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2021 in Deadwood Green. Not in love with the wind splitter windshield, keeps the chest pretty clean, but the head gets hammered. Thinking about trying a taller shield from Freedom Shields. Also, looking for suggestions on a replacement seat. Not into the road sofa seats. Looking for rider and pillion. Any comments would be appreciated. (How about the Bad Boyz Freedom Series?) thanks-
Hi,
I was in the same boat as you with my 20RKS. It came with the 16" HD Windsplitter and I hated it. I went down the rabbit hole buying Freedom WS in 20" and 22" sizes and they didn't work. Another member on here named Oscar went through the exact same thing. I can make you this offer and if want to follow thru shoot me a PM. I will send you both shields to try if you cover the shipping. If you don't like them than pass them on to someone else. The shields themselves are impossible to sell unless someone has the WS brackets already. HD stopped selling the bracket kit separately awhile back. Now you have to fork out close to $500.00 to HD for the WS with brackets. Let me know.
I've been meaning to weigh in on the windshield topic for some time. I went from an E-Glide standard to a classic and then to a Road King Special in 2017. I had it delivered with the 16" Harley windshield. Noise was awful, as was buffeting so I only used it twice. Like many I've read about, I read dozens of reviews, posts and articles looking for decent wind protection and the right look, because, let's admit it, looks matter. First I bought a second hand windshield and cut it down to 14" and narrow like a tombstone. Worked well, looked a bit off. Found a second hand Harley 13" custom style and it worked well as far as noise, clean air on my full face helmet, but offered nothing for bugs and rain. Looked into the laminar lip and similar solutions. Found the Memphis Shades Drop Top and like ONE internet review. Really, I had no luck finding any long term reviews on it. I bought the replacement plastic option and put it on my sock mount from the 16" shield. Seemed like a reasonable "try" for the cost.
For reference, I am 6' 1" and taller from the hips up than down if that makes sense. I always use a full face helmet. I got the 15" model and found that on the back roads, the low position works great and looks good. I recently did a trip that had 6 days of long, fast roads through the desert of California, Nevada into Idaho. I found that up to 80 MPH, in the high position, I had plenty of protection. The lip does deflect bugs and road debris over my helmet and top buffeting (as opposed to from under by the tank) was manageable. Most noticeably, WAY less bugs on my shield at the end of the day. This was even going through some weird giant cricket thing Nevada had going on. (super gross)
In the rain, the shield works well to deflect the water allowing a better view of the road.
My Road King Special is set up for touring. "Sofa" seat, luggage rack with passenger backrest and GPS, so the windshield looks good on my bike, to me anyway.
I installed the fork fangs over the weekend - got out for couple rides, but not at highway speeds so jury is still out if they will help with the buffeting. I have an 18" Freedom Shield.
my first time trying to attach photos. And they aren't great so please forgive me. In these shots, the windshield is in the high position. The color on my tires is dead crickets!
My GPS is a TomTom Rider. i mounted a 1" ball on one of the windshield bolts. Had to buy a box of bolts for the right thread pitch. It moved a tad at first, I did not want to go gorilla grip when I tightened it for fear of breaking the windshield plastic. Blue locktight and a star washer fixed it right up, rock solid.
Oscar,
I'm new to the group, and man you did an awesome job! Your bike looks wet! I'm going to be getting that stuff for my RKS. Did you do it all by hand, or any buffing machines? Thanks.
Getting ready to dump the 14" apes that came with my 20RKS. I'm installing Kraus 10" pull back risers and the FM Motobar. I never liked the apes and every video I've watched on Kraus risers folks love the ride and control it gives you. After the installation I will have 12.5" of rise with 1.5" of pull back. Removing these. Installing these but I'm waiting for the HD chrome riser cover to come back from powder coating. This is at the powder coater getting a gloss black treatment.
Last edited by Cornpipe; Aug 15, 2023 at 01:28 PM.
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