When you start to put serious miles on your bike, you’ll probably figure out the benefit of features that make riding more comfortable. A windshield is one of those features that you might not consider in the beginning, but if you try one out, you’ll wonder how you ever rode without it. Here at Indian Motorcycle of Orange County, we designed this short guide to explain what motorcycle windshields are for, how they work, and why you should consider a motorcycle with a windshield or you consider getting a windshield for your current bike. We’re located in Westminster, California, and we proudly serve the Orange County area, including Santa Ana, Long Beach, and Los Angeles, California. Give us a call or stop by our showroom and service center today!
Why You Should Use a Windshield
Your average weekend ride is probably fine on a less comfortable bike, but if you’re trying to cross an entire state or even the country, you’ll feel all the vibration, windforce, and riding dynamics in your body. If you’ve never ridden a motorcycle fitted with a windshield, you probably can’t appreciate how strong this effect actually is. But on longer trips, motorcycle windshields are totally indispensible. Windshields have several benefits. As the name implies, the windshield protects you from the wind of the road. The wind will go right over your head when the windshield is set to the correct height. Since you won’t have to fight the air to stay upright, your torso and core won’t have to strain nearly as much as they would under normal conditions. They are also helpful when it’s raining out as they can protect you from the road spray caused by other motorists. This will help you to stay much warmer, meaning your body won’t have to fight as hard to keep at a normal temperature. By the time you arrive at your destination, you’ll be much less fatigued.
Windshield Styles
Windshields range in size from something little bigger than a dinner plate to half-domes that more or less completely cover the rider. These can come as aftermarket parts or can be designed for the motorcycle with as much intention as the seat, wheels, or fenders. Some contemporary motorcycles (including some from Indian) feature electrically powered windshields that can be adjusted on the fly to suit the rider’s needs—raising for more protection and lowering for more ventilation. There may be several types of windshield available for your motorcycle, depending on the make, model, and year of production. If you want to test out what riding with a windshield is like, you can try a cheaper bolt-on model. Or, you can simply come take a test ride on an Indian motorcycle.
Finding the Right Windshield Height
Once you decide on a windshield, it’s important to install it at the correct height so that you can get the most benefit from its design. The ideal height will push the air up and over the top of your helmet. You should avoid having it be so high, however, that it starts to interfere with your ability to see the road. At the perfect height, you’ll get the wind directing advantages, but your windshield won’t quite rise to your helmet’s sightlines. You want to be able to see the road in front of you with the same clarity as you would without a windshield. For this reason, it’s also very important to keep your windshield clean. Just like in a car, a dirty, bug-splattered windshield presents a hazard.
Making the Decision to Upgrade
A windshield isn’t exactly necessary for every single rider, so how do you decide if it’s worth it to upgrade? For one thing, if you’re buying an aftermarket windshield, that basically means it will be removable and you won’t be stuck with a windshield that you don’t find necessary. If you have a vintage bike with a particular aesthetic you want to preserve, a windshield might be a bad choice. If you don’t plan on riding that much with it, it’s probably not worth the expense. If you enjoy touring with your motorcycle and are planning a long trip, a windshield will likely be a major help. Same goes for commuters, who might end up riding in rain, wind, and other less-than-ideal conditions for which a windshield is a lifesaver.
Ready to consider a motorcycle windshield? Stop by Indian Motorcycle of Orange County. We carry the latest from brands like Norton, Indian, and Victory, including several bikes built with windshields for comfortable long distances riding. We can also work with you to find great aftermarket parts, and perform comprehensive service for most makes and models. If you live in Orange County, including the areas of Santa Ana, Long Beach, or Los Angeles, stop by our dealership and showroom today.