Batwing or Sharknose?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
thats the fugliest bike i've ever seen!!!!j/k, them sharknoses do seem to grow on ya don't they?
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 18,776
Likes: 42
From: Walker WV by way of NEW YORK CITY
I gave up two years ago
Batwings are all good
But I like my Snarky
Road Master
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 5
From: In the north
It was just my way of saying that the bat has much better wind protection then the shark. I can ride in the rain and hardly get any water on my glasses. Only the largest bugs will get past the slipstream of my windshield. My glasses do not blow around unless I am running in a 30mph sidewind and that is the only time my ears take a beating and I need to put some foam plugs in. As far as the cramped feeling, nope I don't get that. I do not feel any effects of the wind on the bars. The weight thing is not an issue when compairing the two because they both put as much weight on the front end no matter if the fairing is frame mounted or not.
I don't need to wear gloves because the windprotection on the hands is second to none.
Below is a pic that a freind took, we were running in a side wind so my shirt was getting a little wind.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
Likes: 1,305
From: Jayhawk Country
Any bike with a windshield or fairing with the wrong size windshield will give you buffeting. You have to get it sized for you. I cant get past the FUGLY Shark Nose that's why I bought a 11 Limited. The Batwing has been around for years and will continue to be around for years. Either bike is a fine machine, just get a windshield the right height for you and you will be fine.
Club Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 18,776
Likes: 42
From: Walker WV by way of NEW YORK CITY
It was just my way of saying that the bat has much better wind protection then the shark. I can ride in the rain and hardly get any water on my glasses. Only the largest bugs will get past the slipstream of my windshield. My glasses do not blow around unless I am running in a 30mph sidewind and that is the only time my ears take a beating and I need to put some foam plugs in. As far as the cramped feeling, nope I don't get that. I do not feel any effects of the wind on the bars. The weight thing is not an issue when compairing the two because they both put as much weight on the front end no matter if the fairing is frame mounted or not.
I don't need to wear gloves because the windprotection on the hands is second to none.
I don't need to wear gloves because the windprotection on the hands is second to none.
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 157
Likes: 0
From: Taylor, MS
A lot of people almost said what is causing the buffeting. It is caused by dirty air coming up from the bottom. What? Here's a test to show you the problem. When you are out riding with a windshield and getting the brains beat out of you, take your left arm and put it across your chest about shoulder high. It will stop, because the air is now being forced around your arm and up over your head. The bikes with less buffeting have lowers. That's the big difference and why a big 'ole windshield won't stop it, and probably makes it worse. You are driving a big, slightly curved piece of plastic into the wind at 60 or 70 mph. The air you are displacing has to go somewhere and it's not just around the edges, it gets force back and then about a foot or so up, down, left, and right. The air that goes down is the problem. You still have to go through it and it hits your tank and your legs and gets deflected up into your head. Full face helmets seem to be worse because of the more solid design. So, it's not just the windshield size, but the rest of the package that determines buffeting. And, the only good Buffett is Jimmy.
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,153
Likes: 42
From: AZ
Here in the high desert I have to contend with windy conditions daily - 10 to 20 knots is average. Some days have wind gust up to 40 plus knots. I'm currently riding a SG with HD's windsplitter shield. Depending on the wind conditions on some days my sunglasses want to vibrate off my head. I test rode a RG one day in bad wind conditions and I couldn't believe how much more planted the bike felt in heavy gusts and crosswinds. And even with the stock shield on the RG I had no buffeting. I currently have a SG but I'm really thinking about a RG. I think it is a better ride for areas that have to contend daily with alot of wind.
