To fairing or not to Fairing my Road King
Thread Starter
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Banned competing forum owner
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: G-Vegas NC
So what did you have to do to cease the problem?
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 802
Likes: 3
From: Minnesota
I put a fairing on my roadking and hated it! The front end got heavy with the added fairing..the bike handled like crap...I wish I wouldnt have even tried one...because the money I lost after selling it, wasnt worth it....But everyone is different you might buy one and love it. Just thought I would tell you my experience.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 767
Likes: 1
Exactly... Get some 16 or 18 inch apes and get gangsta... lol... Your bike would be real nice with apes and a nice lowering kit..
Thread Starter
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Banned competing forum owner
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 349
Likes: 0
From: G-Vegas NC
I put a fairing on my roadking and hated it! The front end got heavy with the added fairing..the bike handled like crap...I wish I wouldnt have even tried one...because the money I lost after selling it, wasnt worth it....But everyone is different you might buy one and love it. Just thought I would tell you my experience.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,027
Likes: 4
From: Eastern NE
I think it's a personal choice, period. Personally, I don't want a fairing on my RK. I've been riding 50+ years and never had a windshield until a couple of years ago and not sure I'll even leave it on this RK. Too much engine noise comes up through the shield. Will get some miles on it and then make a decision.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,359
Likes: 2
From: MA
I bought a used Dead Center fairing from Blue Duck here on the forums. I paid less than a grand for it and had it painted black to match my bike. I absolutely love having it and leave it on about 99% of the time. If I do take it off, it's to go without the fairing or windshield and is for around town. To me, it was well worth the money. I'm looking into adding some gauges above the stereo to fill the blank gap there.
1. For those who have added the fairing for certain trips, was it worth the expense if you only use it for long trips? Yes, it was worth every penny.
2. For those that added a fairing and leave it on all the time....Do you wish you had just added a Street Glide fairing instead of the removable type? Seems to be around the same price. I prefer to leave it as a detachable, just in case. If you go 2nd hand, you can save yourself a ton of $$$.
3. Any reason not to buy a used detatchable knowing that no matter what it has to be painted? There is no reason whatsoever not to buy used, you can save yourself some serious cash. I contacted Blue Duck here on the forums and asked him to send pics so I could see the condition of it before I committed. Once we struck a deal, I sent him the money and he shipped it out ASAP. I had it in less than a week I believe. Once I had it in my possession I contacted Dead Center to order the wire kit that goes to the battery so I could plug the fairing's wire harness into it. Dead Center is AWESOME to work with. They have GREAT customer service.
4. Any problems with the Hoppe 4 speaker fairings? Sorry, I don't have any experience with Hoppe or 4 speakers.
Here, check these out. Hopefully it'll help you make an informed decision.
Used and not my color:
With the windshield:
With the fairing:
1. For those who have added the fairing for certain trips, was it worth the expense if you only use it for long trips? Yes, it was worth every penny.
2. For those that added a fairing and leave it on all the time....Do you wish you had just added a Street Glide fairing instead of the removable type? Seems to be around the same price. I prefer to leave it as a detachable, just in case. If you go 2nd hand, you can save yourself a ton of $$$.
3. Any reason not to buy a used detatchable knowing that no matter what it has to be painted? There is no reason whatsoever not to buy used, you can save yourself some serious cash. I contacted Blue Duck here on the forums and asked him to send pics so I could see the condition of it before I committed. Once we struck a deal, I sent him the money and he shipped it out ASAP. I had it in less than a week I believe. Once I had it in my possession I contacted Dead Center to order the wire kit that goes to the battery so I could plug the fairing's wire harness into it. Dead Center is AWESOME to work with. They have GREAT customer service.
4. Any problems with the Hoppe 4 speaker fairings? Sorry, I don't have any experience with Hoppe or 4 speakers.
Here, check these out. Hopefully it'll help you make an informed decision.
Used and not my color:
With the windshield:
With the fairing:
Last edited by JakeInMa; Feb 10, 2011 at 05:58 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
I have a Dead Center Cycles fairing as well. It's a great piece of gear that has extended my riding season quite a bit in Upper Mid-Atlantic.
