Hi. I have a 2016 XL1200T that came with the DH quick detach 14" windshield. It's nice having that as a bug deflector, but I get buffeting at 40 MPH and up. I tried riding without the windshield and it was very smooth- very quiet and no buffeting at all! (I wear an Arai FF helmet). Still, in the cold and rainy PNW, it is nice having some protection from the rain and from the bugs in the summer.

I recently installed a Freedom Shield 16" windshield and although it seems to cut down some of the "large" movement buffeting, now I seem to have some sort of "low level" buffeting or "vibration" for lack of a better description, it seems, at most speeds. It also seems that I have more air turbulence behind the windshield and the wind hits the top of the helmet. At 16" I am looking over the top of the windshield but the top is still below my line of sight.

I have read the other windshield threads in the forum, but my questions are:
1. Have you experienced this type of vibration or low level buffeting with the Freedom Shield?
2. What is different about the Windvest compared to the HD QD or FRS? The Windvest website has very little information about what distinguishes them.
3. Any other recommendations?

Thank you in advance for your comments.

 

This thread is relevant to my interests... How tall are you? I'm looking at alternative windshields besides the HD quick detach windshield my bike came with. It just has the look I don't care for... I'm 5' 11" for reference.

 

I am 5' 6" with a 28" inseam. I didn't mind until I decided to see what it was like without the windshield and was surprised at how smooth and quiet it was, even on the highway! I do not seem to get much chest pressure from the wind, but maybe that's because I have not ridden it that way for very long, but I have seen lots of bugs and rocks hit the windshield.

 

Every windshield I've tried, Sportsters and big twins, has buffeting at some speed. The only ones I've found that work are small flyscreens or quarter fairings. Hence why I run a Dart flyscreen on my Evo. I'm 6'2" and it clears air from shoulder to shoulder wide, and up to my neck. It's the perfect balance of a shield protection (can duck behind it for bug swarms or whatnot) and still getting a breeze like a non-shielded bike. It stays on year round and doesn't make me hot in the desert, but adds a lot of protection when it gets cold.

I hate windshields. If I'm gonna get a big guard, I'm gonna ride a full faired bagger.

 

 

The Dart looks interesting. Is it adjustable since at 5' 6" I am shorter than you so will the wind just go back and hit my helmet? Being in clean air would be great. Thanks for the pointer.

 

I'll look into this one as well. Seems like the smaller shields provide just enough wind redirection. What happens in the rain and do bugs get redirected?

 

I had the stock HD QD 16 shield and had horrible helmet buffeting at just about any speed. And I wear a Bell modular helmet. Changed the shield to a Clearview Shield which utilizes the original mounting from the stock HD. Choose the 21" with the re-curved top, 4" wider over stock and the 5 position vent. Best investment I've made in a shield absolutely no buffeting at any speed and I use it all year round. BTW, I'm 6ft with a 34" inseam.

 

Thanks, I may have to look into that- I like the vent. Do you look over or through the shield?

 

I prefer riding without a windshield. At night i like to wear a full helmet for bugs and what not. I dont think the bugs are too bad. Rain is a different story.