Hey guys...I recently decided (after months of thinking about it) to go ahead and get a windshield for my Wide Glide. I guess what sealed it for me was my last ride on the interstate. I was being blown around like a sail and said enough is enough. So I looked at quite a few, but decided to stick with the theme of my bike...i.e. all HD parts. So that left me with 3 options through HDs P&A catalog. The compact, compact low profile, and the supersport windshields. I went with the supersport.
I have to be honest...I still prefer the look of the bike without any windshield, but after riding around the last day with it....well, to anyone thinking about getting one...it's well worth the money. It really does change the ride for the better...especially if you're going faster than 55-60 mph. Today I got around to taking it on the interstate for the first time since I got the shield, and holy crap!...it was a new bike. I didn't feel like I had to hold on for dear life. I was relaxed, and no numbness in my hands from the death grip. The only complaint I have is that I hear bike noises a little better....and we all know the noises bikes make...can't pinpoint them, but they all have their own personalities and "talk" to us sometimes...even if you have no idea what they're saying. Other than being able to hear the normal bike noises a little clearer than before, I really recommend getting a shield if you haven't already. I still will ride without it, but if I know I'm doing a longer ride than just local, the shield definitely goes on.
Oh...and this particular shield is detachable...and when you remove it, there's no docking hardware left on the bike at all...you remove it, and the bike is transformed back to what it was before I ever bougtht the shield.
Anyway....as always, this board has helped over the last couple months...your posts have really helped me make a decision. So thanks! Here's a couple pics. The first couple are with the windshield, and the others are without.


Todd

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veniculum... I agree the ride is much more enjoyable above 60+mph... Depending on the helmet your wearing it's alot quieter wind wise I like hearing the noise of my bike it's relaxing. I lucked out when I got mine.. I enjoy flea markets, I walked by a mom & pop table, they called me over they been HD owners for years, long story short I bought a sport windshield the one with the eagle decal inside it was off of her old bike a '93 Wide Glide she didn't have the clamps with her... What a character.. the husband wanted $20.00 for it ..she got pissed said no.... He can have it $10.00... She's 81 years old, she called her husband a kid, he's 79.. They both still ride his Electra Glide, he made her sell her WG because she's getting too old to ride by herself....LOL... She started riding 1947.... Hope I'm like that when I'm their age... Anyway I made some clamps not hard at all, I can take it off & on in a few minutes. I don't get any wind buffeting at all. I think the tank lift helps in keeping the buffeting down... Later Skee[sm=biker2.gif]

Your bike is lookin' nice... How does your wife like the sissybar.. My wife wants one, I'd like one the height or yours..

 

Beautiful bike, of coarse I'm kinda bias. I bought the low profile detatchable (smoked) windshield when I bought my WG. I didn't put it on for months because I liked the looks without it. I finally put it on this spring and I love it! Riding at highway speeds is much more comfortable, and I can talk to my wife much easier, which means I can also hear her much better, I'm not sure this is a good thing, but anyway, I hardly take it off now and the look of it kinda grows on ya. The extra mechanical sounds I hear sometimes make me wonder though. Heres some pics.

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Todd,
Did you try the other shields? Just curious.

 

Great post Todd. I have been considering the Quick Release Detachable Compact Windshield - Standard-Height. Any reason in particular you chose the sport?

 

Thanks for the replies fellas....let me try and answer some of your questions...

wgskee - regarding the sissy bar...I also have a medium-low upright and pad/pillow-look seat....I install that when I take her out. The setup in the pictures above is just for me. She doesn't really like the low sissy bar...and the passenger section of the sidekick custom is just way too small and thin. But I like the looks better, and I think the sidekick is more comfortable for me....In the end, I have the best of both worlds...for a small investment.

rfhermo - I like yours too man...the standard height was a little too big

Harley4jmj - Reason I chose the sport was simple...It was the least noticeable when installed. There's really no cross bars like on the compact standard and low. So this should answer your question too Dave...I didn't try the others simply because I liked the look of the sport the best (or lack of look)...that said, if I would've installed the sport and had all kinds of buffeting, I would've taken it back and tried the standard or low.

Any way you go, it's a great investment. I can't speak for the other two models, but from other's responses, they're effectiveness is comparable to the sport..so in the end, it's really a matter of personal preference.

Thanks again guys!


Todd