Batwing vs Traditional Windshield for passenger wind buffeting

[willwagner]

Recently purchased a 2003 Valkyrie Standard which I'm in love with;  my wife and I have done a lot of 2-up riding on our old 750 Nighthawk and this is vastly more fun for me.  I put on a trunk with a wraparound armrest, passenger floorboards, etc to get her all settled. My wife, loves the big back seat but is not too excited about all the wind buffeting that she is getting.  

I ordered Baker air wings to hopefully help the situation, but I was wondering about the standard windscreen that is on the bike.  I'm a short guy (5'6") and really like the height in that I can peek over if need be, but if it makes the wife happier, I've noticed that you can get up to 4" longer and 1" wider (ClearView).  I could also be persuaded to add a batwing although I personally prefer the looks of a windshield.

The question I have is:  what would give more wind protection for a passenger, a batwing or a bigger windshield?  Any other options I might have?

Thanks!

-Will

[JC]

I'm 6' tall and I had a 2" larger than stock Clearview on my Tourer. It really knocked the wind off me and the wife, even worked well in the rain to shield us too. With the Baker's added the wife could light a cigarette at normal riding speed. I installed a Woody's batwing last winter with the 10" shield and am very pleased with it as well, but there was a noticeable increase in wind for the wife, not bad but noticeable none the less, and I had to remove the upper section of the Baker's for clearance for the fairing. I get a little more from under the fairing now, but so far it hasn't been a problem. So to answer your question, the bigger Clearview worked better for the wife. 

[BF]

I used to have an stock oem shield on my Valk.  I could have taken up smoking behind that thing.  Hated it.  There's times when I want some air....and others when I don't.  

I also have a Woodys fairing and wouldn't go back to a windshield for nothing.  I've got several shields for different seasons (4" black, 6" dark tint with recurve and the 10" light tint with recurve), but the most protection we get from it is from the 10" shield that has a recurve at the top of the shield (Woody has a link on his site to the Fast Aire shields).  I've also got the freedom wings and bakers.  Coupled with all of that, we've got more protection than we ever had just from the stock oem shield. 




I highly recommed the Woody fairing....for people that want a fairing, however, all of that is an expensive way to go just to block the wind for your wife.  Since you prefer the shield over a fairing, you'll probably be happier going with the wider than stock and taller than stock Clearview.  

You might also want to investigate adding a set of lowers to your forks too.  Memphis Shades sells them.....also check out Big Bike Things for lowers.  

[sandy]

Try this cheap fix for buffetting. Make a small spacer to tilt the bottom of the shield out 1". I don't have much air flow problems. The space between the holes (center to center) is 1".

[willwagner]

Thank you for all the feedback.  I like the spacer idea; getting the windshield more vertical is bound to help.

I didn't think batwings were my thing but that batwing of yours is pretty sweet.  I may have to re-think my decision about them sometime down the road.

I'll follow-up with a reply once I have a working solution for anyone who follows.

-w

[sandy]

Will: The spacer is on the lower mount bolts which tilt the shield back at the top. Don't stand it up straighter.

[willwagner]

Ah, now I understand better.  Thanks for the heads-up before I did something stupid.

-w

[Michvalk]

I had some buffeting on my Interstate, and added Bakers. Then I added fork deflectors and that is what solved the buffeting. The bakers helped control air flow, but the fork deflectors are what did the job

[fudgie]

The shield will give you and her better protection. The b'wing will cut the wind better.

[Mildew]

My fuel millage greatly improved since the batwing was installed. I've been riding to work without gloves on these cold mornings. I actually got the batwing cheaper than any windshield