Why ANYONE would ride without a windshield?????

[2tonevalk]

I have not put the windshield back on the bike since I replaced the fork seals.  I thought I might give it a try without the windshield.  I rode up to King's Mountain and back around thru Charlotte into Chesterfield, SC.
I rode 250 miles.  It was absolutely agonizing.
The wind was brutal.  It was hard as hell trying to hang on to the bike.  The wind got up under my helmet trying to pull my head off like a chicken. 
I love riding my Valk.  Just next time it will be with a windshield.  This was with out a doubt the worse ride I have ever rode her on.
However the scenery was beautiful and the weather could not have been nicer.

Ride safe
Robert

[GreenLantern57]

In my teens and twenty's  could not imagine riding with a windshield. Now, I cannot imagine riding on the highway without one!

[Tropic traveler]

Those that do call themselves "real" bikers. Anyone who rides with a windshield is a "wannabe".
You know the type, they also insist that there is only one acceptable brand of motorcycle for "real" bikers to ride too.  

I've tried it both ways myself. There are windshields on all of our bikes!

[SANDMAN5]

In my teens and twenty's  could not imagine riding with a windshield. Now, I cannot imagine riding on the highway without one!

Ditto me too also!! I'll occasionally take the shield off for a short ride, but I always wear
my fullface helmet. My face is too purty to have bugs and gravels bouncing off of it!!
OK, maybe not, but it's the only face I got!! At least it looks better than Stanley Steamers!!

[Willow]

It's not for everyone,
but then neither is riding a motorcycle.



I imagine when I get old enough or start riding some real distances I'll add a windscreen, but I'm certainly not there yet.   

[Black Pearl's Captain]

Those that do call themselves "real" bikers. Anyone who rides with a windshield is a "wannabe".
You know the type, they also insist that there is only one acceptable brand of motorcycle for "real" bikers to ride too.  

I've tried it both ways myself. There are windshields on all of our bikes!

You guys need to man up and shut up a bit.  There are riders that ride without windscreens amongst us. 1500 buttburner gold (that's 1500 miles in 24 hours) done by this guy and 100,000 plus miles on his current bike.

Edited 6:20 Monday morning, smileys added...I guess the post seemed too harsh, all in the interest of getting my opinions out there too. (No "windshield" on my KLR and it gets a few miles (where is the man smoking smilie??)

Raymond

[Tropic traveler]

Settle down big boy! ???
There was no insult to your manhood in my sarcastic reply...just a general shot at the intolerance of a lot of the riders of bikes that are different than mine in these parts.

Ride whatever you want however you want, it's all good!

[Probie (Scooter57)]

My Valk is a Tourer so it came with a windshield. However; my V Star didn't but I put a small "sissy shield" on it before I got the Valk for some wind deflection for Violet. Now that I have the Tourer I took the "sissy shield" off and Violet has only been on it once since and she doesn't like it anymore.

[R J]

From the time I started riding until I became a CHP, I didn't know what a windshiled was let alone spell it....

The CHP bikes, we had to use a shield to be able to use our radio.   Couldn't hear the 2 way Motorola without one.

After that I started using a shield all the time, except on Wednesday night, Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.  Was racing flat track then if I was off duty.........

[NiteRiderF6]

Different strokes for different folks.... My brother has never rode with a shield.... I, on the other hand, have hardly ever ridden without one. I prefer a screen in front of me, especially on longer trips.... It's nice without when it's hot, you can catch a lot more wind that way.... You still sweat just as much but you dry off faster. 

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I think thats one of the main reasons I like this bike cause I can take the windshield off in the summer and dig on the wind.

[Big IV]

I can go either way on the shield. It would take getting used to ride without it again.
Now the saddle bags...those are addictive.  I was riding with some friends and kept looking at a couple HDs with us without bags wondering where they kept everything.  I used to ride without bags, but I can't remember how anymore.

[Jack]

I never use a shield but I do use a full-faced modular helmet.  To each his own I guess.  I've been riding 40 years.

[V98]

Hmmmmm, most old pics from the 50's I've seen show guys on their Hardly Ableson with the old "COP" style windshields. Guess they weren't "REAL" bikers  .

[Jack]

Hmmmmm, most old pics from the 50's I've seen show guys on their Hardly Ableson with the old "COP" style windshields. Guess they weren't "REAL" bikers  .

Why does "Wannabee" or "real Biker"  even enter into this?????  Its solely a matter of preference.

[Bob E.]

For me, I think it's the way the wind comes over the front of the Valk at highway speeds that makes me want a shield.  I used to ride a Kawasaki KZ1000 (no shield) and never had a problem with the wind.  My dad had an old CB750 with no shield and I put a bunch of miles on it with no problem.  I also put a bunch of miles on my brother's Honda Hawk NT650 with no shield and no problems.  Then I had a sport bike that had the typical small fairing/shield and it was pretty smooth up to and beyond 100mph.  But then I got the Valk, and anything over 40-45mph felt like getting the crap beat out of me...so I got a windshield and air wings.  I like it much better now.  Either that or I'm just getting old and wimpy.

[Tundra]

When I was a kid, I raced around on a Norton , and all the Kawasaki's, Kz650, kz900, kz1000. NEVER had a windshield nor did I want one (old man stuff)  Now, I rarely take mine off. We have two heavy "love bug" seasons here in Florida. Taste better with the windshield on! On the really hot days, It is nice to take it off
(for short runs).  I guess I'm spoiled now, I feel like I really get beat up without it.  

