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Anyone heard of or have these wind deflectors from DK Customs? I'm thinking this could help, but I'd be surprised if I have room for them at full steering lock because of my windshield. Maybe I'll call them...
I think I do and yes I will as well as the Kury ashtray if you want. I do have a Bezos chrome ashtray also intended for the wifes Freewheeler that I never installed 'cuz I lifted her tank as well. PM me with an offer and your zip and I'll check shipping rate.
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...
If you like the Road King and would keep it but for the buffeting issue, then you might reconsider dumping it. You may very well find that the buffeting issue still haunts you on a RG, SG or whatever. Any bike with a fairing or windshield can cause buffeting issues for a particular rider. I've read countless threads of SG and RG owners complaining about their buffeting issues. You may just spend a lot of money and find yourself exactly where you are now. If you like the RK, then it might be more cost effective to find a fix for it.
From my experience, buffeting generally comes from two places... turbulent air over the top of the windsheild or turbulent air coming up from the sides of the tank. As was noted, helmets also play a factor. A helmet (particularly full-face) that works well on a sport bike may work poorly on a cruiser with a fairing or windsheild. Many factors come into play with buffeting and its resolution. How you sit the bike, seating, appropriately fitted (or not) windscreen, windscreen venting (equalize negative pressure behind windscreen), fangs (fork wind deflectors), helmet (as noted), etc., etc. Unfortunately, one may just have to bite the bullet and deal with the time and expense of the experimentation required to get it right.
First rule of thumb... Make sure you're satisfied with your seat. If you change a seat, it will have an impact on how you sit the bike and your orientation relative to the windshield and may necessitate a need for a new windshield (more $$$).
Fangs... My experience with the fangs showed them to be very effective. However, they are almost too effective. The reduction in cooling air to the rider during hot summer months is a factor. There may be some impact to engine cooling as well, but I've not seen conclusive evidence on that point either way. For me, the tradeoff wasn't worth it, and I removed the fangs. The combination of a properly sized, recurve, ClearView windshield with vent and the right helmet resolved my buffeting issues to an acceptable level. What remaining wind I get in the rider's pocket is much appreciated on a hot day.
As to Helmets... I currently can't ride my Heritage with my current full-face helmet (Nolan N87) due to the buffeting. The buffeting blurs my vision slightly and quickly starts causing a headache. My half helmet (GMAX GM65) on the other hand works fine. In my case, it may be the air coming up the side of the tanks and how the bottom of the full-face helmet catches it that is the biggest factor. One of these days, I might have to do some more experimentation to refresh my memory. Anyway, when it comes to safety, I obviously would prefer a full-face. However, the experimentation to find a full-face helmet that both has the correct head shape and doesn't cause buffeting (if possible) might be a time consuming/expensive challenge.
Venting... I believe the RG and SG have the venting built in.
My 2 cents...
Spot on post!
I have a 2022 RG 107. Like any bike for me, I have to optimize the rider triangle by first finding a seat I like, then handlebars and windshield. I wear a Schuberth C3 Pro, and while I get some wind, I don't get turbulence. I use a Freedom Shields Sport Tour 15" recurve screen. I used their method of determining the correct height. Their method duplicates the Long Ride Shields recurve screens method, as I had their screen on my previous HD, which was a 2013 Dyna Switchback (which uses the same screen as a Road King). On both these bikes, using those screens, I never got turbulence. A little wind sure, but not turbulence.
As an aside, my wife and I went riding yesterday. I had picked up a used Mustang Supertour Deluxe, which is about 1" higher than the stock RG/RGS seat and about 1" rearward. I really like the seating position, but the seat is very wide and I've been finding myself squirming around in the seat on longer rides. I based my windshield and handlebars on this seat. For the hell of it, I ran the stock seat yesterday. I found the height of the windshield to be about 1" higher and was getting a little more wind, but not turbulence.
As for RG or SG coming from an RK.....
I've read about some RK owners with previous experience of a batwing/shark nose, saying they could duplicate the wind protection of the faired bikes by using a correctly sized windshield and the fangs. I have zero experience with fangs, but those that use them say they work very well for their intended purpose. In 2018 or so, when the M8's debuted, I test road an SG and RG. The cockpit of the SG seems more compact with the fairing being closer to their rider, while the RG feels much more expansive. OP, for your height, I'd guess the RG may be better suited. I'd think either could be made optimal for wind management. One thing to consider is if you're a tinkerer, the RG is easier for things like replacing handlebars and what not due to not having to dismantle the fairing.
I've read about some RK owners with previous experience of a batwing/shark nose, saying they could duplicate the wind protection of the faired bikes by using a correctly sized windshield and the fangs. I have zero experience with fangs, but those that use them say they work very well for their intended purpose. In 2018 or so, when the M8's debuted, I test road an SG and RG. The cockpit of the SG seems more compact with the fairing being closer to their rider, while the RG feels much more expansive. OP, for your height, I'd guess the RG may be better suited. I'd think either could be made optimal for wind management. One thing to consider is if you're a tinkerer, the RG is easier for things like replacing handlebars and what not due to not having to dismantle the fairing.
Good luck on your quest....
Well, that's what I'm trying to figure out. People that say they have no buffeting on the Road King seem to have a set up similar to what I currently have -- yet I still have buffeting. Maybe this bike just doesn't work for me? I don't know what kind of windshield I would need to try next...if the 24 inch (with a recurve!!) high and 1.5 inches wider per side ClearShield isn't working, what's the next step up? Or did I go TOO BIG? I already have the fangs and they helped a lot. Maybe I shouldn't have gotten the recurve on such a large windshield? Would a non recurve windshield produce less turbulence at the top of the air bubble going over my head? I did verify that is where the turbulence seems to be coming from. It's not from the sides or below the gas tank. Maybe I'm just too damn tall and I need to get a seat that drops me down an inch and see if that helps...I don't know...
Look, I come from sport bikes, so I'm used to WIND. Wind is one thing, but this crazy vision-vibrating buffeting is quite another. I've been 143 mph before (in Mexico, of course) and didn't have anywhere near the issues I have on my RK at 80 mph!
And, if I'm being honest, I feel like the TC103 could use a little more passing power on the highway at 70. Maybe my HUGE windshield is holding it back! Either way, a Road Glide Special with the 114 would probably be all the power I'd ever need, and if not, I could go to Stage 2 or something. I'm trying to think long term and have a bike that can do long road trips with passing power to spare, but still be great for commuting to work every day. Whatever I get, I'd plan to do full suspension -- and that's kind of why I don't want to put any more money into this RK if I'm not going to keep it for the long haul.
So here's my plan: I've decided to keep the RK until Christmas. The economy is getting worse, which means slower bike sales and lower prices on bikes across the board. I'll have a Christmas bonus from work (hopefully, lol!) and prices should be lower on new and used bikes. There will also probably be a lot of bikes for sale as people encounter financial hardships and let their bikes go, which means more choices. We'll just see what happens. Until then, I might try putting the stock windshield back on this RK. I didn't have the fangs when I had the stock windshield on the bike, so I'm curious if THAT combo is any better...
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