flared windshields and the Dragon
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 14
From: washington dc
flared windshields and the Dragon
New back at riding after years away. Have about 7000 miles on an 09 SG I bought last July.
Heading to Deal's gap/the Dragon in late June and probabaly would use my "8.5 Klock Werks Flare (which is generally a killer windshiled) but I'm concerned about using that windshield on the Dragon and other tight twisties. I have not ridden the Dragon before and I have pretty limited exposure to real twisties.
Flare users know that looking through the windshield gives a distorted view. With the "8.5, on a flat road I look through the windshield for anything closer than about 18-25 feet in front of the tire. I don't want the distortion to be a distraction while I concentrate on staying right side up. I know we should look down the road and way into turns. Frankly, that is a skill I need to refine. Working on that.
What you all think? When riding tight twisties are you occassioanally looking at the pavement only 18 -25 feet away? Would you definitiely not use a windshield that gives a distorted view almost anytime you are look through it? Should I just learn to keep my eyes up?
Heading to Deal's gap/the Dragon in late June and probabaly would use my "8.5 Klock Werks Flare (which is generally a killer windshiled) but I'm concerned about using that windshield on the Dragon and other tight twisties. I have not ridden the Dragon before and I have pretty limited exposure to real twisties.
Flare users know that looking through the windshield gives a distorted view. With the "8.5, on a flat road I look through the windshield for anything closer than about 18-25 feet in front of the tire. I don't want the distortion to be a distraction while I concentrate on staying right side up. I know we should look down the road and way into turns. Frankly, that is a skill I need to refine. Working on that.
What you all think? When riding tight twisties are you occassioanally looking at the pavement only 18 -25 feet away? Would you definitiely not use a windshield that gives a distorted view almost anytime you are look through it? Should I just learn to keep my eyes up?
Never ridden this road, so I can't give advice there, but I'd say the more visibility you have the better. "Distortion" can be very bad in twisties. I'd say even though you should be looking a little through the turn, you want absolute 100% visibility in turns, stuff can come up after you've already "looked" through an area, I.E. loose rocks, animals, whatever...
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Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Honestly, if you are in the twisties you should not be looking thru the windscreen at all! Left and right of it for the next corner, but unless they added a long strait-a-way, you should not have to worry about looking thru it.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Crestview, FL
Was just up there last week and was having issues with the stock RK windshield. When coming into the tight turns, i would transitions from further ahead to closer in which would cause me to look through the windshield. Also, when i would lean into the turn and try to look 'around' the corner (where I wanted to go), I would wind up looking through the windshield. It was VERY uncomfortable until I got a little more upright in the seat and could look over the top (and sometimes around the side). Take it easy until you find a riding position that gives you a clear, unobstructed view - especially when the twisties get really tight!
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 485
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga, Ontario
(as an aside......don't let the Dragon or any road scare you--YOU control the speed)
1HarleyGuy1
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
You can ride the Dragon at a slow speed and nothing to worry about,but if you think the curves are made for speed and remember your on a Hog not a Jap bike, you might learn a hard lesson. Its a long way down on some of them curves so if the shield is bothering your view i advise to go a little slower. Take your time an enjoy your vacation.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,170
Likes: 14
From: washington dc
Thanks all. Much as I like the "8.5 KW Flared at speed on slabs, it will be in the way on twisties. Think I will take a "10 Clearview Recurve for the 2-day run into the hills, then swap to something short. Funny, may end up using the stock after spending a fortune on windshields.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 709
Likes: 2
From: SO Cal
Thanks all. Much as I like the "8.5 KW Flared at speed on slabs, it will be in the way on twisties. Think I will take a "10 Clearview Recurve for the 2-day run into the hills, then swap to something short. Funny, may end up using the stock after spending a fortune on windshields.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 764
Likes: 42
From: Pensacola, FL
I didn't notice this was a problem until this past Thursday when I was riding up a hill on a curvy road. When riding in a flat area my vision is well above the shield, but riding an incline drops your vision into the shield. I came uncomfortably close to the edge of the shoulder before I realized it was the distortion caused by looking through the curved area that caused the problem. Now that I'm aware that the problem exists I'm mindful about adjusting my vision above or below the recurve.
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