Topic: Freedom vs. Windvest (Read 11525 times)

bostonCVO · « **on:** May 18, 2013, 11:31:19 PM »

The Freedom windshield for the Road Glide look nearly identical to the Windvest. Has anyone had both? Are there differences. Freedom offer a 15% to cvo member which makes them marginally less expensive. I have heard good thing about both windshields.

JoeVibe · « **Reply #1 on:** May 19, 2013, 09:00:21 AM »

Hi Boston,

I can't speak directly to your question but I put a Freedom shield on my 2013 SEUC and I love it. The customer service was great and you can test ride the shield on your bike and return it if you don't like it as long as you lease the protective film on it for the test ride.

Joe

Puzzled · « **Reply #2 on:** May 19, 2013, 09:42:43 AM »

Quote from: bostonCVO on May 18, 2013, 11:31:19 PM

The Freedom windshield for the Road Glide look nearly identical to the Windvest. Has anyone had both? Are there differences. Freedom offer a 15% to cvo member which makes them marginally less expensive. I have heard good thing about both windshields.

Which Windvest are your looking at?

SBB · « **Reply #3 on:** May 19, 2013, 12:00:40 PM »

Quote from: bostonCVO on May 18, 2013, 11:31:19 PM

The Freedom windshield for the Road Glide look nearly identical to the Windvest. Has anyone had both? Are there differences. Freedom offer a 15% to cvo member which makes them marginally less expensive. I have heard good thing about both windshields.

I have the Freedom shields and love them.
I know two people with Windvest and either the Windvest scratch easy or those people have really abused the shields cleaning them.
Good luck in what you decide.

SBB

Cvostu · « **Reply #4 on:** May 19, 2013, 12:31:14 PM »

I have the windvest on both my Seeg ad sg.. To me they make the best shields.

Midnight Rider · « **Reply #5 on:** May 19, 2013, 12:45:19 PM »

Clearview is another good one for a RG or UC. The one with the recurve. They are also a vendor here so give a discount.

Unless you're using a Road Glide for a bar hopper, you've just got to get the right height windshield for function.

Puzzled · « **Reply #6 on:** May 19, 2013, 12:50:42 PM »

Quote from: Midnight Rider on May 19, 2013, 12:45:19 PM

Unless you're using a Road Glide for a bar hopper, you've just got to get the right height windshield for function.

I agree. Makes a big difference in the miles you can put in.

bostonCVO · « **Reply #7 on:** May 19, 2013, 09:06:36 PM »

In the windvest I am looking at the 12, 13 and 14 inch. 5' 10.5 31 inch inseam seems like the 13 would be right I will talk to them tomorrow. Looking at the same size freedom shield. Bar hoping sometimes but 2k - 3k miles trips at a clip so I need to be able to hundreds of miles at a time at 80 MPH. With the stock wind splitter I would have brain damage after the the first hour. This from guy that ran a sportster with no windshield for years ( but that was 30 years ago).

I have get to soap box here for a bit. Rode Harley most of my life and everything in between. 2009 - 2012 ran two big BMW. BMW have flaws like all mechanical devices. aero dynamics was not one of them. But what the hell is up with the Road Glide did they think about wind protection , have they had this thing in a wind tunnel? If they did the engineers must have been smoking crack because buffeting at highway speeds I have to say the worst bike I have ever been on including a bunch will no windshield at all, I'll get it sorted because I love everything else about it, but damn a touring bike you can't ride over 50 MPH,,,,what really???

End of Soap

YELLOWBIRD · « **Reply #8 on:** May 20, 2013, 07:14:44 PM »

Getting the "Proper" set up is the secret.

Once you get everything dialed in, the Road Glide can't be beat and will eat the asphalt all day long!

Wind vest 10", lower fairings, fork "dog dish", and the plastic black clip on's things for the engine guards

WORKS AWESOME for me!

Good Luck,

YB

jcd520 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 20, 2013, 07:47:12 PM »

Yellowbird, how tall are you --------------?? I keep reading on here where people say how tall they are and include their inseam. Your leg length I don't think matters----------it's how tall you are from the waist up that really puts your head in the air.
I am asking cause I just got my windvest today but won't be able to try it for a few days......bike is apart for other mods at this point.
I did buy it because I think it is very complimentary to the RG as far as looks go -----------I didn't care much for the Ceebaileys although it did work ok , not great , just ok and much better than the HD 12" windsplitter or Bullsh@$$@$ Bulsh$****er as I like to call it!

