2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® Ultra: How Fork-Mounted Air Deflectors Boost Comfort in Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska, is a fantastic place to ride a motorcycle—open highways, scenic backroads, and enough Midwestern charm to make any road trip feel like an adventure. But let’s be honest: Nebraska weather can be unpredictable. One minute, it’s warm and sunny; the next, you’re battling gusty crosswinds that make your ride feel like an upper-body workout. And don’t even get me started on those chilly early mornings when the wind slices right through your jacket.
That’s where the fork-mounted air deflectors on the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® Ultra step in to change the game. While this bike comes packed with impressive technology and comfort features, these small yet mighty deflectors make a huge difference, especially for Lincoln riders. Let’s take a deep dive into what they do, why they matter, and how they make riding through Nebraska’s ever-changing conditions significantly better.
If you’re unfamiliar with the term, fork-mounted air deflectors are small panels attached to the front forks of a motorcycle. Their primary function is to control airflow, reducing turbulence and keeping unwanted wind off the rider. They work in harmony with the Batwing fairing and windshield to create a smoother, more controlled ride.
Unlike standard fairings, which only provide general wind protection, fork-mounted air deflectors fine-tune the way air moves around the bike. By redirecting airflow, they minimize buffeting—the annoying helmet-shaking effect that happens when wind pressure bounces unpredictably around the rider.
On a long ride, this feature is the difference between arriving at your destination feeling fresh or feeling like you’ve been wrestling the wind for hours.
If you’ve ever ridden through Lincoln, you know the weather keeps you on your toes. Nebraska sees it all—strong winds, sharp temperature drops, humid summers, and the occasional storm rolling in out of nowhere. A bike that can handle all of these conditions? That’s the dream. And that’s exactly why the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® Ultra’s fork-mounted air deflectors are such a big deal.
Lincoln sits in an area where wind speeds can change rapidly, especially on open highways like Interstate 80 or Highway 77. Strong crosswinds can push against the bike, making it feel like you’re constantly correcting your balance.
With fork-mounted air deflectors, however, you get better wind stability. These panels redirect wind away from the rider’s body, reducing the force that can push against the bike. The result? A steadier, more predictable ride where you don’t feel like you're fighting the wind just to stay on course.
While Lincoln isn’t as hectic as major metropolitan areas, city riding still comes with its challenges—especially when navigating stop-and-go traffic on streets like O Street or Cornhusker Highway.
At lower speeds, wind can swirl unpredictably around the bike, making even short trips less enjoyable. The fork-mounted air deflectors help manage airflow even when you’re not cruising at highway speeds, so you don’t feel random gusts of wind pushing against your helmet or chest. It’s a small detail, but one that makes urban riding noticeably more comfortable.
Early morning rides in Lincoln can be brisk, especially in spring and fall. Even when the sun is shining, temperatures in the 40s and 50s can make for a chilly commute.
Without proper wind deflection, cold air blasts straight into your legs and torso, making it harder to stay warm. The 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® Ultra’s fork-mounted air deflectors significantly reduce that wind chill by keeping cold air from hitting you head-on. That means you stay comfortable longer—without needing to pile on extra layers just to get through your ride.
On the flip side, Lincoln summers can be hot and humid, with temperatures soaring into the 90s. At times like these, a little extra airflow is your best friend.
Thankfully, the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® Ultra allows you to adjust how much wind reaches your body. Want a breeze to keep you cool? Open the deflectors slightly. Need less wind resistance for a smooth highway cruise? Adjust them accordingly. It’s all about having control over your ride and making sure you stay comfortable no matter the season.
While the fork-mounted air deflectors play a significant role in rider comfort, they’re part of a larger system designed to improve aerodynamics and stability.
There is more to the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® Ultra's Batwing fairing than meets the eye. Through wind tunnel testing and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), it has been optimized to minimize helmet buffeting by as much as 60%.
When paired with the fork-mounted air deflectors, this setup creates a nearly seamless air pocket around the rider, minimizing wind fatigue. This is particularly important on long rides, where constant wind resistance can drain your energy over time.
The Milwaukee-Eight® 117 V-Twin engine provides plenty of power, but comfort doesn’t come just from horsepower—it also comes from balance. The fork-mounted air deflectors contribute to a steadier ride, allowing the bike to slice through the wind more efficiently. This is especially noticeable on highways, where reduced buffeting makes for a more relaxing, controlled experience.
The best way to understand what makes the 2025 Harley-Davidson® Street Glide® Ultra such a great ride? Take it for a test ride. If you're in Lincoln, NE, head over to Frontier Harley-Davidson® and see for yourself how the fork-mounted air deflectors improve comfort in every riding condition.
Schedule a test ride today and experience firsthand how this bike transforms your ride into a smoother, more enjoyable journey.