Have a quick release wind shield on my XL1200L (came with bike)-looks nice but at high speeds the buffeting effect is knocking my head from side to side.
Folks at local HD do not have solution for it. 
Does anyone have a solution to this problem? -short or wearing a full modular helmet.

Sonja  " the Wind Blown Wench"

IMHO there are certain bikes that don't benefit from a windshield. My WideGlide is one and I would think the sportster is another. But again, just my opinion. Part of the reason for my opinion is that because the front forks do not allow for attachment of wind diverters/wings. That means the wind moves up your legs into your face. Without a windshield you feel the wind over your whole top torso. In cold weather, a windshield concentrates the cold in one place, i.e., wind comiing up from your legs and it makes you feel colder. Without a windshield your whole body adapts since all the cold wind isn't concentrated on one part of your body. But to answer your question it's important to know what you expect out the windshield on your Sporty; looks or functionality? And, I'd kind of like to see a pic of your bike with the windshield. It may be as simple as choosing a different kind.

Peace

I looked at your photos and I assume the white sporty is the one you posted about. I think the windshield is too big for the bike. Again, just my opinion.

You can get rid of the buffeting by geting rid of your windshield...
personally I have never cared for the looks of them on bikes...
Or have you considered getting lowers? This might aleviate wind coming up from your legs? Just my .02

I added lowers to my bike and it made all the difference.
Took 95% of the buffeting away. I have Memphis shade lowers mainly because i have a Memphis Shades quick
release windshield. They are adjustable so i can let more air in if i want to. It really made a huge difference
when riding at faster speeds.

The solution IMHO is to raise the height of the shield.I have a Memphis Shades clip on (attachd to handlebars) two allen screws n I can quickly take it off. It is height adjustable,which I tinkered with after experiencing lots of head buffeting at highway speeds moving it up about 2" and having the w/s stand up straighter,more perpendicular to the front forks helped a lot,all of which I was able to adjust.I am unclear about the ability of that w/s on your bike to make those sorts of corrections. I have zero head wobble now.At any speed.
Having a w/s makes those rainy day drives tolerable for me especially when crossing any bay area bridge,also it helps cut down on the amount of crap coming at me from road debris & insects & takes a lot of wear off my body in gusty winds. It saved my neck one day when a piece of truck tire came straight for my head at 60+ mph,gave the shield a good knock,yet I came thru ok !
Lowers are nice yet they wont solve any real head buffting at highway speeds,they are mainly intended to lessen wind drafting up from the roadbed & under your w/s.

 Try tilting the windshield back. Buffeting is caused by air trying to enter the low pressure area behind your shield, tilting it moves that  area up and back.



 

You guys have really come through for me, I thought that having the W/S higher would stop the problem-I'm gonna try the lowering. Somehow I feel as the windshield is too narrow, I say this because the buffeting is a side to side motion-like someone slapping your head. The windshield is also shaped like a "teardrop" with the wider side lower.
Again, thanks guys,
I'll keep ya'll posted as to what works!
Sonja (the Wind blown Wench)

Please do let us know how that turns out for you,I am curious as to what sort of effect lowering it does for you.In my case I probably started out with the shield too low.Also I failed to mention that I moved the w/s closer in to me,and away from the headlight.One thing I really like about the clipon is the ability to adjust it for varying conditions.

Hey, Ive been having the same problem, I thought it was because I sit higher than my windshield. I figured it was something I would have to get use to, the biggest problem is even after I stop my eyeballs are slapping from one side of my head to the other. Reminds me of the "stoner days" lol , Im going to do some adjusting too! Ride safe-ride hard

   ...  I have a clip on for the winter riding, it has 4 adjustable brackets - ADJUST THEM!!!

 Tilt that sucker back more...Mine fits on front forks of Wide Glide front end by 4 angled clamps that you attach to the screen, its not the type you attach to the bike and then clip the shield on! By tilting the angle of them you can rake the shield back by around 4 inches... all the rest is just history...

Want a shield? Use a shield, no matter what bike you have, no matter what the size of the shield is ...also... the type of helmet you have will also react to the wind, peanut shells are not normally affected, but the half face blister looking crap are.....just 2 cents from the Limey b'stard

I bought a Suzuki bagger in 06. It had a nice windshield but the buffeting at any speed above 55 was incredible, lowers helped, but not enough. Traded the Suzuki for an 03 Screamin Eagle Road King. The windshield on it was about 6" high and totally useless. I bought a new one from Cee Baileys and it is perfect. A relaxed riding position in the seat puts my eyes about 2" over the top of the windshield and I get no discernable buffeting. And the best benefit is seeing all the bug crap on the windshield when I get home, and not on my leather.

.....and I will bet its tilted back more than the 'zooki was, right?

Yep, I agree that a windshield just below your eye line is perfect height. I have only had windshields on my Road Kings (two of them) and found the stock windshield fits that just perfect for me. Even though the windshield is pretty straight up and down (tilted back just over 20°) I get absolutely no buffering at all. I also get very little wind and if I do want wind on my face I just put my feet on the highway pegs and get a nice breeze right up on my face.

Well, everyone, after riding with/ without /moving it down as far as it would go ( not very far )....the Verdict is, Drum roll please...
It is coming from below and hitting me in the chest(I have forward controls and sit back a little) and causing a turbulence in my collar bone, neck area , which in turn feels like someone slapping me upside my head from side to side.
I'm going to ride without for awhile-I know I'll feel necked and maybe I'll get used to it but you know us women we will suffer for good looks and my bike looks good with it IMHO!

Thanks again for all your advice!