Road King Wind Management
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 166
Likes: 24
From: Washington
Road King Wind Management
Hi guys/gals,
Thought I would share my experiment from the weekend. Backstory; when I bought my 2016 RK the stock 20" windshield was too tall (in my line of sight). So I bought the HD replacement 16" and installed. Visibility was great, but head buffeting was terrible. Also, the wind noise inside my helmet was annoying. For the record I'm approx 5'9" w/ 31" inseam. Lately I had my sights set on a Woody's fairing, but that dream has been temporarily shattered due to cost (wife had other plans). So we compromised and I bought a set of HD wind deflectors (fangs), put them on and tested. Substantially less wind coming up around the tank. To the point the chest area of my jacket stopped "flapping" and quieter in the helmet, but still head buffeting. So I reinstalled the stock wind shield (20") and re-tested, found buffeting was practically extinct. That combined with the wind deflectors makes for an incredibly smooth ride, but the windshield was back in my line of sight (btw, this is with a HD Hammock seat). So I laid out a cut, fired up the jigsaw and trimmed approx 1" off the top while feathering out the sides. Back out for a test ride; mission accomplished!!! My line of sight is good (right over the top of the windshield) and I have an extremely smooth, much quieter pocket to spend my time in. Anyway, thought this might help someone my size on a budget.
Thought I would share my experiment from the weekend. Backstory; when I bought my 2016 RK the stock 20" windshield was too tall (in my line of sight). So I bought the HD replacement 16" and installed. Visibility was great, but head buffeting was terrible. Also, the wind noise inside my helmet was annoying. For the record I'm approx 5'9" w/ 31" inseam. Lately I had my sights set on a Woody's fairing, but that dream has been temporarily shattered due to cost (wife had other plans). So we compromised and I bought a set of HD wind deflectors (fangs), put them on and tested. Substantially less wind coming up around the tank. To the point the chest area of my jacket stopped "flapping" and quieter in the helmet, but still head buffeting. So I reinstalled the stock wind shield (20") and re-tested, found buffeting was practically extinct. That combined with the wind deflectors makes for an incredibly smooth ride, but the windshield was back in my line of sight (btw, this is with a HD Hammock seat). So I laid out a cut, fired up the jigsaw and trimmed approx 1" off the top while feathering out the sides. Back out for a test ride; mission accomplished!!! My line of sight is good (right over the top of the windshield) and I have an extremely smooth, much quieter pocket to spend my time in. Anyway, thought this might help someone my size on a budget.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,016
Likes: 277
From: East Tn Foot of The Dragon
You are almost there. Install the triple tree ashtray and floor board extensions. Move your handle bars forward about 1/2" to 1". I'm not a smoker, but I could light a cigarette and smoke it at 70 mph with the air pocket I ride in, utilizing what you have plus these. I have the Bikers Choice fangs on my 2011 RK. They are larger then the HD set, but get the job done.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,362
Likes: 13
From: georgetown ky
thinking about getting the fangs myself. love the deep jade color I don't think the ashtray or dog bowl that goes under the forks is for the rushmore models. if you find a part number let me know i have searched to no avail
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
I have the ashtray on my '16 king. It's the Kury model that says it fits, but you DO have to Dremel out a notch for a cable to fit through. It was easy, but might not appeal to everyone. I'll try to post a pic tonight.
As for wind, it helps a bit. Probably better WITH fangs. I have an LRS recurve which is great too.
As for wind, it helps a bit. Probably better WITH fangs. I have an LRS recurve which is great too.
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2016
Posts: 166
Likes: 24
From: Washington
I also found the triple tree wind deflector on the Kuryakyn website. It is inexpensive enough I think I will give it a try. However, I think I will pass on the floorboard extensions. It seems to me you would loose some lean angle with those.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
Here is my Kury. You can see where I crudely dremeled out the notch for the control cable.
I did a pretty poor job of it so there are several marks there shouldn't be. I also failed to treat it to prevent rust....oops. Next time I'll get it right. Other than that it fits perfectly and does its job. It also funnels more air to the motor.
I did a pretty poor job of it so there are several marks there shouldn't be. I also failed to treat it to prevent rust....oops. Next time I'll get it right. Other than that it fits perfectly and does its job. It also funnels more air to the motor.
Last edited by Thingfish; Jul 7, 2016 at 09:52 AM.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Northern WV
Hi guys/gals,
Thought I would share my experiment from the weekend. Backstory; when I bought my 2016 RK the stock 20" windshield was too tall (in my line of sight). So I bought the HD replacement 16" and installed. Visibility was great, but head buffeting was terrible...... So I laid out a cut, fired up the jigsaw and trimmed approx 1" off the top while feathering out the sides. Back out for a test ride; mission accomplished!!! My line of sight is good (right over the top of the windshield) and I have an extremely smooth, much quieter pocket to spend my time in. Anyway, thought this might help someone my size on a budget.
Thought I would share my experiment from the weekend. Backstory; when I bought my 2016 RK the stock 20" windshield was too tall (in my line of sight). So I bought the HD replacement 16" and installed. Visibility was great, but head buffeting was terrible...... So I laid out a cut, fired up the jigsaw and trimmed approx 1" off the top while feathering out the sides. Back out for a test ride; mission accomplished!!! My line of sight is good (right over the top of the windshield) and I have an extremely smooth, much quieter pocket to spend my time in. Anyway, thought this might help someone my size on a budget.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
Sounds about right. I'm 5-11 with 32" inseam and the stock 20" shield was too high. I went with a LRS 18" recurve which is much better but in warm weather it still blocks almost too much air so when LRS had a sale I ordered a 16". I like the extra air with it but it allows *almost* too much buffeting, still it's nice in hot weather. A 17" recurve would be perfect and is what I would order were I doing it again. Assuming they will make a custom size?
