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windshield or not?

7K views 70 replies 46 participants last post by  C50TinAB 
#1 ·
Hi. Am proud owner of 2008 M50 - no windshield. My first bike (1982 Honda CM 450E) did not have one either.

Question: Do I want one? why?

Your expertise and experience would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Lois
PS: Is it spring yet?
 
#29 · (Edited)
I Swore the windshield was coming off my Vol. when i bought it, and eventually it did but only because I moved up to a fairing...which I also always swore I'd never have on a bike...then the bike gained crash bar chaps (again never on my bike....yeah right.). If you are more into comfort than trying to look like a badass go for the windshield. You still get plenty of air but gain protection from rocks, bugs, cig. butts, bird crap and rain.
 
#30 ·
I like the windshield on my C50 I think of it as not only functional but also as a neat customization. I bought from my Suzuki dealer a C50T for my C50 as the T shield is taller and wider and I ride two up with the wife a lot.

I put 10,000 miles in the dirt with my TS250 and of course I never had a shield near it. But to get the dirt bike to do 75+ MPH you had to lay on the fuel tank to cut down on the wind resistance.

If you are in doubt buy one of those easy on an off shields like the switch blade. And even with an OEM Suzuki Shield it can come on and off in 15 minutes or so. But once most people put on a shield it generally stays on.:wayhappy:
 
#31 ·
Every time I go to a VR rally, I'm the only one without a windshield. I refuse to get one because I don't like how they look on the C50. On other bikes, I think they look fine.

I enjoy my rides as much as anyone, but I notice that I'm often cold when other people are talking about how warm it is, and I tend to get more tired from a full day of riding than I should (I'm relatively young). It's especially noticeable when I'm riding in an area with a lot of wind.

I have no doubt you'll be more comfortable with a windshield, but you don't need to feel like it's a requirement to enjoy your time on the bike.
 
#37 ·
as I have aged, function has taken precedence over form so would , and this is just for me, would rather arrive less tired and beat up but not have my bike look as cool.
I am curious what you do if it starts to rain ? Or more than a few times, we have been riding and it has started pouring down rain and we still would have to ride a bit to get somewhere to pull over.
Tho we obviously ride as many side roads as possible, there are times we will spend very long stretches on the highway getting somewhere.....I could not imagine doing 75-80 for a long stretch down the highway without a shield and worse yet, if it did start to rain.

But , everyone enjoys something different and wants something different.
I know for me, as I put more and more miles on my bikes, the more I discovered I was less concerned with looks then function.
I remember way back when , I sort of scoffed at textile riding gear....strictly a leather jacket for me.
I have not worn that leather jacket now in years. I remember feeling a bit like I had gone on the dark side when I went to a textile jacket....now, as mentioned, my leather jacket hangs in a closet having not been worn in years.

I used to have a 1977 GL1000 - the precursor to the Goldwing. I restored it and loved the naked look of that bike. I thought it was a great looking bike and I always got compliments whenever I stopped. Used to drive some harley guys crazy as people would always ask me about my bike, not theirs.

But as the miles piled on, I broke down and got a windshield. People still always asked about the bike. Then as more miles piled on and a average day ride was 300+ miles, I really bit the bullet and installed a fairing from a 1980's goldwing on it. Had a great paint job etc, but rarely did anyone ever ask me anything about my bike any more, now they would turn to the harley's.....
thing is tho, I did not care one bit. All I knew was I could ride my 300+ miles and smoke a cigarette going 80 down the highway. If it started to rain, did not bother me a bit while a couple of the other guys were looking for the 1st dry place to stop.........and I always arrived home feeling much better than I used to before the additions.
Is then I discovered I was no longer concerned about the looks, but was only concerned about making my ride as enjoyable for me as possible.

Tho some people may enjoy the ride more without a shield and to them I say have at it, do whatever makes your ride more enjoyable for you.
Me, I'll take the shield. I went to Ohio a while back, was 1,008 miles round trip, pretty much all highway miles. Could not imagine that without a shield.
Also doubt I would enjoy riding below 50, let alone in the 30's without one, heated gear or not.
But in the end, I say do whatever is best for you and forget about what anyone else thinks.....
I think I may pull out that leather jacket next spring
 
#32 ·
Lois I put 250 miles on a bike with no wind shield and along with all the other reasons listed here I found I was getting a sore neck due to the air pressure on my helmet trying to take my head off. I now have my own 2006 c50t and always ride with a clear face shield on my helmet and a windxhield. Love to ride, but can do without the turbulance....Ron
 
#33 ·
Yup, pretty much a personal thing. I had an old sportster that had no windshield and I enjoyed riding it but most of my miles were back roads and definitely no interstate riding. I was usually going less than 55 mph on the back roads 'cause if you went much faster it would vibrate the h^%& out of you! My C50T came with a windshield and I've since added lowers and clear guards for my handgrip area to help keep my hands warmer during colder riding. I would not ride without them!
 
#34 ·
On the 400 series highways, I can't ride very long without the shield. It's just too windy.

On the backroads and in town (anything under 100kph speed limit), I take the shield off.

It's just 4 allen bolts, so I just put it on or take it off as required.
 
#35 ·
I had the stock windshield when I bought the bike. Had it on, along with the bags and sissy bar for maybe a week.

