Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete7874
How does having a windshield affect top speed? I would think it probably makes little difference since if you didn't have one, then your own torso would be causing similar air drag.
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There's a lot of factors that go into top speed so it's hard to specify exactly how much the windshield costs you. I think you are spot on about the torso causing "similar" drag, but, I believe it is less than the windshield. Plus, if I scrunch myself up and ride sort of "sport-bike" style, (knees and elbows in tight and chin on the speedo) I can add ten miles an hour to the top speed of an unshielded bike. That can be significant given that the GZ tends to poop out at 65-68 or so. I did notice a tail off in the top speed after I put on a moderately large windshield. Given the amount of things that have smacked into the shields on each of my bikes, I'm in the same camp as Easy - sticking with the shield. I think I could live without it if I didn't ride freeways.