Love it, Hate it
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2nd Gear
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Love it, Hate it
I have a 2010 FXDC and am having a blast. This is a beautiful machine and it is a gas to ride! I do mind the wind at highway speeds and installed a HD (18") compact windshield. I trimmed 2" from it and am looking over it by about 3". That is where the trouble starts! My first ride, once I hit about 40 mph, I started to get almost violent wind, behind the windshield. It shakes my head to the point where clear vision is difficult at 55-65. I even thought possibly I was having front end trouble, balance issues or maybe a flat front tire and pulled over to inspect. Didn't find anything. I took the windshield off and rode it and it is fine. WTF!?? I guess this is the buffeting that some of us speak of. As I said, I love the bike, I love the idea of the windshield, but dislike the windshield now that I put it on. What to do??? This is at best, pretty disappointing.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 839
Likes: 1
From: USA
If the shield is angled back too much you can get buffeting and a vacuum from the shield. You might have cut too much off and putting your face into the windstream. I have the touring shield and have cut it down 2 inches without a problem.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 8
From: NW Arkansas
Congrats on your bike. It took me a few times adjusting the windshield to get it right. Ended up pushing the top of it all the way out and raising it up all the way. Now it has minimal buffeting.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 1,985
From: Cleveland Zoo
A lot of people buy a windshield expecting good things to happen, not only does the windshield look like *** on their bike but it results in wind buffeting. The buffeting blurred my vision and gave me a headache. I did a search here on this forum and found many threads that got me to a point where a windshield works for me, still looks like *** though.
Club Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,815
Likes: 16
From: Virginia
My Memphis Shades Rio Grande windshield does nothing like that and works great. I still leave it in the garage except for maybe 1 or 2 really long rides a year. I just got used to not needing it and it looks a lot better without it.
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Joined: Jun 2010
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 146
Likes: 1
From: Fairfield, CA
Do you use a brain bucket or a full face helmet?
I used to have a windshield but sold it, I had it tipped out so far foward the upper washers just barely grabed the clips to keep it from buffeting. Now I uses a brain bucket when I am running around town or slower rides, If I need to cover some ground I wear a full face as it makes for a nice ride on the freeway and I dont end my ride exhausted from the brain bucket acting like a parachute strapped to my neck
Good Luck
I used to have a windshield but sold it, I had it tipped out so far foward the upper washers just barely grabed the clips to keep it from buffeting. Now I uses a brain bucket when I am running around town or slower rides, If I need to cover some ground I wear a full face as it makes for a nice ride on the freeway and I dont end my ride exhausted from the brain bucket acting like a parachute strapped to my neck
Good Luck