Batwing or Sharknose?
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Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 856
Likes: 3
Batwing or Sharknose?
Looking at buying a new touring bike... but don't want any of the head shaking buffeting I experienced when test riding the Street Glide even with a taller screen....
Is the Shark nose frame mounted fairing of the Road Glides better or worse regarding the buffeting problem.
Thanks for any advice from those that have ridden / owned both. For those that don't know what "buffeting" actually is, don't bother posting.
Is the Shark nose frame mounted fairing of the Road Glides better or worse regarding the buffeting problem.
Thanks for any advice from those that have ridden / owned both. For those that don't know what "buffeting" actually is, don't bother posting.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 25,292
Likes: 2,427
From: Eastern NE
Depending on your measurements (height, inseam, etc.) both bikes are going to have some turbulent airflow from riding. Don't know too many riders who haven't added w/s, air dampner(s), lowers & other items to clean-up the dirty air while riding.
I'd say you're going to need add-on's either way to pick the bike that fits your taste...can't go wrong w/either. BTW, I choose FLHX (bias)...
I'd say you're going to need add-on's either way to pick the bike that fits your taste...can't go wrong w/either. BTW, I choose FLHX (bias)...
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 2
From: PA
Someone recently mentioned a 7" Windsplitter screen, said that it worked well for him. I'm fairly sure that's what I'll be getting once I pick up my SG this week.. Hopefully that will work out well. Along with lower deflectors, should make things nice and peaceful.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 34,637
Likes: 36,210
From: outskirts of ba habba
Looking at buying a new touring bike... but don't want any of the head shaking buffeting I experienced when test riding the Street Glide even with a taller screen....
Is the Shark nose frame mounted fairing of the Road Glides better or worse regarding the buffeting problem.
Thanks for any advice from those that have ridden / owned both. For those that don't know what "buffeting" actually is, don't bother posting.
Is the Shark nose frame mounted fairing of the Road Glides better or worse regarding the buffeting problem.
Thanks for any advice from those that have ridden / owned both. For those that don't know what "buffeting" actually is, don't bother posting.
I have absolutely no buffeting or turbulence on my R/G....where as my wife
gets some setting behind me.
I have an after market 10" w/s from 'bikersdelight' on ebay....@ $60 and love it.
I have ridden but never owned a batwing.....so my opinion could be lopsided
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 4
From: South Jersey, AC area
depending on your height both are going to have buffeting with the stock windshields...
having said that, you should buy the one you like best and make it fit you.
I'm 5' 7" with a 30" inseam, I'm using a 12" klockwerks windshield on my 2010 FLTRX, I also have the 2010 CVO Street Glide seat on it that lowered me about an inch over the stock seat and I don't feel any noticeable buffeting..
I chose the Road Glide because I don't like the cramped feeling I got while sitting behind a batwing... but that's me.
having said that, you should buy the one you like best and make it fit you.
I'm 5' 7" with a 30" inseam, I'm using a 12" klockwerks windshield on my 2010 FLTRX, I also have the 2010 CVO Street Glide seat on it that lowered me about an inch over the stock seat and I don't feel any noticeable buffeting..
I chose the Road Glide because I don't like the cramped feeling I got while sitting behind a batwing... but that's me.
Last edited by Deuce Bigelow; Feb 5, 2011 at 08:15 AM.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,547
Likes: 7,153
From: Oxford, Nc
I really think the difference is less than it sounds. '98 Ultra, 65,000 miles and currently '00 S/E Road Glide 83,000 miles.
The buffeting is a bit less on the RG but was never a concern with the Ultra. Just didn't happen that often. What was a bigger issue for me was the weather protection: better on the Ultra, ( closer to the fairing.) The Road Glide offers way more "cabin space," you're a whole lot farther away from the console and windshield. It's a good big/taller man's bike. I'm 6'3" with longer arms and prefer the Road Glide overall.
The buffeting is a bit less on the RG but was never a concern with the Ultra. Just didn't happen that often. What was a bigger issue for me was the weather protection: better on the Ultra, ( closer to the fairing.) The Road Glide offers way more "cabin space," you're a whole lot farther away from the console and windshield. It's a good big/taller man's bike. I'm 6'3" with longer arms and prefer the Road Glide overall.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 805
Likes: 4
From: The Live Free or Die State
I have a SG that is in storage that I've only test ridden but am getting set to roll up my sleves in the Spring to tackle the buffeting issue.
I'm leaning toward the V-Stream from National cycle. It's a polycarbonite (Lexan) shield (see the video on their site for the benefits of polycarbonite) and they show a diagram of the aerodynamic effect the shape of their shield has. I couldn't find the diagram on their website for some reason, but here it is from an ebay ad.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Natio...Q5fAccessories
9V6OInpBMf9oL6c)g~~_12.JPG)
I know it's just a duagram and not wind tunnel results, but it's the closest thing I've seen grom any of the vendors depicting the airflow. I wish they had a similar shape with a flip on the top. I'm also considering the Long Ride Shield
I would suggest you search the forum for "buffeting". You'll find far more info on the subject that way.
I'm leaning toward the V-Stream from National cycle. It's a polycarbonite (Lexan) shield (see the video on their site for the benefits of polycarbonite) and they show a diagram of the aerodynamic effect the shape of their shield has. I couldn't find the diagram on their website for some reason, but here it is from an ebay ad.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Natio...Q5fAccessories
I know it's just a duagram and not wind tunnel results, but it's the closest thing I've seen grom any of the vendors depicting the airflow. I wish they had a similar shape with a flip on the top. I'm also considering the Long Ride Shield
I would suggest you search the forum for "buffeting". You'll find far more info on the subject that way.
