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I bought a set of JES Custom "fangs" for my 2018 Heritage. Took them off (and a few other items) and installed them on my 2022. I'm convinced that they help with buffeting.
If one is looking for a windshield only solution... I might consider the vent. You might notice that the baggers come with them built into the batwing/shark nose. There's a reason for that, and it's not to keep one cool. The concept is that it helps relieve the pressure differential behind the windscreen that causes the airflow over the top of the windshield to become turbulent. ClearView Shield offers shields with them...
This guy opted to have the vent installed below the horizontal frame in the black section, which I think works well from an aesthetic point of view. However, if you want to use a windshield bag, you'll have to have it installed above the horizontal frame (which is what I did). ClearView says it doesn't impact the vents performance either way. All I can say is that it works where I have it. The vent has multiple positions. You have to play with it to figure out what works for you. For me, it's the second position from fully closed. I should also note that I also got the recurve.
One thing to note about ClearView... They used an older design shape for their taller shields back when I bought mine. The best way I can describe it is that the older design is in the shape of a woman's fingernail. If you want the more tombstone shape of the OEM shield, you might still have to request it. Be sure to discuss this with them before ordering. Like other offerings, you can get CV with various other options, recurve, width, height, colors, etc.
When it comes to the fangs. I agree they are really effective. Perhaps too effective. I believe how one sits a bike and how ones knees sit in relation to the tank is a big factor in how much turbulence you get coming up around the tank. One quick test is to put you hands face down right in front of your knees. For me, this pretty much cuts off all the turbulence coming around the tank. Perhaps if I were a bit taller and my knees reached a little farther forward, I would be one of the lucky ones that doesn't experience turbulence issues.
One thing I have no doubt about is that the fangs add to felt heat. It's the main reason I no longer have them installed. Again... this is a downside of their effectiveness. When it gets hot out, I feel like I'm going to roast (particularly the crotch and right leg). I much rather have the cooling air hitting me. That cooling air might still have just a touch of turbulence in it, but most of it has been reduced to a satisfactory level by the vented windscreen. Some may also be concerned about additional engine heat that the fangs may cause. I can't say for certain if this is a factor. I've monitored engine and oil temps running with and without he fangs. I can't say I can draw anything conclusive out of such rudimentary testing. All I can say is that the fangs may have an impact.
All interesting. I had 2 Road glides before the heritage, and I never noticed much buffeting with the vent opened or closed. And to be clear I haven't had any issues with wind fatigue on the Heritage but I haven't ridden it on a long trip yet. I took my last RG when I went to Sturgis last year, we did 3200 miles in 6 days. No problem on the RG (except it was 115 degrees on the way there.)
Buffeting is part of riding a motorcycle. Dont want wind in your face? Drive a car.
Buffeting is NOT part of riding a motorcycle, it's a torture that can be overcome. It is not "wind in your face". It's a jackhammer that jostles your head around so violently that it shakes your glasses loose. It's miserable.
Easiest way to eliminate buffeting is to take off your windshield; then you get all the wind in the face you could possibly want and it's a smooth undisturbed airflow.
If you want to reduce or eliminate buffeting on a 2018+ Softail with a Harley quick-detach windshield, look at this thread:
I have Jess deflectors on my 19 Heritage with the stock windshield and I can smoke a cigar at 80 mph. Highly recommended.
I have them on my 20 Heritage, also with the stock windshield, I wanted to get rid of my bike a week after I bought it, installed the Jess fangs and my sled is very rideable after that. I would never even think about removing them. I think they are on the butt ugly side but the deflection of wind more than makes up for that.
If one is looking for a windshield only solution... I might consider the vent. You might notice that the baggers come with them built into the batwing/shark nose. There's a reason for that, and it's not to keep one cool. The concept is that it helps relieve the pressure differential behind the windscreen that causes the airflow over the top of the windshield to become turbulent. ClearView Shield offers shields with them...
This guy opted to have the vent installed below the horizontal frame in the black section, which I think works well from an aesthetic point of view. However, if you want to use a windshield bag, you'll have to have it installed above the horizontal frame (which is what I did). ClearView says it doesn't impact the vents performance either way. All I can say is that it works where I have it. The vent has multiple positions. You have to play with it to figure out what works for you. For me, it's the second position from fully closed. I should also note that I also got the recurve.
One thing to note about ClearView... They used an older design shape for their taller shields back when I bought mine. The best way I can describe it is that the older design is in the shape of a woman's fingernail. If you want the more tombstone shape of the OEM shield, you might still have to request it. Be sure to discuss this with them before ordering. Like other offerings, you can get CV with various other options, recurve, width, height, colors, etc.
When it comes to the fangs. I agree they are really effective. Perhaps too effective. I believe how one sits a bike and how ones knees sit in relation to the tank is a big factor in how much turbulence you get coming up around the tank. One quick test is to put you hands face down right in front of your knees. For me, this pretty much cuts off all the turbulence coming around the tank. Perhaps if I were a bit taller and my knees reached a little farther forward, I would be one of the lucky ones that doesn't experience turbulence issues.
One thing I have no doubt about is that the fangs add to felt heat. It's the main reason I no longer have them installed. Again... this is a downside of their effectiveness. When it gets hot out, I feel like I'm going to roast (particularly the crotch and right leg). I much rather have the cooling air hitting me. That cooling air might still have just a touch of turbulence in it, but most of it has been reduced to a satisfactory level by the vented windscreen. Some may also be concerned about additional engine heat that the fangs may cause. I can't say for certain if this is a factor. I've monitored engine and oil temps running with and without he fangs. I can't say I can draw anything conclusive out of such rudimentary testing. All I can say is that the fangs may have an impact.
I did some interstate tests with and without the fangs once, using a Power Vision. Very little difference in engine temperature. "Felt heat" is another thing. They definitely add to that. I just take mine off in the summer - which can start in March here in Florida - and put them back on in winter - which starts in December here.
Also, if you put your feet up on mustache engine guards, your legs will block most of the turbulence coming from underneath the tank, just like the fangs do. I do it all the time.
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