Go test ride one first.

This is ONLY my opinion.

While I love the way the RG handles without the weight on the forks, love the way it cuts through the wind, and how semi turbulence does not seem to faze it, I would have to agree that you do catch more noticeably more buffeting as the rider, vs the Batwing. I took one out for about 30 mins last week, for the third time, to compare it again to my batwing, as I have considered and tested both bikes each time I have purchased another Harley.

Im staying with the Batwing. BTW, I ALWAYS have run windshields on the batwing that I can see over easily, either the 8 inch or 9.5 inch, so Im not comparing the RG buffeting to the tall *** stock batwing shield.

The RG FEELS more aerodynamic, you can feel it cut through a headwind easier. You dont get that feeling of trying to shove a barn door though a jet exhaust feeling you get with the batwing when heading into a strong headwind. The RG steering feels lighter, without any of the weight on the front forks. You dont get that little shimmy in the front end when passing a Semi from the turbulence that you do on the batwing. When in crosswinds or angular crosswinds, as in coming at the bike at an angle to the front, you feel the entire RG being pushed slightly around, vs having your bars wiggled a bit like the batwing. In a direct crosswind, 90 degrees to the bike, you feel it more on the RG because of the greater side profile of the fixed fairing vs the batwing. When you come to a stop, the RG front wheel does not tend to want to wander a bit like the batwing bikes. It stays pointed dead ahead.

But.

The batwing has less buffeting to the rider, especially the head, better rain and cold protection, better hand protection, and as above, I feel it does better in a 90 degree crosswind because of its lesser side profile. Its downside are the slight shimmy you can get in frontal turbulence, and the tendency for the front wheel to want to flop over more at slow speed if your not paying attention. It also has noticeably more drag in a direct headwind.

Im staying with the batwing. For me, while I like aspects of BOTH, it came down to this. The biggest gripe I have with the RG is the greater buffeting on the rider. That is pretty much a CONSTANT thing. The gripes I have with the batwing are INTERMITTANT things, such as when passing a semi or in other turbulence. I chose the less frequent, though perhaps more serious annoyances of the batwing, over the lesser, but pretty much constant one of the RG.

Go rent the RG for a day, or at least take a good long test ride, preferably on a windy day. They both have pros and cons, neither is perfect, and YOU need to make the decision.

 

Have you seen a picture of the 09 Screamin Eagle Road Glide in Black and Orange?&nbsp\\; IMO, that is the fugliest bike ever made...but I sure want one.
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I've ridden both...if it was me it would be a RG, hands-down.

 

what i want to know is how in the hell did you get all this to post???..lol

 

RG is the way to go. Love that fixed fairing

 

Test ride both.&nbsp\\; I rented both, and then tried a RG at one of the HD test rides.&nbsp\\; I liked the looks of the RG, and the fact that the price was less than the SG.&nbsp\\; Unfortunately, both times I rode the RG I was disappointed in how it handled, rode, and the amount of wind buffeting.&nbsp\\; I went with the SG, which is an awesome machine, and have no regrets.

 

I went through the same decision process - RG won!

 

I prefer the frame mounted fairing for the lack of wind/handling issues. For taller riders, having more handle bar options is a plus. I like the silver engine even though it requires more cleaning. Both bike are awesome. Ride before you decide!

 

For those with RG, I love the Orange &amp\\; Black 09 SE RG.&nbsp\\; I'm going to test a or rent a RG.&nbsp\\; If I do get lots of buffeting then I would be greatly disappointed and not get one.&nbsp\\; Do the RGs come with the air dam between the forks.&nbsp\\; If so and you still get bufetting, how do you overcome this.&nbsp\\; Is their an aftermarket part.

Thanks for your replies in advance
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As mentioned, rent or test ride each one, its such a personal choice. I have a SG, a buddy has a RG, neither one of us likes the others bikes, for various reasons. Ask me, SG all the way, ask him, RG hands down.......

 

&nbsp\\;RG does it for me! Been ridin mine for 6 1/2 years now.[sm=biker2.gif]