Another Windshield Thread
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7,637
Likes: 4,871
From: Missouri City,TX
Good luck with the windvest...I have the HD QD low profile shield and had it adjusted just about right to minimize the buffetting with the stock bars...BUT, when I changed out the bars it changed my ridiing position which added more buffetting. 
The shield now spends about 95% of the time in my "parts room" instead of on the bike.
The shield now spends about 95% of the time in my "parts room" instead of on the bike.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 427
Likes: 1
From: Hot Springs, AR
Please post up something if you get a solution. I tried the QD compact and the QD "barn door" on my 2010 FXD and they both buffeted my head so much I could hardly see. Surprising because my old FLHS had a police type windshield and it didn't buffet.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 17
From:
The problem I see with most windshields is they are too upright. That's guaranteed to cause buffeting. Bikes with instruments on the handlebars are guaranteed to have upright windshields. The solution is to relocate the speedo and get a windshield that can be raked.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,641
Likes: 1,985
From: Cleveland Zoo
Mike
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 594
From: Alabama
With the Windvest windshield I just mounted I'm able to adjust the rake and also it can be raised or lowered two inches. I probably don't have it dialed in completely but mine is raked slightly more than the natural rake of the forks, meaning the top is tilted back. It is a day and night difference from the Harley shield. I'm 5'10" and the 16" model seems to be the perfect fit, I look right over the top of it.
Mike
Mike
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: Upstate SC
I just wanted to ask you how tight is your helmet. I wear a 3/4 with shield and mine's a little loose now. When I wear a beanie cap or do-rag under my helmet, the buffetting was not near as bad. It really made a big improvement. Something you may want to consider.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 848
Likes: 0
From: Lake Jackson, TX
I had the same issues with the HD quick detach on my '07 Wide Glide. Just left it off the bike. Bought a Windvest and will never take it off. I haven't even tried to fine tune it. It's that good. I'm 5' 10""
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,301
Likes: 24
From: Minden LA
What you need to do is go for a ride at 60mph and put your left arm across your chest, like a salute, so you can determine where the buffeting is coming from. What happens in most cases is that the shield turns the air hitting it upward and over your head, but, that process has now created a low pressure area behind the shield. the air traveling under the shield is now drawn up into that low pressure area in an attempt to equalize the pressure. That is the air that comes up the front of your body and is trying to blend with the air going over the top. think about the water in a river going around a big rock, one side seems to go smoothly around the rock and the other is drawn in and swirls before it rejoins the flow on the other side. The problem is that your head is the point where the two wind currents rejoin, thus the buffeting. You have 4 remedies to the problem, 1 take off the shield and eat all the wind,2 you can put a full faring on your bike, 3 you can put lowers on the forks which works but the deflected air at that level also deflects the air that flows by your legs and butt and lets the engine heat rise to make your legs and butt much warmer on a hot day, although it can be nice in the winter time. and 4 you can wait to deflect that updraft until it is at chest level then re-direct it outward from the centerline of your chest and send 1/2 of that updraft over each shoulder which eliminates the combining of the 2 currents at your head. You will have all the wind you ever had except from your chest up, which is where you don't want the wind anyway, correct? google jack's flaps and watch the video, then make up you own mind as to what you should do for the buffeting problem. Sorry for the long-windedness but it was the only way I know to articulate the aerodynamics occuring with the windshield
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 594
From: Alabama
This is good news...I am also 5' 10. The WindVest is due in Thursday. I get new bars mounted tomorrow.
