To windshield or not to windshield? That's the question

BigBenlor · Post by **BigBenlor** » Thu Mar 15, 2012 11:29 pm

I bit the bullet, I've been tossing it around for a long time, but I finally decided to go for it. I bought myself a new windscreen. I'm not sure if I'm going to ride with it all the time, or maybe just when it's cold.

What do you all do? Do you have a windshield or not? Is it on only in the winter, or all the time?

I don't have a buddy, I've got a Honda elite 250, so my windshield only comes in "tall" BUT what I really like, and what I think really sold me on it, my windscreen also covers my hands. That'll help take the bite out.

Here's the link with a pic. I paid $135
http://www.ebay.com/itm/230760085228

Post by **ericalm** » Thu Mar 15, 2012 11:36 pm

Mid-sized windshield all the time on my Vespa. Don't have one on the other scoots, but will eventually.

Good for performance, MPGs, climbing hills and stability at high speeds.

Some folks just don't like them. Others need to try a few to find their optimum height.

If yours is too tall, they can be cut down pretty easily.

Would love to see a pic of it on your Elite 250!

BigBenlor · Post by **BigBenlor** » Thu Mar 15, 2012 11:45 pm

Does it really effect the MPG's and stability that much? I wasn't sure I'd notice much difference.

I don't think the screen will be to tall since I'm 6'5" and ride tall on the seat. I like that it's tall.

And I will deffinetly get some pics when it's on

pugbuddy · Post by **pugbuddy** » Fri Mar 16, 2012 12:20 am

Definitely add a windshield.

smarkum · Post by **smarkum** » Fri Mar 16, 2012 1:37 am

Windshield all the time. I dont like bugs at all and prefer to keep the dead ones out of teeth and on my jacket. Better gas mileagw, less wind in the chest and flying rock protection. Gotta love it.

Post by **ericalm** » Fri Mar 16, 2012 6:24 am

BigBenlor wrote:Does it really effect the MPG's and stability that much? I wasn't sure I'd notice much difference.

You get a modest bump in MPGs, acceleration and top speed. Your mileage may vary as they say.

For stability, on my Vespa the difference is pretty dramatic at high speeds. I wouldn't do a long trip without one.

LunaP · Post by **LunaP** » Fri Mar 16, 2012 7:21 am

I had a mid-size one all the time on my Buddy. But if mine were that big I wouldn't want it on all the time. I'm definitely pro-windshield though!

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Fri Mar 16, 2012 8:08 am

BigBenlor wrote:....Here's the link with a pic. I paid $135
http://www.ebay.com/itm/230760085228

Nice that yours extends in front of the handgrips. =)

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Fri Mar 16, 2012 2:32 pm

ericalm wrote:
BigBenlor wrote:Does it really effect the MPG's and stability that much? I wasn't sure I'd notice much difference.
You get a modest bump in MPGs, acceleration and top speed. Your mileage may vary as they say.

I actually found that my windshield left my top speed at about 5mph LESS than normal on my Buddy.

I have a quick detach one from Slipstreamer (Scoot 66), and it's great, not too short, not too tall. I just have to figure out a way to keep the left side from popping out on gnarly bumps at slower speeds, and try it again. I won't be bothering with it for my trip to Burlington tomorrow though, I need that top end performance.
Otherwise I will probably only use it on longer trips that I don't need the top end for, and when it's chilly outside.

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Fri Mar 16, 2012 2:43 pm

I don't know if I've had a boost or subtraction in MPGs or top speed, I honestly don't care much. But I do know the comfort factor of getting a lot of the wind off my chest, especially when it's cold, has made the decision to go with a wind shield was worth it. ALSO, the amount of bugs it catches and/or deflects is much appreciated.

It's windshield all the way for me!

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Fri Mar 16, 2012 3:50 pm

skully93 · Post by **skully93** » Fri Mar 16, 2012 4:13 pm

I might get one his fall then. I'm determined to do the summer without one since I think I want wind on my chest for the summer. Of course mph/mpg sounds good too!

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Fri Mar 16, 2012 4:15 pm

skully93 wrote: I'm determined to do the summer without one since I think I want wind on my chest for the summer.

I have found long rides with the windshield are less fatiguing as well.....

LunaP · Post by **LunaP** » Fri Mar 16, 2012 5:21 pm

KABarash wrote:
skully93 wrote: I'm determined to do the summer without one since I think I want wind on my chest for the summer.
I have found long rides with the windshield are less fatiguing as well.....

Yes. I've never ridden without one, but Lokky told me his large windshield takes away a huge wall of pressure against him when going more than 25 or so. I can see how that would make for some rider fatigue.

