Wind buffet comparison on Ultra or Road Glides
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
From: NC
Wind buffet comparison on Ultra or Road Glides
All,
If you have read my other posts, we are looking for our next bike, a touring model because at 6'0" the Deluxe is just too uncomfortable. And to be honest, I am wanting back support as well as wind protection.
I can't stand that sand that gets picked up by heavy trailers nor the cage exhaust water drips that manage to hit me in the face. Even the large bugs don't bother me as much as the sand and water drops. Anyhow, off that rant, it's the full touring bike for me as well as more importantly, keeping my wife comfortable. No matter which model comes home I will eventually mod it with detachable hardware to pull off the touring trunk and passenger pillion to put a nice solo rack over the fender.
We could not ride the RGS the other day due to a HD recall for the hydraulic clutch. We did ride an Ultra and really liked it a lot. We both still experienced a degree of wind buffeting and I was wondering if I put a 1" taller that stock windshield would it go away?
Next is the test ride of the RGS. What I am soliciting are responses of comparisons between the Ultra and RGS as far as wind buffeting. My wife is 5'7" and again I am 6'0".
If you have read my other posts, we are looking for our next bike, a touring model because at 6'0" the Deluxe is just too uncomfortable. And to be honest, I am wanting back support as well as wind protection.
I can't stand that sand that gets picked up by heavy trailers nor the cage exhaust water drips that manage to hit me in the face. Even the large bugs don't bother me as much as the sand and water drops. Anyhow, off that rant, it's the full touring bike for me as well as more importantly, keeping my wife comfortable. No matter which model comes home I will eventually mod it with detachable hardware to pull off the touring trunk and passenger pillion to put a nice solo rack over the fender.
We could not ride the RGS the other day due to a HD recall for the hydraulic clutch. We did ride an Ultra and really liked it a lot. We both still experienced a degree of wind buffeting and I was wondering if I put a 1" taller that stock windshield would it go away?
Next is the test ride of the RGS. What I am soliciting are responses of comparisons between the Ultra and RGS as far as wind buffeting. My wife is 5'7" and again I am 6'0".
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 5,105
Likes: 16
From: Blaine, WA
No one can really say what a bike will or won't do for YOU - what works for one may be horrible for the next, everyone is different. I'd ride both back to back and decide then. Chances are the RG will give less buffeting but you have to ride it to see.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,148
Likes: 6,171
From: SE Michigan
Buffeting is an interesting question, many factors.
I have a Road Glide Ultra (which of course means it has lowers and the guard mounted deflectors, two *very* important factors in reducing buffeting), an LRS sheild.
Now, I very rarely ride two up, and when I do its with my one of my kids, and then its for short rides.
With this setup *I* dont have a problem with buffeting at all, but I suspect the wind whips back to the passenger.
I'm told the best solution for that is a Madstad windsheild. From what I can tell nearly every Madstad owner swears by it. For others, they cant get past the look of it. Personally I think it looks kinda cool.
I have a Road Glide Ultra (which of course means it has lowers and the guard mounted deflectors, two *very* important factors in reducing buffeting), an LRS sheild.
Now, I very rarely ride two up, and when I do its with my one of my kids, and then its for short rides.
With this setup *I* dont have a problem with buffeting at all, but I suspect the wind whips back to the passenger.
I'm told the best solution for that is a Madstad windsheild. From what I can tell nearly every Madstad owner swears by it. For others, they cant get past the look of it. Personally I think it looks kinda cool.
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 633
Likes: 4
From: missouri
I dont know about wind buffering, I go by the goatee test. I have a long goatee so I try to find a bike that lets me ride and not get slapped in the face by it. I had a 2013 Road Glide Ultra that was great and didn't have Goatee problems. I bought a 2013 CVO Road Glide Custom, they dont come with lowers, my goatee was all over the place, put lowers on it and solved the problem. Then I bought a 2014 limited, goatee was flying around again, fork fangs helped but not as good as the 2 Road Glides. Bought a 2015 CVO Road Glide. Put a Freedom Shield on it. Once again great beard control. If you want good wind management on a Glide you have to do lowers.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: SOON TO BE A SAFE AMERICA
^^^^^^ Yep, what he said!!!
Any stock bike will have to undergo some type of mods, regardless of fixed, or non fixed fairing, or just shields.
But for Road Glides new or old, generally speaking, lower fairings, black plastics engine guards deflectors and a aftermarket wind screen seems to make most riders happy as a fat pig in mud!!!!
YB
Any stock bike will have to undergo some type of mods, regardless of fixed, or non fixed fairing, or just shields.
But for Road Glides new or old, generally speaking, lower fairings, black plastics engine guards deflectors and a aftermarket wind screen seems to make most riders happy as a fat pig in mud!!!!
YB
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 803
Likes: 3
From: In the wind.....
^^^^^^ Yep, what he said!!!
Any stock bike will have to undergo some type of mods, regardless of fixed, or non fixed fairing, or just shields.
But for Road Glides new or old, generally speaking, lower fairings, black plastics engine guards deflectors and a aftermarket wind screen seems to make most riders happy as a fat pig in mud!!!!
YB
Any stock bike will have to undergo some type of mods, regardless of fixed, or non fixed fairing, or just shields.
But for Road Glides new or old, generally speaking, lower fairings, black plastics engine guards deflectors and a aftermarket wind screen seems to make most riders happy as a fat pig in mud!!!!
YB
Compared to my 14 Limited I get more wind but it is much smoother and doesn't bounce me around.
In a good cross wind the RGU holds the road much better.
My wife says as fats as she's concerned there is no real difference for her.
A few weeks from now we will be doing a 200 mile trip, all Hiway. Looking forward to it.
Thread Starter
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
From: NC
I can understand the lowers helping as they stop the wind coming up the shins, knees and up the chest.
Would anyone argue the benefits of the road glide over the batwing fairing in terms of better wind protection or reduction of head buffeting?
Would anyone argue the benefits of the road glide over the batwing fairing in terms of better wind protection or reduction of head buffeting?