Cee Bailey's SSC Windshield

I don't believe I have ever done a product review on the blog before.  Oh sure I've mentioned some equipment I've added and done some minor installation instructions but not a complete review, until now.

When we bought the Ultra it had the standard height windshield, which I assumed was the right one for me to use. I even got used to looking through the windshield which of course is not the correct setup.  A year and a half later I find a much better alternative.

It all started with a search for a better windshield.  Not just a replacement but something that had better performance.  Performance you ask?  From a windshield?  Why not?  In this day and time every item we touch is the resultant output from a design and engineering team of some sort.  As usual I did my research via the Internet utilizing my favorite resources such as www.v-twinforum.com and www.hdforums.com. On several occasions I ran across the mention of a new windshield design by Cee Bailey's referred to as SSC.

Over at www.ceebaileys.com I find they are an aircraft plastics manufacturer and produce windshields for most any model bike.  I also discover that there is a special model windshield, referred to as SSC, for the FLHT line.  SSC...Super Step Contour,  sounds pretty cool and looks mildly radical.  Quite a departure from traditional windshields and it had me interested.

With the standard Harley windshield in place my line of sight was about an inch and a half, or so, below the top of the windshield.   Even with that height in front of me I always had mild to moderate buffeting at faster speeds and Debbie almost always had some buffeting at all speeds.  My goal was to find a solution so I could see over the windshield and minimize or eliminate buffeting at normal speeds of say sixty five or less.  And of course something that looks good is a plus.

Basic physics dictates that when air is forced aloft it will immediately begin to fall back.  Since the windshield forced air up over my helmet it made sense that it would fall behind me.  It did and that is where Debbie sits. With the factory windshield on the Ultra the passenger buffeting was actually worse than on the Sportster with no windshield.

The Cee Bailey solution places the windshield closer to the rider and forces the air up while using a height less than that required by a standard design windshield.  It accomplishes this and uses the factory mount with no modifications. It looks like a fairly normal, low, tinted wind screen from the front seen here installed on our 07 Ultra.

When viewed from the back you still have the same thought: How does this thing work when it's like all the rest?

Now you start to see how it works!  It took about 5 minutes to remove the factory model and install the SSC and we immediately went out for a test ride.

We rode at several different speeds up to about 80 or so.  Debbie had no buffeting up to 65, very minimal buffeting after that and much more stable airflow at all speeds.  From my perspective seeing over the top is a huge plus and there is an increase in airflow around my helmet but without buffeting up to about 65.  After 65 the airflow is still better than with the factory windshield in place. Oddly enough it is quieter riding at speeds below 55.  I'm not sure how that happens but there is a noticeable difference. Part of that may be less turbulence around and just above my helmet.  I also like the way the SSC tends to enhance and extend the flowing lines of the fairing. This is probably one of the best items we have added to the bike and we are both very pleased with the performance and appearance.  When you can add a fantastic enhancement for just over $100.00 it makes good sense.  Considering the factory standard windshield is $114.95 it makes for a great upgrade or replacement of a damaged windshield.  While not everyone will like the design we certainly do and it's one more thing to help stand out from the crowd. MP HDSSC12"           1.000      1.000       0.000    $105.00       $105.00           FLHT SSC W/S 12" TALL                                                                    ------------                                                       Net Invoice:      $105.00                                                           Freight:       $12.75                                                         Sales Tax:        $0.00                                                                    ------------                                                             Total:      $117.75