[Rowdy]

Intresting discussion ???
My first 2 bikes I did not have a windshield, did not think too much about it 
Until I ran into a swarm of bee's 
Then I added a Windjammer fairing to my CB 500 - hmm - protection from the rain and bugs, not bad, I liked it and had a windshield on all the street bikes from that point on, 
Personal preferance 

[Black Dog]

I like the fact that I can remove my fairing (attaches to the factory shield) with just four bolts.  For some low speed cruzing (Bike Night for example), say most riding below 50 mph, there is something special about the way a Valk looks without the shield/fairing.  I agree that a 'full face' helmet is necessary, if ya plan on speeds above 70 mph.  Hangin' on to the bars, while pushing 70 mph worth of wind with my chest, can poop ya out in a hurry!

If the ride is of any distance, or something that is gonna take more than a day, the shield/fairing makes the ride that much more comfortable, especially if ya run in to some rain, or cooler temps.

Black Dog

[Spirited-6]

When I started riding they did not make Wind Shields, I don`t think. In the 1950`s most were bare bones. I never had a Shield until a 1100 Spirit and then that was a mistake. M.S. Big Shot Shield caused more head buffing than I could stand until I made  lowers for the bike. Then I had to remove said lowers to install a light bar, back come the head buffing. When I bought My Tourer I was amazed with the Shield on the Lady. No wind buffen at all and really enjoyed that. Don`t know how I ever rode W/O a shield before unless age was envolved. My V65 was a bear @ 150 W/O a Shield, bugs came in the front and went out the back. Bottom line, I will finish my riding years with a Shield.  

[V98]

That was my point, hence the winking smiley at the end. It's your bike & your  preference. I don't give a ratt's *ss what some self proclaimed "real biker" thinks. My only concern is my wife's and my enjoyment & safety.

[junior]

Those that do call themselves "real" bikers. Anyone who rides with a windshield is a "wannabe".
You know the type, they also insist that there is only one acceptable brand of motorcycle for "real" bikers to ride too.  

I've tried it both ways myself. There are windshields on all of our bikes!

You guys need to man up and shut up a bit.  There are riders that ride without windscreens amongst us. 1500 buttburner gold (that's 1500 miles in 24 hours) done by this guy and 100,000 plus miles on his current bike.

Edited 6:20 Monday morning, smileys added...I guess the post seemed too harsh, all in the interest of getting my opinions out there too. (No "windshield" on my KLR and it gets a few miles (where is the man smoking smilie??)

Raymond

i would like to comment about willow it just a few things i have noticed...........as far as the no windshield thing willow is built with arodynamics in mind check out that stache that is mother natures airfoil (no wind screen needed there) and i know there is an army of him i have seen it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! a whole room full of them. and for as many time that i have had the chance to converse with  he has been firm but fair.

[FLAVALK]

I have riden for many years w/out a shield. Why? Because I prefer it that way. I will install the shield if it is very cold or if I'm an going on a long trip. Otherwise, no shield for me!

Oh, I also use one during Love-Bug season   

[MAD6Gun]

I do not ride with a shield. Have tried types and none of them worked for me. They cause excessive turbulance for me and rattle my helmit. I always ride with a fullface Shuberth helmit. I also have a back rest witch is a must due to my large stature I stop a lot of air. As far as not running a shield making you a "real" biker is BS. Either or it is a riders preference plain and simple......

[Bonzo]

For me it is a windshield. In the younger days, I was hard pressed toear a helmet. Live and learn!

[Black Pearl's Captain]

Those that do call themselves "real" bikers. Anyone who rides with a windshield is a "wannabe".
You know the type, they also insist that there is only one acceptable brand of motorcycle for "real" bikers to ride too.  

I've tried it both ways myself. There are windshields on all of our bikes!

You guys need to man up and shut up a bit.  There are riders that ride without windscreens amongst us. 1500 buttburner gold (that's 1500 miles in 24 hours) done by this guy and 100,000 plus miles on his current bike.

Edited 6:20 Monday morning, smileys added...I guess the post seemed too harsh, all in the interest of getting my opinions out there too. (No "windshield" on my KLR and it gets a few miles (where is the man smoking smilie??)

Raymond

i would like to comment about willow it just a few things i have noticed...........as far as the no windshield thing willow is built with arodynamics in mind check out that stache that is mother natures airfoil (no wind screen needed there) and i know there is an army of him i have seen it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! a whole room full of them. and for as many time that i have had the chance to converse with  he has been firm but fair.

Obviously you didn't notice the tassles on his bike. Real bikers always have tassels on their bike. Or is it the other way around? Real bikers would never have tassels on their bike??

To heck with it, ride em if got em.

Raymond

[Dag]

I like the wind, and it helps me to keep the speed low(er)   



On long rides (several days) I use this small screen.

[Highbinder]

Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't....I also don't worry about what others folks think about me or my riding...I know who I am and what I'm about...I have nothing against Harley riders or any other brand riders, I would stop and help any of them in a time of break down...just don't ask me to ride their bikes!

[legender]

I like the windshield in the winter, but here in Dallas in the summer, you've got to get some wind.  So, four bolts later it's off and so am I, to catch the wind.  I have no problems at speed with my full face and love to have the extra wind for cooling in the summer.  Bike looks great either way.

[GreenLantern57]

I like the windshield because I like to ride without a helmet.  Round town, short trips around town.  Have a full face modular for the long highway trips. 

[fiddle mike]

When I first started riding we wouldn't have a shield because they were considered dangerous.  I still think they are  responsible for some fatalities since internal injuries is more likely to be a cause of death than a head injury. 
That said, I got spoiled when I had my GL1100 and figured that the trick was to avoid launching over the bars.
I have a 14" that lets some wind by, looks sporty but is completely ineffective in rain, and  an 18" for touring two-up.