[Shadowbennie]

I knew going into my foray into the world of road glides that the stock windscreen is purely for looks. I can see it as a possible option when it's 100 degrees out, it will be nice to have the extra wind, save for not being able to hear the radio very well, I can deal with that for the most part I guess.

But, ideally, I want to find the right windshield that does the job to reduce some of the airflow at my head and allows me to hear the radio better for daily riding. So many choices, lots of folks have their favorites...

Freedom, Cee Bailey's, windvest, Madstad, klock werks....how to choose from so many options???!!

I'm 5'10, 32" inseam. For reference, the tallest shield I ran on my street glide was a LRS 7 1/2" ultra recurve which came about up to my lips. Now I have the RGS, starting to like it more and more, but still getting used to some of it's differences versus my old bike.

Everything I'm reading says I should be about at the 10"-12" for a RG windscreen. Will this give me a relatively decent amount of wind & rain protection? I don't want to go too tall, I might as well have gotten a RG ultra at that point.

so what say you all?

 

[HighwayStar]

I'm your height and inseam and a 13" works great for me. Ducking in from the rain is still a bit of a stretch as I have to duck pretty low but otherwise all cool and I wouldn't go any taller at my height. Brands and styles are all over the place. I was brand loyal to Cee Bailey as I had a shield on my last HD for 8 years and it held up beautifully. Enjoy your RG!

 

[Dead Bird Dog]

I tried the Harley demo 12" and demo 14". I'm 5'9" with a 30" inseam. I used the radio as the judgement along with how much wind was still hitting me in the face. The 12" Harley windshield just didn't get it done. The 14" did very well but the top edge was right in my sightline. I ended up ordering a 12" Windvest and it's been perfect. I don't have any issues seeing over the top of it with the exception of steep hills. There is some moderate visual distortion in those cases but it's not a deal breaker. I can hear the stock radio at 85 mph without much difficulty. It's been a great windshield. The mounting holes are drilled though, not slotted which makes changing it out a bit more of a hassle. I liked the looks of the KlockWerks but from reading reviews online it seemed that the Windvest did a better job.

Here's a pretty solid write-up

2015 ROADGLIDE WINDSCREEN SHOOTOUT

 

[Jhl192]

I am 5' 10" with a 32" inseem. Went with the 13" Freedom Shield. Can now hear the radio at 60 MPH and the helmet noise is way down. Gets the job done and can still tell I am on a motorcycle. I was afraid if I went any higher, I wouldn't like the looks or have trouble seeing over the windshield. I went with the dark tint so that is important at night. Even though the day makers do a great job. Good luck.

 

[Smarty]

I'm 6'1" and have the Windvest 12". I put a Corbin seat on my RGS and it sits lower than stock. With the 12" at times it is right at the edge of being ok. So much better than stock. I also have a 10" Windvest that I bought first. I might be putting that one back on and give it another try. I will post up the results.

 

[68_340_Cuda]

I'm 5'9" 30" inseam and got a 13" Cee Baileys, it's a bit tall for me when I want to see the road right in front of my in the dark. Maybe I should have gone 11" or 12". Overall I really like the windshield, top quality.

 

[Shadowbennie]

Yeah, that's the challenge it seems, finding a do-it-all windshield. Maybe there is no such thing. I had 4 windshields for my SG & all of them served a purpose although I never used my klock werks 8.5", it was too tall with the stock seat & looked like a giant potato chip. Had a 4" flare for hot days, 6.5" for when I wanted middle of the road protection & a 7.5" LRS. Used the 6.5" the most.

So the consensus so far seems to be 12-13", 13 if I want maximum protection. I'm ok with still feeling the wind maybe at or near the top of my head, I just some reduced wind noise so I can hear the radio & for some protection in cooler weather.

I'm guessing I'll end up with a few shields by the time I'm done, but hoping I can find that good middle ground shield right off the bat.

I'm leaning toward freedom, they seem to get great reviews, price is right & they don't look half bad. Maybe a 12" to start....

 

[Wharf Rat]

Hands down the best performing windshield is the Madstad. But, it ain't for everyone.

The trade-off then is what works well enough for you aesthetically as well as windshieldly.

I had a Madstad on my FLTRU & loved it. This go 'round, I went with a 13" Freedom shield. I remain unconvinced that a flip design is necessary with the redesigned fairing, vents & deflectors. But I do like this windshield. It looks nice & works perfectly, for me.

