detachable batwing fairing question
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,020
Likes: 69
From: Twin Cities, MN
To me actually the standard RK windshield provides a calmer riding envelop than the fairing. The fairing tends to make the wind hit me in the chest and knees more. But it does offer much better hand protection and in MN in late fall and early spring that is really nice.
The detachable fairing is just another accessory you can add to your RK which is why many of us love the RK's, versitility. You are not tied into one style of bike!
I have ridden across South Dakota with extremely high cross wind gusts at over 50mph with both the windshield and detachable fairing. Neither caused any handling issues. I also have had both up over 100 mph and had zero wobble issues.
Just my $0.02
Last edited by Pumba11; Oct 4, 2010 at 11:28 AM.
Novice
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
I just put a batwing on my 00 RK. I bought it from Reckless MC, Tn. It cost $910 delivered to my door and has a marine grade sony stereo with ipod port inside the face of the stereo, it comes with 4 speakers, although you can order it many diff. ways. I also added a 12v outlet for charging my cell, gps or whatever. The down side is the $ needed to get it going, I had it painted by a friend of a friend ( $150 ) my bike is vivid black, Reckless will paint it for you also but i wanted to make sure it matched so they sent it to me primed grey. Then it cost me another $200 to have the dealer wire it up. It comes off and on within 2 min,,,,All in all im very happy with it and it looks great
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 666
Likes: 5
From: Bay Area, CA
Just a thought ... and this is kinda apples and oranges but ... clear plastic hand guards from National Cycle fixed cold weather issues on my RK without going to a bat wing.
That said, I still find myself checking out SGs and their cool hidden mirrors.
That said, I still find myself checking out SGs and their cool hidden mirrors.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 695
Likes: 4
I took one of those off a trade-in bike at my shop. They might still have it laying around. Call Thom at Fort Washington Harleydavidson in Maryland. Tell them Paul from service had you call. Hey, you never know and you could get it alot cheaper than new.
I put a detachable fairing on my bike last year, thinking I'd probably ride with it on maybe half the time. It winds up being more like 80% of the time.
On the freeway, the fairing actually adds stability. The bike feels more planted to the road as the speed increases, and I've been up over 90mph without even realizing it quite a few times. Never had a problem with any speed wobbles. You do need to be aware of the big trucks, and a strong gusty crosswind can tend to move the bike around a bit, but you get used to it and learn how to compensate.
I've always felt it was the best mod I've made to my bike.
On the freeway, the fairing actually adds stability. The bike feels more planted to the road as the speed increases, and I've been up over 90mph without even realizing it quite a few times. Never had a problem with any speed wobbles. You do need to be aware of the big trucks, and a strong gusty crosswind can tend to move the bike around a bit, but you get used to it and learn how to compensate.
I've always felt it was the best mod I've made to my bike.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 774
Likes: 21
From: Florida
I think the fairing from Dragonfly Cycle Concepts is superior. I think the rear-mounted speakers and the painted inner fairing give it a more finished look. Doesn't look like an afterthought with the speaker grilles on the outside.
Also, the hand control interface they make works with HD switches so no more taking my hands off the grips to do anything except power on/off.
The LCD waterproof stereo has no moving parts - my last stereo had a cd player that skipped and the "bubble" door looked cheap.
...Oh, and then there's the internal 1 GB memory and USB port that makes my playlist endless...plus Sirius Satellite tuner.
Can ya telll I like my fairing?
By the way, I got it with the thought of removing it occasionaly....HA! It only comes off for maintenance!
Also, the hand control interface they make works with HD switches so no more taking my hands off the grips to do anything except power on/off.
The LCD waterproof stereo has no moving parts - my last stereo had a cd player that skipped and the "bubble" door looked cheap.
...Oh, and then there's the internal 1 GB memory and USB port that makes my playlist endless...plus Sirius Satellite tuner.
Can ya telll I like my fairing?
By the way, I got it with the thought of removing it occasionaly....HA! It only comes off for maintenance!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,035
Likes: 8
From: Western Canada
Are you looking for a fairing with a stereo?
Love it or hate it, huh?
Now I'm even more apprehensive about spending that much on it. I notice that the regular detachable windshield catches a lot of air & makes the bike a bit more screwy... I'm thinking that batwing would be much worse.
I'm going to ride my friend's Streetglide & see if I like that style fairing. Hopefully it would ride similar to the RK with the detachable batwing.
Now I'm even more apprehensive about spending that much on it. I notice that the regular detachable windshield catches a lot of air & makes the bike a bit more screwy... I'm thinking that batwing would be much worse.
I'm going to ride my friend's Streetglide & see if I like that style fairing. Hopefully it would ride similar to the RK with the detachable batwing.
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