How to Buy Windshields for Motorcycles

How to Buy Windshields and Accessories for Motorcycles - What You Need to Know

Windshields are a functional accessory for your motorcycle, but are not necessary. They are a matter of individual preference.

The main and obvious function of a windshield is to shield the rider from wind, but they also shield you from rain and sleet and snow and bugs and birds!

Beyond the functional aspect, windshields can also make a statement by changing the looks of your bike.

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Of course, it depends on what type of bike you have whether you want a windshield or not. If you have a dirt bike or do a lot of hill climbing, then you would not want a windshield, but if you do a lot of riding on the open road, then you definitely want to consider adding a windshield to your scoot.

On a dresser (or touring bike), windshields are practically a necessity, especially if you are preparing for a long trip, as they can make riding a lot more comfortable.

What if you are not sure if you always want to have a windshield on your bike? Then the answer is a detachable windshield (if available for your model). These are made with quick release pins that allow you to put on or take off your windshield in a matter of seconds.

A windshield can change the looks of your motorcycle, so choose the kind you want carefully, or if you can get the quick release kind, and you have the money, buy several and change them to fit your mood.

There are short ones, tall ones, clear ones and tinted ones. They are made of several different types of material including polycarbonate, Lucite®, and Lexan®. These are all types of 'plastic' and require special cleaners that won't scratch or etch your new windshield.

Instead of spending a lot of money on special cleaners, however, I have found Shout to be a good alternative. It doesn't scratch and is easy to use. Just spray it on, wait a few seconds, and rinse off. You may have to use a little elbow grease on the bug splats, though. Just be sure not to use a cloth that will scratch.  Believe me, with all of the bugs, dirt, and grime that your windshield will collecting, you will be wanting to wash it often.

After you purchase your windshield, you may want to add a windshield bag. These are bags that attach to your windshield and allow you to carry small things that you need to be handy, or that you don't want to pack in your saddle bags or tour pack. Mostly they are made of leather, but some are made of cloth. For the convenience, they are well worth the money. They come in various sizes and styles to fit all of your needs.

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The bags are ideal for carrying cell pones, pens, paper, lighters, pills, sunglasses, goggles, garage door openers and a large assortment of other small items.

There are dozens of styles to fit every need.

As windshields can be expensive, you will want to shop around to get the best deal for a quality product. I recommend that whenever possible, you buy OEM (Original Equipment Manufacture) parts instead of after market parts, but whichever you choose, you will add function and style to your motorcycle.

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Accessories for Motorcycles

Motorcycle Accessories

What You Need to Know Before Buying

Accessories make the bike. So you have a motorcycle. Maybe you bought it brand new, or maybe you bought a used one. It doesn’t matter: you now want to make it your own, not like every other one on the street.

How do you do that? You accessorize!

There are hundreds of ways you can change your bike to make it uniquely yours. You can change the windshield, handlebars, exhaust pipes, seats, saddlebags, crash bars, or lights.

You can change something, such as the gas tank, or you can add on something, such as adding additional lighting.

Whatever you do, you will transform your bike from the dull, ordinary stock bike to an exciting new-looking motorcycle that reflects your tastes.

In addition to changing the looks of your motorcycle, adding accessories can make your motorcycle more functional or safer. For example, you might upgrade to LED (Light Emitting Diode) lights to make it more visible, or you might add highway pegs, or change the seats to make it more comfortable on a long ride. Handle bars can make a big difference in comfort, especially when you are riding for a long time.

Luggage racks and tour packs allow you to pack more stuff, especially if there are going to be two people going on that dream trip.

Changing the wheels can make a big impact on the way your cycle looks.

Perhaps you want to change your stock pipes to custom pipes to change the sound or the performance.

Maybe you want to change the fairing so you can have a radio or clock, add an alarm system, put on a GPS system, or add driver to passenger communications, bike to bike communication, or a cell phone to headset adapter.

First you need to decide what you want from your accessories. Do you want to change the looks of your bike, make it safer, or make it perform better, more comfortable, or more functional? Whatever you decide, you have thousands of options and resources. The web is a great place to search for your particular add on.

There are sites that sell parts and accessories for every kind of motorcycle on the market and some that aren’t: Harley Davidson, Honda, Suzuki, Triumph, Kawasaki, Victory, Big Dog, Indian, Yamaha, or BMW, old or new. Two sites I like are J and P Cycles (search the internet for coupon codes), and JC Whitney.

