I love the look of the road glide so much, that I would have got one regardless of the stability benefit that I feel. I still ride my batwing though and would not call it "unstable".
I would say that is where i see most of the advantage, interstate riding. The RG just doesnt translate as much turbulence to my hands.
Ive hit the 6500 rpm rev limiter in 5th gear on my batwing (no speedo, but probably a bit more than 80) without grief. Ive also done 500mi days on it keeping a pace of 85-90 and it feels fine to me.
100% because it just "feels right" to me
Ride both (rent for a few days), see if the ride difference is enough to change your mind.
Some guys will swear by the ride, and buy it regardless of looks.
Some guys will swear by the looks, and buy it regardless of the ride.
Some guys dont think they ride different at all, but buy the one they think looks better
Some guys buy both...
Ride both bikes, asses the different qualities both first hand, and determine which guy you are

 

Thanks for the input.
So far I think the bat has it. I live on the west (read wet) coast so the rain protection means a lot. I also plan to do a lot of riding with the OL and "happy wife = happy life" is so true. I'm also 5'8" and just about need a spotting scope to see the dash on the RG. My concern over stability seems to be relatively minor although the RG would be slightly superior there.

I do plan on test riding both before making a final decision but I think you guys have made it easier.

So thanks a bunch folks

JW

 

I had a Street Glide for 3 months and got rid of it. It probably does offer better wind blockage to your upper body and face but the Road Glide cuts through the wind better with less buffeting. If you want a better ride get shark nose. If you want wind out of your face go Batwing or get a taller windshield for a Road Glide.

 

I guess after spending 3 years on a Night Train with no widshield in rain, wind and sun etc... the buffeting statements never made sense to me. It is a motorcycle after all. I've had the RG Custom since last year and both myself and the old lady enjoy the ride so much better than the NT. I have ridden it in 35 to 40 mph crosswinds and it just cruised down the road no problem. It's so stable I can ride in down the freeway at 75 with the cruise set and no hands for miles. (not recommended for obvious safety reasons)
I have a 12" and a 15" windsplitter for it depending on how far I'm riding, and soft lowers for the rain. This set up works good for me. As a side note I could not ride a Bat Wing bike, I feel like I'm sitting on top of the fairing and I have trouble seeing the guages in the fairing as they are so close. Good luck on your search and reading my .02

 

I've got experience on both, so I guess I'm qualified to contribute!

I had a CVO SG. The batwing has a classic look to it that will likely never grow old.

I'm not sure of your height, but the batwing is in your face, compared to a RG. The fairing is vertical, and right there, right in front of you. I used to get such bad buffeting, it would get frustrating after several days of long riding. I tried the wind deflectors on the sides, and the fork deflector too. Nothing helps, short of fairing lowers, which change the bike's look considerably.

Handling - the SG rides very well. The steering feels heavy when you first upright the bike, and when you're actually turning the bars, there is a lot of weight being turned too. Semis will affect the bike too - for me, I noticed ride up next to a semi that it pushed on the fairing, then just as you're nearly past it, the wind almost pulls the bike closer.

When I say I had CVO SG, I guess I still do. I have done a full RG conversion on the bike, for several reasons.

First, the RG does handle much better. The shape and attachment of the fairing drive all the force directly into the frame, and the steering is unaffected. Uprighting the bike, the steering feels noticeably lighter. Buffeting can still be an issue, but the fork deflector and the crash bar deflectors that mount in front of the tank help very much. I still have a 12" Windsplitter which is almost useless. There are definitely better options out there.

When riding up along semis, the wind is a moot point. No affect. Crosswinds are a non-issue too.

And for me, I personally love the look of the RG. It's aggressive looking, and has a perfect flow-thru from front to rear. The shape of the batwing doesn't allow that.

It's a personal choice. While the two bikes share the same frame, the fairing does have a significant difference.

I can say this - I honestly couldn't see myself going back to a batwing fairing.

 

I'll echo what the others have said about riding both. Last Spring when I was shopping, I did a 6-hour rental with both the batwing Ultra and sharknose Ultra. They were rented on consecutive Saturdays and ridden the exact same 190-mile route including in-town stoplight-to-stoplight, mountain 2-lanes, 50-mph 4-lanes, and 30 miles of interstate highway. I would be happy with either bike aestheticaly - I don't consider the shark nose to be ugly. All of my comments are in reference to the stock configuration (seat, bars, footboards).

