That was one of the annoying things on my Ultra Classic- my beard stayed in my eyes and my hair constantly blew over my shoulder and into my face. I never had that problem on the Street Glide I had before the UC, so it must have had something to do with the combination of the batwing and the lowers creating some kind of weird air currents.
No such issues so far with the RGU... beard stays where it is supposed to, and the ponytail stays behind me.

 

Thanks for all the feedback folks, much appreciated!

 

Main difference is buffering the side wind.

 

The batwing offers better wind protection for the rider. The RG faining feels more spacious, but it's also affected more in a direct crosswind, due to its larger cross-section. Neither one handles as well as a Road King, if handling is your prime concern.

 

We're not thru giving you our opinions, now sit down and listen!!!

I just came off a 2006 Road Glide for a 2011 Ultra Limited. The Road cuts through the wind much better than the bat wing imo. The turbulance around the head while on the roadie has move to the sides & knees on the Bat Wing.

A short windshield on the Road Glide will get you a lot of buffeting around the head & shoulders. A Clearview will eliminate a lot of that.

I miss the way the Roadie cut through the wind and that could be in part because the fairing is attached to the frame and secondly the Roadie fairing appears to be more aerodynamic. On the other hand the bat wing being so close to the rider puts you in a pocket of wind protection with a standard shield (I'm 5'10") imo.

Bottom line I think the Roadie manages the wind better with the right shield. Put enough time on the Road Glide and it may win you over!

 

+1. I went from an FLHTC to the FLTRU and noticed a big increase in buffeting, starting at 60-65 mph. After adding a Clearview windshield to the Road Glide the buffeting is almost completely gone.

 

My experience is that your height matters. If you are 6'2" like myself, then the extra room is great. As I stated in a different post, with the new baffles that go on the engine guards, the stock windshield, my beard, which now hangs down to my shirt pockets, doesn't fly up in my face. However, on a FLHT, I have to tie it with a hair tie to keep it out of my eyes. The issues of wind coming under the sharknose was real. The ultra lowers and baffles answered that.
Winter riding- your hands will get colder faster, as the batwing offers more hand protection.
I know you didn't ask but if you don't have a 36 inch sleeve length, it will be a major stretch to touch the radio.
Roadglides aren't for everyone....... but neither are Harleys.