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I came across a bike this weekend, Road king, year unknown but thinking 2013 and up as the color was orange with silver trim. I noticed it had the fork mounted wind deflectors. It got me thinking as to what the difference would be if I get those.
Background: 2013 RKC, stock shield and crash bars, run 70 on highway unless passing. I'm 5'9" and wear half helmet from Crazy Al's helmets. I wear standard orange earplugs you find at hardware store.
I for the heck of it put my right hand on the gas cap and left hand on the gas gauge, and turned my hands perpendicular to the road, about 85 degrees towards the sky. When I did this, the buffering nearly disappeared and it was a calm breeze. No more wind beating me in the ears. I was so shocked I practically ran the remaining 30 minutes with both hands there I was so amazed at how the ride changed from this.
I've read most of the posts here about fork mounted wind deflectors, the triple tree deflector, and even the cool wings by DK Customs (HD makes one that apparently will fit my bike according to parts guy at my local HD), and everyone's opinion is different, it works, doesn't work, doesn't fit, lowers mpg, they're fugly, everything under the sun.
So my question is regardless of all that, will the fork mounted wind deflectors, fangs, replicate the same affect that I had with my hands? I don't have access to riding a bike with them installed and the fangs are non-returnable once installed so looking for some help.
Thank you for any advice/information that can be provided.
I had some severe, at times, buffeting on my street glide. I placed my left arm horizontal across my chest and the buffeting stopped. proved the wind is coming from under the fairing. I hate the looks of the fangs, but I put them on anyhow.... stopped the buffeting and improved my ride. Looks crappy (to me) but does its intended job.
So to answer your question, yes, they work for me!!
I keep my knees pretty close to the tank. Haven't utilized the highway pegs that much as I need to adjust one side and well I haven't had the need to use them as much as I did on my honda shadow. I do know that when I use the pegs it will change the wind.
I decided to start wearing better head protection, so I bought a Shoei Neotec. I knew after buying the helmet and before the ride home, there was going to be buffeting. It was so bad that I couldn't focus on what was going on 1/4 mile down the freeway. In Houston, that's damn scary.
When I got home, I swapped out my LRS 8" for my LRS 10" and went for a test ride. The buffeting, though not as severe, was still there. So, here I have a $700 helmet that I couldn't wear. I was determined to find a solution.
I knew about fork fangs, but the only ones I found were from JES Custom accents, but I was afraid they would block airflow to the radiators since I ride a '14 Limited. Plus, I wasn't too crazy about the looks.
Long story short, I ordered and installed the DK Custom Cooling Deflector Wings. I wasn't too impressed when I ordered them and I sure as heck wasn't impressed when I had them in my hands, but I figured I might as well install them. It's hard to believe, but wind buffeting has diminished about 80-90% and I can now wear my helmet.
BTW, before placing the order, like you, I used my hands around the gas tank to try and see if blocking some of the air coming over the tank made a difference or not. It did, so that's what convinced me to place the order.
I have both the fork deflectors and the DK customs wind deflectors. The DK work about 50% impact as much as the fork deflectors. When I moved my knees away from the tank with the DK deflectors the wind nailed my head big time but with the JES fork deflectors very little air hit me in the head. But note this is doing 75-80 mpg. At lower speeds not as much of a difference.
Fangs work 90% against buffeting. They retain too much heat around engine in the summer, worse after interstate running. The DK wings are actually better for directing air to cool the engine and help the buffeting maybe 30%. I run the wings and the dog dish fork deflector in the summer and install the fangs when weather turns colder.
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wind deflectors question
