Motorcycle Windshields
Sailing down the highway on your bike can be a freeing experience. You’re out in the open air, feeling the wind against you and the sun overhead. But after a while, that wind might start to tire you out and you won’t feel as comfortable. You may even end your ride sooner than you’d like. A good way to resolve this is by installing a motorcycle windshield on your bike. These can make your ride so much better and more comfortable in a variety of ways.
Not convinced yet? Read the information provided to you below by Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson® of Eugene to learn more about how a motorcycle windshield can seriously improve your enjoyment of your bike.
Advantages
The advantages of installing a motorcycle windshield are multifold, making it worth your time and investment. For starters, you’ll suffer from less fatigue because you won’t have to hold yourself upright with gritted teeth as you encounter wind resistance. This condition is called wind fatigue and it can cut your ride short when you become too pained and exhausted to keep going. A windshield blocks a great deal of those gusts so you can be at ease and relax your posture more.
Next, if you’re riding often in poor weather conditions as you might encounter on a daily commute, you’ll want more protection from precipitation. Windshields can cut down on how much rain or snow hits you while also guarding you against cold winds. You might otherwise wish to find another means of transport, but with a windshield, you can ride much more easily in bad weather!
Finally, you’ll reduce the amount of irritation you experience while riding on the highway. Bugs splatter on your clothing and face mask, making a mess and looking gross. Cars kick up debris and puddle spray. A windshield will serve you well in these circumstances, too.
Windshield Types
There are two primary types of windshield: permanent and removable, which are fairly self-explanatory. If you want to be able to remove the windshield for shorter rides or when storing your bike, go with the quick-release removable style. However, if you don’t mind it being there all the time, you can go with a permanent one.
You’ll also need to choose the material you want between acrylic and polycarbonate. Acrylic is the more affordable choice and isn’t likely to yellow over time, but it’s more fragile. Polycarbonate is tougher and more durable, but more expensive and likely to yellow with time. Think about what matters to you most and make your decision from there.
How High Should It Be?
One important consideration to factor in as you’re choosing and installing a windshield is how high it needs to be. This will depend on how tall you are, your sitting height and your riding posture. If the windshield comes up too high, you’ll be looking through it instead of over it, which means you may not be able to see through mud spatters, dead bugs or rain. On the other hand, if your windshield isn’t quite tall enough, then you won’t be shielded as well from all of that precipitation and debris.
What you’ll want to do is align your nose with the top of the windshield while sitting on your bike comfortably, in the position you prefer to ride in. Make sure the windshield’s width matches the width of your bike, too, to give you sufficient protection.
Maintenance
Fortunately, it isn’t too difficult to keep your windshield in good condition. You’ll need to clean it on a regular basis to ensure it doesn’t become crusted up with dirt, bugs, and water spots. Try not to scrub too hard so you don’t scuff it. A soapy wet towel can be laid over stuck-on debris for a bit to soak it loose so you can easily wipe it off.
As you can see, there are a number of benefits that come with installing a windshield on your motorcycle. This is a simple upgrade that can make a huge difference in how much you enjoy your rides.
Looking for Harley-Davidson touring motorcycles for sale near Portland? Visit our dealership in Eugene, OR, to check out our full selection of Harley touring motorcycles. Our staff will be happy to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. We can also answer any further questions you might have about motorcycle windshields. Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson proudly serves the cities of Corvallis, Portland, Medford and Salem, OR.