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Hello, I love riding my Bob without a shield, but recent trips of extended periods above 55mph has made me want to get some sort of shield. I really like the Memphis Shades Rio Grande Sportshield. However I'm 6'-2" and I've read on some forums the Rio Grande allows some buffeting to come over the top and beat your head around.
I'm wondering if anyone my height has tried this shield and what results you had?
Has anyone noticed this shield affecting the front end handling?
Additionally what other shields do you guys near my height use?
What H.D. shields do any of you use in this category ?
I'm 6' and have the standard HD detachable windshield. I had a lot of buffeting mainly with my half shell, not so much with my full face. Then I tilted the windshield forward and that got rid of about 60% of the buffeting. Last summer I removed my little visor on the front of my half shell and then 80-90% of the buffeting is now gone. The problem is the windshield diverts the wind to your shins then goes up to your face. Once I removed the visor, most of that buffeting was gone. A test would be when you get a shield hold you arm across your chest and you notice the buffeting go away. What I'm going to do if I find a cheap set off a Softail or streetglide lowers I may tap them into my shield's bracket (like Joe aka JRK) and that should get rid of close to all the buffeting.
Here's a thread on buffeting, maybe some good recommendation for other shields as well. What I did to my shield is in post #5
I am 6'2" and I have the HD standard detachable also. After tilting forward it eliminated the buffeting. Still get air from underneath bu am going to get some lowers to solve it.
I'm 6' and have the standard HD detachable windshield. I had a lot of buffeting mainly with my half shell, not so much with my full face. Then I tilted the windshield forward and that got rid of about 60% of the buffeting. ... ... ... ....
Originally Posted by blacknsilver
I am 6'2" and I have the HD standard detachable also. After tilting forward it eliminated the buffeting. Still get air from underneath bu am going to get some lowers to solve it.
Originally Posted by whiskyls1
The shorter the windshield, the more tinkering you're going to have to do to get it to do what you want it to do
A taller windshield will solve all of it.
Thanks for the excellent info. So it would appear forward (rather than backward) is the best results of all facets. Did you have to mod a hook to go forward or do some of today's shield have adjustable mounts?
And just so I understand all this correctly, the buffeting from the windshield on you helmet or whatever, is this any worse than just riding without any shield?
There is some adjustment to the shields. My is out as far at the top as can go and as high up on the fork as it can go. I didn't have the buffeting without the windshield. I have seen others do mods to add more adjustments to the windshield. Here are a few links with mods below.
I am 6' and have the HD sport shield, which is a quick release. It's a bit smaller than the others. I also tilted it forward for best results. However, for me, it's best when I move it as far down as possible. I even cover the light a little to move it down where I like it.
PS - do you ride with a helmet? you will really only notice the buffeting more easily with a helmet, then with not. Food for thought.
No buffeting without the windshield. The buffeting comes from the uneven flow of air I think with the shield on. You can move them forward on the HD detachable shields, I can't speak for the others.
Also ++ on moving the shield as far down as you can to cover the gap between the top of the headlight to the shield.
I'm 5'10, but short legged and long in the torso, so in the saddle I'm as tall as most 6' folks. I tried the H-D detachable compact windshield. Buffeting and wind rumble sound started at 40MPH and only got worse from there. Arm across the chest helped, so I added a fork bag on the front, and did away with my half-helmet's visor. It was better, but still ugly at 55+, regardless of where or how I positioned the shield. I then got an H-D detachable Touring windshield. Problem solved! It works great! I have it set about 1" down from the full up position on the fork tubes.
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