Shark Nose VS Batwing Fairing
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 556
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
Thanks for the link. 
Now about that cigar lighter issue I read about. I've read that a few times already and have to laugh. The lighter will never get closer to the tank on an RG as it's in a fixed postion on the fairing that doesn't move. I hope nobody else looking at a RG doesn't believe that crap. On my ECU I was worried about using a power plug for a garmin but never did do that. Didn't want to risk it.
Now about that cigar lighter issue I read about. I've read that a few times already and have to laugh. The lighter will never get closer to the tank on an RG as it's in a fixed postion on the fairing that doesn't move. I hope nobody else looking at a RG doesn't believe that crap. On my ECU I was worried about using a power plug for a garmin but never did do that. Didn't want to risk it.
The lighter thing is a running joke. Just like the problem with the headlight not turning.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 2,026
Likes: 474
I rode a Street Glide and a CVO 110 Road glide last week at a dealer demo. I had an easier time driving the SG over the RG. I have short arms, Is the handle bar reach the same on both bikes or is it just my perception that the SG is closer?
I love the Road Glides looks but somehow I feel like I reach the bars better in the Street-Gilde. It even felt like the 103 had more bottom end power than the 110 in the CVO RG.
I was able to crack the SG around corners like my Dyna Fat Bob. I didn't have the same confidence on the RG. I dream of owning a denim Road Glide but I sure felt better riding the Street Glide for the way I drive. .
I love the Road Glides looks but somehow I feel like I reach the bars better in the Street-Gilde. It even felt like the 103 had more bottom end power than the 110 in the CVO RG.
I was able to crack the SG around corners like my Dyna Fat Bob. I didn't have the same confidence on the RG. I dream of owning a denim Road Glide but I sure felt better riding the Street Glide for the way I drive. .
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,644
Likes: 32
From: Canton, Ohio
I rode a Street Glide and a CVO 110 Road glide last week at a dealer demo. I had an easier time driving the SG over the RG. I have short arms, Is the handle bar reach the same on both bikes or is it just my perception that the SG is closer?
I love the Road Glides looks but somehow I feel like I reach the bars better in the Street-Gilde. It even felt like the 103 had more bottom end power than the 110 in the CVO RG.
I was able to crack the SG around corners like my Dyna Fat Bob. I didn't have the same confidence on the RG. I dream of owning a denim Road Glide but I sure felt better riding the Street Glide for the way I drive. .
I love the Road Glides looks but somehow I feel like I reach the bars better in the Street-Gilde. It even felt like the 103 had more bottom end power than the 110 in the CVO RG.
I was able to crack the SG around corners like my Dyna Fat Bob. I didn't have the same confidence on the RG. I dream of owning a denim Road Glide but I sure felt better riding the Street Glide for the way I drive. .
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 556
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, NY
I rode a Street Glide and a CVO 110 Road glide last week at a dealer demo. I had an easier time driving the SG over the RG. I have short arms, Is the handle bar reach the same on both bikes or is it just my perception that the SG is closer?
I love the Road Glides looks but somehow I feel like I reach the bars better in the Street-Gilde. It even felt like the 103 had more bottom end power than the 110 in the CVO RG.
I was able to crack the SG around corners like my Dyna Fat Bob. I didn't have the same confidence on the RG. I dream of owning a denim Road Glide but I sure felt better riding the Street Glide for the way I drive. .
I love the Road Glides looks but somehow I feel like I reach the bars better in the Street-Gilde. It even felt like the 103 had more bottom end power than the 110 in the CVO RG.
I was able to crack the SG around corners like my Dyna Fat Bob. I didn't have the same confidence on the RG. I dream of owning a denim Road Glide but I sure felt better riding the Street Glide for the way I drive. .
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,000
Likes: 5
From: S.E. NC
I'm gonna rent one and really put some miles on it to help me decide. I've ridden two RGs at demo rides and they seem more nimble than my ultra.
Maybe find a left over 13 when the 14s come out.
Need to try in the rain and the cold first.
Maybe find a left over 13 when the 14s come out.
Need to try in the rain and the cold first.
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 121
From: Northern Illinois
I ride an '08 FLHTP daily, and have trained extensively in the cone courses over the years, both on Road Kings and for the past 4 years on the EG. The RK will turn tighter than an EG because of limits on the steering imposed by the batwing fairing. But I like the overall balance and feel of the EG better, and run the courses faster and smoother on the EG, which is an all around better platform for a police bike.
