Thought I would try to save a life and condemn ATV windshields to what they are, death-traps.

I watch a fellow trying to go up a rocky hill, not that bad but enough you had to lean ahead, right at the bottom he was right on end and near squashed himself. He couldn't lean over the frontend with the windshield on!!! Watching him go up that hill was some scarry, with his front-end lifting on every rock.

Right then and there I said to myself, I will NEVER have a windshield on my bike.

That's not to mention the stories of people cutting their necks and such getting drove into them.

They are also dangerous from sun blindness, they get scratched up and hinder your vision without any sun, put sun into the equation and you have double trouble(can't see at all). I know I saved a guys life, he was heading right for open water on a frozen lake(half salt), I could see the water flickering but he was just cruising right into it. I cracked my 650 V up and passed that ole Rubi, holloring and pointing and then wipping to the right and away. He was still looking puzzled but figured it out. He said he couldn't see the water at all. He would have been a goner.

Another danger is when bikes come from behind at night, the light will hit the windshield on the bike in front (angle wise)and totally wipe out his vision with a white wall looking effect.


So, rip those windshields off and destroy them, don't dare sell them to your buddy, unless you want him hurt or even worse, KILLED.

Sincerely, DOA

 

i certainly dont have a windshield on mine thanks though.

 

It is good to know for some of us that live in cold climates. A windshield is very nice to have when it is super cold. I never thought about the fact that it would keep you from leaning.

It doesn't matter to me now, since I live in "the south". I don't expect to see a harsh winter here, and I won't be getting windshield.

 

Good advice and I agree with you on all your points. BUT, I have a fairing on my 700 and I take it off as soon as the weather cooperates. I do not use it this time of year. As you know, in the Atlantic provinces it can be bad weather from anytime in October up to early April. I like the windshield to block the cold wind and the snow. Using a full visor with no windshield still has its problems. I wear the full visor in the winter, but I can crack it open a bit to keep it from fogging because the windshield blocks most of the elements. However DOA, I would not have thought about buying the fairing if I had read your advice before hand and it does have me thinking.

 

I agree 100% on the issues with windshields. They are an accident waiting to happen. I just bought a mint condition 85 Honda Big Red with a windsheild. When it was time to negotiate the price the old guy said "but it has a windshield!". I said I would give him 29 bucks more if he took it off!!

As for riding when it is cold, get a full face helmet!! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

Full-face motorcycle helmets are dangerous in winter too!!! Unless you have a respirator on them which makes them ski-doo helmets.

They fog, then freeze up in winter, BIG time, put that with a windshield and...

The best is moto-cross with goggles, for dust in summer as well as snow and cold. Goggles fit real tight around the moto-cross helmets, not like open face which pushes them down on your nose and leaves gaps. Moto-Cross are made for goggles.

I have been out in -25C and going 50mph without a problem at all. Below -10 or -15 I use a balacalva under my googles and helmet and simply giver.

I love winter driving,

Another thing about windshields in spring, summer and fall. You should have seen the windshields on the last rally.(LOL) I mean you couldn't possibly see through them, they were ALL coated in MUD.

Dangerous!!!

 

I agree on the windshields and fairings; hate the looks and they get in the way. In our area windshields are almost like standard equipment, most people have them. I do envy guys with windshields when the weather gets bitter.

 

Thanks for the heads up DOA. Very valid observations. I was considering getting windshields for our quads because of the dust and heat in our area. After reading your post we will stay with the goggles.

 

I have been running a windshield for about two years now. I do agree that there are places that it can be bad. In these cases I remove two screws and the windshield is off. The new ones now have four quick clips and no tools are needed to remove them. I can tell you that if you ride at night in Southern Illinois you would love to have a windshield or you will be eating bugs all evening. I also have had several rocks deflected by the windshield from other atv's that would have caused alot on pain or injury if not there. I have not had the light glare that was mentioned in a earier thread but I also keep my windshield clean as possible and will replace it if it gets too scratched up. I would not attempt to climb hills with it. I think they can be good and bad depending on how they are used and common sense.

 

Eatin bugs is half the fun -- full of protien [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]