Thinking of ordering lower hard fairings for my 2008 105th anniversary FLTR Road Glide.

I've been using the engine guard mounted soft fairing. It does a good job of reducing the wind buffeting. Thinking of the hard fairings because I would like to consider a more permanent solution than my current soft fairings. Plus, I like the looks of the hard fairings on the RG.

The HD catalogue has "non vent" for the RG. Other touring models are offered a choice between vent and non-vent.

My questions are

• Is vented also a choice for the RG?
• If the vent is not an option for the RG, can an equivalent be installed?
• Is the vent worthwhile?
• Is the purchase of the hard fairings wothwhile (vented or non vented)?
• Is the hard fairing uncomfortably hot for summer riding?

Thanks

 

I just received the HD fairing lowers for my '08 Road Glide. I only have a couple of hundred miles on them, so I'll wait until after the weekend to post a comprehensive impression.

The HD lowers do not have a venting option, although there are some aftermarket solutions available. My initial impression is that the vents aren't needed to offer adequate cooling of the engine in the summer. The instructions suggest to remove the fork baffle to improve cooling and comfort, which I will do once hot weather arrives. But my hope is to run the lowers all year - they make a significant improvement to wind management behind the Road Glide fairing. Again, my observation is limited to a hundred miles or so at this time, but I it seems that the helmet buffeting is almost gone. But the most noticeable improvement has been the elimination of the air coming up beside the tank and hitting the inside of my arms and front portion of my armpits. In the summer, this air is not a problem (even welcome), but in the winter that air keeps even my Gerbings jacket liner from providing the overall warmth that I need to comfortably ride in 25* weather.

I am hoping that my incoming Power Commander and its richer mixture will provide sufficient reduction in engine temperature that I can keep the lowers on all summer. Here in Atlanta, it is not uncommon for my fairing thermometer to read 100* at street level in slow interstate commuting during the hottest days and that's simply uncomfortable no matter who you are.

I have always used a full face helmet in the winter and a 3/4 helmet with visor in the summer to help control the amount of wind that hits my face. I rode last night with a half helmet and eyeglasses and found that the lowers controlled the wind enough that this was pleasant. While not normally a big fan of half helmets, it was interesting that the lowers provided a relatively calm pocket and made this combo workable.

Of course, the lowers are expensive for what you get and compared to those offered for the Electra Glides. And when/if you add the storage boxes, you have over $1k invested in them. But I think it may have been a very, very good investment.

With the nice weather forecast for the weekend, I plan to put several hundred miles behind them and will post a more detailed report next week.

 

I have an 02 Road Glide (didn't have the fork baffle stock) and bought lowers for it whe I got the bike. In warm (doesn't have to be hot) weather it would fry my thighs if I had the lowers on, so I've always removed them around March and put back on around November. Last summer I got some of the KuryAkyn saddle shields and have ridden a couple times in warm weather this month without too much heat. I may try keeping them on for a while longer to see if it is tolerable, but without them it isn't IMO.

 

I bought the Hogg Chopps lowers from Andy at Hogg Chopps. I am waiting their arrival, color matched. They are different shaped than the HD lowers and I have ridden a RG with them before. They redirect air to the engine and toward the rider and cut buffeting too. They are alo 1/2 the price of HD lowers. I will leave them on all year. As FLTRs are the red-headed stepchild of the HD family don't look for a vented lower anytime soon! Vents are available from Kury, Harley Goodies and others that are easily installed in the factory lowers, but I wanted a different look.

 

I don't have any experience on the summer riding yet. I installed lowers on my 07 RKC at the start of fall last year fall season none vented type cause I rider year around. they do help with the wind so well that I don't wear chaps. since I don't plan on removing them during the summer I incoporated my own vent to direct more air to the engine. and made custom mount for 6.5 speakers. Are they worth it, riding year around to me they are. I'll soon find out if they are worth it for summer riding since they do a good job in diverting the wind away from your legs. By the way you can find fiberglass lowers on Ebay better prize than the dealer. paid 200.00 for a pair already painted gloss black.

 

I too have limited experience with the fairing lowers, as I bought a 2006 RG with fairing lowers installed and on the only warm day (about 70 degrees) I was quite hot by the time I got home. That was mostly highway miles too (about 35 miles on the highway, and 6 miles country roads).

I can tell you that on cold days these things are the best for keeping you very warm. My brother and I went riding on a 34 degree day and all I wore was jeans and a medium weight jacket. My brother on the other hand ridng his 2005 UC had a heavy weight jacket with chaps was still quite cold. We traded bike for about 10 miles and I about froze on his, and he too couldn't believe how warm you stayed on the RG. I plan on taking mine off when the weather gets a little warm and it's quite easy to do too.

 

My '06 Road Glide came with the H-D lowers. I'm very pleased with the Hoppe Air Max vents that I installed them. Info can be found here http://hoppeindustries.com/store/air...ers-p-152.html

Good luck!

 

Just put a set of lowers off a 05 ultra on my 04 RG. Got them off E Bay for a really good deal. There was minimal cutting to get them to fit and they make a world of difference. I plan to leave them on year round. Dealer price was way too much. I was able to do the whole thing for $300. installed which included having them painted (Vivid Black) of course, and buying all the mounting hardware from the Stealer. If you don't mind alittle work you WILL save $$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

 

All, great information. Thank you all.

Rottiman, what is involved in transforming lower fairings from an UC to fit a RG?

 

I just removed the lowers from my Road Glide for the third time. They & the bike were stock except for a Power Commander the first time. In 75/85 deg. weather they nearly cooked me.

The second time I added the Hoppe vents & went back out in 75/85 deg. weather. The heat on the front of my legs was tolerable, but the heat from the rear cylinder & Y pipe was still too much.

The third try was with the new 2 into 1 Supertrapp pipe & a couple of different maps for the Power Commander. In 75/85 deg. temps. it was just tolerable. I realized that even though they provide a great solution to the wind problem there was no way I would be able to live with 'em in temps. ranging from 95 to 105 this summer. They make for a comfortable ride in the winter, but summers they spend in the attic. YMMV.............