Fugly???
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 3,932
Likes: 882
From: SOON TO BE A SAFE AMERICA
[quote=Challenger;9794464]Rode in strong winds friday and got bucked around pretty good on the Electra. About 40 miles into the ride I got behind a lone Road Glide that pulled out for a side street in a small town and followed him for a bit.
Well he didnt seem to have as much if any problem with the gusty winds that were throwing me around the highway! In fact I backed down to 55 and slowly lost him in the distance.........
CHALLENGER,
Very kinds words, spoken in true hand on's experience seeing the difference between wings and sharks in the exact same playground!!!!
Not trying to debate here, I dig ALL HD Touring bikes.
Ride Safe and Enjoy!
YELLOWBIRD
Well he didnt seem to have as much if any problem with the gusty winds that were throwing me around the highway! In fact I backed down to 55 and slowly lost him in the distance.........
CHALLENGER,
Very kinds words, spoken in true hand on's experience seeing the difference between wings and sharks in the exact same playground!!!!
Not trying to debate here, I dig ALL HD Touring bikes.
Ride Safe and Enjoy!
YELLOWBIRD
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 6,129
Likes: 143
From: Santa Cruz
I couldn't find a RG in my price range so bought my first batwing, a '09 FLHT. It has terrible turbulence!!!! Worse than the triumph tiger! Compared to my old roadglide and even road king it is really bad! I have tree, fork and side deflectors plus BIG screen! Anyone want to trade your ugly shark nose for my Kool batwing???? 
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: TN.
I bought my first RG in 2005 and traded for an 07 Ultra Classic because I wanted a bike with a CB and intercom. I didn't like the batwing fairing on the Ultra, it handled terrible in the wind and the fairing was just way to close. I traded to UC for a Road King when they made the changes to the touring models in 09. Since then they came out with the RG Ultra, I am now BACK HOME on a Road Glide Ultra and I have never been happier with a bike.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 588
Likes: 2
From: Naugatuck, CT
I am 5'8" and thought I would feel lost on the RGU. I had a Road King that I retro fitted a bat wing on and was on that for 6 years. I test rode the Road Glide and was SOLD! The fit is perfect for me and while some say the fairing equipment is to far away I don't feel that way.
Only you can decide what works best. I would have been happy with a Batwing UC, but I am in love with the ride and fit of the RGU.
Good Luck.
Only you can decide what works best. I would have been happy with a Batwing UC, but I am in love with the ride and fit of the RGU.
Good Luck.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 2,234
Likes: 462
From: Arizona
With the fairing being smaller & so far forward, the passenger really gets beat up by the wind. My buddy loves his fugly - his wife hates it.
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Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
From: DFW
I haven't ever ridden a 'bat wing' but I will say this: in 9000+ miles on my FUGLY in sometimes ripping North Texas winds I have never had the sensation of 'fighting' the bike. Sure, the bike has 'leaned into' the wind in 30+mph crosswinds but nothing like I keep reading on the forums about wind horrors. I commute 30 miles a day on Interstate @ 70+ in HOV lane and wind just isn't a major factor. I haul *** past semis for a lot of reasons but stable as hell while passing them.
I am a big fellas and bought the Roadie for the LOOK (yep, I like it.), the open cockpit and the fact it is less common than the bat wing but I guess I got lucky on the 'wind thing'.
I am a big fellas and bought the Roadie for the LOOK (yep, I like it.), the open cockpit and the fact it is less common than the bat wing but I guess I got lucky on the 'wind thing'.
Last edited by TheSinistral; May 13, 2012 at 04:03 PM. Reason: content/clarity
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,960
Likes: 1
From: Miami, FL
OP- I recently traded in my 2011 Ultra Limited for my Road Glide, go ride one and see for yourself, but I'm fairly confident if you ride one you will buy one.
Handles so great overall, especially in strong winds as you say. I myself have never been bothered by the looks, I missed the handling of my Road King but still wanted a fairing and tunes, got on the RG to test ride and the rest was history. It's also nice not feeling cramped by the batwing, and not feeling like I'm leaning back because everything is so in my face.
Handles so great overall, especially in strong winds as you say. I myself have never been bothered by the looks, I missed the handling of my Road King but still wanted a fairing and tunes, got on the RG to test ride and the rest was history. It's also nice not feeling cramped by the batwing, and not feeling like I'm leaning back because everything is so in my face.