Ducati Monster Forum

DMF, I need your wisdom!

I am riding a 2000 Ducati Monster 750 that doesn't have a windshield installed.
Today, I went on the freeway for the first time and it felt so difficult. When I sat up straight, I felt like I was either going to fly off the bike, or I was going to pop a wheelie and slam my head into the asphalt. I'm 6'2, so I imagine i create quite a sail effect when I don't lean forward.

I read somewhere that if you don't have a windshield, you have to slouch to redirect the wind resistance away from your torso.

Do you guys think installing a windshield will make it much easier for me to ride on the freeway?
Or do you guys think that riding without a windshield and enduring the resistance is something that every rider should learn?

It makes a huge difference and even the smaller ones work well.

Man, I don't know. I've always ridden naked bikes, an unfaired Monster and a Speed Triple. I have never had any problem with wind blowing me around unless I am at well over 100 mph.
One thing I do is to sort of angle my head down so that I am mostly looking out of the top of my visor.
You've got about four inches height on me though.

Windshields are for pussies.

 [laugh] Go on say it to the big guy's face [laugh].
If you are tall, then probably a good idea. You probably have the aerodynamics of a fridge. ;D
There are a range of genuine and aftermarket screens/bikini fairings that fit or can be made to fit. They do work well. Check out the sponsors sites. Some are in carbon.

Never need a windshield... cause, fortunately, motorcycles are not allowed to enter toll way here ;D

The only time I had a windshield was on a BMW R1150RT that I rode for two weeks. I wanted to buy a BMW back then, and did a long test ride it. To me it was really horrible, cause it blocked any kind of wind from reaching and cooling my body, but didn't prevent the engine heat from below to go up. In a tropical climate like here, and in slow moving traffic, it's really horrible. After that, it's only naked bike for me. And fortunately I never ride in a highway so I never need a windshield ;D

Just a different perspective.

"i went on the freeway for the first time"

For the first time EVER on a bike?  Or for the first time on a monster. 

If it's the first time ever on the freeway on a bike, well then....get used to it.  Bikes are windier than a cozy car.

If it's the first time ever on the freeway on a monster specifically, well then.....also get used to it.  It's a naked bike, it will be windier.


For the record, I'm also 6'2 and ride a 696 without even the little windscreen above the headlight, and I manage just fine.  Suck it up! 

quote
"If it's the first time ever on the freeway on a bike, well then....get used to it.  Bikes are windier than a cozy car.

If it's the first time ever on the freeway on a monster specifically, well then.....also get used to it.  It's a naked bike, it will be windier." unquote

That's what it is, leaning forward, helps a lot, upper arms parallel to the body.
 The little fairings/ fly screens help a lot if you have to do freeway time.

try a cruiser without a windscreen, you will be amazed how much more comfortable the monster is

While I do agree that the small windscreens make a difference, I don't think one is neccessary.  I am also fairly lanky at 6'5".  I find that if I lean forward just enough, the wind holds my torso up....taking the stress off of my arms for longer highway rides.  I know.... if I was gripping the tank tight enough with my legs there wouldn't be any stress on my arms.  Also, I agree with the comment about looking through the top of your visor.  Seems to help also!

This is my first naked bike as well (used to be a sportbike rider) so the wind was certainly a change.  I have found, however, that if you're wearing leather, it helps A TON.  If I wear my mesh, I'm being moved around all over the place.  Leather keeps me much more situated.  Then again, it still is a big change from a bike w/windscreen.

I'm also 6 2 and ride windshieldless monster. I remember my first time on the freeway was kind of brutal just cruising around 75 (LA to SD, about 1.5 hours). I was sitting straight up and was getting knocked around.

Just lean forward a bit. I also usually ride on the freeway with my right hand on the throttle and my left hand off the grip and rested against my hip. It's more comfortable and also gives the wind somewhere to go instead of being trapped right in the chest.

I wouldn't imagine one of those tiny windshields would do much of anything.

