Shark Nose VS Batwing Fairing
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 409
Likes: 8
From: SE WI
One thing painfully missing in ths conversation is the size of the rider and the seats used. One man's gawdawful is another's perfect weekend. Pretty much like arguing what is the best dog-depends what you want it to do. I'll take a Lab for duck hunting, but those little purse dogs are better for Marlin fishing 
Seriously, in general terms you really can't beat the principle of a frame-mounted fairing for high speed handling. Period. There's a reason why you never see a Formula 1 bike with a batwing, 'course there's also reason why you don't see large groups of F1 riders on their way cross-country to Sturgis. In addition to priciple, there's execution. A little 5'8" guy like me is usually way happier on an FLT than a 6'4" rider. The sharknose shield is too far away for many taller riders and the converging airflow gives them more turbulance than a batwing. I have to lean forward on an FLT a little more so I am fine with it. Then there's intangibles over what you "just plain like better" and no facts will ever mess up a good opinion. I have never been bothered by the fixed bodywork of a sportbike, yet a Goldwing or Road Glide just feels weird to me. Weird-there's a technical term ya can't argue against with stupid facts and engineering fancy talk
Seriously, in general terms you really can't beat the principle of a frame-mounted fairing for high speed handling. Period. There's a reason why you never see a Formula 1 bike with a batwing, 'course there's also reason why you don't see large groups of F1 riders on their way cross-country to Sturgis. In addition to priciple, there's execution. A little 5'8" guy like me is usually way happier on an FLT than a 6'4" rider. The sharknose shield is too far away for many taller riders and the converging airflow gives them more turbulance than a batwing. I have to lean forward on an FLT a little more so I am fine with it. Then there's intangibles over what you "just plain like better" and no facts will ever mess up a good opinion. I have never been bothered by the fixed bodywork of a sportbike, yet a Goldwing or Road Glide just feels weird to me. Weird-there's a technical term ya can't argue against with stupid facts and engineering fancy talk
Banned
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 2,323
Likes: 1
From: Arizona
Talk about an interesting thread.
I have a buddy just bought a RG. He loves it. The bike he came off of was an 05 flht.
Something I've noticed in the RG is the best bike crowd. They all are comparing them with their pre 09 EGs. Has anyone compared a post 09 EG to a post 09 RG?
I have a buddy just bought a RG. He loves it. The bike he came off of was an 05 flht.
Something I've noticed in the RG is the best bike crowd. They all are comparing them with their pre 09 EGs. Has anyone compared a post 09 EG to a post 09 RG?
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 5,323
Likes: 37
From: NJ
I can't even get to the point of having any kind of miles on a shark nose to join the discussion about handling.
For me......and I'm not knocking anyones ride....but for me I think that shark nose design is beyond butt ugly. If I won a shark nose bike I'd have to sell it.
For me......and I'm not knocking anyones ride....but for me I think that shark nose design is beyond butt ugly. If I won a shark nose bike I'd have to sell it.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 524
Likes: 6
After riding many different sport bikes, Jap cruisers and well as touring bikes and various Harleys over many years there is no way for a person to know what works best for them at that stage of their life til they try them on and see what fits and works best for what they want the bike for. When I was a young man, long, lean and indestructible I wanted speeeed and hard acceleration. When I transitioned to Harleys I always preferred a WideGlide or a Heritage and had several. So while its helpful to point out what works best for you at a given time that doesn't always settle the discussion of batwing or sharknose.
Road Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 3
From: Mass.
Talk about an interesting thread.
I have a buddy just bought a RG. He loves it. The bike he came off of was an 05 flht.
Something I've noticed in the RG is the best bike crowd. They all are comparing them with their pre 09 EGs. Has anyone compared a post 09 EG to a post 09 RG?
I have a buddy just bought a RG. He loves it. The bike he came off of was an 05 flht.
Something I've noticed in the RG is the best bike crowd. They all are comparing them with their pre 09 EGs. Has anyone compared a post 09 EG to a post 09 RG?
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 241
Likes: 2
From: Bristol TN
Please dont buy a RG they are way to FUGLY. I get sick to my stomach looking at one of them things. If you want to see a good looking Street Glide take a look at mine. SCREW a bunch of ROADGLIDES. OH Chit i got on the wrong bike at bike night.
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Stage III
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Ann Arbor, Michigan
2011 Road Glide Ultra. Decided on a RG over a SG after spending time in the windy deserts and mountains outside Palm Springs on a rented RG. Going between the often photographed acres of windmills, I felt the bike moving around a bit, but the handlebars were not being pushed at all. Up on the twisties in the mountains the bike handled great, again with relatively light steering for the size of the bike.
On my Road Glide Ultra, I have the quick release kit for the tour pack. I do notice a difference in wind pushing with the tour pack on vs. off. I think the bike handles better with the tour pack off, too, probably due to a reduced center of gravity.
Very pleased with my purchase. Appearance? Looks and sounds like a Harley and that's good enough for me.
On my Road Glide Ultra, I have the quick release kit for the tour pack. I do notice a difference in wind pushing with the tour pack on vs. off. I think the bike handles better with the tour pack off, too, probably due to a reduced center of gravity.
Very pleased with my purchase. Appearance? Looks and sounds like a Harley and that's good enough for me.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 4
From: pittsburgh, pa
Talk about an interesting thread.
I have a buddy just bought a RG. He loves it. The bike he came off of was an 05 flht.
Something I've noticed in the RG is the best bike crowd. They all are comparing them with their pre 09 EGs. Has anyone compared a post 09 EG to a post 09 RG?
I have a buddy just bought a RG. He loves it. The bike he came off of was an 05 flht.
Something I've noticed in the RG is the best bike crowd. They all are comparing them with their pre 09 EGs. Has anyone compared a post 09 EG to a post 09 RG?
After a few minutes on the '09 EG I wanted my RGU back-it's that much better!