Wind Protection: Electra Glide vs. Road King

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Apr 27, 2007 | 06:11 PM

#21

King FLH

Road Captain

Joined: Apr 2007

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From:

RE: Wind Protection: Electra Glide vs. Road King

I just traded an EG for a RK, and the EG has better wind protection no doubt. But, I felt boxed in and didn't need that batwing for the hot weather. So, I'm gonna get a detatchable batwing for the RK for cold weather. Kinda makes a RK the best all around choice cuz it's convertible three ways. Fairing, windshield, or nothing at all!!!

Apr 27, 2007 | 06:27 PM

#22

BrianDamage

Cruiser

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 246

Likes: 1

From: Hartselle, AL

RE: Wind Protection: Electra Glide vs. Road Kingw

Quote:

ORIGINAL: leond

Quote:

ORIGINAL: alexcue

Road King is just a great looking bike tho, IMO.

And that's the HUGE problem. If the RK looked like a dog, it wouldn't be an issue.

The Electra Glide hits my practical buttons and the Road King hits my emotional buttons.

LeonD
[/quote]

so buy a Road King and then get an aftermarket fairing later. At least then you can take it on/off easily. You can have your cake and eat it too

Apr 27, 2007 | 07:06 PM

#23

Lost1

Outstanding HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 2,032

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From: Alabama

RE: Wind Protection: Electra Glide vs. Road Kingw

Quote:

ORIGINAL: leond

Thanks for the input guys. This helps a lot. It seems like the Electra Glide has the better wind protection hands down.

Going with the Electra Glide, how's the quality of the wind protection? Is there any buffeting? How's the wind noise? Is there a need for ear plugs?

Also, I'd assume that on hot days, by putting a short screen on the Electra, that would let some air thru for cooling. Is this correct?

Thanks again,
LeonD

Wind/bug/rain protection is very good with the batwing. People forget about bug protection when talking fairings & windscreens, but once you catch a wasp in the helmet or shirt at 35 mph it becomes one of your prime considerations in bike selection from that day forward.

Rain protection is better as well; you'll usually stay drier with a fairing.

I'm about 6'3" and on my Glide the stock windshield created a little buffeting on top of my half helmet at speeds over 65. So I bought the H-D extended height shield that's 3" taller and now I get no buffeting at any speeds. You won't need earplugs; when cruising at 60-65 on the highway all you'll hear is a little wind, the rumble of the pipes, the noise of the engine, and whatever tunes you have going in the stereo. No turbulence, buffeting, or wind roar.
(I'm speaking in relative terms; these are motorcycles and wind is part of the deal. But relatively speaking, the Glide is much more turbulence and wind free than bikes with windscreens only.)

And IMO, unless you plan to do most of your cruising in town, forget the shorty windshield. They're great for looks but don't do much to protect you at speed. You can get air diverters that mount neatly on the batwing to direct airflow to you, and you can always remove the fairing lowers if equipped.

Apr 27, 2007 | 07:31 PM

#24

buzzlink

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Joined: Jan 2007

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RE: Wind Protection: Electra Glide vs. Road Kingw

...and that was my same dilemma when I set out to choose - I also liked the looks of the Road King, but thought seriously about the fairing bikes. But in the end, the convertability of the King won out. I will get a detachable Quadzilla or Dragonfly fairing eventually to get what I consider the best of both. Good luck with your decision. You may change your mind a couple times before the final one. As many have said, you can't go wrong with any HD bagger.

Apr 27, 2007 | 07:37 PM

#25

mistermooster

Road Warrior

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 1,481

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From:

RE: Wind Protection: Electra Glide vs. Road King

Quote:

ORIGINAL: Gunkholes

Anyone running the folding Freedom Wings on their fairings? On my RK, the chrome walrus tooth lowers made a huge difference, since most of the helmet rattling turbulence is coming from below.

Had Freedom Wings on my SG. They worked well, but I never folded 'em up; kept them down 100% to reduce buffeting, even in hot weather. On my EG I went with the HD fairing lowers. They work just as well, in my opinion.

Apr 27, 2007 | 07:44 PM

#26

mistermooster

Road Warrior

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 1,481

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From:

RE: Wind Protection: Electra Glide vs. Road Kingw

Quote:

ORIGINAL: leond

Going with the Electra Glide, how's the quality of the wind protection? Is there any buffeting? How's the wind noise? Is there a need for ear plugs?

Also, I'd assume that on hot days, by putting a short screen on the Electra, that would let some air thru for cooling. Is this correct?

Thanks again,
LeonD

There was some buffeting on my EG, so I added HD's fairing lowers. At $30, what have you got to lose? Regarding the windscreen: I personally don't like the looks of a tall windshield, but the 4" screen is a joke as far as function goes. I compromised and got an 8" smoked Clearview with a recurve at the top... makes it work like a regular 10" windshield. I get a little wind around my ears, but not in my face.

Apr 29, 2007 | 06:45 AM

#27

The Pawnbroker

Road Captain

Joined: Apr 2007

Posts: 635

Likes: 14

From: Annapolis, MD

RE: Wind Protection: Electra Glide vs. Road Kingw

I have ridden a lot of different bikes. Comfort is a pretty big concern for me. My Ultra is a very smooth, stable and quiet ride. Very little buffeting if any. I can actually hear the radio. I've never had a radio on a bike before and didn't think I would use it at all but I can hear it fine and love it. In the cool weather, the batwing fairing really helps keep the hands warmer etc.

Apr 29, 2007 | 08:53 AM

#28

Arizona

Ultimate HDF Member

Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 5,878

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From: The Desert SouthWest

RE: Wind Protection: Electra Glide vs. Road Kingw

After logging 30,000+ miles on a metric cruiser with windscreen and now having an Electra Glide Classic I have to say it's an incredibly comfortable bike. Wind protection is excellent of course. I've tried the taller windscreen and also a shorter one and prefer the shorter, even in winter. I don't find the buffeting to be that significant and enjoy the more open feel than with the taller screen.

Whatever appeals to you more is the right choice for you though. Both are awesome bikes to say the least.