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Fri Mar 16, 2012 5:52 pm

LunaP wrote:
KABarash wrote:
skully93 wrote: I'm determined to do the summer without one since I think I want wind on my chest for the summer.
I have found long rides with the windshield are less fatiguing as well.....
Yes. I've never ridden without one, but Lokky told me his large windshield takes away a huge wall of pressure against him when going more than 25 or so. I can see how that would make for some rider fatigue.

I noticed significantly less pressure and fatigue when I used mine that one day because I went from 35 to 45 to 55 to 40 to 30 and back in about an hour, but like Skully said, I want to feel the wind on my chest (and face) in the warmer months. To me, that's a big part of riding a motorcycle/scooter!
The windshield is nice to have, I like it, but more often than not I just have to ride without it to get that wind in my hair feeling of freedom.

BigBenlor · Post by **BigBenlor** » Fri Mar 16, 2012 5:52 pm

Sweet, thanks for all of the input, I feel confident that windshield is the way to go.

I bought it because I'm starting to make a once a month trip 2 hours to the north to denver, and I wanted a little more comfort. The wind that hits my chest goes right up under my chin and it gets cold, and when the wind is extra cold, there is no glove that keeps my fingers from freezing, now the windshield will help cover them finger too.

No cool quick release option, but I might still take it off in the warm months.

michelle_7728 · Post by **michelle_7728** » Sat Mar 17, 2012 5:56 am

One thing that may or may not change your mind (about riding without one in the summer months): When I lived in Houston, I remember the cicadas got pretty heavy in the summer months. We don't have them up here in Washington...do you have them there in Colorado?

Having those suckers hit your chest or neck at speed could be quite painful.

I HAVE had a bee or two hit my windshield...maybe another consideration...

However, my husband takes the windshield off of his Piaggio Fly in the spring, summer, fall months when only short (hour or two) trips are planned, so I know folks definitely have differing preferences about that.

illnoise · Post by **illnoise** » Sat Mar 17, 2012 3:15 pm

I'm not a windshield fan, there are lots of different designs that would have varying effects on fatigue and mileage (sometimes negative I bet) but on most scooters with windscreens, the screen seems to be right where I bonk my faceshield on it, and it just buffets wind into my face and/or acts like a sail when there's a sidewind. Definitely ride the same bike with the same screen first, just to see if it's even marginally practical, I know a few people who bought one, put it on, and took it right back off.

Bb.

smarkum · Post by **smarkum** » Sat Mar 17, 2012 5:55 pm

I'm all about windscreens. In fact, I've just added a Prima to my buddy. I had ordered the Cuppini short for my buddy, but as soon as it arrived and I held it up in place I knew I'd prefer the med sized Prima . . . so, the Cuppini is posted in the wts section if anyone is interested. The main benefit of a screen to me is the fatigue factor. Well, that and I very much dislike the wind pressing against my chest. the windscreen eliminates either of those.

BigBenlor · Post by **BigBenlor** » Wed Mar 28, 2012 8:40 pm

Ok, I got it, I put it on, and I loe it.

It is tall... but so am I

the first day I rode with it, the wind around here was crazy, so i kinda felt like a added a sail to my scooter, but in normal conditions it help a lot

A lot less wind noise in my ears
No wind pushing my chest
Acceleration seems smother
and mine covers my hands, so I've noticed I'm a lot warmer.

And here it is!

still shifting · Post by **still shifting** » Thu Mar 29, 2012 2:13 am

Damn Fine Lookin Honda you have there! Cool R

BigBenlor · Post by **BigBenlor** » Thu Mar 29, 2012 3:32 am

still shifting wrote:Damn Fine Lookin Honda you have there! Cool R

Hey thanks brother

LunaP · Post by **LunaP** » Thu Mar 29, 2012 5:04 am

I agree, I love the color green

smarkum · Post by **smarkum** » Tue Apr 03, 2012 10:47 am

Great Green Scoot! I would love that windscreen too!
Now, has anyone had their windscreen tinted?

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Wed Apr 04, 2012 10:04 am

i used a WS for a bit. i noticed a great difference in noise above 40mph w/o it. it bothered at first, ear plugs took care of it. still do if not riding with ear buds

other then that the cold, wind, etc does not bother me much. it used to but i just forgot about it

i am pretty sure i like riding without one for the kind of riding i do. i don't know why this is, but i don't think i will be mounting a new one anytime soon

Modern Buddy

To windshield or not to windshield? That's the question

To windshield or not to windshield? That's the question

Re: To windshield or not to windshield? That's the question