I have the Harley Compact Sport Wind Deflector on my 2014 48. On my 2007 XL1200R I had the National Cycle Wind Deflector.
When I traded in my 2007 for the 2014 I took the NC Wind Deflector off to use on my 2014 48. I decided it just wasn't the right look on the 48 so
got the HD one.
BOTH work as advertised. They both deflect the wind off your chest (which to me was an issue at 65+ mph) and direct it towards your neck, chin, face (depending on how you have it mounted and adjusted on the forks...and where you prefer to have the wind hit you).
The benefit is that you are no longer trying to hold on to the grips tightly to keep from being blown off by the wind at those higher speeds (when I was younger, I could go 65-70 mph all day long without any type of windshield).
I have it set so the wind at that speed and above hit my neck. Whether using my 3/4 helmet or Full Face helmet, I have no issues with the wind hitting there. My helmet does not get buffeted. I no longer have to grip the grips tightly and hang on...the wind is no issue.
I prefer the compact wind deflectors to larger windshields. For looks (A Sportster or Dyna with a windshield just doesn't look right to me). Also, the larger windshields can actually create helmet buffeting. It is hard to find the correct windshield height when going big.
Heres what I did that decided me on a compact sport wind deflector. I was going 70 mph on the freeway. I held my left open hand (facing me) just above the speedo. I moved it up and down and felt how the wind deflected. I found that on my bikes with my height that anything about
the width of my palm above the speedo directed the air into my face and off my chest. That told me I did not need a big windshield to get the effect I wanted.
So yes...they do work. Haven't use it with a half-helmet so don't know about that, but a 3/4 and Full Face are great with a wind deflector. Heck, I can go 95 mph and the wind even goes over my helmet. Look at Sport Bikes. They don't have big windshields and yet they are raced at a much higher speed than I will ever go.
You can see it somewhat on my sig picture...the dark plastic peeking above the right handlebar.
Like Subguy, I like my National Cycle Flyscreen in the Summer because it takes the wind blast off of the torso but leaves your helmet - for me a full face - in clean air so there is very little buffeting. They are a little fussy to adjust the first time, but very enjoyable after that. Good luck and show us a picture of what you buy.
Having used a wide variety of windshields over the decades, I suggest they are only as good as their size! Don't expect something the size of a bra cup to leave you in static and undisturbed air. A larger shield will work best and as for looks, they are a matter of opinion, as so much to do with Harleys is. I have one of H-D's qd shields on my SuperLow which works fine up to the 85 or so I normally ride at. Having just got back from 100+ degrees in Phoenix, a full supply of cooling air would be wonderful, but not in the rain we have today, back at home.
I installed a black National Cycle flyscreen. As far as a before and after comparison, I found the screen allowed me to go about 7-8 MPH faster while experiencing the same amount of wind resistance that I felt without it. I got it off Bay for about $75 brand new. I also really like the way it looks, and how it covers the speedo & tach perfectly.
08-12-2014, 07:40 PM