1. For those who have added the fairing for certain trips, was it worth the expense if you only use it for long trips? I absolutely love it.
2. For those that added a fairing and leave it on all the time....Do you wish you had just added a Street Glide fairing instead of the removable type? I don't leave it on all year. Mostly used for long runs and winter riding.
3. Any reason not to buy a used detatchable knowing that no matter what it has to be painted? Dunno, I bought new.
4. Any problems with the Hoppe 4 speaker fairings? Dunno, as mentioned... I have a Dead Center Cycles fairing.
1. For those who have added the fairing for certain trips, was it worth the expense if you only use it for long trips? I absolutely love it.
2. For those that added a fairing and leave it on all the time....Do you wish you had just added a Street Glide fairing instead of the removable type? I don't leave it on all year. Mostly used for long runs and winter riding.
3. Any reason not to buy a used detatchable knowing that no matter what it has to be painted? Dunno, I bought new.
4. Any problems with the Hoppe 4 speaker fairings? Dunno, as mentioned... I have a Dead Center Cycles fairing.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,507
Likes: 23
From: Orange County Texas
Putting a fairing on a Road King is a personal choice, I have an aftermarket fairing on my bike and it stays on 95% of the time.
As to putting a actual glide fairing on it's a pretty pricy undertaking. First, while the Road King And the Glide are all pretty much the same bike the Road King does not have the same wiring harness. So there is no place to plug in the sub harnesses for the Glide fairing.
Putting a Harley fairing togeather using a mixture of new and used parts is still going to cost on average of 2K
The harley fairing is heavier then most aftermarkets, with all the gauges, stereo and speakers. The fairing bikes have different springs in the front forks to handle the differance in weight.
I probably have around $800.00 in my fairing complete, but I did do all the set-up, installation and wiring myself.
Would I do it again. Yes
If I buy another Harley it will be a factory fairing bike.
As to putting a actual glide fairing on it's a pretty pricy undertaking. First, while the Road King And the Glide are all pretty much the same bike the Road King does not have the same wiring harness. So there is no place to plug in the sub harnesses for the Glide fairing.
Putting a Harley fairing togeather using a mixture of new and used parts is still going to cost on average of 2K
The harley fairing is heavier then most aftermarkets, with all the gauges, stereo and speakers. The fairing bikes have different springs in the front forks to handle the differance in weight.
I probably have around $800.00 in my fairing complete, but I did do all the set-up, installation and wiring myself.
Would I do it again. Yes
If I buy another Harley it will be a factory fairing bike.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,359
Likes: 2
From: MA
Putting a fairing on a Road King is a personal choice, I have an aftermarket fairing on my bike and it stays on 95% of the time.
As to putting a actual glide fairing on it's a pretty pricy undertaking. First, while the Road King And the Glide are all pretty much the same bike the Road King does not have the same wiring harness. So there is no place to plug in the sub harnesses for the Glide fairing.
Putting a Harley fairing togeather using a mixture of new and used parts is still going to cost on average of 2K
The harley fairing is heavier then most aftermarkets, with all the gauges, stereo and speakers. The fairing bikes have different springs in the front forks to handle the differance in weight.
I probably have around $800.00 in my fairing complete, but I did do all the set-up, installation and wiring myself.
Would I do it again. Yes
If I buy another Harley it will be a factory fairing bike.
As to putting a actual glide fairing on it's a pretty pricy undertaking. First, while the Road King And the Glide are all pretty much the same bike the Road King does not have the same wiring harness. So there is no place to plug in the sub harnesses for the Glide fairing.
Putting a Harley fairing togeather using a mixture of new and used parts is still going to cost on average of 2K
The harley fairing is heavier then most aftermarkets, with all the gauges, stereo and speakers. The fairing bikes have different springs in the front forks to handle the differance in weight.
I probably have around $800.00 in my fairing complete, but I did do all the set-up, installation and wiring myself.
Would I do it again. Yes
If I buy another Harley it will be a factory fairing bike.