Bought the Nation Cycle model F-15 windshield from dlighthill (here on the board). Thank you for the quick and careful shipping.
Put the windshield on in maybe 30 minutes.
Went for a 50 mile ride.
WOW......what a difference. I really thought I was a naked bike person but I guess I've gotten old and like more comfort. Was able to ride with my face shield up to let air in (I wear a full face helmet and it's 95 degrees here today). No buffeting of the helmet. Got plenty of air through my mess jacket but not that "pull on your arms and push your head back".
You do have to watch your speed. I would look down and think I was doing 50 and I was doing 65 or 70 mph.
If you do any long distance riding or have to hit the freeways doing 65 or 70 I would sure recommend a windshield.
Best mod I've put on the bike........
I'm a naked bike guy too, naked with a shield. I've had 6 bikes all naked but put a shield on the first one about a week after I got it 30 years ago and have used one ever since. Used a big NC Plexi 2 type for years but after I got the first GS 15 years ago and took it to NY Mtns I changed it to a smaller Spitfire for a trip to the Smoky Mtns later the same month. Good size for the GS about the same as your NC F-15 in size, just right for summer interstate travel on a GS.
But it's hard to beat the big Plexi 2 for winter use here in NE Ohio so I've been changing it twice a year ever since. :thumb:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v443/jcp8832/summer-winterGS.jpg)
I have a National Cycle Deflector screen that I use on occasion. The majority of my riding is through town or short runs of 50mph, so I don't leave it installed. But when the weather gets around 40° or if I'm taking a trip on the highway, I'll throw it on. Since the mounts stay on the handlebars, it takes about 5 minutes.
Rich,
That would be a nice option. The F-15 is a headlight mounted unit so changing it out is always going to be a bit of a job. Does seem good and steady though with none of the vibration from the wind that folks talk about with some windshields.
I like the ability to switch in and out of the wind with the short little windscreen on the 500F. The only problem I've got now is the buffeting I get due to the screen directing a nice stream of turbulent air to the underside of my helmet. I have to sit straight as a rod to get my head out of it.
I may have to upgrade to a sport touring style windscreen if helmet changes don't drop the noise levels.