Full face with windshield question
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 553
From: USA
I have a batwing fairing and changed my windshield on it perhaps 5 times to get it right....and I still don't have it right but it provides a comfortable ride so I am good..takes the wind off my chest. Used different heights and types of batwing windshields with the objective of getting the wind to either go over my head or hit the helmet on the forehead area. Wind is not quite going over my head but it is at a point that my 3/4 full shield Shoei J-Cruise helmet or half helmet with riding glasses can handle. So perhaps there is a cafe fairing windshield that will help you move the wind slightly higher away from your neck.
Last edited by hscic; Jun 7, 2017 at 09:23 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 7,709
Likes: 7,850
From: New York
Thanks for the replies, gents. Woolf has me pegged. I'm a parachute without it. With the forwards and apes. I will certainly try adjusting it. If not, I'll prob put the cafe fairing back on. It was better than the shield. And I think better than not having it, especially for the long ride. I'll be riding with my dad, who has a Road King. But we do stop about every hour or so to stretch, so thats good. I'll update with what I find. Appreciate the suggestions and info.
1) Riding with your dad;
2) Claiming that your hourly stops are "to stretch".
Novice
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 18
Likes: 4
From: South Dakota
I have a batwing fairing and changed my windshield on it perhaps 5 times to get it right....and I still don't have it right but it provides a comfortable ride so I am good..takes the wind off my chest. Used different heights and types of batwing windshields with the objective of getting the wind to either go over my head. Wind is not quite going over my head but it is at a point that my 3/4 full shield Shoei J-Cruise helmet or half helmet with riding glasses can handle. So perhaps there is a fairing windshield that will help you some.
Tourer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 304
Likes: 43
From: hhhhh
Hey all. The bike is a 2010 XL883L. I had a MS Cafe fairing and was getting some buffeting with it. It would take the wind off my chest, but put it basically at my neck. Furthermore, putting it inside my FF helmet. So I bought a shield, as I have a 1000 mile or so trip coming up this weekend. Bought a 17" MS El Paso shield. Took that out and I would say even more buffeting. The shield is definitely larger and sits right around my lip to tip of my nose area. Which I read was about right. The cafe was much shorter, probably coming up to my mid section-lower chest.
Insight appreciated.
Insight appreciated.
I have the "standard" Harley supplied shield on my 2009 Sportster and it is about 18.5' tall and actually extends to about 21.5" above the headlight in it's mounting position. In addition, it also has lower extensions that shroud the headlight somewhat, which extend downward about another 8" making a total shielded area of about 26" tall and about 19" wide.
With this shield and using my full face helmet I get no real buffeting or head slap over all. The only times I may get buffeting is if I am riding into a +15 MPH head or cross wind. Anything under than is smooth and comfortable.
Picture and dimensions below.
Last edited by JayTee2015; Aug 29, 2019 at 03:14 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 359
Likes: 100
From: Florida
I've been riding behind fairings and windshields for around fifty years and can assure you that your experience is not unusual! Unfortunately putting a windshield in front of you is no guarantee of success, it can sometimes requires a bit of time and effort to get right, if that is possible. I wear a full-face and have a qd Harley windshield on my Sporty, which is actually fine I'm pleased to say and has been so from first fitting. Like you I have it set at around nose height, but my comfort simply emphasises my point that these things are not predictable.
By contrast I have a Glide that came with an RK windshield and I never was able to make that darned thing work, so I got rid of it for a batwing. Even the shield on the batwing left a lot to be desired and it took me a long time to sort out, however Mrs B and I are pleased with it now.
Your problem has nothing to do with your FF, although the windshield may make it seem that way. By all means try adjusting your windshield, if that is possible, otherwise either ditch it for your trip, or use your other one. In such little time it is going to be difficult to guarantee success. Sorry about that!
By contrast I have a Glide that came with an RK windshield and I never was able to make that darned thing work, so I got rid of it for a batwing. Even the shield on the batwing left a lot to be desired and it took me a long time to sort out, however Mrs B and I are pleased with it now.
Your problem has nothing to do with your FF, although the windshield may make it seem that way. By all means try adjusting your windshield, if that is possible, otherwise either ditch it for your trip, or use your other one. In such little time it is going to be difficult to guarantee success. Sorry about that!
I've been riding over 47 years. I fully agree with statement above
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,175
Likes: 1,963
From: Great State of Canada
x2. My windshield is a qd 14 incher and angling it back, as counter-intuitive as that sounds, helped for me.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 4,890
Likes: 553
From: USA
For the OP, you might want to try a Puig windshield extension too. I just added one to my XL1200C, which raised the windshield height from around my nose to above my eyes. Wind noise and buffeting seems to have dropped dramatically at highway speeds with my HJC modular helmet. I've read mixed reports about the durability of the thing though, we'll see how mine holds up through my first Iron Butt attempt next weekend!
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,420
Likes: 691
From: Columbus Ohio
I tried the shorter windshields that were supposed to come under the nose. I ended up disliking having the edge of the top of the windshield always in my sight line. I now prefer the taller one I can look through. Also I do adjust the angle back a bit. Some like to look over, some like to look through, just personal preference.
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