Does a windshield on a fatboy actually reduce wind noise at speeds 50mph and up?

 

Yes it does a great job of it.

 

especially in your ears.

 

 

Yep, but your own bike's engine & exhaust noise seem louder. Bugs don't hurt as much. Rain doesn't hurt as much. I'm beginning to wonder why I don't put mine on all the time!

 

Do it! I did!

 

Or a batwing looks nice as well

 

I have both, so my Fatboy is a true convertible. I can ride it Naked locally, or depending on my mood I can run it with bags and windscreen like a mini Road King, or I can throw the batwing on and have a mini Street Glide. I really like the versatility of the quick mounts up front.

 

The only things I don't like are, now the wind blows up into my helmet ( my chin strap blows straight up ) and I hear more engine noise. Some say that fangs stop the upward air, but I just don't like the looks of them.

 

I have a combination of a long ride shields windscreen (15 inches high by their measurement method) and Harley brand fangs (older style sharp angle ones, powder coated black) on the forks. When added, both did an excellent job of cutting down on wind noise and the buffeting air blast across the chest area. Makes for less rider fatigue.
I also fabricated a downturn air foil (three bolt mounted to the bottom of the nacelle) to direct the air that gets through the forks above the fender and cause the air blast to go toward the front exhaust port. Keeps the air from coming up , hitting the tank and pounding on your chest as well. It also aids in cooling air more directed to the cooling fins. All of this combines to work well on my 2010 FatBoyLo. Best of luck.