This thread seems to be attracting both potential riders and active riders so I will throw something up for discussion.
I ride the streets (quit dirt riding many years ago when I almost killed a lady rider, but that is another story) and absolutely will not get on the highway without a windshield on the bike. Living in a large city I use the Interstates quite a bit. Once upon a time I was riding on an Interstate in fairly heavy traffic when a truck in an adjacent lane ran over a 3 foot long piece of 2x4. The board just bounced off my windshield but I'm convinced that I would have suffered a broken arm if not for the windshield.
Before deciding on what motorcycle to buy one needs to analyze just what type of riding one will be doing. Personally I am a touring type rider. It is not unusual for me to run 500 miles per day for several days as a time. I know people who ride 1000 miles a day for over a week on end. Most of those people ride either Honda Goldwings or one of several BMW models. One needs to consider if they need or want the onboard storage offered by this type of bike, or would they be satisfied with seat packs and tank packs.
A 600cc Sportbike will run circles around my 1200cc Goldwing but it has barely room for a tool kit much less any serious traveling gear. But the Goldwing will haul a surprising amount of stuff home from the grocery store. All bikes are a trade off in some way, I just choose to ride a touring machine.
Me and my 85 Goldwing
