batwing vs sharknose
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
Agreed! Test ride both, with your favourite passenger if you have one.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 385
Likes: 13
From: longtown
i have a 2000 roadglide and a 2006 ultra.personally i cant tell any difference in the handling,buffeting etc.i have ridden both on long rides and i usually flip a coin as to which i ride at any time.but,this is kinda like a ford versus chevy debate,you will get a different answer from each one that you ask.
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 415
Likes: 1
From: Virginia Beach
I've had both
I had a Shark Nose for three years. Spent a ton of money and time trying to cure the wind buffeting problem and the only windshield that was really comfortable looked like I had a picture window bolted to the front of my bike. Hell, my Road King was more comfortable IMO. I am convinced (at least in my circumstance) that the fairing is too far away and the wind has too much of a chance to curve back to the rider. Again, that is strictly my experience. Anyway, I sold it, bought a Batwing and with an 8" Freedom Shield I have the best ride I have ever experienced. Good luck.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
From: New York
When I had my Dyna, I really wanted a Road Glide. I wanted something with bags and a radio and I really liked the look of the sharknose. I still do. Harley had a demo day at the local dealer and i got a chance to ride the Road Glide. My impression was that the fairing was quite far away and that the windshield didn't really do much (if anything) to protect the rider from the elements. It just felt funny to me the way it was set up. I don't remember how tall the windshield was, but probably 6 inches or thereabouts. My thoughts were that it'd have to be really tall to do any good being so far out front. Obviously I wasn't able to try a taller windshield, but it got me to ride a Street Glide with a short windshield. It too didn't do much to protect the rider. Fast forward to this past summer I was at the dealer and they had a trade in Ultra (with stock 12" screen) for sale. I took it for a ride and knew that was what I wanted. I worked a deal that day for a new FLHTK. I haven't had any regrets with my choice and I'm very happy with my bike.
My recommendation is to ride both so you can make an informed choice.
By the way, I should add that I replaced the stock windshield with a FastAire 10" aero windshield and it works great!
My recommendation is to ride both so you can make an informed choice.
By the way, I should add that I replaced the stock windshield with a FastAire 10" aero windshield and it works great!
Last edited by Bugsy; Jan 20, 2013 at 04:02 PM.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,898
From: Bedford UK
I've test ridden several other brand bikes over the years with fixed fairings and the only one that worked well was an R100RS, of which I owned two. Those bikes with more upright riding positions left a huge gulf between rider and windshield and I no longer bother trying them any more. I wouldn't even sit on an RG, or SG for that matter!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 17,548
Likes: 7,197
From: Oxford, Nc
I've owned both...The batwing affords better rain protection while the RG offers better crosswind stability IMO. The batwing feels cramped to me (6'3",) and the RG gives me an extra foot or so of "cabin space."
You can see my preference in my sig line.
You can see my preference in my sig line.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 988
Likes: 1
From: Ashevegas
I have a Street Glide but have ridden a Road Glide Custom. The stock windshield on it's like having no windshield at all. I think it would take a pretty tall windshield to make it comfortable for me, and the taller the windshield the more fugly they are IMHO.