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Have you tried fork fangs , aka, deflectors ? I found no matter how high my windscreen was on my RK, buffeting still occurred . It would life my glasses off my nose. I installed fork fangs and the problem disappeared. If you love the bike, I'd try it.https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/e...rs/p/57400146A
Yes, I have the Harley fork fangs installed. Still have an issue at 75 mph and above.
Seems that most taller guys are more comfortable on a Roadglide. My brother in law is 6 3 and loves his roadglides. The key for him was getting the right height klockwerks pro touring windshield.
Me at 510, I test road both the street and road glides and I did not like the roadglide at all. The fairing felt too far away and the wind deflection wasnt any better in my opinion. The SG was a great fit for me but yeah the buffeting sucked.
My helmet is a Bell SRT Modular. After researching a ton, I put on the wind deflectors on the side of the fairing. That helped some. I put on a klockwerks flare windshield (I cant remember the height). That helped a lot more.
Then I put on the HD fangs. Of course they come chrome only so I had them powder coated black. They blend in with the forks and I dont even notice them now.
THAT was the final piece. I can run 90-100 and I get zero buffeting, very little to no wind rocking me at all, and it is smooth as hell. I love it. I have to really watch it because I can be hauling *** well over the limit and not even notice because there is zero wind and its so smooth.
Test rides are good, but really, youre probably going to change seats and windshields at some point and those make a big difference. Then if you add faring side wind deflectors and fangs like I did, it is like you are riding an entirely different bike than when it is stock.
You only tell so much by riding stock bikes.
Last edited by LonestarXL; May 24, 2023 at 10:33 PM.
What brand of fangs are those? They have a different shape than my Harley ones. Maybe that would make a difference. I should get to ride Friday, so I'll try to see where the buffeting is coming from...
Those look like the JES fork fangs, that is what I have, except in black. The Harley ones only come in chrome, which is shortsighted on their part, as they obviously sell a ton of blacked out bikes. The good thing about a blacked out bike is the fangs are way less noticeable than on a chrome bike, they kind of blend in.
I'm surprised that the fangs didn't work out for you. I think you are the first one I have heard of that the fangs weren't the cure. I can run 80+ all day with little to no buffeting.
As a side note, I have always wanted a ZX-14, but I don't think I have enough "throttle discipline" to stay out of jail!
With masking tape and some yarn cut some pieces of yarn about 7 inches long and tape them all over the tank, triple tree, and the front of your shirt or jacket and go for a ride at speed. Just like aviation wind tunnel tests, the yarn, blowing around might tell you a lot.
I've found that even a slight position change (ie: slightly leaning forward or back on the seat) can have a significant effect on buffeting, as does the helmet design.
Yes, the ZX-14 demands respect. It's funny, before this bike, I owned a 2009 ZX-6R, which I sold about 10 years ago. When I bought the ZX-14 last July, I was actually a little intimidated - partially because I hadn't been on a bike in a decade, and partially because I had never even ridden a 750 or 1000, let alone a 1440. I did NOT tell my wife what the differences were between my last bike and the ZX-14, or she would have freaked out, LOL. But it is surprisingly easy to ride calmly. It will do EXACTLY what you tell it to, though, and with instant urgency. I seriously cannot believe these things are legal...
I didn't know this until yesterday, but apparently this color is a SE for 2013. I've literally never seen another one in this color, except for sale on CycleTrader occasionally. I think it's gorgeous, especially in the sun, and it makes it hard to let it go.
And here is the RK, shortly after bringing it home. It's weird looking at this pic, I've done a few more things to it since this was taken, so it looks totally different to me now.
Those look like the JES fork fangs, that is what I have, except in black. The Harley ones only come in chrome, which is shortsighted on their part, as they obviously sell a ton of blacked out bikes. The good thing about a blacked out bike is the fangs are way less noticeable than on a chrome bike, they kind of blend in.
I'm surprised that the fangs didn't work out for you. I think you are the first one I have heard of that the fangs weren't the cure. I can run 80+ all day with little to no buffeting.
As a side note, I have always wanted a ZX-14, but I don't think I have enough "throttle discipline" to stay out of jail!
I might just order a pair of the JES version and try them out. The Harley ones are a different shape, maybe the difference would be enough to solve my issue.
And you have the color I'd want in a Road Glide - Snake Venom!! Wish Harley would do more colors like that; its incredible in person. I saw one in a dealer not too long ago and fell in love with it right away.
With masking tape and some yarn cut some pieces of yarn about 7 inches long and tape them all over the tank, triple tree, and the front of your shirt or jacket and go for a ride at speed. Just like aviation wind tunnel tests, the yarn, blowing around might tell you a lot.
I've found that even a slight position change (ie: slightly leaning forward or back on the seat) can have a significant effect on buffeting, as does the helmet design.
Not a bad idea. I know that if I hunch down and forward about an inch or two, the buffeting all goes away. But on the highway, I like to put my feet up on the highway pegs and lean back into my backrest. That's when it is the WORST. Moving my legs allows air to come up from underneath and pummel me in the chest/chin. With my feet on the floorboards, my knees block that wind.
You guys with no buffeting at 80+ mph are some lucky SOB's!!! I envy you, LOL.
I ride a '17 Road King Special. I made a smaller version of the fork fangs from 1/16 carbon sheet that helped significantly but I remove them during these Alabama summers 'cuz it promotes engine heat. I also tried the Kuryakin ashtray which helped but also promotes heat. The best thing I did was the 1-1/2" DK Customs tank lift. It didn't eliminate all the air coming up around the tank, but it definitely reduced it. But no matter what the second I throw my feet up on the foot pegs I'm redirecting all that right back into my chest.
I ride a '17 Road King Special. I made a smaller version of the fork fangs from 1/16 carbon sheet that helped significantly but I remove them during these Alabama summers 'cuz it promotes engine heat. I also tried the Kuryakin ashtray which helped but also promotes heat. The best thing I did was the 1-1/2" DK Customs tank lift. It didn't eliminate all the air coming up around the tank, but it definitely reduced it. But no matter what the second I throw my feet up on the foot pegs I'm redirecting all that right back into my chest.
I was looking at a 1 inch tank lift from DK Customs. I'll have to adjust my bars for clearance though, which I'm not happy about. Can you post a pic of how your tank lift looks? Would be curious to see it...
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