Then off everything came. I like the look of the bike without one, and for the most part, have no issues riding without one either.

I do agree with most that for longer trips on the highway, a windshield would be appreciated.
 
#42 ·
C50TinAB - I am embarrassed to say that I didn't realize I have five pages of replies - I only saw page one --- my eyes are now opened!!

...and my windshield file folder is overflowing thanks to all those replies. THANK YOU one and all - I sure appreciate your experience and wisdom. absolutely definitely, I will be getting a windshield. This will be my Mother's Day request. I'll go for the quick release one for sure.

When I had my 1982 Honda 450E, I took it on the 403 (Niagara Falls to Brampton) and oh my goodness, I thot surely I was gonna fly away! That trip definitely improved my prayer life!!
 
#41 ·
With regards to the fogging on a full face. This week I tried the "drop or two of liquid soap" rubbed around on the lens (was around 25 degrees for the morning commute), wow, not a single fog up during the ride, even when trying to fog it up by blowing directly up at it.

It did take me a few times at the house of wiping, then holding the lens up to look through before I was satisfied with the level of clarity through the lens. Once on the road I couldn't even tell I'd smeared the soap around on it. No distortion at all.
 
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#46 ·
I might have to add those to my list to Mrs. Claus....right along with a new bucket...my FF Bieffe though it has served me well is somewhere around 22+ years old.
Tis time for a replacement. But I really want a bubble front 3/4 so I guess it will depend on whether I can get it or have to go with another FF.
 
#48 ·
I like the quick release ones too. Leave it on for the cold weather and long trips, take it off for the day rides. The last long trip I took on my Vulcan before I got my Concours, I had the shield on til we got to our destination, once there, took it off, put it in the hotel room, and didn't put it back on til we left for home. I love riding without the shield, full face helmet with the visor up and earplugs and enjoy the wind in your face.
 
#49 ·
Not sure if this was mentioned but a shield & lowers combination will extend your riding season in comfort. At temperatures that would freeze me into a popsicle on my SV1000S (equivalent to riding a bicycle at high speed, wind protection wise) I can ride all day on the Volusia with less layering as well. The stock shield diverts a good amount of cold air away from the hands on the grips as well. If I didn't have the stock shield I would get another Switchblade shield in a second for summer city cruising.
 
#50 ·
Guess it really is to each his own. Personally I ride all year round. And here in Pittsburgh, winter dats get pretty cold. Mine is an 09 c5. I bought it new, and currently have 22k on it. Last spring I installed a memphis shades batwing fairing wit a 5in windshield. It has made riding in the cold so, so much nicer. Not to mention it looks bad ***. Before I never rode under 48 degrees. I rode to work friday morning in 31 degrees. Other than my hands getting cold, it still was i nice ride. I freaking love mine! And in a matter if seconds, it can come right off. Best of both worlds.
 
#52 · (Edited)
reply to 'dfinitlydisturbd'
Thanks for the tip about the dish soap. Grand idea! I have an open-face helmet with the fold down face shield. I don't like the full face during warm weather, and I remove my face shield in the summer months. But in the late fall, when temperatures drop below zero (32 F) that's when the fogging starts. I'll have to wait till next year to try it though, because the bike is stored for the winter... THX
 
#54 ·
Sigh yeah - Rained here tho.. and foggy,
Hope we will have a winter like last year- But I fear lightening ain't gonna strike twice. One can HOPE tho!
 
#56 ·
The batwing is kinda ugly but I think a lot of it has to do with the actual mounting location. It looks good the lower you place it, and more acute angle accentuates that lowered height.
This is just one of the location/ height adjustments I made before settling on one known good configuration.


And the closer to the bars you get, the better it looks. Tightens it up.


 
#57 ·
The batwing is kinda ugly but I think a lot of it has to do with the actual mounting location. It looks good the lower you place it, and more acute angle accentuates that lowered height.
This is just one of the location/ height adjustments I made before settling on one known good configuration.


And the closer to the bars you get, the better it looks. Tightens it up.


 
#59 ·
I have ridden both with and without a windshield. My current bikes are split. The Victory Vision has one, the Honda VTX doesn't.

I rode the Victory on a 7,000 mile trip in the summer of 2011. Having the windshield was great, for the most part. I had a couple of really hot days where I wished I didn't have it.

I rode the Honda on a 7,000 mile trip this past summer. Not having the windshield was tough the first couple of days, but my body adjusted. By the end of the trip (I-80 from San Francisco back to Michigan) there were days when I was doing 90+ along the desert highways and the fact that I didn't have a windshield didn't phase me.

There are definite benefits to having one. You can have just as much fun without one.

I'd recommend getting one with a quick release so you can have the best of both worlds.
 
#62 ·
I think I've decided on my windshield. This will be for my 2008 M50:

I like the Memphis Shades **** Cat Windshield --- Gradient Black

Memphis Shades Hell Cat Windshield - Cruiser Motorcycle - Motorcycle Superstore

However, I notice that it will rest about a foot (A FOOT!!!!) above the light. Hmmm, will this not look too odd?? What if I add a little "tool kit" in between to hide the empty space?

Any thots? I want this bike to keep its lean mean M50 appearance, but ...
 
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