RK shields, look through or over?
Why do people state how tall they are when talking about a windshield. Two people can each be 5'9" tall one has a 30" inseam and the other has a 34" inseam. So that makes the 1st person around 36" from the inseam to the eye, and the other person 32" from the inseam to eyeball. So even though they are the same height they would need 2 different windshields. So instead of stating your height how bout you state how tall you are from the seat to the eye. Then someone wouldn't waste there money buying a 14" windshield because they are the same height as a poster on here when they really needed a 18" windshield. Also I wasn't don't go off someone else's height. I cut popsicle sticks to length and black tape them to the shield to see where it would be while I ride.
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Last edited by Kacowboy; Sep 26, 2016 at 05:39 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
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From: Mountain Top, Alabama
Why do people state how tall they are when talking about a windshield. Two people can each be 5'9" tall one has a 30" inseam and the other has a 34" inseam. So that makes the 1st person around 36" from the inseam to the eye, and the other person 32" from the inseam to eyeball. So even though they are the same height they would need 2 different windshields. So instead of stating your height how bout you state how tall you are from the seat to the eye. Then someone wouldn't waste there money buying a 14" windshield because they are the same height as a poster on here when they really needed a 18" windshield. Also I wasn't don't go off someone else's height. I cut popsicle sticks to length and black tape them to the shield to see where it would be while I ride.
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I used to work with a guy that if seated with Him at a table, you would think He was 7 feet tall, but He had extremely short legs.
Yep, just like inseam makes a difference on seat height, torso makes a difference on windshield height.
Recurves, now that's a different animal, but it's all good.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
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From: The Desert SouthWest
I have found the adage "top of windshield at your nose" to be a good one. This is true for me (6'2") with the stock windscreen.
The effect is I look through the windshield out to about 30 ft, then I see over it from there on out (I call that looking over the windshield).
Also, the wind hits right about the top of my helmet, so no wind on me, and no buffeting. Much lower and there would be serious buffeting. Higher I actually WOULD be looking through the windshield.
I like it just where it is, so if you are shorter I suggest you give this relationship a try.
Sure makes a difference doesn't it!
The effect is I look through the windshield out to about 30 ft, then I see over it from there on out (I call that looking over the windshield).
Also, the wind hits right about the top of my helmet, so no wind on me, and no buffeting. Much lower and there would be serious buffeting. Higher I actually WOULD be looking through the windshield.
I like it just where it is, so if you are shorter I suggest you give this relationship a try.
Sure makes a difference doesn't it!
I prefer to look just over it. If I want to hunker down behind it I just have to slump down a little bit.
I've been blinded when riding in the fog, so looking "through it" can become dangerous if I don't have the ability to look over the windscreen.
Here in the desert we have very few bugs, so this works for me in my environment. If bugs are a big issue then it might not work for you.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 9,238
Likes: 5,784
From: On the Big Blue marble
yes and no..
Call LRS for answers.
My stock windshield is at "Mustache Height" and the wind comes just barely over the top of my helmet. However, my LRS Recurve is about an inch lower, the wind STILL comes just barely over the top of my helmet.
With the stock, I just barely look over the top, a little more on the recurve.
When I bought a Reckless Fairing for my 'King, the short windshield that came with it put the wind right dead center in my eyes. When I called LRS, they went over options, they were 100% correct, dead on the money.
BTW, with the bugs we have here now, and the LED bug magnets on the front of my bike, riding with no windshield is NOT an option. A while back I hit an owl, polycarbonate windshield flexed hard and thumped His azz off to the side of the road, no damage what so ever - to the windshield, that is. Seat took a bite, however...
My stock windshield is at "Mustache Height" and the wind comes just barely over the top of my helmet. However, my LRS Recurve is about an inch lower, the wind STILL comes just barely over the top of my helmet.
With the stock, I just barely look over the top, a little more on the recurve.
When I bought a Reckless Fairing for my 'King, the short windshield that came with it put the wind right dead center in my eyes. When I called LRS, they went over options, they were 100% correct, dead on the money.
BTW, with the bugs we have here now, and the LED bug magnets on the front of my bike, riding with no windshield is NOT an option. A while back I hit an owl, polycarbonate windshield flexed hard and thumped His azz off to the side of the road, no damage what so ever - to the windshield, that is. Seat took a bite, however...
I prefer to look over... I had the LRS on my Heritage, I loved it. On my RK I got nasty buffeting.. I wear a full face so the bug thing aint that bad..
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 4,456
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From: Oklahoma
The bigger the bug or other flying object the less the wind over the windshield will deflect it. I prefer to look through the windshield for that reason, though I can stretch a bit and see over it when necessary.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 2,018
Likes: 259
From: Seattle
In Minnesota we had bugs man...and a no helmet law (I was younger then and the chicks kinda dug June bug welts). Here in Washington not so much the bugs but the tandem dump trucks. One thing to add to the personal height not being a good comparison rant is what I think is more of an issue....we all mod our rides. Seat height and forward/backward position. Seat style and handle bars in how they create slouch. There is no getting by it you just need to figure it out on your own...hard to compare two riders body dimensions plus bike setup to pick out a shield.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 4,584
Likes: 918
From: coast to coast
I'm 5'6 with a 30" inseem. My '16 RK stock shield is 20". I switched it for a 16" LRS recurve and couldn't be happier with my full face or 3/4. Generally with my full face helmet I ride with the shield up and a pair or glasses. Air is comfortable at all speeds and no issue with bugs or debris. None of my other bikes have shields so I'm familiar with flying objects. Whatever you get I suggest a recurve. Really pushes the wind and turbulence up and over.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 490
Likes: 107
From: Bremerton, WA.
Also ... if it rains and even gets a little misty, looking through the shield can get very dicey for me. At least I can wipe my face shield off.
Just my 2 cents
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,153
Likes: 42
From: AZ
That said, I have a Clearview as well. They are the original "recurve" folks!! Craig over there sent me the 15" shield and when I tried it out, my head was getting buffeted all over the place. He recommended their Freewheeler shield to me so I said I would give it a shot. Unfortunately, they don't make it at the 15" height that I need. Or should I say, they DIDN'T make it at that height. Their plan was to wait until they weren't so busy during the riding season to do this, but they changed their plans and made a jig just so I could get my shield for this year.
Needless to say, I'm a changed rider. I can see over my shield now, AND my head doesn't feel like a pinball anymore. This shield is a bit wider than stock and comes farther down past the light bucket to stop that wind from coming up and over the tank to the helmet.
Minimalists may not like the look because, like I said, it is a bit wider and comes lower down, but it does the trick out on the road. Great customer service over there by the guys at Clearview shields!! Give them a look...[/QUOTE]
The Clearview shield that you're talking about - is it the Freewheeler shield in GT width? Or the Freewheeler shield standard width? Thanks.
Needless to say, I'm a changed rider. I can see over my shield now, AND my head doesn't feel like a pinball anymore. This shield is a bit wider than stock and comes farther down past the light bucket to stop that wind from coming up and over the tank to the helmet.
Minimalists may not like the look because, like I said, it is a bit wider and comes lower down, but it does the trick out on the road. Great customer service over there by the guys at Clearview shields!! Give them a look...[/QUOTE]
The Clearview shield that you're talking about - is it the Freewheeler shield in GT width? Or the Freewheeler shield standard width? Thanks.