how does a fairing effect your ride
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 207
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From:
RE: how does a fairing effect your ride
Why dont you look at the ad on farings avaliable after market like , Quadzilla ,dead center or Dragonfly. You cant easily put them on or off to what your ride will be that day ,and keep your bike .Tradeing in costs money.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,602
Likes: 5
From: Southern California - Palm Springs Area
RE: how does a fairing effect your ride
IF YOUR MIND IS SET ON A DRESSER.... RENT ONE BEFORE YOU BUY AS THE BAT WING & THE SHARK NOISE BOTH HANDLE DIFFERENT...
BatWing - (Front Fork Mounted Fairing) - Adds additional weight to the steering and if you ever got caught in the wind with your RK you know what wind can do...
Shark Noise - (Frame Mounted Fairing) - Adds NO additional weight - Seems to cut the wind better - But as far as looks - you like or don't...
I have had a '98 Ultra Classic - '01 Road King Classic & Now a '07 Road Glide (& a few others)
BatWing - (Front Fork Mounted Fairing) - Adds additional weight to the steering and if you ever got caught in the wind with your RK you know what wind can do...
Shark Noise - (Frame Mounted Fairing) - Adds NO additional weight - Seems to cut the wind better - But as far as looks - you like or don't...
I have had a '98 Ultra Classic - '01 Road King Classic & Now a '07 Road Glide (& a few others)
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 0
From: Burbank, CA
RE: how does a fairing effect your ride
the big thing about the fairing is you don't realize how fast you are going. Seriously, when i ride my sportster and i get to above 70, i feel (exagerating of course, but u get my drift), like your hanging on for dear life. On the Ultra at 80 it feels no different than at 35. Just smooth relaxed riding.
I've been caught in some serious cross-winds, and it takes a little getting used to but don't let it scare you.
Low speed maneuvers are my only "complaint" (and that's usually with a passenger), but u adapt.
I've been caught in some serious cross-winds, and it takes a little getting used to but don't let it scare you.
Low speed maneuvers are my only "complaint" (and that's usually with a passenger), but u adapt.
6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
RE: how does a fairing effect your ride
I was wondering when someone would mention the RoadGlide, if you are going for the most stable and the most manuverable then it's gotta be the Roadglide. The FLHTC and the FLTR are different, you get a much tighter feeling on the FLHTC, the RG's fairing is further out in front of you, you don't feel so crowded. I am on my second Roadglide and I'll not ride anything else, it's the bomb. On the open road there ain't nothin' better, especially with the new motor and trans.
'71 Sportser
'76 Goldwing
'92 Dyna
'93 Classic
'94 Roadking
'96 Classic
'98 Roadking 95th
'99 Classic
'02 Roadking
'03 Roadking 100th
'05 Roadglide
'07 Roadglide
I think that's all?
'71 Sportser
'76 Goldwing
'92 Dyna
'93 Classic
'94 Roadking
'96 Classic
'98 Roadking 95th
'99 Classic
'02 Roadking
'03 Roadking 100th
'05 Roadglide
'07 Roadglide
I think that's all?
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 892
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From:
RE: how does a fairing effect your ride
thanks guys for some excellent insight and opinions. like cwoodal, i am 5'8" and have concerns of "flat-footedness", if you know what i mean. but as many of you have suggested, hump up and ride.
another good point though, i hadn't truly thoughtabout not eating the bugs and truck dust[:'(]
another good point though, i hadn't truly thoughtabout not eating the bugs and truck dust[:'(]
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 25
From: St George, UT
RE: how does a fairing effect your ride
If you get an Ultra, you'll be more comfortable in inclement weather. Riding in the rain it will keep you drier. In cold temperatures your clothing will keep you warmer. The only downside I can think of is gas mileage; 35-38 at speeds over 65, low 40's under 60. Lots of weight and wind resistance. But if you want to ride 500 miles a day, and go cruising that night, it is the bomb. Handling is superb at low speeds. Wouldn't want any other bike.
Road Warrior
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,942
Likes: 7
From: guntersville, al
RE: how does a fairing effect your ride
ORIGINAL: dmr
i am currently contemplating trading in a road king custom for a fairing equipped model, but, am not sure how different the ride will be. is your view obstructed,does the bike feel awkward,does the wind effect the machine more with the fairing, etc. i just wanted to get some feedback from you guys who havesome experienceriding with fairings. thanks in advance.
i am currently contemplating trading in a road king custom for a fairing equipped model, but, am not sure how different the ride will be. is your view obstructed,does the bike feel awkward,does the wind effect the machine more with the fairing, etc. i just wanted to get some feedback from you guys who havesome experienceriding with fairings. thanks in advance.
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Road Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,143
Likes: 0
From: Snowflake, Arizona
RE: how does a fairing effect your ride
I have had two bikes with full fairings, the RG and EG. Both take on more wind and both are affected by the wind more... the more surface area you have the more the wind will work you.
I do have a 04 Road King now... very happy with just a windshield. I just returned after 18 months in from New Zealand where they ride in wind and rain on most every trip.... most of the Kiwi riders use neither a fairing nor a windshield and all opt for full ace helmets and weather proof clothing. The one big difference, however, is that the max speed limit is 100ks, (60mph). If they were running 75 mph, a windshield is nice as your neck will really appreciate the help from the windbasts...
Hogback
Hogback
I do have a 04 Road King now... very happy with just a windshield. I just returned after 18 months in from New Zealand where they ride in wind and rain on most every trip.... most of the Kiwi riders use neither a fairing nor a windshield and all opt for full ace helmets and weather proof clothing. The one big difference, however, is that the max speed limit is 100ks, (60mph). If they were running 75 mph, a windshield is nice as your neck will really appreciate the help from the windbasts...
Hogback
Hogback
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 13
From: MA
RE: how does a fairing effect your ride
I have an '06 RK Classic and rented an '07 Ultra for a week just recently. I didn't notice much of a difference with the fairing compared to the windshield except that the windshield on the Ultra was too tall for me. I'm 6'2" and it needed to be an inch shorter. I loved the Ultra but it takes getting used to looking at all the plastic with the fairing compared to the nice chrome on the RK. 
I rode 2-up the whole week with my wife on the back and she loved it. And this was the first time she'd been on a bike! Since she's been on the back of my RK shedoesn't feel as comfy.
Who knows......down the road there might be an Ultra in my future.
I rode 2-up the whole week with my wife on the back and she loved it. And this was the first time she'd been on a bike! Since she's been on the back of my RK shedoesn't feel as comfy. Who knows......down the road there might be an Ultra in my future.