To windshield or not to windshield....

....that is the......question.....

:roll:

:lol:

Seriously, how do you guys feel about windshields on XJ bikes?

I've got one on my Maxim X, but it's not working for me with a helmet.
My helmet (3/4 with full face shield) is vibrating/rattling at higher speeds, almost makes my vision blurry. I have it raised as far as it will go, which ends up being right below my line of sight.

What are your thoughts in general?

 

I imagine that's one of those things, there's no middle ground. Love 'em or hate 'em. Let's just say I'm not fond of 'em :wink: ...

skillet

 

I don't mind the wind in my chest since I very rarely take 1 or 1.5 hour rides nor do I travel on highways over 55mph.

The catch is that my SECA is more of a forward sit, while the Maxim is fairly upright? Might feel the wind and force a little more?

 

I started out without a shield, but all the crap that 18 wheelers were throwing at my chest started to hurt lol so i got one for projectile reflection, not so much wind, but it's nice not having 3-5 pounds on your chest all the ride too.

 

Craig Vetter made a whole industry over the issue of comfortable riding.
Then the factories took over.
You put enough "blockage" in front of you and you will be in still air - - no buffeting!!
Not possible with a small 'screen, might look ugly on a Maxim.

Every running bike I had, had a windshield.
We have flying Japanese Beetles with a hard shell !! And Bigazz dragonflies !!

 

Get a good Screen.
It is sooo nice on-the-road without the wind on you.

I have a 750 Maxim.
I went with a "SlipStreamer" Brand -- "HellFire Fairing"
HellFire SS-V-24 (For Round Headlights)
http://www.bikebandit.com/slipstreamer- ... =338726163

It took about an hour and 45-minutes to install.
I bagged their "Thumb screws" for Stainless Cab Screws.

Protects your whole upper body and hands.
Aerodynamically stable.

I would rate this Model very highly.

 

Sound like yours may not be tall enough.

I used to hate the idea of them. Really like it now.

 

My opinion NO SCREEN !!!!!!!!!!! Never had one and travel 15k a summer

 

Hated them all through my 20's and most of my 30's, but into my 40's I am really enjoying not fighting the wind anymore. It is a very personal choice do what is right for you.

 

The only windshield I ever had sliced the crap out of my legs in the only real wreck I ever had.

I travel with a tank bag, which acts as a wind "deflector." Wind is part of riding a motorcycle.

No windshields for me, and I'm an old fart.

 

On the plus side, that's the windshield I have.
Sadly, it isn't tall enough no matter how I tweak it.
I'm used to the fact that my tall ass has to compromise sometimes.

That said, I've removed the windshield altogether.

Just to see.

I lost one of the wing nuts that holds the "vertical arm" to the handlebar on the way home today.

 

How about checking into a memphis shade model with the quick dis connect. Keep it on in the cooler weather and snap it off when it's nice.

Look on ebay. The make em in different hights and widths.

I ahve one on my vulcan but not on my Maxim. I really am not wild about bikes with shields but it does serve a purpose.

Rob

 

If you're riding on the freeway on a cold morning, they're a godsend. I've got one on the 750 (came with it) and I'm debating getting one for the X as well (eventually).

 

I will say it is nice to have something to hide behind when it is cold and rainy out. But in general I prefer to feel the wind on me.

 

I found windshields are a must for me. Never ride without one. Like it's been said, either you like them or you hate them. 90% of the cruisers around here have windshields on them. I like the protection they give and don't feel so beat up after riding all day without one. I hate full face helmets too.

 

I started out without one, but now I have one on my Maxim. In the summer with grasshoppers hitting you and when the sun goes down the mosquitoes hit you, it's like machine gun fire. In the rain you can hide behind it especially when an 18 wheeler goes by you, the over-spray is awful. JMO

 

Agreed. As you can see by the pics, I've got one on each bike. Sure, it detracts from the looks of the bike just slightly, but the benefits are worth it. No swallowing bugs, if you do get caught in the rain it's not as bad, and much less tiring on long trips.

 

As a test, I took the windshield off last night.

I like it a lot more, but I could really see the benefit of having a proper windshield that's tall enough.

I love the feel of the wind.
I'm sure down the road I'll put it back on, but for now it stays off.

(mostly because one of the wing screws that holds the height adjustment in place vibrated loose and fell off )

 

I personally love my windshield, but here in the windy city, on the expressways, during this season, its practically needed! Now, maybe during the summer months, I might take it off!

 

I put a National Cycles Plexifairing II on my XJ750RH Seca (I know, that's redundant) back in 1981. I commuted 20 miles (at about 20-30 mph) to work year round when I was stationed in Japan, just outside of Tokyo. It was a handlebar mount but it really helped. It was tall enough that I had to look through it. If it is short enough to see over, you get more buffeting as the air spills over it. You have to be in the "bubble" of calm air for the best protection. My commute now is 13 miles most of it at 70mph, but a lot hotter in the summer. I need a quick detach model here. I'd use it in the winter, store it in the summer. Since I don't have one for my 1982 Seca, I ride my other bike when I need the windshield. BTW, I like full face helmets, probably because I started riding with one and haven't tried a 3/4 or half.