Windshield vs Batwing
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 471
Likes: 9
From: Far NorCal
Windshield vs Batwing
Just wondering, sometimes I think of going back to the Softail, sure miss my old girl.
However, this time it would be a Heritage Classic.
My concern is, I haven't ridden behind a windshield for a very long time and I worry I might miss my Batwing.... a course in the old days I never had anything, but I'm old now and get cold!
Does it keep enough wind off?
Guess I could put the side chrome wind deflectors on for the winter too!
Just curious...maybe I need to take a test ride.
Any thoughts?
However, this time it would be a Heritage Classic.
My concern is, I haven't ridden behind a windshield for a very long time and I worry I might miss my Batwing.... a course in the old days I never had anything, but I'm old now and get cold!
Does it keep enough wind off?
Guess I could put the side chrome wind deflectors on for the winter too!
Just curious...maybe I need to take a test ride.
Any thoughts?
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 0
From: Tri-Cities, Washington
I'd suggest some test riding. I've had time on both an Ultra and a Heritage, including interstate trips. Overall the Ultra clearly gave better wind protection. However, some of the wind and buffeting I get on my Heritage (which I like best for style) may be due to my 6'5" height. Someone shorter may find it much more sufficient.
I just put on the fork mounted wind deflectors and I think it's gonna be an improvement - but the ride in the 35 mph sidewinds today was probably not a good test.
Where in far north NorCal are you? I was born & raised in Yreka.
I just put on the fork mounted wind deflectors and I think it's gonna be an improvement - but the ride in the 35 mph sidewinds today was probably not a good test.
Where in far north NorCal are you? I was born & raised in Yreka.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 28
From: Kokomo, IN
I've been thinking about something different for my FB, and I'm seriously considering this:
http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2011/01...ational-cycle/
I emailed National Cycle about it and got this response:
Hello, The part number is going to be N21603 and that is $374.95.
Thank You,
http://www.cyrilhuzeblog.com/2011/01...ational-cycle/
I emailed National Cycle about it and got this response:
Hello, The part number is going to be N21603 and that is $374.95.
Thank You,
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: Milan, Italy
what do you think about quc detachable batwing on softail?
this is mine without batfairing
[IMG=http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/2706/img0739p.th.jpg][/IMG]
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
this is mine with bathfairing (detachable in seconds)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
so i say: detachable is better!
this is mine without batfairing
[IMG=http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/2706/img0739p.th.jpg][/IMG]
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
this is mine with bathfairing (detachable in seconds)
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
so i say: detachable is better!
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 364
Likes: 0
From: Toledo, OH
Holster, I had an 08 ElectraGlide Standard with a batwing and now I have an 04 Fatboy with a National Cycle heavy touring windshield(I think that's what they call it) and the fork mounted chrome wind deflectors. I get better wind protection with my Fatboy setup than I did with the E-Glide batwing - by quite a bit. It is amazing what those wind deflectors do for wind protection(the buffeting primarily). It's almost like riding in a car. Now my windshield is high and I end up looking though it instead of over it. I could cut it down but so far it has not bothered me that much and because my setup gives me such great wind protection I don't want to mess with it. In the past I would always cut down a windshield so I was looking over it. A cross wind will interfere with the protection but that was true of the batwing as well. If you really want that Heritage I would say don't hesitate because the windscreen and deflectors will work nicely.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,156
Likes: 41
From: So Cal
On my Fatboy I have the MS Batwing Fairing , the MS Fats (full size windshield) and the MS El Rio Sportshield. They are all detachable in under a minute with no tools so I can go no protection to a fairing at my choice in a minute.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,250
Likes: 2,344
From: Florida
fairing vs shield
I have the same Memphis Shades setup as Xaran, except mine's a Heritage and I have a taller shield and lowers -- I do a lot of long rides. I can take everything off in seconds. I can also take off the sissy bar, passenger seat, etc. fast so I can go from a long-ride look to stripped down in under five minutes.
The fairing gives me more protection than windshield, especially the hands. Lowers work great. IMO, windshields are bland-looking while batwing fairings look sharp, on certain kinds of bikes, including most of the softails.
The fairing gives me more protection than windshield, especially the hands. Lowers work great. IMO, windshields are bland-looking while batwing fairings look sharp, on certain kinds of bikes, including most of the softails.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 789
Likes: 1
From: Minnesota
I'd suggest some test riding. I've had time on both an Ultra and a Heritage, including interstate trips. Overall the Ultra clearly gave better wind protection. However, some of the wind and buffeting I get on my Heritage (which I like best for style) may be due to my 6'5" height. Someone shorter may find it much more sufficient.
I just put on the fork mounted wind deflectors and I think it's gonna be an improvement - but the ride in the 35 mph sidewinds today was probably not a good test.
Where in far north NorCal are you? I was born & raised in Yreka.
I just put on the fork mounted wind deflectors and I think it's gonna be an improvement - but the ride in the 35 mph sidewinds today was probably not a good test.
Where in far north NorCal are you? I was born & raised in Yreka.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,624
Likes: 189
From: Newcastle, Ca.
Just wondering, sometimes I think of going back to the Softail, sure miss my old girl.
However, this time it would be a Heritage Classic.
My concern is, I haven't ridden behind a windshield for a very long time and I worry I might miss my Batwing.... a course in the old days I never had anything, but I'm old now and get cold!
Does it keep enough wind off?
Guess I could put the side chrome wind deflectors on for the winter too!
Just curious...maybe I need to take a test ride.
Any thoughts?
However, this time it would be a Heritage Classic.
My concern is, I haven't ridden behind a windshield for a very long time and I worry I might miss my Batwing.... a course in the old days I never had anything, but I'm old now and get cold!
Does it keep enough wind off?
Guess I could put the side chrome wind deflectors on for the winter too!
Just curious...maybe I need to take a test ride.
Any thoughts?
In the summer the deflectors will come off. Gets too hot and need the air flow.
If you are ever in the Auburn area - you are welcome to take a spin and see what you think.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 471
Likes: 9
From: Far NorCal
Man you guys are great!
Thanks a lot.
I was thinking too, with wind deflectors I bet winter riding would be okay or those old hard head winds across Nev.
I'm near Red Bluff off of Hwy 36W, the best damn cafe road west of the big river. Y-town is really far-nocal
I would love to test ride your bike. We ought to meet somewhere for lunch and swap/ride around a little.
Thanks
Thanks a lot.
I was thinking too, with wind deflectors I bet winter riding would be okay or those old hard head winds across Nev.
I'm near Red Bluff off of Hwy 36W, the best damn cafe road west of the big river. Y-town is really far-nocal
I would love to test ride your bike. We ought to meet somewhere for lunch and swap/ride around a little.
Thanks