Windshield or not windshield? That is the question...

[Spade5]

I cannot imagine that a shield would have more drag than a person sitting upright.

I do feel gusts of wind moving the bars but not a big deal.

Riding without is a lot more fun but I will feel it in the neck and shoulders plus more wind noise in the helmet.

My best solution was to lower my quick detach as far as it would go. I am looking maybe four inches over it. The head bob is less and I get more air through the helmet vents.

 

[wildspirit97]

I have no experience of riding with a windshield but, just as a matter of curiosity, how does the windscreen affects the performance and the fuel consumption?

some might argue this but I don't think it really affects either one. There isn't a whole lot of "aerodynamics" on cruisers.

 

[Drew]

Riding without is a lot more fun but I will feel it in the neck and shoulders plus more wind noise in the helmet.

My best solution was to lower my quick detach as far as it would go. I am looking maybe four inches over it. The head bob is less and I get more air through the helmet vents.

This is what I am going to try. Harley sells two shorter windshields... one that is 2" lower, and one that is 4" lower than stock... I'm trying to figure out a way to do a test ride with these, before committing $300 per windshield just to experiment ?????

Once I can figure out my head buffeting issue at speed, I think I've just about got the perfect bike for me

ride safe... watch for left turners
Drew

 

[STEVE07]

Go to Clearview,or windvest they are better windshields in my opinion, and the pricing is cheaper then HD

 

[Drew]

Go to Clearview,or windvest they are better windshields in my opinion, and the pricing is cheaper then HD

Those clearviews sure look like a good option. Good prices, lots of options, and a 30 day trial period? Sounds fair to me. I have an email into them... thanks for the suggestion

ride safe
Drew

 

[walt5162]

Installed a 9 1/2 '' clearview on mine. Went with the recurve... I really like it so far. Maybe should have gotten the 8" couple more rides I'll know for sure. But Clearview is great to work with and a quality shield as well.

 

[Jim B.]

The stock windshield on my 09 Road Glide caused a lot of buffeting. The shortest HD windshield got rid of the buffeting but then I'd get hit by bugs. I finally bought a Clearview windshield that was 2 inches taller than stock. I also got it with the Goldwing vent built in. That solved the buffeting and also gave me adjustable ventilation.

 

[brderj]

I don't have one, I don't really want one......on my bike. I think it looks dumb. Yeah, that's right, looks. lol. But there are times I wish I had one of those big touring bikes with a shield, radio, heated leather everything. I see the attraction....but for me and my skoot, no way.

 

[Drew]

I don't have one, I don't really want one......on my bike. I think it looks dumb. Yeah, that's right, looks. lol. But there are times I wish I had one of those big touring bikes with a shield, radio, heated leather everything. I see the attraction....but for me and my skoot, no way.

Agreed... Not on a Crossbones

 

[djzoohelp]

I've made a few posts about windsheilds on this site fairly recently. Got an '02 WG and the buffeting is terrible with the sport sheild. I played with the windsheild to put it a bit more upright and that worked a little bit. But, that windsheild looks like it belongs on another bike. The looks got to me enough that I took it off on Saturday.

Hooked up with a buddy on Sunday for a two hour cruise without a sheild. First of all, the chrome stands out sooo much better. But I was shocked at the comfort of the bike without that windsheild. Lots of wind, but it was coming at me in a steady way. No helmet buffet/bobble at all. At 140 clicks (80-ish mph?) the ride was smooth, smooth, smooth (full face helmet by the way). Now I'm thinking what I really need is a decent backrest so I won't have to fight the highway wind so much - possibly a Biker's Friend rool/backrest.

I remember I first got the windsheild because of two successive bee incidents (one hit my chest and dropped down inside my jacket - and ouch - the other landed on my face sheild and climbed inside the helmet - talk about dumping your gear in a hurry!). I guess I'll still have that issue to deal with if I leave it off.

It's all a puzzle I tell ya. . .