Contact

Headwind at 60 mph on a heritage softail

by Caroline
(Kanata, Ontario, Canada)

Hello,
I have found that with my heritage softail I am getting tons of headwind at 60 mph on the highway. I have the stock windshield but wonder if a taller one would help? I am 5'3" and find there is a lot of buffeting when on the highway.
I would love your feedback,
Caroline

Comments for Headwind at 60 mph on a heritage softail

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

May 17, 2014
Rating

Thanks for all your great comments!
by: Caroline

I have been riding as much as possible and switching from my 3/4 to half helmet on several rides. I do find the half helmet is better at faster speeds. The thing is that we travel big distances on our summer roadtrip and I wear my bigger helmet. I will make a decision on a taller windshield by mid summer and let you know how it works out! Ride safe!

See you in the curves,
Caroline

May 17, 2014
Rating

Change your helmet?
by: Sarah G.

Hello!

I just upgraded from a street bob to a 2012 heritage… It has 15 inch windshield, about 2-3 inches shorter than stock, (I'm 5'4") but i was getting some pretty bad buffering at about 55-60 mph. I had a 3/4 helmet but when i switched to my 1/2 helmet it disappeared. I still get slight buffering at about 60, but i think its my sunglasses.. going to upgrade them next week. I don't go much faster than 60.. still getting my confidence up.

May 10, 2014
Rating

Headwind
by: Vicki

I ride my husband's 2002 Heritage, and have no problem whatsoever riding on highways or the interstate at 60, 70, 80 or above (OK 80+ when passing on interstate). I feel no buffeting or headwind problem. My windshield is stock and is taller than my head, and I am approx 5'6". I also ride a Sporty 1200, and have no problems with it, either, and it's windscreen is above my head. I used to ride an 883H with the windshield cutting across the middle of my vision, and it drove me berserk. I either had to scrunch down in the bike or stretch my neck up high to see. I prefer a tall windshield, but some people have experience with the short, sort-of-scoop-shaped windscreens that deflect the wind differently, and prefer them. Hope this helps.

Apr 28, 2014
Rating

To Joan
by: Caroline

Thanks for the info and suggestion! My heritage is a 2011. I'll check out the forum too.

Apr 28, 2014
Rating

Headwind
by: Anonymous

BTW, I'm 5'4".

Apr 28, 2014
Rating

Headwind
by: Anonymous

I ride a 2010 Heritage ST and haven't noticed any problems with a head wind. On some of the roads I ride, I get up to 70 mph (the speed limit) and occasionally 80. My windshields seems to be at my eye level when sitting in the saddle.

Apr 28, 2014
Rating

Heritage
by: Joan

Caroline, what year is your Heritage? I'm 5'6" and I've ridden my husbands Heritage, which is a 2008, a few times at speeds that high or higher but never noticed any headwind/buffeting problems. It seems like the newer models have shorter windscreens as a friend of mine has a 2013 and her screen is definitely shorter than ours. She's thinking about getting a taller one and she's about your height or a little shorter. I wonder if your HD dealer has a demo screen that you could try out? Hopefully someone else will respond to your question. I would suggest another place to post this. It's a forum that I'm a member of called 'Queens of the Road'. All women and all Harley riders or co-riders. Here's the website if you want to check it out. Good luck! Joanhttp://www.hdforums.com/forum/the-queens-of-the-road-for-women-bikers-only-139/

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Questions - 2014.