Road King vs Batwing
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,105
Likes: 16
From: Blaine, WA
Road King vs Batwing
Looking at a touring model of some sort, starting to like the look of Road Kings, or maybe an Ultra or SG but not sure which will suit me best, main concern is battling the buffeting issue again. I'm 5'9, 32" inseam, I wear a full face helmet and tend to like a tiny forward lean or upright.
Is there any significant difference in buffeting issues between a RK and say, an Ultra or SG as far as ease of solving? Tried several different things on the Dyna and found the little National Cycle Flyscreen to work the best - kept most of the wind off my chest and just clean undisturbed air hitting chin level or slightly above. Can't say the same about the HD touring screen I tried once before swapping it for a huge Clearview - HD one was the worst ride I've ever had.
Is there anything like a flyscreen for a RK? What about the CVO/Windsplitter, do they work or just fluff? Is there much difference between the two from a passengers perspective? I know I need to go test ride some but hate to pick something and end up hating it because of buffeting.
Also, can you run street glide front signals on a RK and still keep the detach mounts intact?
Is there any significant difference in buffeting issues between a RK and say, an Ultra or SG as far as ease of solving? Tried several different things on the Dyna and found the little National Cycle Flyscreen to work the best - kept most of the wind off my chest and just clean undisturbed air hitting chin level or slightly above. Can't say the same about the HD touring screen I tried once before swapping it for a huge Clearview - HD one was the worst ride I've ever had.
Is there anything like a flyscreen for a RK? What about the CVO/Windsplitter, do they work or just fluff? Is there much difference between the two from a passengers perspective? I know I need to go test ride some but hate to pick something and end up hating it because of buffeting.
Also, can you run street glide front signals on a RK and still keep the detach mounts intact?
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 843
Likes: 43
From: Louisiana
Looking at a touring model of some sort, starting to like the look of Road Kings, or maybe an Ultra or SG but not sure which will suit me best, main concern is battling the buffeting issue again. I'm 5'9, 32" inseam, I wear a full face helmet and tend to like a tiny forward lean or upright.
Is there any significant difference in buffeting issues between a RK and say, an Ultra or SG as far as ease of solving? Tried several different things on the Dyna and found the little National Cycle Flyscreen to work the best - kept most of the wind off my chest and just clean undisturbed air hitting chin level or slightly above. Can't say the same about the HD touring screen I tried once before swapping it for a huge Clearview - HD one was the worst ride I've ever had.
Is there anything like a flyscreen for a RK? What about the CVO/Windsplitter, do they work or just fluff? Is there much difference between the two from a passengers perspective? I know I need to go test ride some but hate to pick something and end up hating it because of buffeting.
Also, can you run street glide front signals on a RK and still keep the detach mounts intact?
Is there any significant difference in buffeting issues between a RK and say, an Ultra or SG as far as ease of solving? Tried several different things on the Dyna and found the little National Cycle Flyscreen to work the best - kept most of the wind off my chest and just clean undisturbed air hitting chin level or slightly above. Can't say the same about the HD touring screen I tried once before swapping it for a huge Clearview - HD one was the worst ride I've ever had.
Is there anything like a flyscreen for a RK? What about the CVO/Windsplitter, do they work or just fluff? Is there much difference between the two from a passengers perspective? I know I need to go test ride some but hate to pick something and end up hating it because of buffeting.
Also, can you run street glide front signals on a RK and still keep the detach mounts intact?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,153
Likes: 42
From: AZ
I've had a street glide, a limited, and a road king. All of them had some degree of buffeting that is relatively easy to get rid of. I wouldn't let the "buffeting" be the deciding factor for a new bike. Batwings transmit wind gusts through the bars. When riding in windy gusty conditions the front end moves around alittle. No big deal. The batwing has the classic Harley look to it. It's widely recognized even amoung people that don't really know bikes as a Harley. Or do you like a more open raw elemental look - road king. With a Road King its you the bike and the road. Pure. It'snot you the bike and the touch screen and the ipod and the blue tooth and the gps and... Road kings are also very versatile in that in 5 seconds you can pull the windshield off and have a open wind in your face ride. Or put the windshield on and some luggage or tour pack and go cross country. Just depends what you like.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 528
Likes: 14
From: pittsburgh
You're riding a motorcycle and complaining about the wind? Isn't it like complaining about getting wet while scuba diving? Or being too high while sky diving? Or too far from starbucks while hunting? Or getting sticky during sex? Just want "clean" air to come by you? Is clean air like the air that comes out the AC vents in my car? A smooth, steady stream like from a fan?
I'm sure I'm missing something but wind/rain/bugs and other stuff are why I ride in the first place.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 900
Likes: 1
From: Denver, CO
You can enjoy the wind, rain and bugs just fine and yet eliminate the strong currents that blow your shirt up over your face, choke you out with the chinstrap or flap your eyewear all over the place. Best combo to accomplish this is a windshield of some sort and fork deflectors which have about 5 active threads running right now. You're still enjoying the breeze; just a tad calmer.
OP, I had a Heritage before and a Limited now. Biggest difference I'm noticing w/ the batwing is it does catch a lot of air and can tend to pull you one way or the other until you get used to it and compensate. It doesn't feel uncomfortable or dangerous; just something you have to adapt to. I imagine the King, much like the Heritage, would not have this issue.
OP, I had a Heritage before and a Limited now. Biggest difference I'm noticing w/ the batwing is it does catch a lot of air and can tend to pull you one way or the other until you get used to it and compensate. It doesn't feel uncomfortable or dangerous; just something you have to adapt to. I imagine the King, much like the Heritage, would not have this issue.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,105
Likes: 16
From: Blaine, WA
You know that kid is class that isn't sure to ask the really dumb question cause he'll look dumb, well that's me on the whole topic of buffeting. I've actually done google searches to try to understand what the hell people are talking about.
You're riding a motorcycle and complaining about the wind? Isn't it like complaining about getting wet while scuba diving? Or being too high while sky diving? Or too far from starbucks while hunting? Or getting sticky during sex? Just want "clean" air to come by you? Is clean air like the air that comes out the AC vents in my car? A smooth, steady stream like from a fan?
I'm sure I'm missing something but wind/rain/bugs and other stuff are why I ride in the first place.
You're riding a motorcycle and complaining about the wind? Isn't it like complaining about getting wet while scuba diving? Or being too high while sky diving? Or too far from starbucks while hunting? Or getting sticky during sex? Just want "clean" air to come by you? Is clean air like the air that comes out the AC vents in my car? A smooth, steady stream like from a fan?
I'm sure I'm missing something but wind/rain/bugs and other stuff are why I ride in the first place.