I'm about 2 weeks away from being where I can get a new Harley. I have an 07 RK Police bike I'm selling or trading in for what I had decided to be a new Street Glide. I have test rode a Street Glide and a 2010 Ultra and an 09 Heritage. I liked the Street Glide real well but after talking to a couple Road Glide owners I think I better test ride a Road Glide. I hope to ride my friends 07 RG tomorrow. I've never been crazy about the Frame Mounted Fairing but after talking to RG owners who are crazy about them I think I better give them a good look over. The guys who ride the RG sure are happy with them and say how much lighter they feel than the handle mounted fairings. I was wondering what pros and cons you'all could give me. I know on this forum the RG is often referred to as the Fugly bike, but as you know beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It looks like as far as the fairing sets forward of the rider you would get a lot of wind buffeting.
Thanks for your wisdom!

 

Ok, I'll jump in........
My '08 is the first HD I have owned or ridden.....have never owned a
bike with a farring, and have ridden a grand total of 5 miles behind
a batwing farring............
So, my opinion is probably biased !!!!!!!!!!!

I have a dark-smoked 10" windshield I purchased from bikersdelight
on ebay. I have a minimum of wind buffeting, but not enough to
dislodge or move my contacts.....and I can actually ride w/out
eye protection up to 40 mph.

The room between myself and the farring is muchly appreciated.....
that 5 miles behind a batwing I felt confined and cramped.

Just my 2 cents on this subject.........of course YMMV depending on
your bikes set-up.

 

I spent 80000 miles behind my 04 EGC fairing and the last 10 years working 10 hours a day on a RKP (new one every year up thru 08) and I recently bought a 2011 RGU last monty so only have 3000 miles so far. Here is what I can tell you they all ride very much the same for any given year. The 09 and newer handle much nicer. Looks are in the eye of the beholder. I had been pining for a RG since right after I got my EG but still think the batwing looks better then the RG fairing. I like the RG fairing tho because it is different. My wife says she gets more wind on the RG then on the EG but likes the ride of the RG better. Myself I think they are all very similar RK, RG or EG get the one you like the looks of best.

 

I have a 2010 road glide. I've put 10000 miles on it in six months. I think the RG handles better in high winds and facing on coming trucks. The real thing about the Road Glide is that I think that it is the best looking harley. Street Glides are second best IMHO. SG is not functional for my type of touring. I put lowers and tour pack on my road glide. I think your decision should be made primarily on which harley you like the looks of.

 

Be aware that your friend's 07 will be different than a 08 or later becuase of the redesign of the back bone. I would suggest going to a dealership for a test ride. But I am biased.

 

My 09 is a great bike. My 1 complaint is wind buffeting. I changed to a 14 inch windvest and it helped some. Have the 2010 fairing mounts to go on later this year and may go with vented lowers.

 

What do you think of the looks of my FLTRU?

Steve

Hint . . . video below.

 

I really liked my 08 Road Glide but I switched to a 2011 Electra Glide Classic.
I feel I get better protection from the weather (cold and rain) with the Bat Wing.
Living in New Hampshire with a short summer the Bat Wing extends my riding season.

 

iam going to say buy the roadglide i dont why i just think u should.

 

Being I have both......I do like the RG better.

Steve....nice vid on your bike...you did alot more than what you talked about.
Like your bars!!!!