Windscreen height
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Novice
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 16
Likes: 20
From: Pennsylvania
Windscreen height
The stock windscreen on road king is too tall for me. I’m 5’9 and want to be able to see over. I’m looking at freedom shields and can’t decide between 16” and 14”. Anyone about my height have any experience with this and what did you go with
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,871
Likes: 1,324
From: DeLand, Florida
I got a recurve windshield from LRS and it is about mouth high. I can ride without glasses if needed as wind goes over my head. I didn’t believe it until I rode the bike. Love the recurve.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 4,798
Likes: 5,889
From: Knoxville
Road King ??
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,065
Likes: 1,945
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
It's really not about how tall you are, as people have different length torsos. It's also the seat height, as some like a lower seat or taller seat.
I would measure your RK shield from the bottom of the headlight cutout to a point on the windshield that is about nose high. You could refine that if you like it a smidge lower. That should be the height of the screen you want. As mentioned, a recurve windshield has a flip on the top to help push the wind a little higher to make the windshield seem a "little taller".
Another note, some makers have a return/exchange if the windshield is not the right height you can exchange it. Just keep the protective covering on. I know Clearview Shields has this, as well as others.
I would measure your RK shield from the bottom of the headlight cutout to a point on the windshield that is about nose high. You could refine that if you like it a smidge lower. That should be the height of the screen you want. As mentioned, a recurve windshield has a flip on the top to help push the wind a little higher to make the windshield seem a "little taller".
Another note, some makers have a return/exchange if the windshield is not the right height you can exchange it. Just keep the protective covering on. I know Clearview Shields has this, as well as others.
Last edited by RKZen; Aug 27, 2022 at 07:52 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 668
Likes: 246
From: San Diego, CA.
I am 5’10”, i had the standard RK oem seat and bars, and I had the LRS 16” recurve, polycarbonate, dark tinted shield on my Road King, and I loved it. I had clear view over the shield, but could still look down through it if I wanted or needed to, and I had virtually no head buffeting at any speed.
As others have offered, height is only one element, inseam, and very much so, the seat should be considered. On the LRS website, like many other shield manufacturers, they offer guidance as to how to measure, by sitting on your bike, and using your actual ride position, to guide you.
As others have offered, height is only one element, inseam, and very much so, the seat should be considered. On the LRS website, like many other shield manufacturers, they offer guidance as to how to measure, by sitting on your bike, and using your actual ride position, to guide you.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,263
Likes: 935
From: Clearwater, Fl
Put a piece of masking tape across your current shield then go for a ride. Figure out what height you like
Since it's too tall you have the option of cutting it
Since it's too tall you have the option of cutting it
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Road Master
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 842
Likes: 690
From: Near Memphis
To determine the correct height, read this. It's short and provides a very good method if you need one.
Everyone's different. I'm 5'6" and the stock 20" RK shield lies right in my field of vision. I cut that one down to about 16" which was perfect, but then I had buffeting problems. Next I tried a Long Ride Shields 18" recurve polycarb light tint with a vent. That one took care of about 80% of the buffeting (combined with DK custom's wings and 1" tank riser kit). Problem though was that it's very cloudy (which is why they don't offer a clear in poly). My last two tries will be an 18" LRS clear in acrylic with a vent and recurve to replace the first one, and a Clearview Shields 17 1/2" vented recurve +3" width. At that point, I will be the R-K windshield expert because I will have tried them all.
Last edited by Pappy35; Aug 27, 2022 at 01:37 PM.