Getting a windshield??
Thread Starter
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Stage III
Joined: Aug 2023
Posts: 3
Likes: 2
From: South Florida
Getting a windshield??
Hey all!
I've been riding my 81 shovelhead since 1986.
Ive recently bought a 2010 Road King.
My 81 now feels like it has square wheels in comparison!
Anyway, I'm contemplating getting windshield, 16 or 18 in......not sure yet.
Having never had one I was hoping you guys could could impart some wisdom as to how it will change my riding experience.
Handling, proper height etc.
I live in South Florida so it gets REALLY hot.
Will there be a noticeable temperature change since I won't have the wind in my face?
Is there any particular maintenance needed to keep it clean?
And what should I use to clean it?
And avoid using!
Whatever ya got for me will be appreciated!
Tx!
I've been riding my 81 shovelhead since 1986.
Ive recently bought a 2010 Road King.
My 81 now feels like it has square wheels in comparison!
Anyway, I'm contemplating getting windshield, 16 or 18 in......not sure yet.
Having never had one I was hoping you guys could could impart some wisdom as to how it will change my riding experience.
Handling, proper height etc.
I live in South Florida so it gets REALLY hot.
Will there be a noticeable temperature change since I won't have the wind in my face?
Is there any particular maintenance needed to keep it clean?
And what should I use to clean it?
And avoid using!
Whatever ya got for me will be appreciated!
Tx!
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2022
Posts: 820
Likes: 488
From: LA Ca.
Lets start with the easy one, cleaning. What does the maker of the shield recommend? Might go with that or a suitable substitute.
Do you want to look through or over the shield. Through is best protection, myself I can't stand that. For the shields that I use, I like them about nose level. Eyes are just above without the screen bouncing in and out of my view. Had to cut an inch off of one cause tail light were bouncing over and under, very distracting.
You can go with a short shield/ cafe style, One that just breaks the wind off of your chest, but leaves you head in the wind.
I have a mini police style shield on my FXDB. The mounts are adjustable for height. Normally all the way down, head is in the wind. I can also raise it for a cold or wet day to where I want it.
You need to decide what your looking for. Once decided on height then look at a few. Then ask what others think about them and what protection they offer.
Good luck!!
Tom
Do you want to look through or over the shield. Through is best protection, myself I can't stand that. For the shields that I use, I like them about nose level. Eyes are just above without the screen bouncing in and out of my view. Had to cut an inch off of one cause tail light were bouncing over and under, very distracting.
You can go with a short shield/ cafe style, One that just breaks the wind off of your chest, but leaves you head in the wind.
I have a mini police style shield on my FXDB. The mounts are adjustable for height. Normally all the way down, head is in the wind. I can also raise it for a cold or wet day to where I want it.
You need to decide what your looking for. Once decided on height then look at a few. Then ask what others think about them and what protection they offer.
Good luck!!
Tom
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 8,113
Likes: 9,504
From: central NC
I end up buying multiple windshields over time. I have the third one coming in tomorrow for a bike I’ve owned 14 months. This will be slightly taller and slightly wider for winter weather riding. In spring I’ll go back to one of the others.
I bought three different ones for the 2020 batwing I owned as well.
I bought three different ones for the 2020 batwing I owned as well.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 6,186
Likes: 2,412
From: USA
I've cleaned mine for decades with a soft rag and Pledge or equivalent. Works well for me.
I like a windshield high, as I normally have my helmet open. That way I'm legal and it keeps bugs out of my face, by and large. I also very much like the calmer air I get that way, buffeting I do not like at all.
Never found my RK to suffer handling problems from the stock windshield, a cut down windshield, nor a tall and wide windshield.
A big windshield's calmer pocket can make the riding experience a bit warmer. No simple answer to that, imo, because it's not like there's no air motion. Never tried it, but I've heard that strapping a bag of ice onto the pillion can swirl cooler air around you because of the windshield.
I've had bikes with vents in the windshield, and have ridden a RK like bike with a vent in it. Highly desirable, imo.
