 For me it’s not a big question. I like the wind. However, controlling the wind becomes an obsession for some riders. I’ve had one motorcycle with a fairing on it, and that was the GS 650 my dad purchased in 1982. He bought the aftermarket fairing so I had no vote. It was a stylish medium sized Vetter. It did look good on the bike but as for function, I was not impressed. All it really did was make my vision of the road worse, and if I tried to look over it the wind would try to rip my helmet off. Many years passed and many bikes, but no fairings. Then I did my first cross-country ride and once again wondered if a windscreen would be better than not having one. So I ordered a fork mounted one for my newly acquired GS 850. Sure it broke up the wind, but all it did was move it to different locations. With the windscreen there was an updraft so strong it would lift the visor on my helmet. That was a major distraction, and any distraction on a bike is not good. So off it came. I’m not saying windscreens are not any good, all I’m saying is I don’t like them. I like the looks but not worth the expense or time to me. The wind just doesn’t bother me like it does some riders.
If one buys a modern touring beast like a Harley Electra or Honda Goldwing, or any other, those come with fairings on them and they do practically block 100% of the wind. You could literally read a magazine behind one of those fairings doing 75mph. (Not recommended for obvious reasons) but no wind at all is not riding to me. Like I said before, a windscreen is not for everyone but for some it’s a must. I am not saying don’t use one, all I’m saying is make up your mind by riding with and without. Don’t choose one just because someone says you need it because obviously some of us don’t. Most bikes today are set up to block the wind very well for the rider by design. To me that’s good enough. A low seat and fat frond end tend to channel most of the air around and over the rider, but some does makes it past - and the faster you go - the more wind you will get. So be a sport for yourself and your peace of mind and ride both ways. Make up your own mind if a windscreen is really all it’s supposed to be. If you end up using a windscreen then at least you use it because you know what it’s like riding distances with or without. I chose without but I also choose cruiser style bikes over others due to that style being the most comfortable for me on long trips. Low and long is how I like my trip bikes. I blame Harley for that even though I have not owned one since 1993. But if you sit up high on your bike, the odds of needing a windscreen go up as well. All a windscreen is, is another piece of gear, a piece of gear we as the riders can decide if we need if we need it or not. The more time you spend on your bike the better, right? So whichever option keeps you out there longer is the best option. –Kevin Haviland
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