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Windscreens and fuel efficiency

  • Humpy
    Humpy
    11 years ago

    Gday, I have a 2011 Heritage softail. Sorry if this has been asked before but I am a newbie to the forum and didnt find this in the search area.

    Does taking off the windscreen help or hinder the fuel economy on a long ride?

    Any help without me doing a windscreen on and off comparison ride myself would be appreciated

  • fatbat
    fatbat
    11 years ago
    I've found that a (big) windscreen decreases fuel economy slightly which makes sense as a big screen adds a fair bit of drag
  • Dutchy Hoogen
    Dutchy Hoogen
    11 years ago

    I have removable screen. Have not noticed any difference in fuel use either way.

  • mickle
    mickle
    11 years ago
    Same here, no difference noticed, I am 120Kg so body shape not real fuel efficient, still catch a fair whack of breeze with the screen off.
  • graz
    graz
    11 years ago

    I had a Heritage and now have a Road King. Both with large removable screens. Not a lot of difference with fuel economy and because of a dicky shoulder not worth not having them on for the minimal difference.

  • paulybronco
    paulybronco
    11 years ago

    I would think that your comfort levels would outweigh any loss of fuel economy?

  • fatbat
    fatbat
    11 years ago

    Agreed that comfort on a long trip far outweighs the drop in economy which is noticeable but not significant

  • Tim S.G.
    Tim S.G.
    11 years ago

    Comfort vs Economy ? Comfort wins hands down .

  • Humpy
    Humpy
    11 years ago
    good stuff, thanks for the replies , I think I will leave it on, it is more the turbulence at head height that made me think about taking it off so was curious about any fuel economy woes if I did that.
  • fatbat
    fatbat
    11 years ago
    If you're getting turbulence at head height you may need a higher screen. Also consider fork mounted wind deflectors as there's a heap of wind that comes up from under the screen that can cause turbulence
  • graz
    graz
    11 years ago

    Definitly try the wind deflectors. Took away about 90 percent of buffeting on my Heritage and now the Road King.

  • Neale
    Neale
    11 years ago

    I wouldn't be without the wind deflectors on my fork legs, 100 percent better in terms of buffeting reduction. Likewise the air deflector that sits under the bottom triple clamp on my 08 FLHT.

  • tylerhare
    tylerhare
    11 years ago
    obvioulsy.. it matters specially on long runs... called aerodynamics...
    depends on the size and angle at which it is there..
  • Humpy
    Humpy
    10 years ago

    Hi all sorry for delay but first time I have logged on since cairns rally. Awesome trip, awesome day rides thru the hills and met great people. I fitted the windscreen and it was a good idea definately more comfortable over a long ride but the head buffeting is a pain ( I remember why I took it off now) . Fuel economy was excellent avg 19.3km/l the whole trip. Bring on Tamworth.


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  • mickle
    mickle
    10 years ago
    You need the fork deflectors.
  • tussuck
    tussuck
    10 years ago
    and leg deflectors!
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