Windshield turbulence solution?
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 185
Likes: 4
From: Florida
Buffeting is something most folks fight, unless you have a fairing with lowers. I'm thinking about taking my windshield off and buying a full face helmet. I'd rather have the wind on my chest vs. my half or 3/4 helmet and glasses jumping around. Can anyone using just a full face helmet without a windshield chime in and let us know if your helmet still jumps around?
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,469
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
Buffeting is something most folks fight, unless you have a fairing with lowers. I'm thinking about taking my windshield off and buying a full face helmet. I'd rather have the wind on my chest vs. my half or 3/4 helmet and glasses jumping around. Can anyone using just a full face helmet without a windshield chime in and let us know if your helmet still jumps around?
I have a full coverage modular helmet (HJC), and a tall HD detachable windshield on my Super Glide.
Without the windshield on at all, my helmet is rock steady.
With the windshield down low, so I can just see over the top, the buffeting is bad enough to cause disorientation.
With the windshield all the way up, the buffeting is much less, but not gone, but I have to crouch down a bit and it's uncomfortable.
I'm going to price a replacement plastic piece, and see if I can get a taller one. There doesn't appear to be any way to make any significant change in the angle of the windshield.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I've ridden behind a wide variety of fairings and windshields for over 40 years, also ridden naked bikes, with open, full and flip-front helmets. There isn't a simple solution IMHO! My Glide had a shield similar to a Road King when I first bought it and frankly it was awful. Not so much due to buffetting of my head (which was a problem), but the oscillations it put into the handlebars. I bought and installed an old shovel batwing, below, which was an improvement.
The best improvement however was changing the windshield on it and profiling the top surface, something prompted by the shields on those ugly twin-headlight BMW custom bikes. It works! Significantly reduced buffetting for both me and Mrs B and we now happily travel far and wide. So consider doing as I did, buy a large shield and trim to that pattern. It magically cleans up airflow around our helmets.
The best improvement however was changing the windshield on it and profiling the top surface, something prompted by the shields on those ugly twin-headlight BMW custom bikes. It works! Significantly reduced buffetting for both me and Mrs B and we now happily travel far and wide. So consider doing as I did, buy a large shield and trim to that pattern. It magically cleans up airflow around our helmets.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,469
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
...The best improvement however was changing the windshield on it and profiling the top surface, something prompted by the shields on those ugly twin-headlight BMW custom bikes. It works! Significantly reduced buffetting for both me and Mrs B and we now happily travel far and wide. So consider doing as I did, buy a large shield and trim to that pattern. It magically cleans up airflow around our helmets.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I can supply a template! I tried to post a photo I have showing the BMW shield, but it's the wrong format. This one should work:
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,469
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
I'm a reasonably good "artiste", so that will help! 
Here's my current stumper...my first thought was to simply get a different height replacement plastic piece and see what difference that would make. In talking to the "parts guy", he absolutely assured me that replacements for my windshield were available, but then he couldn't find them in the catalog. I've searched online, but all I can find are replacements for the windshields that come standard on the bikes, but not for the optional quick release models.
I may have to have the parts guy call the MoCo and find out what's up. I'd really want to be sure I could get a replacement before I start hacking on mine.
Here's my current stumper...my first thought was to simply get a different height replacement plastic piece and see what difference that would make. In talking to the "parts guy", he absolutely assured me that replacements for my windshield were available, but then he couldn't find them in the catalog. I've searched online, but all I can find are replacements for the windshields that come standard on the bikes, but not for the optional quick release models.
I may have to have the parts guy call the MoCo and find out what's up. I'd really want to be sure I could get a replacement before I start hacking on mine.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
The on-line parts websites don't seem to do aftermarket accessories, which is a bit frustrating. You may be able to find installation instructions for the qd shield on-line, which includes a parts list.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,469
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
Tried that. Took the replacement shield part number directly from my instructions..."Not found".
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 3,133
Likes: 504
From: Lake County, IL
I don't know where you're checking, but I've found parts, using part numbers, on dealer (like Kutter) web sites, when the same part numbers came up with nothing on the H-D web site.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,469
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
Ah-ha! I only checked the HD web site. Let me check other sites and see what I can find.