Another thing that you might want to do, but which isn’t really an accessory, is to give your bike a new coat of paint. Custom paint jobs can be as simple as adding flames to your tank, or to completely repaint the whole bike with custom colors and designs, which can run into the thousands of dollars. If you can’t afford that, maybe you can dress it up a little by adding some chrome.

After you decide what your goal is, you need to do a lot of research to find just the right accessory for your bike and your taste.

The next thing is to buy the best quality you can afford. I always adhere to the old saying, “You get what you pay for.” Now days it is hard to always buy American, but you can at least buy a high quality accessory. There is nothing worse than spending your hard earned money on something, only to have it break the first or second time you use it. So go ahead and find what you want and then buy from a reputable dealer.

In addition to buying parts for your bike, there are tons of stuff for the rider, too. There are helmets, coats, gloves, hats, leathers, chaps, boots, and so very much more! So, after you get your bike all fixed up, you can start on yourself.

Tip:  Search the internet for "motorcycle coupon codes"  to get some great discounts. 


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History of Motorcycles - The Early Years

A short history about the very first motorcycles ever invented, going all the way back to just after the Civil War!


A Look at the History of Motorcycles

The Beginning

In researching this article, I found some conflicting information. I tried to incorporate all of the information I found, indicating where the information didn't match.

The first motorcycle was a bicycle with a two cylinder steam engine, which was powered by coal or charcoal, and the connecting rods directly drove a crank on the rear wheels. It was built in 1867 by an American, Sylvester Howard Roper, who also invented a steam car.

He took his steam-powered bike and demonstrated it at fairs and circuses in the eastern United States in 1867, but it did not catch on. However it did use many features that are still being used today, including the twisting hand grip throttle control. 

 1869 Steam Cycle by Sylvester Howard Roper

This early cycle predates the invention of the safety bicycle by many years, so its chassis is also based on the "bone-crusher" bike. Bone-Crusher's appeared around 1800, used iron-banded wagon wheels, and were called "bone-crushers," because they had a very jarring ride, and they also caused their riders to fall off.

It is thought that the first true gas engine motorcycle forerunner was built by Gottlieb Daimler (yes, that Daimler of Daimler-Chrysler fame). The engine may have been invented by an engineer named Nicolaus August Otto, who also invented the first four stroke internal combustion engine. Otto called it the Otto Cycle Engine.

There is some confusion as to whether Daimler used Otto's engine or built one of his own. Whichever, Daimler powered his “bicycle” by attaching an engine to a wooden bicycle about 1885.

The reason this may not be considered the first true motorcycle is because it had two small wheels, used to stabilize the bike, much like training wheels on a child's bicycle today. Therefore, it was actually a four wheeled vehicle. However, today there are three wheeled vehicles and bikes for the disabled with stabilizing wheels and these are all considered motorcycles, so who is to say whether Daimler's four-wheeled vehicle was a “motorcycle” or not?

Daimler quit building powered bikes and went on to establish himself in automobiles and left the development of two wheeled motorcycles to others.

1885 Daimler Reitwagen,world's first gasoline-driven motorcycle

There were many engineering difficulties to overcome. Should the engine be on the rear of the bicycle, the front, or off to the side? After many trials and errors, it soon was understood that in order for the bicycle to be stable, the engine had to be centered between the wheels and close to the ground.

How many cylinders would be the best? Should the designers incorporate a two stroke, or a four stoke cycle? Did it still need to have pedals? Some early bikes were started by peddling, then after it was started and balance was achieved, the engine took over. What about the pedals – should they be dispensed with? What about the chain, should it be kept, or some other method used?

In the decade from the late 1880s, dozens of designs and various machines emerged, particularly in France, Germany and England, and soon spread to America. During this early period of motorcycle history, there were many manufacturers since bicycle makers were adapting their designs for the new internal combustion engine.

In 1894, the Hildebrand & Wolfmüller became the first motorcycle for sale to the public. However, only a few hundred of this motorcycle were ever built. I couldn't find any information about whether production was halted due to lack of sales, financial reasons, or some other problem.

Engines became more powerful, and designs were started to veer away from bicycle origins, and the number of motorcycle-oriented makers increased.

It is said that the first motorcycle (other than Roper's) in the United States was taken to New York in 1895 by a French circus performer. It weighed about 200 lbs and was capable of doing 40 mph on a level surface. I don't know if he used it as part of his act, or for personal transportation.

In the same year, E. J. Pennington demonstrated a motorcycle which he designed in Milwaukee. He said it would do 58 mph. He is credited with coining the term “motor cycle” when describing his invention.

Motorcycle Accessories Team

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Motorcycle Accessories, Parts and More

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