I traded an '04 EG Ultra for a '12 RGU, and can say without hesitation that the Road Glide is a superior bike in virtually every catagory. The handling at speed on the highway is smooth and rock solid. Crosswinds and vehicle wakes are of no account any longer. The RG just leans into the crosswind and directional control/stability is phenomenal compared to the EG, ditto for vehicle wakes. I had a chance to ride my buddy's '09 EG back to back with my RGU on a ride recently, and kept thinking "I put up with THIS for all those years and miles?" when on his EG. He, on the other hand, said that when it comes time to buy a new bike the RGU will be on his short list. I'm not dissing the Electra Glide, mind you. I love the classic design, and ride one for work. But the RGU is a graduate level motorcycle, an evolution of the EG that has surpassed the parent in many ways.
The fixed fairing has other advantages I've seen mentioned in other posts. The steering is lighter and the weight and balance of the RG is different than that of the EG. The bike is correspondingly more agile, and feels downright nimble in back to back comparisons. The differences are far more pronounced than you would believe possible, being that the EG and RG are built on the same frame with identical mechanicals. The protection afforded by the sharknose fairing is superior in many respects, even with the stock windshield. I smoke while riding, and find that I have to brush ashes off the tank if I don't take the trouble to flick them out into the windstream. Never had that problem with the EG. There is some buffeting around the ears, and the passenger gets more wind since they sit further back from the windshield than on the EG, but that is easily cured with a windshield such as a Cee Bailey Cee Glide or a Windvest. I hear LRS is coming out with a new windshield specifically for the RGU, so I'm holding off on that upgrade 'til I see what they've got.
The batwing fairing is good, as evidenced by its long production history with HD. But the sharknose is in another league altogether. If you do any amount of touring, you owe it to yourself to experience the RGU.
I traded an '04 EG Ultra for a '12 RGU, and can say without hesitation that the Road Glide is a superior bike in virtually every catagory. The handling at speed on the highway is smooth and rock solid. Crosswinds and vehicle wakes are of no account any longer. The RG just leans into the crosswind and directional control/stability is phenomenal compared to the EG, ditto for vehicle wakes. I had a chance to ride my buddy's '09 EG back to back with my RGU on a ride recently, and kept thinking "I put up with THIS for all those years and miles?" when on his EG. He, on the other hand, said that when it comes time to buy a new bike the RGU will be on his short list. I'm not dissing the Electra Glide, mind you. I love the classic design, and ride one for work. But the RGU is a graduate level motorcycle, an evolution of the EG that has surpassed the parent in many ways.
The fixed fairing has other advantages I've seen mentioned in other posts. The steering is lighter and the weight and balance of the RG is different than that of the EG. The bike is correspondingly more agile, and feels downright nimble in back to back comparisons. The differences are far more pronounced than you would believe possible, being that the EG and RG are built on the same frame with identical mechanicals. The protection afforded by the sharknose fairing is superior in many respects, even with the stock windshield. I smoke while riding, and find that I have to brush ashes off the tank if I don't take the trouble to flick them out into the windstream. Never had that problem with the EG. There is some buffeting around the ears, and the passenger gets more wind since they sit further back from the windshield than on the EG, but that is easily cured with a windshield such as a Cee Bailey Cee Glide or a Windvest. I hear LRS is coming out with a new windshield specifically for the RGU, so I'm holding off on that upgrade 'til I see what they've got.
The batwing fairing is good, as evidenced by its long production history with HD. But the sharknose is in another league altogether. If you do any amount of touring, you owe it to yourself to experience the RGU.
That is one of the best perspectives I have ever read on this well worn topic! Just when I thought the horse had been beat to death years ago!
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 20
From: Kafar Hanusi
I have not ridden many Batwings but enough to like it, turbulence is always an issue even on frame mounts. I had a SuperWedge fairing, it was ok, covered allot of me in the rain but was pretty loose in heavy side winds even on a CB750.
I'd go with the Batwing.
I'd go with the Batwing.
I've road both and I get a lot more buffeting on the RG. I prefer the batwing for that reason. You can talk about handling characteristics, fuel mileage, cool factor, whatever. But if you feel uncomfortable you're not going to like it.
Oh, and mama said if I ever brought home a RG she's gonna kick my a$$. She doesn't like the buffeting either. Nuff said.
Oh, and mama said if I ever brought home a RG she's gonna kick my a$$. She doesn't like the buffeting either. Nuff said.
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Road Captain
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 595
Likes: 21
From: Weston, Fl
Ed