That tiny fly screen on the newer Monsters directs the wind flow to the bottom of the rib cage, on up, so there is some value there. At freeway speeds, the semi-aggressive riding posture, combined with the wind blast, harmonizes into a nice neutral balance for an average sized rider.

For me, I would prefer a larger screen just for bugs, not for wind blast. Whenever I get home I look like I've been through a Bug War, or maybe a paint-ball fight. It adds character, maybe, but takes a good half hour to put right again.

^^^^ Agreed!  My small screen directs the bugs directly onto my torso and face shield.  I have never been hit in the face with so many bugs as I have on my 2013 Evo.  Two of my previous naked bikes were nowhere near as bad.  I can't go anywhere without shield cleaner.  It is so bad I thought about the zero gravity screen with a three inch extension.  Just cant seem to get past the ugliness of it...... :-\

No windshield is better for the bugs... then they all hit your chest.

The only time I like a windscreen is when it is cold out.  The big ones catch crosswinds like a sail and make long straights an adventure in an of themselves.

i like the bugs on my jacket. tends to keep people away

Funny story... a while ago I was teaching new soldiers (18-ish)... I went for a lunch ride and was talking to them in the classroom.  Young private is staring at me, "you have a bug in your beard!"  [laugh]

d4nko -

I had the same reaction first (ever) time I was on a highway on a bike, which was just last year.  I was getting blown all over the place, and when I turned my head to look over my shoulder and the profile of my helmet caught the wind----oh boy, I was almost blown over.  I felt unsafe and thought I must be doing something wrong.  I wasn't.  Thems is just bikes.  So I got used to it.  Now I don't notice it at all and can control my body much better.

I suggest you just don't go too fast until you're comfortable with the wind---I think I remember the wind jerk got bad for me (I'm 6'1") at like 65+mph---then slowly build up comfort and control.  After 4-5 highway trips you'll be fine.

Alright I'll throw my .02 in. I have a 96 m900. I took off my fairing the first week I got my bike. Never really cared much or noticed much when on the freeway. Yeah you get used to it. I will say though, if you commute a lot on the freeway or for longer trips, I would get one. If I'm going to be on the freeway longer then an hour I would like some of that wind protection to help with the fatigue. I've gone on 2 rides where it was 100% freeway for about 3hrs and I remember both times saying I was going to buy a windshield before the next trip. I've looked at the puigs, and will probably get one. When I'm at home though riding my favorite roads I really don't need it.

Took mine off long time ago,doesn't really bother me,i duck down and have just the visor showing on high speed

Put mine back on. Just a change thing.
I don't notice much difference either way.
I'm  6' 1. When my tank bag is on, for
some reason the wind seems to be directed
around me.

+1

here is your key - your gear matters on a naked bike.

a aero helmet, not loose clothing,

basically think of your gear as the bodywork of the bike. How well does it work if  you have sheets to the side of your bike ???

I learned my lesson about this about a week ago. 6'1", no windscreen, cheap (free second-hand) gear, and 7 hours of 75mph riding in one day from Del Rio to Wichita Falls TX on 277.

That was one hell of a test of endurance and boredom since there was very little to do except see how long you could go in one position before something went numb. I have a cool DP carbon windscreen, but the gauges the PO put on make it stick up at a goofy angle, so I took it off pending gauge adjustment. I have two months to figure out how to mitigate the wind fatigue before I get to do that ride again...  [roll]

While cruising, just put your left forearm across the gas tank and lean forward, using your left arm as a brace.  That, plus the wind blast, will help hold you up and makes long rides less of a chore.

Oh, and lots of core-strengthening exercises.... ;D

I usually lean forward and tuck down a little on the freeway if the wind is beating me up too bad. I am not  a fan of windshields so i would just deal with it over getting one. That's my opinion though.

FWIW, If I'm in a full helmet and leather jacket I'm good. Otherwise it's just not really fun.