Soft vs. hard lowers on a Road Glide
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 197
Likes: 3
I have the soft lowers on my RG. I haven't ridden with the hard lowers, but the soft ones really cut the wind to practically nothing.
I can't detect any difference in the buffeting between lowers on/off. I have an 08 RG with a +2" Clearview.
I can't detect any difference in the buffeting between lowers on/off. I have an 08 RG with a +2" Clearview.
My biggest thing is I want to figure out if lowers will actually cut some of the choppy air coming up from under the fairing that send my glasses into a fit. Not gonna spend the bucks for hard lowers if they don't do what I need them to. So I would figure I would try the soft lowers if they actually give a similar effect that the hard ones do before shelling out the money for hard lowers.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Portland OR
I was about to get soft lowers for less wind in cold weather for my Roadglide But i managed to get a cheap used pair of unpainted harley EG/SG vented lowers that i forced on yesterday. Yes they are wedged against the bottom of the fairing but where they touch is in the soft front glovebox area of the lower And i did have to cut off the area that extended past the lower fairing brace. Im siked to try them I'm hoping the streets dry up a bit for a test ride no pics as yet
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 10,788
Likes: 2,222
From: Texas
I had soft lowers for my '86 Classic, and they helped a lot in cold weather. So much so, that I MADE a set to go on the '96 Sportster that I have. They make a world of difference on it too!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,478
Likes: 184
From: Mount Airy, MD
My biggest thing is I want to figure out if lowers will actually cut some of the choppy air coming up from under the fairing that send my glasses into a fit. Not gonna spend the bucks for hard lowers if they don't do what I need them to. So I would figure I would try the soft lowers if they actually give a similar effect that the hard ones do before shelling out the money for hard lowers.
If the issue your trying to solve is buffeting I would go for the hard ones. The soft ones don't do you any good for buffeting if you have to take them off because the temp is above 50.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,146
Likes: 471
From: along the Front Range in Colorado
...... if your focus is 'managing' the airflow, go w/hard lowers.
While the softies will 'block' air flow down low, there's no way for them to direct the air.
Hard lowers are shaped for less wind resistance and to push the air either onto the cylinders or out around your legs.
\
Mine are on year round and once I got the higway pegs on, i didn't have an issue w/ excess heat.
Now that I've vented them ($35 parts on Ebay) they're always comfortable.
While the softies will 'block' air flow down low, there's no way for them to direct the air.
Hard lowers are shaped for less wind resistance and to push the air either onto the cylinders or out around your legs.
\
Mine are on year round and once I got the higway pegs on, i didn't have an issue w/ excess heat.
Now that I've vented them ($35 parts on Ebay) they're always comfortable.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,012
Likes: 298
From: Central Fl
I bought the soft lowers for two reasons, cost and storage. They are in my saddle bags or on the bike, period. My oil temp is the same on or off. Temps over 75 deg really heat up the lower extremeties but the engine temp is about the same. In the rain they keep me dry considering it's a motorcycle. I solved the buffeting issue with a "Tall" windshield. I also have a fork baffle which may help some. Hope this helps.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 171
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, KS
I put Hogg Chops on my Road Glide over a year ago and it really helped reduce the buffeting from below. I removed them for one ride and put them back on as soon as I got home. Haven't noticed any difference in the heat for me or the bike.
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Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 948
Likes: 2
From: s.w. mi./daytona
My biggest thing is I want to figure out if lowers will actually cut some of the choppy air coming up from under the fairing that send my glasses into a fit. Not gonna spend the bucks for hard lowers if they don't do what I need them to. So I would figure I would try the soft lowers if they actually give a similar effect that the hard ones do before shelling out the money for hard lowers.
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