 

[tdkkart]

My RGU CVO came with a 14" windshield, which puts the top edge 6" above the fairing vent, and right at nose level for me at 5'9". This gave me just a bit too much wind hitting my forehead. I went the 14" Freedom shield, with the flip at the top it takes the wind just a bit higher making things much more comfortable. I could ride with no glasses perfectly comfortably if it weren't for the large bugs, but I'd sure hate to get hit in the eye with the big SOB that hit me in the forehead last week. Everything else goes over my head.

 

[BH#103]

I am within 1" of your measurements and I have a 12" smoke Wind vest shield on my FLTRX. I have had great success with it as it puts the wind stream a couple of inches over my head but I have not had much experience dealing with rain with this setup. I can see clearly over it as well and I plan on customizing the seat to lower me so hopefully it works just a little better. The seats are different from a Glide to an Ultra as well so that might be a consideration on feedback. Good luck!

 

[FLTRXS20]

I am 5'11' 32 inseam and I have a WindVest 12" Gunsmoke tint on my 15 RGS and really like it. IMO, it still gives the feel of riding a bike and giving wind protection at highway speeds. I have not ridden in the rain (just a few light showers without issues). I had a great experience talking with them on the phone and they shipped it the same day. I do wish WindVest made a 13" as I think it would be just a bit better. Whichever shield you decide to go with, tell them you are a RoadGlide Org member, many will give a discount.

 

[Shadowbennie]

All very good input gentlemen, thank you. I borrowed a 12" wind splitter from the dealership to see how I like the height, my initial impression is the height is about right, could even possibly go an inch shorter as I tend to slouch when I'm riding,especially once I put apes on this thing. My gut tells me that an 11" freedom or windiest will act as good if not better than the 12" wind splitter, which puts a little wind just above my forehead.
I'm not terribly concerned about ducking behind the shield in rain, I'm used to getting pelted in the face by rain from my SG. It's more about the extra wind noise & hearing the stereo

 

[rg_dave]

If you ride with a passenger make sure you take that into account. Sometimes you get the bubble perfect for you and it puts the wind right in her face.

 

[Shadowbennie]

If you ride with a passenger make sure you take that into account. Sometimes you get the bubble perfect for you and it puts the wind right in her face.

Excellent point. Although I guess she has never complained about the wind on the SG, but as I'm finding with this bike, it's a whole different beast, will get some input from her tomorrow. Also part of the reason why I'm leaning toward freedom shields, can try it & if it doesn't work, send it back for the next size smaller or taller.

I am really starting to like this bike....a lot! At first I wasn't sure I had made a good choice, it was do much different than my SG which I had setup perfect for me, but I can see the potential in this one....and it is strong....

 

[Lurch76]

Call John at Freedom shields to get the right size for you. His shields are 30% thicker

 

[Wharf Rat]

I imagine others do it too, but when I ordered my 13" Freedom shield I asked if they give us (roadglide.org members) a discount. I completed the transaction at the listed price. I received an email indicating they would process a discount as a credit... very nice! It worked out to getting free shipping.

 

[Spazz]

Im short at 5'7"... 30" inseam.... and was looking at the KW flare..... I have yet to see many 15's with aftermarket windshields as well.... waiting to demo one and get some insight from 15 owners.... This thread will be useful for sure

 

[Ouijonbu]

Windshield

Wassup,
Don't mean to beat a dead horse. But here goes, I am doing a demo from the dealer on a 15.5 HD windshield. It seems to direct the air right into my eyes. I am 6'4" with a 34-36 inseam. I need to go a 19 I think but don't want it to be gold wingish maybe a flip or something. I dunno, please help, I can hear the crappy stereo better.
Thanks







Baltimore Ravens

 

[dwyermw]

I am 6', 32" inseam and I purchased a Klock Werks 12" Pro Touring for my 2015 RG Special and it is perfect. My eyes are comfortably above the screen, my sunglasses do not move at all at 75 mph. The wind burst hits the top of my head.

 

[Shadowbennie]

So was at the dealer yesterday returning the demo windsplitter & there was a sweet '13 RG CVO there that had a sexy as hell shorty klock werks shield, guessing it was a 9", what's the scoop on those? Worth it or worthless? Maybe a great summer shield only?

Think I'm gonna spring for a 11 or 12" freedom for spring & fall, but when I want to, would like to slim down the shield for summer, so either that klock werks I saw on the CVO or maybe a 10" freedom. I'll look around the forums, but does anyone have pics of the 10" freedom on their bike?