Any Downside To The Batwing Fairing ??
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 295
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From:
I ride a Fatboy with a standard windshield, to work everyday, and an Ultra on trip on the weekend.
The bat fairing as you call it, will keep your hands protected from rocks, bees and the cool wind, let alone the rain. But the Ultra does get throughn around more in the wind, and trying to miss pot holes on gravel roads is a little tougher too. But I still think my Ultra is my fav.
The bat fairing as you call it, will keep your hands protected from rocks, bees and the cool wind, let alone the rain. But the Ultra does get throughn around more in the wind, and trying to miss pot holes on gravel roads is a little tougher too. But I still think my Ultra is my fav.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 77
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There are a few disadvantages but for me I like them so much I added one to my Road King. They tend to be a little warmer in the hottest of climates. A shorter windshield came give you more air flow and adjustable vents can help with that. Getting everything just right can take some experimenting with windshields and heights to eliminate the worst of buffeting. The near bike ground vision is more limited. If, god forbid, you drop your bike often bought yourself an expensive paint job and repair. Strong side winds and trucks can definitely let you know it's there at times. But protection from the elements is superior to anything else offered and a caddy for radio and places to mount gadgets makes life easier and conceals the cludder. I think when you get used to having one for long tours then ride without one you usually decide those few negatives are offset by a lot of positives and your hooked for life behind a fairing. IMHO
Last edited by Cruise; Aug 28, 2008 at 12:15 AM.
Although my last two bikes have had them 1994 FLHTC & 2004 FLHT My next bike will be a Road Glide. As much as I've convinced myself that the batwing is good and old school. The crosswinds I've experienced for Thousands of miles of turbulence has convinced me that a fairing mounted to the frame would make it more comfortable not bench pressing hundreds of pounds for countless miles with my body dangling over one side of my scooter.
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,290
Likes: 4
From: Payson, AZ
I bought a detachable batwing fairing for my Road King thinking I would just use it on road trips and winter riding, but it spoiled me so much I never take it off!
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
I've had no complaints with the batwing. I log 30,000 miles a year and ride daily in nearly any conditions. I haven't found the wind or trucks to be too big a deal in my experience.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,913
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From:
I had a fairing on an Ultra and the only real negative is it gets hot behind it in the Texas summer. If I was going to have a fairing I would want the batwing because I like that there is no mistaking it for anything but a Harley. However, I prefer a windshield to a fairing and I don't need the tunes or radio.
