As far as the stuff about glasses.....I got a set of Denali 3s from Eye Ride...interchangeable lenses and foam edges that are ventilated..
i like em

Frank_W wrote:
Ditto. I'm definitely using earplugs, though. I hate the wind-noise that comes from riding without the windshield. I need to find a place for my garage opener, too. I've got it velcroed to the windshield, right now...

I always keep a few packages of the foam ear plugs in my handlebar bag. If I'm going to be on the highway for more than a couple miles I use em. I keep my opener in the pocket of my tank bib.

All-ya'll crack me up!


windshields are for cars...and thats all I'm say-en bout dat

My Roadie is my first bike with a windshield (well, a real windshield...those tiny things on sportbikes don't count IMO). Personally, I really think a lot of the affect of not having one is determined in how your bike is setup.

For example, if you have forward controls with 32-33" wide drag bars (common bar hopper setup) and your upper body is leaned forward slightly to reach them you're not going to notice the wind as much. On the other hand, if you have apes or wide beach-style bars that let you lean back in the seat you're making a sail out of your torso and the wind effect will feel more substantial. That's my experience at least.

Personally, after riding with one and experiencing first hand how I'm not near as drained after a long ride I wouldn't trade it for anything...well, anything but a batwing (and I'm working on that). Yeah the bike looks better without it, but I'm not here to win any style points, I'm here to ride and enjoy having the energy to do something when I get wherever it is I'm going.

without shield you get all of the style points. But i'd rather ride than just look cool

Thanks again. I'm mostly using the bike for my six-mile commute, and the fastest I'm going is 60-70 mph, so I think I'll be okay without a windshield. If I get ready to do a longer run or get out on the superslab, it takes five minutes to put it back on. I'll need a tank bib or bag, I think. For now, I've got my registration and stuff stuck in a saddlebag, and I can put my garage opener in my jacket pocket.

I've got some good foam earplugs for when I go to the firing range, and I put them in an empty pill-bottle.

Had the shield on this past winter & it helped keep the cold air off. Put 4 1/2" pullback risers on this spring & left the shield off because it hid my handiwork, but if I go on a long ride, I'll put it back on. I'm with Frank on the wind noise. The shield definitely helps quiet it down. That reminds me...I've got to update my sigpic!

The only difference I've noticed, now that I've taken the windshield off, is that my half-helmet wants to balloon up. My foam earplugs worked just fine.

Another advantage: Now the front end looks and feels a lot less like a friggin' barge. It's more similar to the dirt-bikes that I grew up with, so I'm a lot more fearless about leaning the bike over. I know it's purely psychological, but, but the bike feels smaller, more nimble, and easier to manage.

I also feel like I can toss my bike around in the corners alot easier but its all probably in my head. I am really starting to get used to it and I think I like the feeling of being more connected to the road if you know what I mean.

I ride more aggressively with ear plugs in with or without the shield. Don't know why.