Tall windshield VS Laminar Lip
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
Tall windshield VS Laminar Lip
Sorry to bring up an old subject, but...
I ridean '05 Road Glide, and at highway speeds (70-80) the buffeting of my helmet and glasses is fatiguing to say the least. When I wear my full face helmet, it's even worse. I feel like a bobblehead doll in the back window of a chopped chort... I've tried the Stock H-D shield, the H-D low-profile (great for looks but slapped me around worse than ever), and I'm currently riding behind a 1" under-height Clearview Recurve. I'm 5'9" and look about 2" over the Clearview. According to everyone's guidelines, including Clearview, the 1" under is what I "should have". Around town, and even a long day's ride, the Clearview is fine. I like the extra rigidity and the wider top of the Clearview, but even with the recurve I'm batted around.
I've read quite a few posting as to the ugliness of the Laminar Lip, but I'm intrigued by the promise that it works, and the design and theory make sense. What I'm asking you, the Forum Members, is what experience you have with either the Laminar Lip and/or the H-D or aftermarket TALL shield (3" over). I like the idea of the Lip and not having to look through a shield all the time, but I'd like to hear some real-world feedback. I got excited when I first saw the WFB/Klockwerks Flared windshield, but the one rider I've spoken to wasn't mpresseed with it's performance in regards to buffeting. I'm planning a 2 week, 4000 mile ride this summer, and would like to minimize the buffeting as much as I can. I've got the rest of the bike dialed in, rider backrest, highway pegs, and just need to minimize the buffeting.
Thanks in advance!
I ridean '05 Road Glide, and at highway speeds (70-80) the buffeting of my helmet and glasses is fatiguing to say the least. When I wear my full face helmet, it's even worse. I feel like a bobblehead doll in the back window of a chopped chort... I've tried the Stock H-D shield, the H-D low-profile (great for looks but slapped me around worse than ever), and I'm currently riding behind a 1" under-height Clearview Recurve. I'm 5'9" and look about 2" over the Clearview. According to everyone's guidelines, including Clearview, the 1" under is what I "should have". Around town, and even a long day's ride, the Clearview is fine. I like the extra rigidity and the wider top of the Clearview, but even with the recurve I'm batted around.
I've read quite a few posting as to the ugliness of the Laminar Lip, but I'm intrigued by the promise that it works, and the design and theory make sense. What I'm asking you, the Forum Members, is what experience you have with either the Laminar Lip and/or the H-D or aftermarket TALL shield (3" over). I like the idea of the Lip and not having to look through a shield all the time, but I'd like to hear some real-world feedback. I got excited when I first saw the WFB/Klockwerks Flared windshield, but the one rider I've spoken to wasn't mpresseed with it's performance in regards to buffeting. I'm planning a 2 week, 4000 mile ride this summer, and would like to minimize the buffeting as much as I can. I've got the rest of the bike dialed in, rider backrest, highway pegs, and just need to minimize the buffeting.
Thanks in advance!
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,602
Likes: 5
From: Southern California - Palm Springs Area
RE: Tall windshield VS Laminar Lip
I'm 6'4" and run the ClearView Short... But I have also lowered the Front & Rear - Ride with a Corbin seat which also puts me back & lower.. This set-up works for me as I can run to close to 80 with to much buffeting... Is is better then my '01 RKC - I normally use my hwy pegs like a forward control shifting & breaking this allows me to set back against my backrest.. Have put many miles with this same setup on other HD in the past.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,827
Likes: 34
From: Iowa
RE: Tall windshield VS Laminar Lip
[sm=popcorn.gif][sm=chattypair.gif]I too have wondered about the Laminar Lip? Some feedback would be great. I have some door trim molding leftover from a project and was going to apply it to the edge of my winscreen (batwing bike) just to see if there was any difference. Maybe not the same design at the lip, but should have the same effect, maybe?
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 932
Likes: 0
From: New Hampshire
RE: Tall windshield VS Laminar Lip
I'm still running with the stock shield.
