Hello folks. I've just bought a windshield for my Sportster. Not a HD genuine shield but a pretty good one I think. I have been out on my bike and although it cuts out airflow to the body, the air flowing over the top of the shield causes my head to get caught in the turbulance, which seems to defeat the whole reason for having it.
I have several questions... Is this normal? If not, is my screen wrongly positioned?(how upright does it need to be?) Is it supposed to be set at a height that requires me to look through it completely or do most riders look over the top? Does it alter gas consumption?

Any help most appreciated.

 

Hey Dude:

Don't know what everybody else will tell you, but my best experience is when the top of the windscreen is just a wee bit higher than your helmet, assuming you're wearing one. Also the angle of the windshield is important, don't want to have to push too much air.
Still waiting for Direct Shippers to pick my bike up.

Fackler Rebel

 

All the opinions I've heard say that the top of the windshield should be level with or slightly above the tip of your nose. You should be looking over the windshield in normal riding position. That's how my Sporty is setup and it works great.

 

Phil, you're right, any shield over your eyes, you can't see in the rain. Grahampr, I've got a 4" shorty on my bagger and it's great. Wind in the face, yeah, but you're on a motorcycle, if you want no wind, drive a cage.

 

Phil's right; you orter be looking over the windshield 'stead of through it. Often times the angle of the windshield can be changed to reduce or do away with the turbulence.

Reason for looking over it is so there ain't no distortion when it's getting plastered by rain, road grime, bugs, and wads of 'baccy tossed out by redneck log truck drivers.

 

Thanks for all your comments. Joe Scout, I get your point. I have never wanted to sanitise the motorcycle experience, just make it more comfortable over longer distances and at higher speed. After all it is part of the reason we all have a Harley I would think. My main reasoon for seeking advice was that the buffetting I am receiving is unacceptable as my head seemed to be stuck in a wind eddy, giving me a bad head after 30miles. I also found it prevented me from hearing engine revs and gear change points, so I figured something couldn't be right. Point taken though.

 

Grahampr, If your head is sore after 30 miles that's not good. Is your helmut too big, and catching the wind? Is your jacket open and catching a lot of wind? You may have to have a higher screen than I would like, and they are hard to see through when dirty or wet, but if you aren't happy after 30 miles forget what I say and do what you have to do.

 

Have you tried a fullface? They are hot, but cut down on the wind.

 

What size is your windscreen that you put on?

 

I have now adjusted it to be a little higher and my head is only shaken around after about 55mph. Before adjusting it, it was at about 40 that I had the turbulance.
I am using a full face at the moment.
The model of screen is a Puig America III.

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