do the windshields work well on softails?
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 153
From: Midlands of SC
I just put on the HD nostolgic 18" last month. First windshield I have ever had and have been ridding since 1970. What a hudge difference. I also put on a windshield bag which some say helps with buffeting. I really dont have any buffeting, but it takes some getting used to looking over it. I can now ride in 40 degree weather as opposed to 50 degrees. Lets see if I get hot in July in S.C.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,091
Likes: 84
From: Southern Maine / Seacoast NH
'08 Deluxe with 18" HD Nostalgic windshield (came with the bike, was riding Sportster without windshield before).
Pros: less wind pressure on highway / higher speed riding = less tiring over long term. MUCH quieter, allows for easy conversation with passenger. Allows for more comfortable riding in colder weather. Removable, so I can take it off if I want (do this sometimes for local riding, but it's on probably 85% of the time. Protection from road debris - had a piece of 3/8" rock from a chip-seal project kicked up at me from a car ahead - heard it whang off the shield, and saw the little tar mark where it hit - probably would have taken it right in the mouth without the shield.
Cons: This windshield is a little too tall for me - top edge is right on my sight line, can be distracting when shifing where I'm looking (plan to replace with an LRS 16" recurve at some point). Over about 50 MPH I get considerable amount of airflow up from underneath - causes a lot of helmet buffeting when I wear my full face modular. Not bad with my 1/2 shell. May try a windshield bag to see if that helps. Also been told fork 'fangs' will minimize this.
Definitely worth it in my mind, especially since it's removable so I can run without it if I want....
Pros: less wind pressure on highway / higher speed riding = less tiring over long term. MUCH quieter, allows for easy conversation with passenger. Allows for more comfortable riding in colder weather. Removable, so I can take it off if I want (do this sometimes for local riding, but it's on probably 85% of the time. Protection from road debris - had a piece of 3/8" rock from a chip-seal project kicked up at me from a car ahead - heard it whang off the shield, and saw the little tar mark where it hit - probably would have taken it right in the mouth without the shield.
Cons: This windshield is a little too tall for me - top edge is right on my sight line, can be distracting when shifing where I'm looking (plan to replace with an LRS 16" recurve at some point). Over about 50 MPH I get considerable amount of airflow up from underneath - causes a lot of helmet buffeting when I wear my full face modular. Not bad with my 1/2 shell. May try a windshield bag to see if that helps. Also been told fork 'fangs' will minimize this.
Definitely worth it in my mind, especially since it's removable so I can run without it if I want....
Club Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,555
Likes: 1,932
From: NE Florida
They work well to break the wind for which they were intended. There are some people that expect full protection from ALL wind which will never happen on a motorcycle. I'm not sure those people understand what riding a motorcycle is about.
Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 73
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Absolutely it does...
I added the H-D quick-detach to my Slim in order to extend my fall riding season.
Well, it ruined me since now it almost never comes off...
I ended up replacing the stock 18" screen with a 16" "Recurve" replacement from Long Ride Shields though, since at 18" the top edge was directly in my line of sight.
No more bugs, dirt and gravel to eat, and I can now wear a regular pair of shades and/or a baseball hat without any problems...
I added the H-D quick-detach to my Slim in order to extend my fall riding season.
Well, it ruined me since now it almost never comes off...
I ended up replacing the stock 18" screen with a 16" "Recurve" replacement from Long Ride Shields though, since at 18" the top edge was directly in my line of sight.
No more bugs, dirt and gravel to eat, and I can now wear a regular pair of shades and/or a baseball hat without any problems...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,062
Likes: 153
From: Midlands of SC
Hey Jam, does the 16" recurve work as well as the 18" regular as far as knocking off the wind? How about buffeting? Sorry to deviate a little!
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Supporter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 2,912
Likes: 73
From: Pittsburgh, PA
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...ve-review.html
I'd say the 16" Recurve offers the same protection as the 18" H-D flat.
Buffeting is about the same for both, mostly above 60-65MPH - and most of that is coming from underneath anyway...
Last edited by jam436; Feb 11, 2015 at 11:03 AM.