RK Windshield
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 274
Likes: 60
From: Akron ohio
RK Windshield
My 01 RK is the first bike I ever had with a windshield and my first experience with helmet buffeting. My windshield is set at the recommended height for looking over it. My first was the HD, second was a Memphis Shades and at 50-55 both were terrible. Then I read about the recurve and bought a Long Ride windshield and it was much better but still had a little buffeting at 60. I put on a set of fork wind deflectors and it helped about 90% but still there and more noticeable on longer rides. My vision is just not as clear as at 45mph.
So now I’m wondering if can I get a windshield to eliminate the buffeting or learn to live with it while riding with a windshield. I couldn’t do a long rides without removing the windshield. Also at higher speeds the front end seems less stable.
Now I’m looking at the Klock Werks Billboard windshield for my RK and it’s design and wondering if this would be my fix.
I have had 3 windshields in 4 years and not hot on spending another 200.00+ on another windshield but if it would fix the problem I would.
So now I’m wondering if can I get a windshield to eliminate the buffeting or learn to live with it while riding with a windshield. I couldn’t do a long rides without removing the windshield. Also at higher speeds the front end seems less stable.
Now I’m looking at the Klock Werks Billboard windshield for my RK and it’s design and wondering if this would be my fix.
I have had 3 windshields in 4 years and not hot on spending another 200.00+ on another windshield but if it would fix the problem I would.
Last edited by 1canvas; Apr 8, 2020 at 08:08 AM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I would be surprised - and delighted - if you are able to find a single solution!
One of the reasons the front end feels unstable may simply be because you are gripping the bars tight. A windshield typically increases noise, along with that buffeting, which also causes tension in the rider. That often results in tightening up the arm and hand muscles and is a natural reaction. A simple solution is to try ear plugs. They cost a few cents at most dealers, or can be bought cheaply on Ebay. Try them! They cured similar problems for me back in the '70s and I've been wearing them ever since.
Moving on, how close is the bottom of your shield to the headlight? If you think about the latest batwing bikes they have a vent just under the windshield, to let in air at the base of the shield. That eases the turbulence created behind the shield. You seem to have several shields now, so I suggest sacrificing one of them for an experiment. Trim the bottom of it to provide an air gap of say an inch, to allow some air in. If it works you can modify your preferred shield!
Another possibility to consider is a shield extension at the top. I use one on my Buell Firebolt. There are various styles available, mostly aimed at the sport/touring bike market with stock fairings, but they can be adapted. In this case you may have to cut down the top edge of your trial shield, with the extension adding the extra height to bring things back as they were, but with an air gap between the shield and extension. Some extensions can be adjusted for angle, relative to the main shield.
I've been riding behind fairings and shields since the 1960s and have had reasonable success with various solutions, depending on the bike. I have made mods of some sort to most of them. I recommend starting with the earplugs first.
One of the reasons the front end feels unstable may simply be because you are gripping the bars tight. A windshield typically increases noise, along with that buffeting, which also causes tension in the rider. That often results in tightening up the arm and hand muscles and is a natural reaction. A simple solution is to try ear plugs. They cost a few cents at most dealers, or can be bought cheaply on Ebay. Try them! They cured similar problems for me back in the '70s and I've been wearing them ever since.
Moving on, how close is the bottom of your shield to the headlight? If you think about the latest batwing bikes they have a vent just under the windshield, to let in air at the base of the shield. That eases the turbulence created behind the shield. You seem to have several shields now, so I suggest sacrificing one of them for an experiment. Trim the bottom of it to provide an air gap of say an inch, to allow some air in. If it works you can modify your preferred shield!
Another possibility to consider is a shield extension at the top. I use one on my Buell Firebolt. There are various styles available, mostly aimed at the sport/touring bike market with stock fairings, but they can be adapted. In this case you may have to cut down the top edge of your trial shield, with the extension adding the extra height to bring things back as they were, but with an air gap between the shield and extension. Some extensions can be adjusted for angle, relative to the main shield.
I've been riding behind fairings and shields since the 1960s and have had reasonable success with various solutions, depending on the bike. I have made mods of some sort to most of them. I recommend starting with the earplugs first.
Last edited by grbrown; Apr 8, 2020 at 10:18 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,344
Likes: 173
From: Watertown, CT
I feel your pain as I've had the same problem and also have three shades for the MS Batwing fairing sitting on a shelf. Only time I have any buffeting is with a helmet on but don't ride that much in helmeted states so I just put up with it.
Great safety feature..Wear a helmet but then you get serious head vibration.
Great safety feature..Wear a helmet but then you get serious head vibration.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 611
Likes: 329
From: Athens, Alabama
FWIW here's my experience so far from a 5'8" with 32" inseam.
