I picked up my 2012 FLKTK and have been riding it around for a few days.

I will be breaking in the bike in the upstate NY area (I grew up here) until June 15th. That's when I leave to ride it home to San Diego.

I have little time to set it up for the cross country trip, so a lot of trial and error won't do. I realize I'll eventually have to just buy one and try it out, but due to the time constraint, I'm trying to speed up the process.

I'm 5'8", w/32" inseam, on a stock seat, and I'm looking through the stock windshield. I'd rather look over it, yet want the protection (most air directed over my head) that a windshield provides. I've read threads here until I'm cross-eyed. It's hard to separate those who prefer "style" from the suggestions of those who prefer function.

It appears that I if I get a recurve-style windshield, I will get the best protection for a given height. For my size, and being able to look over the windshield in a comfortable seated position, can anyone suggest the best height? 10".... 9".... 8"......

Thanks for any input/experience you can share..

 

Before you decide what windshield and its height will be, make sure that the current seat height is what good for you. As later, you change the seat height, it will affect the windshield height.
i have the 8.5" aerodynamic fastaire windshield, and I can see over it with minimal wind hits my forehead.
Happy shopping for the new bike!
BTW.: I am short (5.8" 29 sim)

 

A recurve windshield you just barely look over sounds like what you want.
A good one measures at the top about somewhere between your lips and the bottom of your nose. I got mine from Long Ride Shields. If you go with them I'd reccommend you Call the owner directly and discuss fit over the phone and look at his fitting video on their website before you buy.
Good luck and enjoy your trip!

 

I agree with HRanger
Needs some recurve to put the air over you when you're looking over the top.
I like Clearview as you can get a vent which helps with the dead air behind the fairing and can eliminate buffeting whe it crops up. It's also nice when it's really hot.

 

The recurves are definitely nice. You can get away with a shorter windshield because they push the air up vertical. The new windshield should hit you somewhere the tip and bridge of the nose. Have some one hold the bike upright when you sit on your bike in normal position. Draw an imaginary line to your old windshield or use a string level. Mark your old windshield with a piece of tape then measure up from the top of the headlight to the tape and then you got it. The string level method is probably the best. I bought mine from Freedom Shields. Nice and thick windshield and a great return policy. As long as you keep the protective plastic on it they will exchange it for a different windshield no questions asked.

 

Easiest & most accurate method is to:
- Get a dry erase marker or tape & starting at the fairing edge, where the windshield meets the fairing, measure up the windshield face & make a mark at 7, 8, 9 & 10 inches.
- Take the bike out for a decent ride on the interstate, get in a comfortable riding position & start checking the measurement marks for your line of site.
- For max wind control, pick the tallest shield you can live with.
- A light gray tint will be safer than a dark tint for a long ride like this.
- The windshield style & size you choose is what you will live with for 2500 miles.

I designed the Fast Aire Aero so naturally I think its the best choice. All of the other windshield guys will say the same. Its your ride, pick whats best for you.

You're welcome to call & talk to me if you need to. 1-800-990-2528. Since the weekend is almost here, leave a voice mail & Ill call you back.

HDF members get a 10% discount, just tell me when you call.

Fast Aire... We're here for the Long Ride...LOL

 

If you are looking through a stock windshield the best way is to use a piece of masking tape to you windshield and ride around up hills and down, flat streches.

Measure from the top of the fairing to the masking tape.
This will let you know what height windshield you are looking over comfortably while riding.

Get one with the recure on top. I use and like the Fast Aire Areo model http://www.fastaire.com/Aero.html
and they will get you a shield fast.

I'm 6' with a 32" inseam and use a 10". I look right at the top edge of the stock 12" windshield.

 

Damn.... excellent suggestions!

I spent an hour this morning doing the search/read all sorts of threads. More good suggestions in the above posts than all morning reading...

Thanks all....

 

You are welcome!
I know! mine is the best.
Happy shopping!

 

try cutting the bottom of your stock shield.cut the bottom and it doesn't have to be clean or polished,rotozip.or even a drill and hacksaw will do the job.