I can live with it but I would like something better. I want a short shield that gives some protection for the hot weather and short trips. Then I want a taller shield for long trips and the cold weather. I don't think there one shield that will do it all.
I been reading all the posts about windshields for Road Glides but I have not seen anything about a laminar lip.
Clue me in what is a laminar lip?
I can live with it but I would like something better. I want a short shield that gives some protection for the hot weather and short trips. Then I want a taller shield for long trips and the cold weather. I don't think there one shield that will do it all.
I been reading all the posts about windshields for Road Glides but I have not seen anything about a laminar lip.
Clue me in what is a laminar lip?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 14
From: Atlanta
RE: Tall windshield VS Laminar Lip
I'll be the first to admit that the Laminar Lip looks funky on a Harley, but the guys over on the BMW forums swear by them. Of course, if you have a BMW you don't really care about what your bike looks like - they take a strange pride in ugly, calling it something like "function over form". Interesting concept...
Trending Topics
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,530
Likes: 607
From: Raleigh NC
RE: Tall windshield VS Laminar Lip
I bought the Laminar Lip... and installed on my '05 Road Glide...
Yes it DOES move the air up and over your head by several inches ( as measured by my gloved hand at highway speeds)
Air acts as a fluid , as the bike moves forward it diplaces air in all directions, a windshield creates a larger hole in the air, and causes a "calm spot" behind it. at a certain distance, the displaced air closes back on itself re-filling the void caused by the motorcycle/windshield.
On MY bike... the air converges right where I sit. So while the Laminar Lip does indeed do what they say, but the air to the sides still close back on me... yup.... still getting buffering... but I can ride and see single at 80 mph
I actually found that removing the windshield gave me the smoothest air flow... sure it was windy... but I've riden for a few hundred thousands of miles without a windshield, and think wind is normal
Anyone intersted in trying the Laminar lip... email me, and make me an offer.... I paid $80 with shipping
Yes it DOES move the air up and over your head by several inches ( as measured by my gloved hand at highway speeds)
Air acts as a fluid , as the bike moves forward it diplaces air in all directions, a windshield creates a larger hole in the air, and causes a "calm spot" behind it. at a certain distance, the displaced air closes back on itself re-filling the void caused by the motorcycle/windshield.
On MY bike... the air converges right where I sit. So while the Laminar Lip does indeed do what they say, but the air to the sides still close back on me... yup.... still getting buffering... but I can ride and see single at 80 mph
I actually found that removing the windshield gave me the smoothest air flow... sure it was windy... but I've riden for a few hundred thousands of miles without a windshield, and think wind is normal
Anyone intersted in trying the Laminar lip... email me, and make me an offer.... I paid $80 with shipping
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Stage IV
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Tall windshield VS Laminar Lip
Save your $$ My 1st post here as my '08 Roadglide is only 2 weeks old. Ditto on the head buffiting at highway speeds w/full face helmet w/face shield down. Face shield up it's O K. Temp clamped my new Laminar Lip all different heights on my stock shield, and didn't make any difference. Guy at Laminar Lip told me (as I was getting a RMA #) that they have had mixed reviews with the Lip on the Roadglide. The Lip works great on my '04 FJR w/stock screen (smooth air flow w/no buffiting). The Clearview (see above reply) looks good-is it about the same height as the stock screen. I gotta do something. Later,,, De 
Thread Starter
|
6th Gear
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
RE: Tall windshield VS Laminar Lip
For those that haven't seen the info on the Laminar Lip, their web address is http://www.laminarlip.com, and the Road Glide specific page ishttp://www.laminarlip.com/rdglide.php. I don't mind the "pure" wind in my face, never wanted a windshield or fairing for my face, just to reduce the overall pressure when riding all day at 70+ mph. I'd liketo hear from 5'8" - 5'10" riders who have tried a full height, tall H-D or Clearview shield. Does this solution push the buffeting and turbulence up and over better than the stock or 1" under designs?
thanks for all your input!
Steve
thanks for all your input!
Steve