CVODON · « **Reply #10 on:** May 20, 2013, 08:28:32 PM »

I have Windvest 12 on my SERG, bought it from Jim (HDDUDE) four years ago,I take car of my stuff but it has really held up well, I like the shield so much I would buy another one if this one had scratched but it hasn't. But Jim gives 10% off and you can also buy Windvest thru Drag Specialties and if you go thru Lakeshore HD they will give you 20% off. Also if you catch the Windvest guy at any of the rallys he will let you try one before you buy and he give discounts on site.

jcd520 · « **Reply #11 on:** May 22, 2013, 10:50:35 PM »

Just installed and rode the windvest 13" today( also installed lowers) --------------wow! what a difference. I did ride it first with no lowers just to be sure and there is no comparison in my opinion between it and the 15"Ceebaileys I had. I am 6'3" and this 13WV works great for me. Looks much better too in my opinion. I must say the lowers made even more difference but the bike is perfect now for me. I had to tug around a little on the WV to get it all straight with the stock gasket but it fits real nice and really works and looks great. They also said they would let me "ride and try" and exchange if I needed to .

LovemyCVOgirl · « **Reply #12 on:** May 23, 2013, 07:41:44 AM »

You are correct.., This WV shield looks really awesome.

I like the looks of the lowers on the RG. Congrats on some really great mods to your beautiful Maple.

. Now, get out and ride!

Tuneso · « **Reply #13 on:** May 24, 2013, 01:45:52 AM »

Looks great

bostonCVO · « **Reply #14 on:** May 25, 2013, 11:02:53 AM »

12" windvest is on its way. My bike is atomic orange love it! but man I don't think much beats the maple that color is just plain sick.

FLH91 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 25, 2013, 05:00:54 PM »

Boston CVO,
I've got the same bike, would like to see a pic of a 12" windiest on the atomic orange... I'm 5'10 and will be curious how how works and looks..
Dave

jcd520 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 25, 2013, 05:10:36 PM »

Look on page 3 and 4 of the "new maple metallic " thread in the Road Glide custom section(this section) and you can see a 13 on a maple. Im 6'3" and it works just fine for me. I have a friend who is buying a 10 or 12 windvest for his O/G 2013 model like yours. I think you will like it. Freedom shield makes the near exact same shield , see posts on here as well, lots of folks like them.

FLH91 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 25, 2013, 05:41:44 PM »

There are alot of discussions on the windshields for these bikes and I think I've read them all. I've always used and loved the clearview shields for my street glides but I'm thinking of trying a 10-12" windvest for the rg soon. I haven't seen an atomic orange with a different shield yet. It looks good on the maple, but again, would like to see it on an orange one.
Dave

jcd520 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 25, 2013, 06:01:20 PM »

Try this link, I saw it when I was looking at the WV shields. I know it is taller than you want but the bike is like yours and a 12 will be of course shorter. This was posted on Jan 7, 2013

www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=81153.0

JR · « **Reply #19 on:** May 26, 2013, 03:34:28 PM »

Quote from: Midnight Rider on May 19, 2013, 12:45:19 PM

Clearview is another good one for a RG or UC. The one with the recurve. They are also a vendor here so give a discount.

Unless you're using a Road Glide for a bar hopper, you've just got to get the right height windshield for function.

Your right Terry! Clearview makes a great windshield. I had it on the SEEG2 for about 5 years then went to Freedom after they had a special sale. I was able to get another recurve and I personally like freedoms better. Shield is a lot thicker and love it on my yelow jacket!

bostonCVO · « **Reply #20 on:** May 28, 2013, 10:32:30 PM »

Hi Dave still waiting for the 12" WV to arrive I'll report out with pics when I have it installed and fire it up.

FLH91 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 29, 2013, 06:19:19 PM »

OK, Thanks, I'm still looking forward to seeing it! I installed a dogdish on the bike yesterday which might help a little bit, not expecting much for it.
Thanks!!
Dave

FLH91 · « **Reply #22 on:** June 03, 2013, 08:11:12 PM »

Well?

