they call them Ultras for one reason

 

depends on what you are after. Looks and weather protection go Ultra. Riding stability and low speed handling go Road Glide.

 

Road Glide is called Ultra too! 'Glide to live....Live to Glide'

 

Ride 'em both.....and whichever is most comfortable is the one you want.
Our opinions shouldn't influence your 20 plus thousand $$$$ investment.

Good luck and enjoy the buying experience

 

I was in the same boat, girl went through a stop sign and totaled my 08 SG. I tried the RG custom and have not looked back. Try them both and decide.

 

I'm with some of the others here, rent them both for a day and then decide. If you go with a 2009+ or 2002-06 you will still get the feel for the difference between the 2. I have owned both types, here are my thoughts:

Batwing
-More protection from the elements
-Closer to stereo for better sound
-Cheaper to change windshields and better mounting system
-Handling may be a little heavier although I never really noticed
-Closer fairing feels a little crowded

Sharknose
-Fairing further away less crowded
-Maybe a little better in heavy cross wind but again I never really noticed
-Windshields are more expensive and mount system sucks IMO
-Less protection, I get rocks and such coming up between the fairing and forks
-Slightly lighter handling feel

With that being said, I would like to go back to a batwing eventually, just don't want to take a bath on my RG.

 

FWIW, my batwing fairing isn't heavy at all...maybe the previous years were, but mine is light and easy to move about....low speed handling is superb.

~Joe

 

Last September traded in my 2006 FLHTCUI with over 26,000 miles for a 2011 RGU. Engine mods notwithstanding on either bike the RGU is a much better handling machine whether riding solo or with my wife. She is much more comfortable on the new ride eventhough I have not installed the Kurykyn adjustable passenger pegs that we had on the UC. The ride is silky smooth on the highway and very nimble around town. Much more room in the cockpit due to the fixed fairing. In my case wind buffeting is not much of a problem with the stock screen. Reaching for the stereo buttons takes some getting used to but tolerable. Added Boom amp and speakers so the sound is great even at highway speed. Before the engine mods the stock mill provided more than enough even power. After the engine work very impressed. Getting 41-44 MPG compared to 37-38 MPG on the UC. Have 3,500 miles so far but have not hit any heavy rain yet so I can not say anything about weather protection as of yet. I would think the UC would provide a little better result. Six gal tank, newer suspension and Brembo brakes are fabulous features. Eventhough these upgrades are available on batwings I still prefer the fixed fairing. Lets face it the Road Glides are the only Harleys that look like they are moving when they are standing still.