Windshields for Harley® Motorcycles

As the proud owner of a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle, you are ready to ride around town! But one thing may be holding you back from better rides: the lack of a windshield. Many Harley® motorcycles don’t come with a windshield installed already. If that is your situation, you should consider making the upgrade. Keep reading to discover the advantages of windshields for bikes. If you want to buy a windshield, visit Lake Shore Harley-Davidson®. You’ll find us in Chicagoland, Illinois.

The Purpose of Windshields

As you ride bikes, you encounter plenty of annoyances. Bugs fly up towards your face. Spray gets stirred up by other motorists. Tiny pieces of debris get kicked up. The wind beats against your body, making you colder and creating wind fatigue.

The longer your ride, the more these annoyances become aggravating. It’s like walking with a small pebble in your shoe. A few steps aren’t bad. But a few minutes in it becomes less and less tolerable. When you embark on longer rides, these annoyances can be a detriment to your enjoyment of the journey.

A windshield helps mitigate these issues. Sure, it can’t block everything. But it can keep plenty of things from hitting your clothing or your face. Fight back against wind fatigue, poor weather, and the issues that occur on the road. You’ll be amazed at how much more pleasant your ride becomes!

Types of Windshields

There are a few categories of windshields. The first is whether the windshield will be permanent or removable. The advantage to a permanent one is convenience. Install once and never worry about it again. This works great for those who know with confidence which windshield they want, such as those who have ridden bikes for a long time. The advantage to a removable one is flexibility. Take it off for easy storing or transportation. Swap out different styles to better suit your intended ride that day. Remove it altogether on days you don’t need the extra protection.

The second category is the type of material. Acrylic is the cheapest (and, no surprise, most common) option. It offers good aesthetics since it look shinier and won’t yellow over time. But it gets scratched more and shatters easier on impact. Polycarbonate is much more durable (sometimes 20 times more impact-resistant). Its strength makes it an appealing option for race car windows and helmet face shields. Its flexibility makes it harder to chip. But it does cost much more and can yellow over time.

A third decision to make is whether you want a tinted windshield. The tint can reduce glare caused by the sun or oncoming headlights. But make sure it’s not too dark (which can compromise visibility in low-light scenarios). You can opt for a traditional tint shade or go with a colorful option to add some style to your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle. Make sure to check with local and state laws first as they sometimes have restrictions.

Deciding to Upgrade

Installing a windshield is a small investment offering big returns. Improving the comfort of your ride means you get more enjoyment from your Harley® motorcycle and can ride for longer periods of time. That’s a great benefit!

Anyone can enjoy the perks of riding with a windshield. But there are two groups who stand to gain the most - those who use their bikes to commute spend time each day riding and can enjoy improved comfort, and those who take their Harley® motorcycles on touring rides. The longer the route, the more you will want the shield.

Ready to make the upgrade? Visit Lake Shore Harley-Davidson®. We offer a range of parts and customization options for our customers. Our staff can help you find the right one for your motorcycle. We proudly serve those in Chicagoland, Round Lake, and Woodstock, Illinois.