Wind differences between the Street Glide and Road Glide???
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 554
Likes: 1
From: Gastonia, NC
Wind differences between the Street Glide and Road Glide???
Hey all,
We're adding a cruiser to the garage soon and was curious as i don't have the ability to ride both right now. I am 5'8" (5'9" in boots). I really like the 2010 Road glides, probably the best looking bike i have seen in a long time. But Wind flow is a serious issue with me. I am talking stock shields here... Which one provides the best wind protection, SG or RG. I have issues with my ears so when i ride i have to wear plugs and a bandana to cover my ears. I don't want to do this on my touring bike so the less wind on me the better. Also wondering about back lash on the lady as this bike will be for both of us where bar hopping will be on our own bikes.
Thanks in advance for any input that can be provided!
We're adding a cruiser to the garage soon and was curious as i don't have the ability to ride both right now. I am 5'8" (5'9" in boots). I really like the 2010 Road glides, probably the best looking bike i have seen in a long time. But Wind flow is a serious issue with me. I am talking stock shields here... Which one provides the best wind protection, SG or RG. I have issues with my ears so when i ride i have to wear plugs and a bandana to cover my ears. I don't want to do this on my touring bike so the less wind on me the better. Also wondering about back lash on the lady as this bike will be for both of us where bar hopping will be on our own bikes.
Thanks in advance for any input that can be provided!
Tourer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 456
Likes: 0
From: Dallas, TX
The stock Road Glide windshield is for looks only, once you install a real windshield like a Clearview it gets real quiet behind it and it doesn't look too bad on the bike either.
If that isn't good enough wind protection, you can add lowers (a lot more help) on either one and/or the air deflector (a little more help) that bolts under the front forks.
With either bike you should look into getting real shocks on the rear to help the OL. The lowered OEM air shocks are extermely harsh and I couldn't ride at any PSI without bottoming out.
Good luck, they are both nice bikes but I obviously have a preference.
If that isn't good enough wind protection, you can add lowers (a lot more help) on either one and/or the air deflector (a little more help) that bolts under the front forks.
With either bike you should look into getting real shocks on the rear to help the OL. The lowered OEM air shocks are extermely harsh and I couldn't ride at any PSI without bottoming out.
Good luck, they are both nice bikes but I obviously have a preference.
Road Master
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 803
Likes: 3
From: Collegeville, PA
I'm 6'0 and with the stock windshield, the buffeting on my Road Glide was unbearable. It hit me square in the forehead. If I ducked down a few inches it was real quiet. I added a taller Clearview and all is well in my world now. At 5'8" you may be OK with the stock shield. If not, a change over to a better shield will run less than $200. I never road a Street Glide but had two Ultras before this and I needed to cut the shield down on them for a good view. The wind was very quiet behind the batwing.
Whichever bike you get you are likely going to have to dial it in to fit. I'll bet the stock handlebars on the Road Glide won't fit you very well either. If you like the looks of the Road Glide, then that's the bike for you. Just budget in a few hundred more if you have to change out a few items to make it a perfect fit for you.
Whichever bike you get you are likely going to have to dial it in to fit. I'll bet the stock handlebars on the Road Glide won't fit you very well either. If you like the looks of the Road Glide, then that's the bike for you. Just budget in a few hundred more if you have to change out a few items to make it a perfect fit for you.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,683
Likes: 2
From: Melissa, TX
On my SG I found the best combination for wind management was an 8" Fastaire shield and HD hard lowers. Zero buffeting with that setup for me at 6' tall.
I'm still experimenting with my '10 RG and haven't found a solution yet. Stock shield is crap, Harley "Wind Splitter" shield is awful, as is the 12" Klockwerks. Ordered a 14" Windvest last week and hoping to get better results with that. I know it won't solve ALL of the wind issues, but right now I'm just trying to minimize the buffeting I'm experiencing. Later I'll add hard lowers, but that will be more to minimize the COLD air come next Winter. 90% of the issues I'm having now stem from turbulence generated by the top of the fairing/shield, not the flow from underneath.
[EDIT]
FWIW, having owned both the SG and now the RG I can say hands-down the RG is by far the best handling bike I've ever owned. Less weight on the handlebars and no wind pressure on a handlebar mounted fairing equates to much lighter steering and more nimble handling. Since the '10 RG "customs" are the same bike as the SG, sans sharknose in place of batwing, you really can't go wrong with either. It all comes down to personal taste. But again, if handling is something you might care about, the RG will likely be your best option.
I'm still experimenting with my '10 RG and haven't found a solution yet. Stock shield is crap, Harley "Wind Splitter" shield is awful, as is the 12" Klockwerks. Ordered a 14" Windvest last week and hoping to get better results with that. I know it won't solve ALL of the wind issues, but right now I'm just trying to minimize the buffeting I'm experiencing. Later I'll add hard lowers, but that will be more to minimize the COLD air come next Winter. 90% of the issues I'm having now stem from turbulence generated by the top of the fairing/shield, not the flow from underneath.
[EDIT]
FWIW, having owned both the SG and now the RG I can say hands-down the RG is by far the best handling bike I've ever owned. Less weight on the handlebars and no wind pressure on a handlebar mounted fairing equates to much lighter steering and more nimble handling. Since the '10 RG "customs" are the same bike as the SG, sans sharknose in place of batwing, you really can't go wrong with either. It all comes down to personal taste. But again, if handling is something you might care about, the RG will likely be your best option.
Last edited by Phurion; Apr 11, 2010 at 11:17 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 4
From: Central IL
I have both ('07 SG, '10 RG) and with the stock shield neither one is much to write home about as far as wind protection. I wanted to try and maintain the "low slung" look of the stock shield but gain a little more protection so I put 8" Klock on the SG. Better, but still not great. When I got the RG, I did the same. I do not think the Klock 8" does near as good on the RG as it does on the SG. I get much more wind on the RG than the SG. Trying to figure what shield I want to go with on the RG now because the Klock ain't cuttin it.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 1
I just put on the 12" KW with my solo brawler seat. I think it's perfect for me. I'm just under 6'0" with a 32" leg. I can see if I got to use my sundowner that the 12" KW won't cut it. Well hopefully I can keep the tough ride and my wife will stay off the bike.
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Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 554
Likes: 1
From: Gastonia, NC
Exactly the convo i was looking for. Really appreciate it everyone. I actually prefer the RGC for the handling aspect and like i said... best looking bike on the market 
. Looks like lowers and a different shield might be the answer for the longer trips. What about the canvas lowers? Worth a crap? Don't look as good but if they accomplish anything they are butt ton cheaper until i get some payments out of the way. First thing it will get on it prior to getting miles on it will to be to dump the stocker shocks and get a new exhaust system with a fueler.
. Looks like lowers and a different shield might be the answer for the longer trips. What about the canvas lowers? Worth a crap? Don't look as good but if they accomplish anything they are butt ton cheaper until i get some payments out of the way. First thing it will get on it prior to getting miles on it will to be to dump the stocker shocks and get a new exhaust system with a fueler.