Air Deflectors - Front Mount or Bakers?

[jdunique]

First, my goal is to cut down the buffeting while riding at interstate speeds without making the engine heat any worse than it already is and I see that the Bakers seem to be the preferred type of air deflectors for the standard and Tourer but mine is an Interstate and I was wondering if the fork mounted variety did an OK job. I am ready to purchase a set of them from Big Bike Things but decided that I should ask if anyone had tried both and might have an opinion.
 

[Joe Hummer]

I have both.  I put the deflectors on because I was getting a lot of air over the tank causing a lot of buffeting.  Some have told me that I got that much air because of the Bakers.  The bike came with the Bakers and I have not ridden without them so I don't know how much air the deflectors will channel without the Bakers. 

During the summer, the Bakers are ALWAYS turned towards me.  I have thought about taking off the deflectors to get more air, but the buffeting isn't worth it. 

I made my own deflectors (with the help of a machinist buddy to cut the metal parts for me). 

http://www.spirit-1100.com/ValkAccessories-lowers.htm

Joe

[thewoodman]

Having experienced the buffeting at highway speeds, I made a template using Plexiglas and some fiberglass blocks and built my own deflectors. It worked pretty well until I decided to hang some running lights, so I opted for the deflectors from www.BigBikeThings.com and they work very well. I rode a Valk with the Baker wings and they direct the air well, but didn’t seem to reduce the buffeting from the over-tank air flow. I'd go with the deflectors first.

[Skeeter (Va)]

I installed both...chrome fork and Baker deflectors...works good......

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

I've got both. Remove the lowers during summer.

[Momz]

The OEM Hondaline are the best fork deflectors,....period!

If your I/S does not have the Baker Air Wings,....good for you! They tend to cracl the radiator pods (bad).

There are OEM Hondaline Air Wings that attach to the sides of the pods. They are effective, attractive, will not crack your pods, are far less costly than the Bakers, and should still be available through vendors like Directline Honda.

(Voice of experience talking)

[ChromeDome]

First thing I got was the fork deflectors .... just wasn't use to all that are coming off the tank. Then got the Bakers about a month later .... turn them in when you want air ... out when you don't ... but I have just started to notice cracks in the pods so I will be looking into the Honda Air Wings but it may be easier just to apply some RTV and hope for the best.

[Steve K (IA)]

I have all 3 on my I/S.  First was the radiator deflectors...helps to keep a lot of the hot air off your legs.  Next was the Hondaline fork deflectors, keeps all that wind from coming up in front of the tank, then the Bakers.  Some people say they take the stationary panel off their Bakers in the summer.  I tried that, but it renders the adjustable vanes almost useless.  My opinion is the stationary panel needs to stay in place for the Bakers to be effective.  (if you want to push the cooler air up to your midsection)

I have one small crack at one bolt hole on my pods.  Nothing a little JBWeld and something to back it up won't fix.

It is amazing how much the fork deflectors work.  I took my allen wrench with me and headed out on the interstate.  At the first rest stop, I took the panels off.  Next rest stop, they went back on.  I just wasn't used to so much air coming up in front of the tank.  Almost like I didn't have a fairing and w/s.

[jdunique]

Thanks Fella's I really appreciate the insights, I am used to a full fairing bike but recently acquired this Interstate and I love it, I want to ride it on my upcoming trip to WV but the air spill up over the tank at those speeds is bothersome and since I will be running interstates up and back it will be nice to do something to help it.
Thanks to all

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Buy'em both you will be glad you did.

[bg]

i have both on my I/S