Last Saturday I went for a 150 mile ride. Finally got a weekend without snow and ice. My FLHTC still has the stock windshield which I had been considering switching out for a tinted, short windshield. Riding out on the interstate in the cold convinced me that staying with the stock windshield is probably the best plan. I like the look of the short dark windshields but, suffering isn't something I'm eager to do.

Can I have my proverbial cake and eat it too?

 

Yep. Long Ride or any other that makes a flip up style windshield. My 6 inch ultra does a fine job. I have to switch to my 9 inch ultra when riding 2-up though.

 

I have a 9 inch tinted Fast Aire curve. Absolutely love it.

It doesn't protect as well in the rain, as a stock windshield but, does a good job in the wind.

Also looks great. I have folks come up and look at all the time.

 

I've ridden behind windshields of a wide variety of styles and shapes since the '60s. The wind don't read no advertising brochures! It takes the shortest route over and around any windshield. If a w/s is chest high, the wind will hit ya in the chest. That may be great in the right weather, but if it is cold and/or raining it isn't any fun at all. So, just like seats, by all means have more than one and swap them around, but don't throw away the tall one you take off just yet!