hahaha. When me and the ol man came through canada on the way to Inzane 9 a windshield was a must. We had no time to pull over and wait the weather out. We blasted through some of the crappiest weather i have ever seen. I prefer a full fearing (i like my music) but to each his own. And also i prefer no helmet ( let those who ride decide). My personal opion is that the valk is ugly with no windshield. But we all are intilted to our own opion.
ride safe
AkNickster
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Aknickster
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