I rented the shark nose first. I found that the shark nose bike had lighter steering in slow speed manuevers and on the twisty 2-lanes. It also was more stable at highway speed in cross winds and while passing or being passed by 18-wheelers. However, I had significantly more helmet buffeting and wind noise with the Road Glide. I am only 5'10", so I imagine that is worse for taller riders. I would have needed at least a different windshield. Having the radio controls and dash fsrther ahead of me was "different", but there is no doubt that I could have gotten used to it. My biggest issue is that I have short arms - about a 28" sleeve. The handlebar position on the shark nose was a real reach for me, especially on the outside bar in tight turns. After riding for several hours, I had shoulder and neck fatigue due to the reach of the handlebars. I would need aftermarket bars and/or seat to make the Road Glide work comfortably for me.

The batwing was fine. Although the steering was a little heavier, I didn't find a problem with it at all. While there was some disturbance at highway speed from trucks and crosswinds, it was not unstable or un-nerving to me at all. The closeness of the fairing, dash, and controls did not feel cramped to me. It may feel cramped to a taller rider. I had no helmet buffeting up to 8- mph and the wind noise was very low. I also did not have the neck or shoulder fatigue that I experienced a week earlier. I felt as good after the 6-hour ride as when I first got on. I could have ridden this bike cross-country in comfort.

In my case, the batwing just fit my body better and that is what I would buy between the two. If I could afford to do seat, handlebar, and windshield changes before taking delivery of a high-dollar touring bike, I would seriously consider the shark nose. It really rode smooth. But to make it comfortable, I would need some upgrades and would have more invested in the bike. The batwing fit me well right out of the box. But that is what fits ME. You really should have an extended ride on them both to see what fits YOU best.

Ultimately, I decided that I didn't want a faring at all. I like listening to the bike and surrounding traffic rather than the radio or iPod. I purchased a used 2010 Road King Police with only 4600 miles on it for significantly less than what either the bat wing or shark nose platforms would have cost. In the warm weather, I found myself riding with the windshield removed most of the time. In the colder or wet weather, I use the big 22" Police Bike shield. I have MUCH less helmet buffeting and wind noise with no shield on the RK than I did with the sharknose fairing and the standard shield. I plan to get a 16" Long Ride Shield for when I want something in between. I am happy with my choice but do understand the attraction of a bike with a fairing and will probably have one someday. Both of those are great bikes. Just be sure to ride each of them to see what works best for YOU. But understand that a 15-minute test ride will not tell you much. I recommend making the invetment to rent for at least half a day. That was about $110 per 6-hour rental at my dealer, including insurance.

Happy Shopping!

 

I've had both and prefer the RG. Been thru a few windshields for the RG, and have come to the conclusion I'll never get the same wind protection I had on the Batwing with a 10" recurve windshield, and still look stylish on the RG.
I agree with many who say rent each one for a day. A couple hundred bucks in rental fees is way better than spending $20,000.00+ and regreting it!

 

I've owned Ultra's...Street glides and Road glides, like them all. If I could only have one touring rig, I would keep the RG. Looks are in the eyes of the beholder, definitely handles better and with the right windshield, there is no buffeting that I have experienced at any speed.

 

I ride both plus a few other bikes ride about 20,000 total miles a year, as far as all out comfort you just cant beat a Electraglide I also find that as all my steering is counter steering the wind actually makes the eletraglide more stable for me the cross winds everybody seems to complain about on a FLHTCU is much less annoyoing then on my Roadglide that thing is just a big sail when you pass a truck or have a sidewind. However I do really enjoy riding the RG. It is all souped up and runs like a demon, light steering in the twisties. The only real problem I had with the Roadglide was the nasty turbulance that came from up from under the fairing but that is now history as well. Installed some GADS. It is a fun bike to ride, reminds me of my old lowrider with that long strech to the bars and how well it drifts in hard fast corners. Not trying to confuse you. Good Luck

 

rode both and own the batwing. but that being said i like the look of the sharknose and want to figure out a way to combine the 2