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.

 

I love mine for function don't care as much for the looks. makes it looks like an old mans bike. I took it off this morning and rode the bike. oohh I don't the friggen noise. Maybe it was the style of half helemt I had on, but the wind noise alone was defeaning. I have to try out my other helmet and see if it just the design. I will most likely put it back on after I clean it. It takes less than a minute to put on or take off. Work is only 2.5 miles so off for short trip on for long rides will prbably be the case. Oh and I got mine for a steal it is a harley windshield made for a sportster (they have about the same size fork tubes as the X or at least the one I bought) It was $25 bucks used at a cycle shop.

 

My old girl has an equally old Vetter IV fairing and new extra tall Slip Streamer shield. This combo is great for 8- or 9-month riding here in Canuckville. The shield has saved my bacon a couple of times from rocks that should have taken me down. Just for the flying object issues alone, for me it's like the choice between a helmet or bare head.

 

I rode for two years without one, then got tired of getting hit by debri. Put on a shield and wa la. still get the forehead hits but they are rare. Also less bug splatter on your vest, or jacket

 

I had a spitfire wind screen on my maxim, it came with the bike and when I got I swore i would never use it but in the cold weather and longer highway rides it was nice to have, it wasn't very big just enough to throw the wind around me!!
Shaun

 

I have a seca 750 qnd I love the windshield. I t is more stable at higher speeeds and I don't feel the pressure on my chest. When I am riding back roads I take it off. I love my winshield. Personal preference.

Check it out in my gallery.

 

Yeah, I'm pro-windshield, as my sig says, I have the Hellfire on mine, I like it, I almost went with the Spitfire, but now I think, if anything I would go bigger, mine is just low enough to see over, but high enough to look through if you crouch just a little(like when it hailed on me a few nights ago).

Keep in mind, my last bike(Honda CB750 Four)had a Windjammer fairing, which I took off once, then put right back on again after riding it once. So compared to that, all windshields seem kind of ineffective, but that big fairing is stupid looking(I spray painted mine black)

 

I'd have to agree Mike. I had a Vetter fairing on my Seca for awhile and really liked the protection ('specially at 5 AM) but never liked the looks of them or the added weight on the front of the bike. I could tuck myself down behind it and even keep my legs warm with lowers I made for it. Those old Vetters would cut the wind very well too. They serve a good purpose, but never were much in the looks dept.

 

I've never had a windshield. But I took a hundred mile ride
the other day, alot of it on the interstate, and I sure did
wish I had a windshield. It would have been nice. So I
think if I do find one I'm gonna go ahead and buy it.