Woody's makes a great product, and you already know the difference in coverage between the Road King Windshield and a Bat-Wing. But, you can make the trip to Sturgis either way.

I personally am more comfortable behind a my detachable bat wing. But I also have a tour pack and fairing lowers. So, I can do the full dresser route and pull it all off when I get there as long as I have someplace to put them.

I can also pull the pillion and go the stripped down Street Glide look

 

Thanks for the replies guys. I know I can do it & more often than not ride without the windscreen all together but just haven't ridden the distance to Sturgis before. I guess if I opt not to go with the batwing I could add the HogTunes to my handlebars & just ride! I guess that would also free up some cash for more chrome too.....

 

Prior to getting my Dragonfly I did many 1,500+ mile rides with the windshield. It's 100% fine...and kinda nice to look across that beautiful headlight nacelle on the long haul.

I still switch-out between windshield, dragonfly, and nothing...one of the best tings about the RK of course...flexibility with the overall experience and look.

Have fun.

 

You've got what you've got. You can make it work. My first HD was a RK and I loved the bike, but I don't think I would ever go back to that platform after having owned two Ultras.

 

unless you're planing on doing the whole 1200 miles in one day i don't see how you'd have a problem . even then it probably wouldn't be that bad

 

That's what riding is all about, isn't it? The wind! That sounds like an awesome trip and I know you can do it.

I did 5800+ on this in 16 days and now I'm spoiled!



Happy Holidays,
Ken

 

If you get the $60 fork wind deflectors, you'll be fine with no buffeting on the freeway with the stock windscreen. (provided you're looking just over the top of the stock shield). With a slightly taller screen and the deflectors, I can ride with no eye protection at 80mph. I doubt it would get any better with a batwing, although the tunes would be nice. On my last longer trip I just used earbuds.

 

Klay, I had a '97 RK that had almost 85K miles on it before I traded in on my Ultra. The majority of those 85K miles were going from Pittsburgh, PA out west to Sturgis 3 times, the Grand Tetons, Yellowstone and finally Moab, Utah. The windshield works just great. Remember, you need to be able to look over it not through it. If you have to shorten it up. I'm only 5'5 and used a 4" lowered windshield. If anything you might want to look into a set of lower fairing for the RK on long distance trips.

But as Mike said before. It's really more about the seat and hand position. And by all means get a drivers back rest for the long trips. Your ablilty to lean back against it, thus taking all the strain off your arms and shoulders makes the long distance rides easy. Also, don't try to do 600 mile days unless you really need to. 400 miles is a easy distance, gets you in for the night around 4pm with a 8am start and you don't feel tired.

 

I was considering the fork deflectors, but was unsure how well they worked. Guess I need to add to the 'wish list'!

 

I traded my 11 Limited for an 11 RKC. Hated the batwing. On a windy day, and we have lots of those, that batwing was like a sail. Love the RKC and will never own another fairing bike. I feel I get plenty of protection with just the windshield. Plus I actually feel like I'm more in touch with the feeling of riding as opposed to just being on a bike.