mini windshield on a Dyna.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 185
Likes: 4
From: Florida
I have the Windvest as well. They do a good job of keeping the force of the air off your chest and bugs out of your face. The only drawback I see is that I do get buffeting from air coming around the sides if I'm going over 55mph. I think buffeting is typical of most cruiser style windshields.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 461
Likes: 22
From: East Coast, US
I hate windshields . . that said what I think has nothing to do with what others like . . . . but not long ago I was on a trip and feeling like crp. Had a long way to go and wanted to get some of the buffeting off my chest as I was feeling really weak. I was actually on an native reservation at the time so I bought a nice blanket ($10) and a couple of nice leather belts for kids ($9 @ piece), rolled it up attached to the bars above headlight . . made a real difference. It actually looked pretty good too (though a bit pretentious for daily use). Of course not on topic . . simply offering a 'possible' cheaper 'temporary' solution when the buffeting is getting to you at times or you are about to take a trip but don't want a windshield. It 'seems' it would do about what the Windvest would do 'somewhat'. Though I have never used a Windvest to say for sure. I'm so used to 40 something years of wind buffeting it doesn't usually get to me, but everyone is different.
Probably a little bigger than what you're wanting maybe, but I run a Memphis shades slim 17in with quick releases. I love it, it offers just enough coverage to block wind, rain, bugs, etc on long rides and higher speeds as I do run a good stretch of highway to work. The quick releases work great and solidly mount, but I've been so happy with it I usually keep my windshield on. And at 5'9" I can still see over it easy.
But they also offer a 15in version that could work to just throw some wind off you.
But they also offer a 15in version that could work to just throw some wind off you.
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 329
Likes: 108
From: North Alabama
It depends on what your definition of "work" is. Do you want to sit in a relatively calm bubble of air? Do you just care about getting the force off your chest? Rain/bug protection?
I have a National Cycle Deflector DX for my Fat Bob, I'm 6'5", and all it does for me, if I position it correctly, is reduce some of the force on my chest that I would normally be fighting against at interstate speeds. Doesn't keep wind out of my face, doesn't keep it off of my arms/shoulders/abdomen, and it doesn't do a damn thing for rain. But it was cheap, and it's super easy to remove and replace, and it has tons of adjustability. Not the best looking thing, but oh well.
Because positioning it where it keeps the wind off my chest (my original goal) and doesn't create buffeting results in a lot of wind directly to my face, I wear a full face helmet. If I'm just putting around town at <50 mph and want to wear my open face hipster helmet, I'll remove the windscreen entirely. No windscreen is actually better in that scenario, as it doesn't feel like I have a firehose of air pointed at my face.
I have a National Cycle Deflector DX for my Fat Bob, I'm 6'5", and all it does for me, if I position it correctly, is reduce some of the force on my chest that I would normally be fighting against at interstate speeds. Doesn't keep wind out of my face, doesn't keep it off of my arms/shoulders/abdomen, and it doesn't do a damn thing for rain. But it was cheap, and it's super easy to remove and replace, and it has tons of adjustability. Not the best looking thing, but oh well.
Because positioning it where it keeps the wind off my chest (my original goal) and doesn't create buffeting results in a lot of wind directly to my face, I wear a full face helmet. If I'm just putting around town at <50 mph and want to wear my open face hipster helmet, I'll remove the windscreen entirely. No windscreen is actually better in that scenario, as it doesn't feel like I have a firehose of air pointed at my face.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 5,477
Likes: 5
From: New Braunfels, Texas
I have a windvest as well and love it. It is designed to keep the wind off your chest. Before the windvest I felt like I was going to get blown off the bike when I was on the freeway. The small windshield soves that but you still get all the wind in your face.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 583
Likes: 5
From: Allentown PA
I use a National Cycle Gladiator shield for longer road trips, it's small but it's adjustable in many different directions, it's just enough to take the wind off your chest, I don't think it looks to bad either. I'm changing bars this winter so it won't work with the new set up, I will be listing for sale shortly if your interested.