When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I've ridden for years. With and without windshields. When it came time to get a touring bike, I wanted it for one specific task, touring.
I just got back from a 4300 mile trip. The last two days were 700 miles back to back.
I have 12" KST bars and they put my hands above the fairing, but not in the wind. The vast majority of the air is still above them but the comfort is worth the little air that way get them. I found myself holding out my hands to get air on them when they got hot.
I added a Mustang seat and 6.5 Klock Werks windshield. I do not get buffeting and I'm 6ft, but I wear a FF all the time.
I have back issues so the seat has a backrest that I use for long rides. As far as handling, the bike handles great when using proper techniques and I find it suitable for long touring and in town commuting as well.
I considered the RK but decided specifically I wanted the fairing for the added protection from wind. It was a great decision. The stereo for music was an added bonus I never knew I'd always wanted.
Love my standard. Made her mine. As far as the 12 inch bars, I have them and the hands catch a little wind, but not much. It is still somewhat deflected by the fairing. I love a Road King, but you can RELAX while riding a bike with a fairing. No wind trying to push you off.
I had a 2007 Road King custom I had the standard windshield and then I added a Reckless batwing fairing. I thought it was great quality and did a great job for wind protection. I had mostly ridden Dynas at the point. In 2020 I bought an EGS, this has been my favorite Harley. It is more comfortable and much quicker than my Road King with stage 2. I will say, that it is a blank canvas to make it your own. So after 18 months and 15,000 miles and about $6,000 additional bucks it is a perfect bike for me. Fast, handles well, comfortable.
Last edited by Shifu1985; Jun 15, 2021 at 09:30 PM.
Check out a Street Glide standard. I'm a big fan of the Road Kings but did trade mine for a '21 black Street Glide standard and haven't looked back. The #1 driver for me to trade was the gauges being high up in the batwing fairing vs having to look down at the tank to see what was going on on the Road King. For years I complained about fairing bikes. After owning this one, wondering why I didn't pull the trigger sooner. Always said that I didn't need a radio but sometimes it's nice. As far as protection and comfort, I have 12 inch KST Bison bars on it and it gets my hands up just enough to get a breeze on them which I like now that its June. I'm 6'2, added a 4.5 inch Memphis Shades spoiler windshield and lower fairings, can ride all day in a comfortable pocket of air.
Check out a Street Glide standard. I'm a big fan of the Road Kings but did trade mine for a '21 black Street Glide standard and haven't looked back. The #1 driver for me to trade was the gauges being high up in the batwing fairing vs having to look down at the tank to see what was going on on the Road King. For years I complained about fairing bikes. After owning this one, wondering why I didn't pull the trigger sooner. Always said that I didn't need a radio but sometimes it's nice. As far as protection and comfort, I have 12 inch KST Bison bars on it and it gets my hands up just enough to get a breeze on them which I like now that its June. I'm 6'2, added a 4.5 inch Memphis Shades spoiler windshield and lower fairings, can ride all day in a comfortable pocket of air.
I sold my 2018 RoadKing Special. Mostly because I love all the upgrades on the 2021 RoadKing Special and the RDRS. But I told myself to look at other bikes besides the RKS. I'm definitely looking at the fairing bikes although I never road one. I've sat on then at the dealership and the front feels alot heavier just standing the bike up. I worry that not the best thing for a bad back. Especially slow maneuvers. With that said the pocket away from the blast of air behind the fairing sounds like it would be better for my back once up and going.
This is definitely a hard decision being that I think the 2021 RoadKing Special is literally the best looking bike in Harleys line up and I'm totally in love with it. I even like tha bar and shield badge on the tank. Buts it's definitely at the max limit of price. If I go fairing I'll have to get the Street Glide standard or Electra Glide Standard to stay in budget. Both have the smaller engine (not that it's a big power difference) and their not blacked out (although I still like chrome) just like blacked out I bit better.
But if the fairing is light years better I will go that direction if it means better riding. Especially for my back.
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.
Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.
Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.