I like a windshield high, as I normally have my helmet open. That way I'm legal and it keeps bugs out of my face, by and large. I also very much like the calmer air I get that way, buffeting I do not like at all.
Never found my RK to suffer handling problems from the stock windshield, a cut down windshield, nor a tall and wide windshield.
A big windshield's calmer pocket can make the riding experience a bit warmer. No simple answer to that, imo, because it's not like there's no air motion. Never tried it, but I've heard that strapping a bag of ice onto the pillion can swirl cooler air around you because of the windshield.
I've had bikes with vents in the windshield, and have ridden a RK like bike with a vent in it. Highly desirable, imo.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 920
Likes: 896
From: Upstate NY
I rode a Sporty for 20 years, no windshields because windshields are for old guys on old guy bikes. Then I got an old guy bike. (FLH) I immediately fell in love with a windshield. No more June bugs in my face at 80 MPH. No more blast of wind when a rig passes you in the other direction. No more ringing ears from the wind. I bought a Road King last year and decided to take a spin WITHOUT the windshield and I regretted every minute of it. WIndshields are one of life's small pleasures that once you use one, you will never, ever go back.
Last edited by internet troll; Nov 10, 2023 at 05:13 PM.
Tourer
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 471
Likes: 311
From: FL winter, northern MI summer
The windshild venders website's usually have "how to choose the heigth". I have a Mephis Shades windshield, I'm 5'9 (and still shrinking), short legs but long torsal, and the 19" works for me on my Fatboy. It's just right for looking over, but when I slouch, I'm looking through, which I don't like to do. It helps me correct my posture.
I also have the quick disconect, only takes seconds to remove. I thought I would be taking it off often, but seldom do, more to clean bugs.
I also have the quick disconect, only takes seconds to remove. I thought I would be taking it off often, but seldom do, more to clean bugs.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,183
Likes: 2,131
From: W. Texas
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,309
Likes: 6,328
From: Honah Lee
Get clear since it will just about disappear. Height is a few inches below your eyes in your normal driving position. You do not look thru a bike windshield.
At that height, it will sweep the air up and over.
At that height, it will sweep the air up and over.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Nov 10, 2023 at 06:27 PM.
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 855
From: B.C.
Hey all!
I've been riding my 81 shovelhead since 1986.
Ive recently bought a 2010 Road King.
My 81 now feels like it has square wheels in comparison!
Anyway, I'm contemplating getting windshield, 16 or 18 in......not sure yet.
Having never had one I was hoping you guys could could impart some wisdom as to how it will change my riding experience.
Handling, proper height etc.
I live in South Florida so it gets REALLY hot.
Will there be a noticeable temperature change since I won't have the wind in my face?
Is there any particular maintenance needed to keep it clean?
And what should I use to clean it?
And avoid using!
Whatever ya got for me will be appreciated!
Tx!
I've been riding my 81 shovelhead since 1986.
Ive recently bought a 2010 Road King.
My 81 now feels like it has square wheels in comparison!
Anyway, I'm contemplating getting windshield, 16 or 18 in......not sure yet.
Having never had one I was hoping you guys could could impart some wisdom as to how it will change my riding experience.
Handling, proper height etc.
I live in South Florida so it gets REALLY hot.
Will there be a noticeable temperature change since I won't have the wind in my face?
Is there any particular maintenance needed to keep it clean?
And what should I use to clean it?
And avoid using!
Whatever ya got for me will be appreciated!
Tx!
This stuff works great for cleaning the dried on bugs.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 10,833
Likes: 6,485
From: Canada Flats
Clearview offers a windshield with a vent ( not sure if any other vendors do ) , so on hotter days you can adjust it to suit your needs . Lots of great advise above , keep the shield just below your nose , a narrower windshield will keep you cooler on hot days over a wide one . Having a quick disconnect would be wise , if you want to ride without , only takes seconds to remove . Clearview also lets you build the shield to your specs , so you don't have to go with a vent if you choose not too .
https://www.clearviewshields.com/
https://www.clearviewshields.com/