?? Pics!

bostonCVO · « **Reply #23 on:** June 04, 2013, 12:26:15 PM »

OK finally got the 12" windvest installed last nite 100% better. Still some buffeting over 70 but before with the stock 12" splitter it was almost un-drivable over 55 and 55 was not good. At 5'10.5 with a 31 inseam I am looking over the shield. 12" is as high as I can go 13" would be in my sight line. It looks good on the bike I finished later last night (curse the harley designed gromets WTF!) so I will get some pics out in the next couple of days. I have to say that first impression of the Windvest is the material is thinner than the stock and much thinner than the Cee Baylee. It looked cheap, that said it worked and looks fine on the bike, fit was ok needed some muscleing. If I had it to do over I think I would go with the Freedom same design but from what I read thicker material.

Dog dish is next I still thing a lot of the bad air is coming from below.

SPEEDDY49 · « **Reply #24 on:** June 05, 2013, 04:15:00 PM »

What is a "dog dish". I have a 13 Atomic Orange. We are going to travel about 3K miles in the next months out west. Also anyone looking to part with a Road King Leather TP

jcd520 · « **Reply #25 on:** June 05, 2013, 07:35:42 PM »

You get me at petco, chrome , black or -----------------no wait , thats a different forum--------------

just kidding -------------its the air baffle that bolts under the triple clamp on touring bikes , they do come in chrome or black .Almost everyone has one laying around in their spare parts box or if you don't they are in the accessory catalog-----page 319 in the 2013 book. Part #58520-79c

Don;t worry too much about not having one. They make very little difference in wind deflection as far as the rider is concerned. I recently put one on my 12 SERG and really could not tell the difference.

kojak · « **Reply #26 on:** June 09, 2013, 08:05:27 AM »

6 months on the 15" WV now. Works great. Ridden it in snow, rain and nice weather.

FLH91 · « **Reply #27 on:** June 09, 2013, 08:00:08 PM »

kojak2, I've got the same bike. is it safe to assume you are looking thru the 15" WV? and which tint is that?
Dave

bostonCVO · « **Reply #28 on:** June 10, 2013, 03:41:37 PM »

Kk finally put some miles on with the 12" windvest very acceptable for me still some wind at higher speeds (over 75) and when it is windy is is still not optimal. I was at Laconia NH bike week this weekend and and met the president of the roadglide something or other He work for the Harley dealer up there and knew a ton about Roadglides. He recommended I go shorter on the shied. said he has tried every windshield out there, and said it not about the height he did recommend the windvest (what he had on his bike) but told me to go to a 10". I may try it. It would not be the first time I have heard go shorter including a few post on this forum.

Sorry still no pics yet maybe tonight.

tpseabird · « **Reply #29 on:** June 10, 2013, 06:46:22 PM »

I have the 12" Dark Grey Freedom Shield. I'm 6' and some change w/ a 32" inseam and I sit pretty straight up. The 12" is easy to see over by inches and gives me great wind protection; however, I do get a some wind, but it's fairly clean. The 14" would probably wipe all wind away, but I wanted to keep the shield somewhat sporty. Here is a closeup...

tpseabird · « **Reply #30 on:** June 10, 2013, 06:47:27 PM »

Here is another shot from the side.

North Star · « **Reply #31 on:** June 10, 2013, 07:24:48 PM »

Not a fair comparison, but I had a 10" WV in gunsmoke for the last couple years. I always knew it was a bit too short, so I got a 12" Freedom Sheild in light tint.

Big difference for me, but that's probably because of the fact the Freedom is a 12". But, what I do like better about the Freedom is that it is excellent quality, it's thicker, and the curves and lines look great for the size of shield it is, and flows nice with the shape of the fairing. The WV with its smaller size and dark tint looked cooler, but no regrets since the Freedom still looks good on the bike- just not as cool looking, but I'll take function over form this time. A bonus is that it comes with it's own trim piece that is textured to make it look like it's made out of leather, and it comes with it's own wellnuts.

It provides the proper wind protection for me- I just tested it out on a 300 mile ride this weekend including some rain, and it's a keeper.

Buck Sturgis · « **Reply #32 on:** June 10, 2013, 08:13:25 PM »

13" Windvest

kojak · « **Reply #33 on:** June 11, 2013, 08:41:03 PM »

Quote from: FLH91 on June 09, 2013, 08:00:08 PM

kojak2, I've got the same bike. is it safe to assume you are looking thru the 15" WV? and which tint is that?
Dave

The tint is light smoke. I am 6'2" and I can see over the top. Could have gone with a 14". Eventually, I'm going to change to a taller 2 up seat and the 15" will work fine then as well.

Author Topic: Freedom vs. Windvest (Read 11525 times)

jcd520

jcd520

jcd520

jcd520

jcd520