Yeah, I hear what you're saying....those were just my initial impressions. Most that have put many miles on the shark nose say it's better in wind gusts. My experience on it was just short term under near perfect weather conditions without a passenger. One impression I got was that it could be much better with a taller shield on the shark. I don't think one is better than the other, just depends on the rider and what they prefer. If I were picking one based on my short time on them I would pick a batwing, but others who have put many miles on both may say otherwise.

I do have something to add to this.....I talked to 2 older guys together at demo days that have been riding all their lives and touring for 20+ years each. Spent some time talking to them and their got impressions and opinions from their time in the saddle. Each has owned nearly every touring bike made in the last several years & put many miles on them. One currently had an Ultra, but has had a RK, SG and RG and the other just wrecked his Road Glide and was there trying to decide on what new bike he was going to buy to replace his totaled RG. He has owned a RK, EG and a RG. First guy prefers the EG and said he will not own anything else now, while the second guy was leaning toward a new Street Glide, but liked the EG also....both bat wings. Both said they would likely not buy another RG.

While I was at the dealer, another guy (not there for demo days) bought a Street Glide toward the end of the day. I stopped him and talked to him a bit too....he said he has had a Road Gide, Street Glide, and had just bought a new Limited this past February, but he missed his Street Glide, so he traded down and was thrilled to get back on a SG. He did not care for the RG either.

Again these are all just opinions, but I listen to their explanations and absorbed their experiences and why they preferred one bike over another....I learned a lot about touring bikes talking to them.

 

I don't disagree with the frontal part, except a taller shield on the batwing solves the turbulance issue. However a shimmy in the bars from a gust doesn't bother me at all. It's much different than the wide glide on the Deuce I had.

 

I have a 2012 Street Glide and my son has the 2012 Road Glide. He just wanted to be different I think. I like them both but the SG feels a little smaller and everything is in reach. Not a lot of difference in the ride. You'll just have to get a windshield for either bike to fit you.

 

Draw a box, and draw a triangle... now run wind into the face of both. What do you think is better.

I do agree however there are a lot of determining factors at play.. I'm talking apples to apples

 

you were confused... those are Iphone users

 

One looks like a touring bike and one looks like Bender the robot from the Futurama cartoon.
I've ridden both and prefer the lighter feel of a SG. Batwing vs Fixed fairing...no difference in wind deflection, hell, my detachable HD windshield works better than either of those monsters.

 

I rode all three, RG SG AND RK. Would have bet money the RG would be choice because I am a custom to frame mounted fairings. Ended up buying the RK. Go figure. I have about 7k on this now and I like it. Put 12 inch bagger bars on the thing to avoid the 36 spread of wild one chubbys. Had them in 10 in for a while. Didnt like them. If I had to start over I would look at the Eltecta glide utra because I think its the best bang for the buck. Then pull the tour pack off and end up looking like the street g. better ride and still have the look. Seen one in oregon looked awesome

 

I have a 10 SG, good friend has a 10 RGC. Both have Klockwerks windshields of similar height.

I really like both bikes. If HD didn't make the SG Id be totally happy on the RG. I like having the dash closer. The RG really lays the dash out a long ways in front of you. I also think having the windshield closer on the SG helps keep the wind off your and especially your passenger if you ride 2 up.

You can't go wrong. They are both excellent choices. Personally, I decided I prefer the SG.

 

SG owners all know differently.

 

The RG has more room for the rider. The bars are a bit higher and further out, and the "dash board" is further out and easier to read in my opinion. I felt the SG was too cramped, the RG fit me better.

You have to sit on both and decide for yourself the one you like better.

Regarding wind control, the RG isn't effected by the wind blast from passing trucks, where I think all models handlebar mounted windshields would get more of a jolt.

I installed fairing lowers on my RG, now there is little air movement around in the cockpit area. Which is really great when riding on wet roads, especially when there is a lot of spray from adjacent traffic. I stay dry and clean. Before the lowers my legs would get soaked with the mud and spray from the road.

The other thing worth mentioning is that you have to decide if you're getting the bike for your comfort or to show off to others. I bought mine because I think it's the most versatile, comfortable, functional model in the HD lineup (my opinion). But there are haters out there that make it their life mission to run around insulting the RG, thinking their abomination of a ride is the gods gift. So you have to tune them out. It's jealousy I guess.