Road Glide Shields
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
first, to answer the original question, when i bought the bike, it had that toenail of a windscreen (6") that was totally worthless. couldn't even hear the radio above 35 mph. first thing i did was to replace it with the 12" hd windsplitter. now, i like this shield, but think that it would be better suited for warmer weather. am thinking that i would like a different one to use in the winter. the windsplitter has kind of a 'stepped' shape to it, taller in the middle than on the sides, so while face protection is not terrible (for a short feller like me), don't get a lot of hand protection.
with the myriad of different seats, and body types/sizes, i don't think there could be a definitive windshield. what may work great for you, might suck *** for me.
when i was reading your post, i was expecting you to say something like, 6 weeks, 600 miles, etc. but 60,000 miles before your screws got loose? doesn't seem too bad to me.
when i was reading your post, i was expecting you to say something like, 6 weeks, 600 miles, etc. but 60,000 miles before your screws got loose? doesn't seem too bad to me.
Last edited by skratch; Dec 10, 2010 at 06:10 PM.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,012
Likes: 298
From: Central Fl
I bought the HD Tall Windshield for my RG. It pretty much solved the buffeting issue. I do a lot of 1000-4000 mi trips and at hiway speeds 70-80 mph life is good. I also have a Mustang touring seat and am 6' tall. Hope this helps.
Road Captain
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 716
Likes: 24
Yeah, why do something stupid like taking an actual scientific approach to making an airfoil wind deflector? I mean, heck, lets just keep guessing and doing what "looks appropriate".
Seat and body height are variables that can be adapted to once the required wind flow study has been validated.
I am pretty sure everyone would be quite surprised as to what the final shape of an optimal windscreen would appear as after this research. I bet it would be quite different than what conventional theory dictates. Heck, who would have thought the simple $30 clip on lower deflectors would have made the difference that they do.
Too bad windtunnel time costs $$$$, but it is most likely the only way a fully effective unit could be developed. It sure would reduce the multitude of failed windscreen collections that exist in RG owners garages.
Seat and body height are variables that can be adapted to once the required wind flow study has been validated.
I am pretty sure everyone would be quite surprised as to what the final shape of an optimal windscreen would appear as after this research. I bet it would be quite different than what conventional theory dictates. Heck, who would have thought the simple $30 clip on lower deflectors would have made the difference that they do.
Too bad windtunnel time costs $$$$, but it is most likely the only way a fully effective unit could be developed. It sure would reduce the multitude of failed windscreen collections that exist in RG owners garages.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Nashville, TN
I keep an 8" on my RG for everything except long distance touring (>500 miles in a day) and for the winter. I have the stock tall windshield for that. At 5'9" I hate it because the top cuts right into my view and is very distracting, especially on hilly roads. I need something about 2" taller.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
I have the stock shield and seat. I'm 6'1".
I don't want the shield any higher because I like being able to see over it and I can just barely do that now. However, I would like it designed to lift the air over me a little more. It isn't terrible now, but it would be nice if it lifted the air a little more.
I don't want the shield any higher because I like being able to see over it and I can just barely do that now. However, I would like it designed to lift the air over me a little more. It isn't terrible now, but it would be nice if it lifted the air a little more.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 2
From: Northern Colorado
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,957
Likes: 1,988
From: CA
I put an aftermarket tall windshield on mine, then cut it to a height that I can just see over when sitting normally. Haven't measured it, but it is several inches taller than the stock shield. I tried one of the short "wind deflectors" on the bike, looked cool but way too much wind blast at speed.
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Eastern Washington
I left the stock one on for about the first 30,000 miles, it was OK. I switched to the Clearview GT medium which is 1.5" taller than stock(I'm 6"1" and have a Corbin dual tour seat). It's about 1" taller than I would like it to be, I mean it works but sometimes it seems I'm looking thru the edge. Ah, trying to find that perfect shield, oh yea, I have about 40,000 on the bike now.