Road Glide: Old Fairing vs. New

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Apr 5, 2017 | 10:11 PM

drspencer

Thread Starter

Road Warrior

Joined: Feb 2010

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Road Glide: Old Fairing vs. New

Looks aside, are there any advantages in having a Road Glide with the newer style fairing vs. the old?

Is the wind buffeting/protection equal on both?

Thanks

Apr 5, 2017 | 10:51 PM

Desertwndrr

Tourer

Joined: Dec 2011

Posts: 344

Likes: 27

From: Southern Utah

A windshield will make all the difference, for either shield.

I have both models. The newer model has been designed better and is tighter fitting and also has less "clunkiness" to it. I prefer the newer fairing, but then again, my favorite bike is my 2012.

Apr 5, 2017 | 11:03 PM

deadhawg

Stellar HDF Member

Joined: Apr 2010

Posts: 2,960

Likes: 1,993

From: CA

Either way, there's a lot of aftermarket windshields that make the biggest difference. For me, my 2000 Roadglide with a Cee Bailey's windshield provided better protection and less buffeting than my '16 RGU with the stock windshield. Still trying to decide between a Freedom Shield or Mastaad for it.

Apr 6, 2017 | 04:18 AM

Hasher

Road Captain

Joined: Dec 2014

Posts: 722

Likes: 374

From: Daytona

The new faring is much more aerodynamic which translates to less head buffeting. That said, I have a Madstad windshield on my '05 and it's almost as good, albeit kind of fuglier.

Apr 6, 2017 | 06:06 AM

ybnorml

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 34,661

Likes: 36,273

From: outskirts of ba habba

I don't dare test ride a newer model...
I enjoy the way my '08 is dialed in.

Apr 6, 2017 | 06:46 AM

smitty901

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Feb 2008

Posts: 23,001

Likes: 11,441

Never really had an issue with the old style faring for riding . Myself I did not see the need for the vents. 3 with the old style and on my second with the new. Still do use the vents.
Could have road my 2013 for years , but there were other changes I wanted that nothing to with the faring.
Wind seems to be a issue with some and not others. Only way you will know is ride them

Apr 6, 2017 | 07:32 AM

Super08

Supporter

Joined: Jun 2015

Posts: 1,046

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From: Alberta

For those looking for a shield on there Rushmore I can say the Freedom is the best I have had on my bike. I have had stock, 15.5" Harley shield, 16" LRS, 15" Freedom Sport and 16" Freedom Touring. The two Freedom shields perform the best by far.