Windshields

For some, riding with a windshield is unthinkable and akin to forgoing the best part of motorcycling; the full enjoyment of being in the wind. These riders often cite the example of man's best friend to explain this particular need. Who hasn't seen one of our furry, four legged friends peering from behind the cab of a pickup truck, or from an open passenger window, mouths gaping gleefully wide, pink tongues streaming rivers of drool.

Now, I'm not suggesting that these riders are wrong, or that they necessarily drool, but I can safely say that I much prefer the benefits of some form of protection from the wind. However, I have often found that the most effective protection came from designs that tended to look bulky and awkward, even ugly, while the sexiest of designs usually had just their good looks to offer. Choosing a fairing or windshield, it seems, is a classic battle of form versus function, or it is at least when both criteria are of equal importance.

I have written elsewhere my opinions regarding the T-Sport's fairing (see T-Sport: First Two Years, The Fairing), and how I've grown to appreciate its design both in terms of its function, and in its looks. In its stock form as delivered from Harley, it performs very well considering it diminutive size. It just doesn't have "the look" that is generally accepted by the v-twin crowd. So I purchased Harley's darkly tinted cut down shield, and the look of the bike improved immediately. But along with the improved look came less protection and far greater wind noise.

Stock shield on the top left, cut down sheild on the top right.
My newest tall windshield just above.

Knowing that for longer distances, or in cooler temperatures, I would prefer superior performance more than style, I decided to pick up a taller than stock windshield as well. Unfortunately, by the time I had made that decision, the taller windshield was no longer available through the Harley catalog. With the discontinuation of the T-Sport model in 2003, there apparently was little demand for replacement shields and they had quietly vanished in 2004.

The good news was that the aftermarket quickly stepped in to fill the void. While reading through posts made in the TC-88 Yahoo Group, I learned that Rifle Fairings was in the process of developing products for my bike. It wasn't long before I could place my order on line, and soon a large package arrived at my door. Because it was late fall by then, I would have to wait until the following spring before I would be able to test it on the road.