Windbender HP or ST

[fredfirefighter]

After riding a fellow board members Wing today equipped with a Wind bender HP shield, I want one. Question is which model the HP or the ST? The one I rode today had the HP and I was impressed with the wind management and vision as compared to my stock shield. I do ride two up at times and it would be nice to provide good protection for my GF as well. After reading the info on the web site I'm still not sure which way to go.

What say you that have the wind bender shields. I will be going for the shorter version of either model. Thanks.

Fred

[RaConnol]

Dayle is very accommodating, order both and return which one you don't want to keep. But then you might like both...
Rick

[jmohme]

Dayle is very accommodating, order both and return which one you don't want to keep. But then you might like both...
Rick

There really is not black and white answer here. Give Dayle a call. He can help you choose the right one, and as stated above he is very accommodating.

My original intent when I bought my Windbender was to get one of each so that I could have short shield to look over when solo and a taller wider one to slip on when two up so that I could provide better wind protection for my wife. I ordered the short HPS first and as it turned out, that shield in conjuction with Baker hand wings cleaned up the turbulence for the wife without having to buy a second upper, but then my wife and I are on the short side and what worked for us may not work for you.

[crabbywinger]

Fred - As we said yesterday (good day by the way) call Dayle at Firecreek. I had a conversation with him because of the same thoughts you are having. After the conversation I bought the short one and have never looked back. Sure glad you had a chance (short as it was) to get to ride behind one before pulling the trigger. Hope all this helps. Take care my friend, hope we get to ride again after you get the Wind Bender, would like to see the smile on your face.

Crabby Bob

[fredfirefighter]

Thanks Bob, yes it was a very good day riding with you and cheeto was enjoyable and of course the ice cream stop topped it all off. LOL. I will talk to Dayle before ordering for sure. Take care my friend.

Fred

[hiyocheeto]

Fred, I tried the ST off of someone elses bike at one of the Rocky-Gold rides. What I noticed and disliked was that I had to have it higher (just below eye level) to get the same level of quiet air I get with the HPS in a lower position. That said, my wife was not with me, so I'm not sure if she would have enjoyed it more or not.

Glad you enjoyed the test ride.

[fredfirefighter]

Hey Cheeto thanks for the test ride, I now know what I have been missing. I am going to treat myself to a WB. I'm leaning to the HP as I love the visibility. I was amazed at the wind management for it being so short. Thanks Frank to you and Bob for a most enjoyable day.

Fred

[jmohme]

Fred, Do yourself a favor and if you don't already have wind deflector under the mirrors get a set. The Windbender HP does a great job, but the hand wings finish the jobs nicely.
I put Baker had wings on my 03 before I got a WB. They helped even with OEM shield, but the wife would still have a sore neck after a day of riding.
Then I got he Windbender HPS and suddenly, happy wife!
When I replaced that bike, I transferred the windshield and hand wings over to the new bike. Same thing when I traded that bike on a 2010.
Then came the Central Texas Wildfires!

There was no salving the shield or hand wings this time. So I ordered a new HPS from Dayle and found a replacement bike (Thank you Geico Lizzard!).
When I got the bike home, the first thing I did was to install the new Windbender and go for a ride. What a difference from the OEM windshield, but not the same as the old bike. Just a bit more wind noise and some buffeting for the passenger. The difference was the hand wings.
I ordered a new set from Bulldog and everything was back to normal!

[crabbywinger]

Totally agree about the hand wings. Got them before I got my WindBender so don't know if they made any difference. From all the comments over time about how they help the passenger especially I'm happy to have them. Really help for me when it gets warm and allows you to direct air onto you and/or passenger.

Crabby Bob

[Hoosier Daddy]

I originally bought the HP set then bought the ST17 to use as a second shield thinking it would be better for 2up rides and winter rides. I was wrong. Used the ST one time and hated looking thru the shield. I found I preferred the HP in all conditions. If anyone is interested in a ST I have one in new condition I will sell at good price. Dan

[bbalzer]

I had same experience. Started with the 11" HP and then bought an ST thinking it might be better. It wasn't for me and sold it after just a ride or 2. I do have the rake kit

[jmohme]

Once you've had the luxury of not having to look through bug guts, it's hard to justify a tall shield.

[MMR]

Fred, if I may add.....everything written by our fellow forum members above is 100 % spot-on. I have owned several WindBender windshields over the years, including ones from the original owner of the company, before Dayle bought them out. Fortunately for me....Dayle's shop is all of 10 miles from my house, so I can just ride over there and pick items up. He does a great job of hosting an annual service days at his shop, where dozens of Wing riders attend, do work on their bikes, and buy products. Very honorable man, and as anal about the quality of his work as I have ever seen. That is a good thing.

I will also give a third or fourth thumbs up about the use of hand wings. I use the Tulsa hand wings, versus the Baker Built ones. I know Bruce and Barbara Baker...very nice people...but I set my Tulsa hand wings to where I want them...never adjust them...and they work perfect for me.

Offer: Ride your bike over to this part of the country.....see Dayle's shop in person...buy the windshield from Dayle...he will let you try the HP and the ST shields for test rides, and...I will pay for your motel room costs and dinner costs while you are here. Really !

BTW, give serious consideration to the ELECTRIC version of these windshields. Costs a little more, but having the ability to adjust the height of the shield on the fly, is well worth it. A lot of us local riders that use this windshield love the electric adjustability of it.

[cripula]

I have the HPS with the rake kit, and hand wings. Couldn't be happier with the set up, and there are no complaints from the (very happy) passenger either.
FWIW I'm 5'9" and she's 5'2".

[fredfirefighter]

Thanks again guys for all the helpful responses. Based on personal riding experience behind an HPS and your input I'm going to pull the trigger on an HPS. I already have the baker hand wings in place and they have made a big difference even behind the stock shield. Leaving on a trip next Sunday. I hope I have my new shield before I leave.

Fred

[crabbywinger]

Hope you get it before you go, you already know you're going to like it. Be careful on your ride South. Take care.

Crabby Bob

[fredfirefighter]

Thanks Bob

Fred

[misterk]

I tried all the windbender combinations. The HPS With the Rake Kit solved all my problems. don't forget the hand wings under the mirrors.......

[jmohme]

I tried all the windbender combinations. The HPS With the Rake Kit solved all my problems. don't forget the hand wings under the mirrors.......

The short HPS did the job for me without the rake kit, but I am probably shorter than you are. The best thing about Windbender is that there are different configuration to fit different needs!

[fredfirefighter]

Was not able to purchase prior to my upcoming trip this weekend. Dayle was out on a MC road trip LOL. He did call me though and I'll be talking to him and probably order one when I return from TN> Thanks guys for all the input, most helpful.

Fred