do you guys like windshields on xj ?

im thinking of getting one as my first upgrade, what do you think ? l

if you like them, which do you reccomend ?

thanks in advance, gecko

 

I love mine got it used. There are a bunch out there. Mine is Memphis Shades which is a pretty popular brand.

 

Get the right one and you will enjoy your Bike more than ever.
You'll go farther and faster.
It makes riding fun. No blast of wind in the face and chest.

I run a SlipStreamer HellFire Sport shield/faring.
Takes a little bit of finessing with the mounting hardware to get it on and have it become invisible. But, that's what seems to happen.

The mounting hardware is so nicely engineered that I can run, totally relaxed and comfortable ... not getting beat-up by onrushing air ... all day long.

It stays put. A major consideration. Don't buy a flimzy one.
It don't make noise.
I hit both sides with Windex before I take-off and I don't even know its there!

 

I restored a Vetter Windjammer IV fairing last winter, and I have lowers, too. I LOVE it. I do miss the wind-in-the-face during the summer, BUT.... NO bugs in the face, NO smears on the helmet, NO stones bouncing onff your forehead, and NO more freezing on a frosty morning. Last week I rode to work in 28 degrees, and after 45 min ride, my toes were only chilly and fingertips a little cool. I didn't walk into the building stiff as a board with a bright red nose.. I was comfortable.

I also have hard detachable saddlebags (all OEM Yamaha), so it's a full-dresser. See my gallery.

If you're gonna take just small rides, don't bother with a windshield, but if you're into longer rides, you'll sure appreciate it.

 

I personally refuse to run a windshield. Now, I have never ran a bike with one yet, so I really have nothing to compare to. I just do not like the look of them.

 

1st timer to a windshield on a bike

I love it, I can ride without my eyes tearing up at 80 mph

 

I usually run with a full modular helmet, but when I uses my half-helmet I wear sunglasses just to avoid the tearing. Man, I'd get so teary at only 40mph that I had to wear something. Now it doesn't happen at all. Also, I don't have the wind trying to blow my head backwards at 70mph, either. I'd have such a stiff neck after a ride just from that!. Sure the windshield doesn't necessarily look as cool, but the pros outweighed everything else. However, I have a couple other bikes/projects, and I will NOT have a 'shield on at least one so I can enjoy the wind-in-the-face again on shorter 'roun'-town rides.

dave

 

I tried then and had to remove it. There was to much wind noise. It made a big difference in the winter keeping the cold air off of me, but I could not stand the noise it made going down the road. I would like to try another but don't want to buy one and find out it makes the same noises.

 

Personally, I don't like windshields. On long trips I generally have a tall tank bag packed, which does act as a bit of a windbreak. Otherwise I like 'em nekkid. Just a personal preference.

 

I had a Slipstream SpitFire shield on my '82 650 Maxim.. and absolutely hated it. It concentrated the airflow to my shoulders and head - and buffeted my sunglasses/helmet so much - that I finally removed the windshield. I tried all sorts of angles - to no avail...

The Spitfire was just too small to effectively push the wind over my head - now I know to get a bigger one if I decide to get one again...

Rex S.

 

I had a spitfire on my first bike and I found it to be too small also.
I put a "national cycle" street shield EX and it's about the right size.
The wind hits me about a half inch above my face shield and my head is in a bit of a vacuum actually. I can squat down and lean ahead a bit and it's totally quiet.

It's VERY bazaar in a heavy rain at speed though! rain drops dripping off my helmet getting sucked into the back of the windshield.

I second Rick's comments: I'll go faster and further. I can cruise at 85 with one hand on the bars very comfortable for 100 miles and my neck isn't sore for the rest of the week.
It also extends the season down to about 35 degrees if I don't have too far to go...once I get my electric gloves I'll probably "man up" and ride down to 30

 

A good friend told me once... "Riding with a windshield is like sucking titties through a nightgown"....

The funny thing.. is that the next time I saw him, he had a windshield on his bike.. I asked him how he liked the taste & feel of "nightgown".

 

I'm with Fitz, I like them as nature intended.

 

Keeps the bugs out of the teeth

 

I like riding with mine if I plan on going over 35mph. If it is just a short trip, I take it off.

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jim123,

What make/model is yours?

 

National Cycle 22" High Street Shield EX with Quickset from JCWhitney.

 

I got a older Rifle Sport fairing from CL a month or so ago. Since it is now fall and the night-time low temps here are upper 20s lower 30s I felt it would help to extend my riding, and it did exactly that.
I work night so I go in at 10PM and head home at 6:30AM and it was cold without the fairing, now the trip is no big deal, my feet are about the only thing that feel cold at all.
I do get some wind noise around my helmet, but I'm going to order a taller windshield for it and that should take care of that small annoyance.

I will likely remove the fairing when it warms up as I really don't care for the look of it on the Seca, but it sure does work to keep the cold wind off .......

 

I run both of my bikes with winshields on them. After riding 35+ years I absolutely hate riding without one.
One thing about windshields several (thousands) riders found wind buffeting usually caused by wind coming up from under the windshield along side the tank. That makes it uncomfortable when it bounces your helmet (or in my case, my glasses) around on your head.
The best way I found to remedy this problem is to install "lowers" to the front forks or on top of the engine guard if you have one. This will create a dead air spot behind the windshield and make it very enjoyable riding.
I am able to light a cigarette while riding ( so I smoke, ok) now installed a cigarette lighter on the handlebars, so I'm good to go.

 

Out here on the plains where the wind blows at light speed in what ever direction your heading you learn to love the Vetter on the front. Plus it gives me a place to stuff my crap.