Hey guys. Im tryin to choose between a SG and a RG... My biggest thing is the frame vs fork mounted fairing...im used to the SG but have never riden a RG...How is it different than the SG? Is it worth buying? Styling isnt an issue for me...i like them both. What are your guys experiences?

 

I love my Road Glide after i tweaked it to my riding ( changed out handlebars, customized seat), you should rent each for a day to decide.

 

I have one of both. Both ride similar; one blocks a little more wind, one a little more stable on the highway and lighter in parking lots.

Simply put, get the one that speaks to you because both can be changed up to fit you physically.

lp

 

Christ. Again?? REALLY??

Only a BILLION threads on this one.


Go rent both. Decide.


Been there, done that, twice. Stayed with Batwing both times.


MY personal feelings:

1. In a headwind, Id rather be on the RG. In a cross wind, Id MUCH rather be on a SG. Ive owned several frame mounted faring bikes, and I do NOT like the feeling of a stiff crosswind shoving the entire bike around because of the huge cross section of the fairing acting like a sail. Id rather feel the bike having to push into the wind (batwing/headwind) than have the whole bike knocked around (RG/crosswind) For what its worth, My 09 SG (new frame etc) got rid of 98 percent of the "batwing bar waggle" when caught in dirty air, as like when passing a semi. Has never been an issue since my 09 arrived, I assume because of the tweaks they made to the front end geometry at the time of the new frame. I used to never run the lower batwing air deflectors, because those two big flat paddles sticking down below the faring seemed to exacerbate the waggle in dirty air around big rigs. My 09 is WAY better in that regard, even WITH the deflectors, than my 03, 05, or 07 batwing bikes were WITHOUT them.

2. For me, cosmetics were a big factor. When I was deciding in 07, the RG still had the silver motor. Hated it. In 09, it was before the Road Glide Custom, which lookswise, would have put the RG in better with me. I also dont like the way the RG looks with a tourpak, I think it totally kills the looks of the RG, and until the RG Custom, I have never liked the graphics on RGs.

3. At six feet tall, while the RG certainly felt more aerodynamic going down the road, It also had far more head buffeting. I did NOT want to add lowers, and did not want to risk having to finding a windshield that worked well for me, without looking like ***. No way was I going to stick a barn door on the thing to cure the buffeting. The new mini deflectors they have out now may cure a lot of that, but were not available at the time. Also, when I was looking, you could not put the vented lowers on the RG, which would have made me more inclined to consider it more.

4. Handling, the RG of course feels lighter at slow speed, without the weight on the forks. At speed however, my own personal feeling is that MOST of the better handling feeling is actually coming from the shape/position/stance of the handlebars. Being flatter, less angled inward, and wider, more towards the shape of a drag bar than the SG bars, THAT is where a lot of the better handling feeling (at speed) is coming from, IMHO. Im more inclined to believe that, because simply raising my SG bars up higher than the stock position, made a noticeable improvement in handling feel. Others who have changed to different bars, usually closer towards the shape of the RG bar, on their batwing bikes have reported the same.

5. Personally, I LIKE being tucked in close behind the batwing. I can see where some would prefer the roomier cockpit of the RG, but the farther away you move the fairing, the less effective it is keeping the wind (and more importantly) the weather off the rider. I also think you can hear the stereo better.

 

You need to ride them both to get a feel for them. I didn't rent, but my dealer let me take long test rides. Took them on the highway, slow maneuvers in parking lots, and some city driving. I ended up with a Road Glide. I like the looks, and rock solid on the highway.

 

This thread has been done a ton. Having said that we own one of each and for me only the RG satisfies. If you are a smaller person or want more wind protection you might prefer the SG, but the handling, styling, roomier cockpit make the RG my dream ride. Spending this kind of money goes beyond logical choices. It has to speak to you and the minute I saw my 09 in person I couldn't stop thinking about it for 8 months until I pulled the trigger on it. I still feel the same about it today that I did 2 years ago.

 

WOW!!!! Here we go again.....

 

I would have to agree with what has already been said. whichever one feel's warmer to the heart go with it.

 

If it trips your trigger, floats your boat, tickles your cockles....
makes your kitty purr, and gives you a woody just thinking about it...
BUY IT !!!!

 

I have had both the Bat and the Shark.
For me the Bat works the best, but that is for me not you.
Only you can decide. It doesn't matter what everyone else says. It's your money and you are the one that has to live with the bike.