Can't comment on the RG with the new frame because I have not taken one for a ride. But the prior years handled much better than the batwing. With the improvements to the frame I imagine the new ones would handle even better. If you can accept the look of it and don't mind being different go for the RG.

 

I havn't ridden a rg but i absolutely love my sg i've had a fxstb,fxwg,and fxdsi those bikes had some downfalls while driving on the highway, the sg pass 18wheelers doin 90 and don't think twice or even tailgate them and my blood pressure never raises a point. And it handles twice as good as my softail did hookin it thru the mountains. I'd make my decision on looks. I will admit that the rg put head to head with a sg will handle better, just don't think that the sg has handling issues i'd give them 8of10 slow speed and 9 of 10 highway where rg would probably be 10 of 10

 

For 2010 bikes, there isn't much difference between the two models. In 2009, there was more difference, (RG had longer shocks, more comfortable seat, more wind protection from the taller shield).

Now it's purely a style / preference decision since the shocks and seat are the same on both bikes.

For me, being a bit taller and heavier, the SG felt too cramped (as do all the batwing bikes for me) but the Roadie fit immediately.

RARELY do you find a Roadie owner who goes back to a bat wing (it does happen but not often) but there seem to be quite a few moving to the Roadie from the batwing bikes.

You will likely experience some buffeting (depending on your size and riding position and the type of helmet you wear on a Roadie, but all are addressable with lowers and different syle hieghts of shields).

Rent them both for a day and then decide?

 

I have owned both and currently own a RG and I will not be going back. The distance between you and (both SG and RG) fairings Im told are the same. For me the batwing fairing felt too close. In the colder weather my hands did feel better protected from the wind. The storage pockets on the fairing are very handy also.The batwing fairing weighs approx. 30 lbs and it sits on the front end. Thats where the noticable difference was for me. The RG handling felt much better to me. The right way for you to decide is rent them both and take a long ride. If your dealer really wants to sell you one he should let you take one out for that long ride and if he wont there will me someone else that will.
Good luck

 

It's kinda like comparing apples to oranges,the bikes are both similar aside from the fairings which are completely different from each other. One blocks air better and that seems to make it handle better,and the other seems to look better,but it felt like to me that the cross winds would grab the front end alot easier and I had to struggle with it a little more.I ended up with the RG,I would not trade mine for anything,if you ride a RG and like it,you will never want anything else. JMO

 

Ill kick in on this one.

I have owned 4 batwing bikes, 2 EG Classics, 2 Street Glides.

Prior to purchasing the 2 SGs, in 07 and 09, I extensively test Road the Road Glide, as it was in consideration. (trying to decide between the SG, another EG Classic, and the RG) In 07 I was swayed from the Road Glide in large part because I never cared for the silver motor, in 09, that was not a factor anymore, and I once again borrowed one of my dealerships Rental Road Glides for a few hours to try and make a decision.

My personal opinions are this:

1. Looks are subjective, so Ill leave this out, other than to say I like the Road Glide Custom a lot more than prior years, and had it been available, it would have been that much harder to choose.

2. The RG has a lighter steering feel, mostly at low speeds, because there is not 30 lbs of crap bolted the the handlebars and forks, like the batwing bikes. As far as high speed handling, I personally feel that what riders attribute to the fairing, is more accurately the shape of the handlebars. RG bars are a flatter, more neutral bar, closer to the shape of a drag bar, than batwing bars. THIS is what I think gives the sensation of better handling at speed in twistys, NOT the fairing. Your not TURNING the bars in curves, so the weight on the batwing forks is really not an issue at speed. But the angle and position of the bar on the RG, as well as the slightly more neutral or even leaned slightly forward position they put the rider in, IMHO, is more conducive to better control/handling at speed. Put a set of flatter bars on the batwing bike (like Klockwerks ergo bars) and I bet there would be little if no difference in high speed handling.

3. The RG is far more aerodynamic heading into the wind, and you can literally FEEL that, especially in a headwind. It is disturbed less in Semi turbulence, to a noticeable extent. However, IMHO, you feel CROSS winds more, simply because the RG fairing has more side area to catch the wind.

4. In "dirty" air, (cross winds, head winds, truck turbulence" on the RG you feel it in the entire bike, vs the batwing you feel it in the handlebars. Pick your poison. Do you want to feel a SLIGHT waggle at the bars, or do you want to feel the entire bike moving? However, I have found that removing the lower faring edge air deflectors from the batwing, gets rid of 90 percent of the waggle effect when caught in turbulence. Think about it, there are 2 big flat "paddles" sticking strait out there, catching the dirty air, attached to your fairing/bars.

5. IMHO, the batwing provides better wind protection to the rider, especially in the hands. The stereo speakers are closer to you, and tend to be more clear. You can tuck down behind the batwing easier in foul weather.

6. The RG causes more wind buffeting to the rider, especially around the head. This is the biggest reason I have stayed with Batwing bikes. There have been COUNTLESS threads on this board, where RG owners have gone through windshield after windshield, added lowers, etc, to try and stop the buffeting to the head. While a person of the correct height may not have this problem, I feel that this is a much bigger problem with the sharknose than the batwing.

In the end, while I liked the somewhat "sportier" feel of the RG, I bought another SG, simply because I feel that the fairing does its job (keeping wind off me) better than the RG. Also, because I simply do not like the way the RG looks with a tourpak mounted. I think they look great without one, but like *** with one, unless its the chopped model.

Having said that, I have to admit that I STILL toy with the idea of converting to a sharknose, but not without extensive riding of one with a windshield that would suit MY needs. I simply was not willing to roll the dice on being able to find a suitable windshield, AFTER buying the bike.

There are a LOT of threads on this board about Road Glide Buffeting, take them to heart. Its a neat bike, I personally LIKE the looks, (especially the new custom) but to me, if the fairing causes my brains to be scrambled from the buffeting, there's no point.

 

ww1flyingace - I think that's a pretty fair comparison. However, the buffeting issue with the RG is easily solved with the fairing lowers. If more RG owners would do that first, there would be a lot less windshield change outs.

Also, like several others said, if you are a tall guy - I'm 6' 2" - the SG fairing felt too close the made the bike feel small to me. I stretch out better on the RG.

 

I opted for the RGC simply for the sporty feel and handling especially in cross wind situation, another factor for me was the RG fairing is spread out not so close and the fairing on SG felt like it was too close to my face. I personally like the shark nose look too... Good luck trying to decide, they are both great bikes!

 

I really like the looks of the new Road Glide Custom, but it really is a Streetglide with a Sharknose. I wouldn't want lowers on either one, wrecks the style, plus hot in the summer. That's just me. Ultra guys love em. My next bike may well be a roadie but if I had to run lowers to stop buffeting I would be real unhappy. I'm under six foot and love the feel of my Streetglide fairing. My taller friends swear by their Roadies but they all run tall windshields. I get enough protection on my Streetglide with a Klockwerks 6-1/2" windshield, no buffeting, and it looks cool. I rode in comfort, all over the western states on my Streetglide this summer with 2 Ultras, 2 Roadies, 2 Dynas and a Road King. Both guys on the Dynas were under 5' 8". It's all about what works for you, not the rest of us.

 

I had a Road King for a few years and then went to an Ultra Classic and thought it was great and after 6 years on it I test rode a Road Glide and realized I was riding the wrong bike all these years. The RG is not the best looking bike but after owning it I have learned to love the sleek look of it and once you ride one you'll understand. Ask yourself this question, "have you ever talked to anybody who owned a Road Glide who went back to an Ultra or Street Glide"? Enough said.