I had a 16 inch Clearview with recurve on my Dyna switchback because I dislike looking through the windshield. I never was able to eliminate the wind effect on my helmet (especially a DOT half helmet). When I traded the FLD away for my FLHRXS I ordered the Memphis Shades 19 inch shield and attached to brackets purchased off Ebay. That helped greatly but the buffeting started at 45-50 mph and didn't go away at any (reasonable) highway speed over that. I then ordered the DK Wings and attached those only to find they were not very effective (but that's not the design intent) at eliminating any buffeting caused by air coming up around the tank. I searched for black lower fork deflectors only to find the availability is limited and expensive. (Mine is the Special-Blacked Out version). I'm now on my 2nd revision of home made fork mount deflectors (I've been in machine shops all my adult life) and looking at a 3rd revision. Once the deflectors were installed it made a HUGE difference at all speeds. Now I won't ride without them. Once I set the cruise control I can let go the bars with no stability or vibration issues. I would recommend going with a narrower but taller shield. I base that on my recent experience combined with the fact that when I put the wider aftermarket shield on my previous V-Star I noticed more instability at higher speeds. IMO the wider you go the more a "Sail" effect comes into play. As I previously mentioned I dislike looking through the windshield but the comfort I get from that does take a lot of stress and strain off the upper body for longer rides. I rode 2 up round trip from Lexington, SC to Daytona without issue.
Hope this helps in some way.
I had a 16 inch Clearview with recurve on my Dyna switchback because I dislike looking through the windshield. I never was able to eliminate the wind effect on my helmet (especially a DOT half helmet). When I traded the FLD away for my FLHRXS I ordered the Memphis Shades 19 inch shield and attached to brackets purchased off Ebay. That helped greatly but the buffeting started at 45-50 mph and didn't go away at any (reasonable) highway speed over that. I then ordered the DK Wings and attached those only to find they were not very effective (but that's not the design intent) at eliminating any buffeting caused by air coming up around the tank. I searched for black lower fork deflectors only to find the availability is limited and expensive. (Mine is the Special-Blacked Out version). I'm now on my 2nd revision of home made fork mount deflectors (I've been in machine shops all my adult life) and looking at a 3rd revision. Once the deflectors were installed it made a HUGE difference at all speeds. Now I won't ride without them. Once I set the cruise control I can let go the bars with no stability or vibration issues. I would recommend going with a narrower but taller shield. I base that on my recent experience combined with the fact that when I put the wider aftermarket shield on my previous V-Star I noticed more instability at higher speeds. IMO the wider you go the more a "Sail" effect comes into play. As I previously mentioned I dislike looking through the windshield but the comfort I get from that does take a lot of stress and strain off the upper body for longer rides. I rode 2 up round trip from Lexington, SC to Daytona without issue.
Hope this helps in some way.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 9,829
Likes: 8,735
From: Edmonton, Alberta
Helmet plays a role to some degree also.I
Does the '01 Road King have a fork air baffle as standard equipment? I think it does; if not that's another thing you can try OP.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 274
Likes: 60
From: Akron ohio
The buffeting is not real bad but uncomfortable on longer rides and I never ride without a helmet.
As far as earplugs go I buy the foam ones from Home Depot and have always used them. Also, I don’t tense my grip or upper body while riding.
There is plenty of room under the headlight and with the LRS and with fork mounted deflectors it’s pretty calm behind the shield. The HD deflectors did a whole lot, more than I ever imagined. It’s just the top of the helmet that’s getting it.
Im not hot on the wider Klock Werks shield so another option I am considering is getting a taller LRS, I just don’t want to have to look through it.
Being people aren’t jumping on here saying they bought a KW shield and that fixed it I’ll probably go with the taller LRS.
As far as earplugs go I buy the foam ones from Home Depot and have always used them. Also, I don’t tense my grip or upper body while riding.
There is plenty of room under the headlight and with the LRS and with fork mounted deflectors it’s pretty calm behind the shield. The HD deflectors did a whole lot, more than I ever imagined. It’s just the top of the helmet that’s getting it.
Im not hot on the wider Klock Werks shield so another option I am considering is getting a taller LRS, I just don’t want to have to look through it.
Being people aren’t jumping on here saying they bought a KW shield and that fixed it I’ll probably go with the taller LRS.
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Road Master
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 750
Likes: 200
From: WNY
The buffeting is not real bad but uncomfortable on longer rides and I never ride without a helmet.
As far as earplugs go I buy the foam ones from Home Depot and have always used them. Also, I dont tense my grip or upper body while riding.
There is plenty of room under the headlight and with the LRS and with fork mounted deflectors its pretty calm behind the shield. The HD deflectors did a whole lot, more than I ever imagined. Its just the top of the helmet thats getting it.
Im not hot on the wider Klock Werks shield so another option I am considering is getting a taller LRS, I just dont want to have to look through it.
Being people arent jumping on here saying they bought a KW shield and that fixed it Ill probably go with the taller LRS.
As far as earplugs go I buy the foam ones from Home Depot and have always used them. Also, I dont tense my grip or upper body while riding.
There is plenty of room under the headlight and with the LRS and with fork mounted deflectors its pretty calm behind the shield. The HD deflectors did a whole lot, more than I ever imagined. Its just the top of the helmet thats getting it.
Im not hot on the wider Klock Werks shield so another option I am considering is getting a taller LRS, I just dont want to have to look through it.
Being people arent jumping on here saying they bought a KW shield and that fixed it Ill probably go with the taller LRS.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,535
Likes: 780
From: Manitoba
I've had a little buffeting on my 17 Road King but not bad. I've got the original HD windshield and the HD fork fangs on. A thread on the forum here a year ago someone had said when he'd switched helmets to a Shoei RF-SR full face it made a world of difference so I bought one and now I'm quite comfortable. The only other thing I may add for you to consider if buying another windshield is after watching this forum a lot more riders seem happier with the Freedom Shields than most of the others but I've no actual experience with them. Good luck and Safe Riding.
