Fairing or Windshield
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 700
Likes: 134
From: Milton Keynes, UK
my gf has the dart fly screen and having ridden with it I can say it doesn't take the wind off my torso as much as the memphis shades gauntlet.
At the same time I have mini apes and forwards so it is a different riding position.
I think the MS Gauntlet looks ok on the 48 because of the fat front tyre
At the same time I have mini apes and forwards so it is a different riding position.
I think the MS Gauntlet looks ok on the 48 because of the fat front tyre
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I've been riding behind fairings and windshields for almost 50 years now. The level of protection the rider enjoys is a direct function of size! Shape can obviously have an influence, but a small shield will give small comfort. However weather is a major factor as well, so if riding in warm climes a smaller screen may be comfort enough, however if you ride all year round in cold winters, with temps around or below freezing, any small part of you that sticks out will get super-chilled.
So any debate about shields has to take into account the local riding conditions, plus the hardiness of the rider. My Glide came with a shield that was identical to later Road Kings and was crap. The adverse affect it had on handling at speed and in cross winds out-weighed any benefit I got, so that had to go. By contrast my compact Sporty shield is great and fine up to around 90mph - I haven't gone any faster!
So any debate about shields has to take into account the local riding conditions, plus the hardiness of the rider. My Glide came with a shield that was identical to later Road Kings and was crap. The adverse affect it had on handling at speed and in cross winds out-weighed any benefit I got, so that had to go. By contrast my compact Sporty shield is great and fine up to around 90mph - I haven't gone any faster!
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 778
Likes: 4
From: Opposite Side of the Planet
If you do a little research you will find that those mini sport deflectors really do nothing to take the wind off your body. The 1/4 fairing on the other hand at least ones like the Memphis Shades gauntlet are outstanding. Fairings take all the wind off your torso and allow your head/helmet to be in clean air. I've had 3 different windshields before i got the 1/4 fairing and they all were horrible. A slightly curved flat piece of lexan just isn't aerodynamic. The only good think about HD quick disconnect is ease off and on. All windshields have updraft and cause buffeting at head level. Trust me i have 800+ dollars in windshields on my Sportster and none of them worked to my liking meaning NO BUFFETING.
I ran the National Cycle Flyscreen on my 2007 XL1200r (reviewed in the XLFORUM website) and now the HD Sport Compact on my 2014 XL1200X. I know a number of other Sporty riders (here in this forum and the other forum) who run the Dart Flyscreen.
Everyone who uses one will tell you "properly" adjusted (you need to play with it as everyone is of different height and each mount different) it diverts the wind to your helmet/chin with NO wind hitting you in your torso when 65+ mph. My helmet stays in the wind (with no buffeting). In fact when going 85+, the wind even goes over the top of my helmet. So it does indeed take the wind off your chest. There is absolutely zero wind hitting my torso.
Now, do you get the same protection as a larger shield gives you? Of course not. Going 60 mph and below, it is not diverting the wind, rain, or bugs at all where a larger shield will protect you. But, it is not meant too. For that, get a larger windshield. But I wear leathers or Hi-Viz jackets with a full face (modular) helmet so that doesn't bother me.
So, if you only need is to divert the wind from trying to shove you off your bike at 65+ mph, then a flyscreen works well. If you want protection from all wind (elements, bugs, rocks, road debris, etc) at all speeds, then a flyscreen is not what you need.
For those of us who just want wind relief at freeway speeds and don't like larger windshields on Sportsters, they are a great option.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 778
Likes: 4
From: Opposite Side of the Planet
I've been riding behind fairings and windshields for almost 50 years now. The level of protection the rider enjoys is a direct function of size! Shape can obviously have an influence, but a small shield will give small comfort. However weather is a major factor as well, so if riding in warm climes a smaller screen may be comfort enough, however if you ride all year round in cold winters, with temps around or below freezing, any small part of you that sticks out will get super-chilled.
So any debate about shields has to take into account the local riding conditions, plus the hardiness of the rider. My Glide came with a shield that was identical to later Road Kings and was crap. The adverse affect it had on handling at speed and in cross winds out-weighed any benefit I got, so that had to go. By contrast my compact Sporty shield is great and fine up to around 90mph - I haven't gone any faster!
So any debate about shields has to take into account the local riding conditions, plus the hardiness of the rider. My Glide came with a shield that was identical to later Road Kings and was crap. The adverse affect it had on handling at speed and in cross winds out-weighed any benefit I got, so that had to go. By contrast my compact Sporty shield is great and fine up to around 90mph - I haven't gone any faster!
I really hated the HD Quick Detach I had on my Fatboy. Could never get it correct. Tried 3 different shields in fact (various heights). My Ultra Glide Classic Batwing fairing gave me the best all around protection with the stock height shield. Great for winter riding.
So, as stated...it "all depends". I find the short shields good enough for me on my Sportsters (meets the goal for protection AND my "looks" requirement). A non-touring Sportster to "me" doesn't look good on a Sportster, especially the 72 and 48 models.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 83
There is no way of not having buffeting with that or any HD shield. You may lessen it with lowers though. The issue is that yes the windshield punches a hole in the air but creates a vacuum behind it . Its not so much the top air but the bottom air coming from below colliding with the top air that makes your head vibrate. A 1/4 fairing on the other hand is in fact aerodynamic. It does not create the negative pressure behind it like a flat piece of plastic does. Driving into a head wind magnifies the buffeting. Harley windshields stink in comparison to just about ever other motorcycle brand. I think 1/4 fairings look awesome in comparison from a style standpoint with the exception that a 48 or any cruiser definitely looks best without wind protection.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 68
From: Big Bear City, CA
Thanks for the info guys. I saw a few of the Memphis shades I liked. The slim looks like it would be great for my bike, but then i saw the Gauntlet Fairing and really liked the looks of that one. Maybe i'll get lucky and find a H-D Quick-Release Compact Windshield for a good price.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 470
Likes: 84
From: wisconsin
There is no way of not having buffeting with that or any HD shield. You may lessen it with lowers though. The issue is that yes the windshield punches a hole in the air but creates a vacuum behind it . Its not so much the top air but the bottom air coming from below colliding with the top air that makes your head vibrate. A 1/4 fairing on the other hand is in fact aerodynamic. It does not create the negative pressure behind it like a flat piece of plastic does. Driving into a head wind magnifies the buffeting. Harley windshields stink in comparison to just about ever other motorcycle brand. I think 1/4 fairings look awesome in comparison from a style standpoint with the exception that a 48 or any cruiser definitely looks best without wind protection.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 1,099
Likes: 34
From: NC/SC
Windshield and 48 are not often spoken in the same sentence. 
However typically "smaller" windshields (Fly or Gauntlet types) do look good. As far as wind protection at high speeds is concerned, nothing beats a full windshield or fairing. I am not qualified to give my opinion though as for one I don't have a 48 and also I went into opposite direction.
However typically "smaller" windshields (Fly or Gauntlet types) do look good. As far as wind protection at high speeds is concerned, nothing beats a full windshield or fairing. I am not qualified to give my opinion though as for one I don't have a 48 and also I went into opposite direction.
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