Sportster Models 883, 883 Custom, 1200 Custom, 883L, 1200L, 1200S, 1200 Roadster, XR1200, and the Nightster.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Bugs

Old Feb 28, 2013 | 04:26 PM
  #1  
1maddmaxx's Avatar
1maddmaxx
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Default Bugs

Hey you guys... I have a question for those of you who run fairings. My commute to work runs next to a large lake for about 5 miles and during the summer the bugs are pretty bad. Looking for something that will deflect the bugs off of my face but small in size. I don't want a windshield but something that I can live with year round. I've seen a few online but have no idea what works or doesn't. I don't want to drop a lot of cash and then find out that it still puts the air flow on my face. Top speed on the buggy part of my ride is 50mph. Thanks.
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2013 | 05:45 PM
  #2  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Default

There is no such thing as a small screen that will protect your face! Air doesn't like being disturbed and will take the shortest route round any obstacle that bumps into it, so any screen lower than nose height will direct those pesky bugs straight into your face - worst than not having a screen! If you want function you have to set looks aside and get yourself a qd windshield that is nose high. Then you can fit or remove it in a jiffy during bugs season.
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2013 | 05:50 PM
  #3  
cHarley's Avatar
cHarley
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 16,320
Likes: 306
From: Boynton Beach, FloriDuh
Default

Originally Posted by grbrown
There is no such thing as a small screen that will protect your face! Air doesn't like being disturbed and will take the shortest route round any obstacle that bumps into it, so any screen lower than nose height will direct those pesky bugs straight into your face - worst than not having a screen! If you want function you have to set looks aside and get yourself a qd windshield that is nose high. Then you can fit or remove it in a jiffy during bugs season.
+1 - Any thing short of the tip of your nose will be a waste of money.

.
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2013 | 06:05 PM
  #4  
IronBoy883's Avatar
IronBoy883
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 726
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
Default

I did not want anything to do with a windshield, then I rode my buddies roadking home from the dealer ( he didnt have his license and was more comfortable with me riding it from Atlantic city back up to by where we live in monmouth county, just about 80 miles ) ... it was a thing of beauty haha I just installed a 14 inch on my iron with 10 inch bars im 5'9 and it is perfect !! I rode it to dinner last night in 40 degree weather !! get a quick detach and pop it off whenever you are concerned about looks ... just my 2 cents
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2013 | 08:19 PM
  #5  
BaldHOG1222's Avatar
BaldHOG1222
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
From: North Texas
Default

QD is the way to go. You'll drop a little coin on it, but it comes off in a snap. I picked my supersport windshield at the dealer for about $330
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2013 | 09:21 PM
  #6  
Captain Smooth's Avatar
Captain Smooth
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 4
From: Upstate NY
Default

Could always go the full face helmet route.
 
Reply
Old Feb 28, 2013 | 10:52 PM
  #7  
Misbehaven's Avatar
Misbehaven
Elite HDF Member
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,501
Likes: 26
From: Sheboygan,Wi
Default

What everyone else said. Just do it and you'll be happy with out bugs in your teeth.
 
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2013 | 12:24 AM
  #8  
Sportsman Matt's Avatar
Sportsman Matt
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 89
Likes: 1
From: A bit west of Dodge,MA
Default

That's why most places have restrooms with a sink and mirrors......

Some guys complain about "oh the bugs are out" or "they get me and my bike dirty".

Some of us hardcore guys just say.....

Grow a pair, Ride hard, or Stay the **** home!

BTW, my girlfriend often asks what is smeared on my leathers or my helmet, I tell her 'nuthin' 'cause if I told her the truth, she'd make me keep my gear hung up elsewhere.

Add in all the extra protein if you ride with your mouth open!
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 1, 2013 | 04:58 AM
  #9  
1maddmaxx's Avatar
1maddmaxx
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Georgia
Default

Has nothing to do with those icky bugs, it's an issue of being able to see where the hell I'm going. I wear a ShoeI full face and once the face shield is covered in bug guts I am blind. Being hardcore won't help me out when my *** is wrapped around a tree. If you have never lived next to a lake in the summer you don't know Jack about the bug problem. I'm not talking the normal amount of regular bugs on the highway, I'm talking swarms here. I have ridden for years with out a windshield but have moved to the lake last year. A windshield I would have to keep on for the entire summer months, May to September here in the South, and was looking for something just to deflect the bugs. Thanks to all who actually made a suggestion.
 
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2013 | 05:10 AM
  #10  
grbrown's Avatar
grbrown
Club Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Talking

Bugs will follow the wind! A windshield will either catch them or send them around it, so unless it is large enough, as previously suggested, the bugs will still getcha. They ain't goin' to say to themselves "I'll give that darned thang a wide berth today", they will take the shortest route into or past it. If you are in the way, better duck or grouse.....
 
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:46 PM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE