Impressions: HD Fairing Lowers on Road Glide
#1
03-20-2009, 09:38 PM
Impressions: HD Fairing Lowers on Road Glide
Just finished a 400 mile trip with my new HD fairing lowers and thought I would offer some impressions.
Man, these things were expensive! $660 from my local dealer, and they want $320 for the glove boxes - those will have to wait until NEXT tax refund!
Install was easy, but each is shaped slightly different than the other, so when you stand over the tank and look at the top of the lowers one appears to sit back a bit further than the other. Comments from six other owners seem to indicate that this is intentional and not the result of incorrect installation. Makes me wonder why.... my dealer didn't have a clue and had never noticed it before. In any event, they mounted quickly and without drama.
Took me a while to get used to where to place my foot on the footboards. The edge of the lowers infringe on the leading edge of the footboards, so my sloppy mounting style had me panicky for a while as the toe of my boot got hung up on the side of the lower when putting my foot down at a stop or placing it on the footboard after getting underway. By the end of the day today, I had gotten accustomed to the new positioning.
The lowers definitely block most of the air that used to hit the toe of the boot and my shin. The outside edge of my trouser leg still catches some wind, but overall there is good protection. The most noticeable difference in wind is that now the inside of my arms do not catch any wind coming up from the sides of the tank. In the winter, even with my Gerbings jacket, the wind coming up the sides of the tank would make the inside of my arms cold. That's gone now.
Helmet buffeting is almost entirely gone. I used to get quite a bit of noise and buffeting, but now there is just some wind around the helmet. It's much more pleasant now. I actually rode with my half helmet for a bit yesterday and it was tolerable.
The lowers seem to reflect a little more engine noise than without them, but it could be that I'm just hearing better now that most of the wind noise and buffeting is gone.
So I am pleased. They look pretty good, too. It will be interesting to see if I can stand them in the heat of the summer...
Man, these things were expensive! $660 from my local dealer, and they want $320 for the glove boxes - those will have to wait until NEXT tax refund!
Install was easy, but each is shaped slightly different than the other, so when you stand over the tank and look at the top of the lowers one appears to sit back a bit further than the other. Comments from six other owners seem to indicate that this is intentional and not the result of incorrect installation. Makes me wonder why.... my dealer didn't have a clue and had never noticed it before. In any event, they mounted quickly and without drama.
Took me a while to get used to where to place my foot on the footboards. The edge of the lowers infringe on the leading edge of the footboards, so my sloppy mounting style had me panicky for a while as the toe of my boot got hung up on the side of the lower when putting my foot down at a stop or placing it on the footboard after getting underway. By the end of the day today, I had gotten accustomed to the new positioning.
The lowers definitely block most of the air that used to hit the toe of the boot and my shin. The outside edge of my trouser leg still catches some wind, but overall there is good protection. The most noticeable difference in wind is that now the inside of my arms do not catch any wind coming up from the sides of the tank. In the winter, even with my Gerbings jacket, the wind coming up the sides of the tank would make the inside of my arms cold. That's gone now.
Helmet buffeting is almost entirely gone. I used to get quite a bit of noise and buffeting, but now there is just some wind around the helmet. It's much more pleasant now. I actually rode with my half helmet for a bit yesterday and it was tolerable.
The lowers seem to reflect a little more engine noise than without them, but it could be that I'm just hearing better now that most of the wind noise and buffeting is gone.
So I am pleased. They look pretty good, too. It will be interesting to see if I can stand them in the heat of the summer...
Last edited by Pastor John; 03-21-2009 at 07:10 AM.
#2
03-20-2009, 10:16 PM
Road Warrior
The guy I bought my RG from had the lowers off and the first thing I did before I rode away was put the lowers on. They have not been off since. I use to have an Ultra before this so i am used to having them on all the time.
I did added floorboard extenders last Dec...that made a big difference in foot positioning. Two day ago add the EZ-Shift extended levers and wow...I know have a lot more room on my footboards. I think the EZ-Brake lever will be next.
I did added floorboard extenders last Dec...that made a big difference in foot positioning. Two day ago add the EZ-Shift extended levers and wow...I know have a lot more room on my footboards. I think the EZ-Brake lever will be next.
#4
03-20-2009, 10:31 PM
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John,
I've had lowers on mine since it was brand new (5000 miles since Nov '08). Rode two RGs in the last two years w/o lowers (put ~ 1000 miles on a '08). I like the bike much better w/ the lowers. I think they look better w/ lowers as well.
It' starting to get warm here in North Texas. It was 85 last week - took a round trip ride to Amarillo, ~300 miles. It was a bit warm on the feet. Then I remebered today that there is and air baffle on the back of the fork assembly - took it off tonight. It will be 75 here on Saturday - I'll let you know if removing the baffle makes a difference. It only takes about 5 minutes to remove it.
Did you know they make a quick detach kit for the lowers? You guessed it = $99.95
- what a racket...
I've had lowers on mine since it was brand new (5000 miles since Nov '08). Rode two RGs in the last two years w/o lowers (put ~ 1000 miles on a '08). I like the bike much better w/ the lowers. I think they look better w/ lowers as well.
It' starting to get warm here in North Texas. It was 85 last week - took a round trip ride to Amarillo, ~300 miles. It was a bit warm on the feet. Then I remebered today that there is and air baffle on the back of the fork assembly - took it off tonight. It will be 75 here on Saturday - I'll let you know if removing the baffle makes a difference. It only takes about 5 minutes to remove it.
Did you know they make a quick detach kit for the lowers? You guessed it = $99.95
- what a racket...
Last edited by boogiewithtuck; 03-20-2009 at 10:35 PM.
#5
03-20-2009, 10:53 PM
Road Warrior
Heat isn't that bad if you have hiway pegs, look damn good on there by the way! 
#6
03-20-2009, 11:02 PM
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I rode mine yesterday about 300 miles with the lowers installed in 85F weather. The fork baffle is also installed. The heat was pretty noticeable. It's really a shame they don't supply them with vents like the EG has. In any case I installed a set of Hoppe vents today so I'll see how they do on the next warm ride.
Marc
Marc
#7
03-20-2009, 11:22 PM
Just finished a 400 mile trip with my new HD fairing lowers and thought I would offer some impressions.
Man, these things were expensive! $660 from my local dealer, and they want $320 for the glove boxes - those will have to wait until NEXT tax refund!
Install was easy, but each is shaped slightly different than the other, so when you stand over the tank and look at the top of the lowers one appears to sit back a bit further than the other. Comments from six other owners seem to indicate that this is intentional and not the result of incorrect installation. Makes me wonder why.... my dealer didn't have a clue and had never noticed it before. In any event, they mounted quickly and without drama.
Took me a while to get used to where to place my foot on the footboards. The edge of the lowers infringe on the leading edge of the footboards, so my sloppy mounting style had me panicky for a while as the toe of my boot got hung up on the side of the lower when putting my foot down at a stop or placing it on the footboard after getting underway. By the end of the day today, I had gotten accustomed to the new positioning.
They lowers definitely block most of the air that used to hit the toe of the boot and my shin. The outside edge of my trouser leg still catches some wind, but overall there is good protection. The most noticeable difference in wind is that now the inside of my arms do not catch any wind coming up from the sides of the tank. In the winter, even with my Gerbings jacket, the wind coming up the sides of the tank would make the inside of my arms cold. That's gone now.
Helmet buffeting is almost entirely gone. I used to get quite a bit of noise and buffeting, but now there is just some wind around the helmet. It's much more pleasant now. I actually rode with my half helmet for a bit yesterday and it was tolerable.
The lowers seem to reflect a little more engine noise than without them, but it could be that I'm just hearing better now that most of the wind noise and buffeting is gone.
So I am pleased. They look pretty good, too. It will be interesting to see if I can stand them in the heat of the summer...
Man, these things were expensive! $660 from my local dealer, and they want $320 for the glove boxes - those will have to wait until NEXT tax refund!
Install was easy, but each is shaped slightly different than the other, so when you stand over the tank and look at the top of the lowers one appears to sit back a bit further than the other. Comments from six other owners seem to indicate that this is intentional and not the result of incorrect installation. Makes me wonder why.... my dealer didn't have a clue and had never noticed it before. In any event, they mounted quickly and without drama.
Took me a while to get used to where to place my foot on the footboards. The edge of the lowers infringe on the leading edge of the footboards, so my sloppy mounting style had me panicky for a while as the toe of my boot got hung up on the side of the lower when putting my foot down at a stop or placing it on the footboard after getting underway. By the end of the day today, I had gotten accustomed to the new positioning.
They lowers definitely block most of the air that used to hit the toe of the boot and my shin. The outside edge of my trouser leg still catches some wind, but overall there is good protection. The most noticeable difference in wind is that now the inside of my arms do not catch any wind coming up from the sides of the tank. In the winter, even with my Gerbings jacket, the wind coming up the sides of the tank would make the inside of my arms cold. That's gone now.
Helmet buffeting is almost entirely gone. I used to get quite a bit of noise and buffeting, but now there is just some wind around the helmet. It's much more pleasant now. I actually rode with my half helmet for a bit yesterday and it was tolerable.
The lowers seem to reflect a little more engine noise than without them, but it could be that I'm just hearing better now that most of the wind noise and buffeting is gone.
So I am pleased. They look pretty good, too. It will be interesting to see if I can stand them in the heat of the summer...
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#8
03-21-2009, 12:05 AM
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#9
03-21-2009, 01:17 AM
I love mine, just open the vents and the wings on the fairing in the summer here is NM and I'm fine. Just added the long angled hi-way pegs that wrap around the lowers. They are almost perfect ,heel on foortboard and foot on pegs. I'm gonna get the floorboard extensions and that should make for the perfect riding position or positions since I can get about three different ones right now.
#10
03-21-2009, 01:53 AM
I live in Phoenix It was in the 90's this week already. In Az the engine heat is always something we deal with. But once I put the lowers on I loss most of the wind around my legs. A lot of the road noise is gone and dirt and sand up my pant leg is athing of the past. I put some after market vents on my lowers RG lowers do not have vents from HD ( Why I don't know) They are on to stay......The HD glove box could be a bit bigger. I can just get my hand in it