While not all motorcycle riders will like having a windscreen, there are certainly several reasons why it can be beneficial to get one installed – and if your main focus is safety, there’s no doubt that it’s worth the investment.
To give you a better idea of why it’s worth purchasing a windscreen if you don’t already have one, let’s go through some of the key advantages that come along with them.
What are the benefits of a motorcycle windshield?
Protection from wind and rain
While these two are important aspects separately, they’re similar enough to be put together as one of the top reasons to get a windscreen.
Of course, the name alone suggests that they can help to protect you from the oncoming wind while you’re driving – which many seasoned riders will know is a much bigger issue than you may imagine off the bat. Although you will still be open to the elements, the fact that it can also work to keep the rain out of your face while riding simply helps to further ensure your safety and overall provide you with a better experience when on the road.
Blocking road debris
Much like protecting you from windy and wet weather, a windshield can also be ideal for keeping any form of road debris out of your way while driving.
It’s certainly possible for rocks and dirt to be kicked up from the vehicles ahead of you and if they hit, it can be a nuisance that you don’t want to have to deal with while simultaneously controlling a motorcycle. From clouding your view, to potentially causing harm; having something to deflect debris can make a world of difference.
Getting bugs (and worse) away from you while driving
Whether you’re in a car or motorbike, there’s no doubt that having a bug hit your windscreen can be a bother – but it’s far better than if there was nothing there at all. Aside from being an unpleasant experience, on the whole, having a bug hit you while you’re riding your bike is as gross as it is potentially dangerous.
To make matters worse, this isn’t the only kind of creature that you could potentially collide with. While far less common, there are times where people accidentally hit a bird while driving – which could be so much worse if there isn’t a barrier in place to protect you.
Improved aerodynamics
It might sound a little strange at first, but motorcycle windscreens can be more aerodynamic than the human body and are designed to specifically help with this problem. This can be an even more important feature for bigger riders and overall, it’s ideal for reducing friction while you’re driving – which can often be beneficial in a variety of ways.
Better for your comfort
Our last point is that a windshield can be important for your comfort while riding. From being able to reduce fatigue to helping with arm strain and back pains, there are quite a few ways that a shield can help to make you feel less battered while riding (as well as after).
You might not even realize how much of an effect the blasting air pushing against you has until you use a windscreen – so it really is worth taking into consideration (this can be especially true for those who ride longer distances quite often, so keep that in mind).
They are better for your overall safety
From all the points mentioned above, it’s plain to see that windscreens can help to improve your safety while riding in a variety of ways. While some enthusiasts may feel that they detract from the overall aesthetic of their bike, there’s plenty of types and styles that can help to make the transition easier when safety is a top priority.
Fortunately for those interested in buying one for themselves, there are quite a few reliable manufactures of motorcycle windshields and windscreens out there. If you’re hoping to find something you can rely on that’ll look good and protect you, it shouldn’t have to be too much of a challenge to find what you’re after.
Whether you ride for racing, touring, or even just general travel, a good quality windscreen can certainly be worthwhile.
Do you need to have a motorcycle windscreen?
While nothing is forcing you to purchase one, there are undoubtedly a variety of things that make windshields an excellent investment – especially for drivers who prefer to ride long distances or take the majority of their trips on the highway.