Having owned both, I'd say noticeable but not significant.

 

Thank you. I listened to the sales pitch this afternoon.
Too much pitch for to be taken as gospel.

 

I rode a batwing fairing for 10 years , I've had a shark nose for 4 years , around town and short rides not much difference , on long trips or windy days the fixed fairing is much better , when I would be on trips on windy days if I went above 65mpn on the highway the batwing beat me to death , the shark nose under same conditions I run 75-80mph with one hand on the bars and don't even feel it , the only thing I liked better about the batwing was sitting closer to the fairing if I ran into a little rain I could tuck in behind the fairing and stay relatively dry til I ran out of it , on the fixed fairing you better put the rain gear on

 

I've ridden both. And it is a noticeable difference. Not really a better or worse thing, but very different. But you'll get used to which ever one you ride and be fine with it.

They handle disturbed air differently. And the fixed fairing has the edge there. But for that gain, you get a little harder to manage air flow for the rider, and a less convenient lay out.

And some will have issues with the looks. Although that has lessened with the popularity of the Roadies with the custom crowd these days.

 

Therm...would you expand on the better managed air flow?

 

It's harder to keep the air from hitting the rider.

Most of it is caused by the large opening for the forks. There are some baffles to help sort that out. but there are certain speeds where it's still noticeable. But that really only an issue for peeps who roll with tall windshields. Where the lack of air from the front makes the air from underneath more noticeable.

Not sure what you were exposed to. But if it was a MoCo salesman, tell him to put up or shut up. As in test ride out on the slab in and amongst the big rigs. That's where the fixed fairing shines. The air with still yank on the scooter as you work past the trucks, but there isn't any steering input from it.

 

Test road a RG Special at this years laconia...i agree with jack...and not as much wind management as the batwing fairing. The RG's sharknose is a pittance by comparrison to the batwing. I guess i'm use to the business end of the batwing and the sharknose seems sparse. The motor power and handle bar controls of course was the same. I think a taller windshield would make a difference because the special had a smidge of a windshield. And there seemed to be a bigger gap under the sharknose fairing allowing more wind/weather thru. Solid riding bike.

Glad i finally took one for a test ride to see what all the hoopla is all about. I prefer the batwing by default (what i'm use to). And how much can one get out of a 7-9 mile test ride.

 

I've put many miles on both and I'd have to agree with the opinions here too. One thing not mentioned that's a plus for the RG, is the lighter feeling in handling since the fairing is not mounted on the front end.

 

If you're looking at new, be sure to talk to people with experience on a 2014 or newer batwing.

The difference between the ones with the mail slot and without are significant.

I rode a 1999 Ultra for 15 years and I've been on the 2014 for one year. I'm a back road, long distance rider. That mail slot has a significant impact on reducing head-on truck buffeting and it protects me better from "stuff" than the RG.

I really was torn between the two, but a little time in the saddle at a rally convinced me to stay EG. I love the look of the RG, but I felt better protected from debris and rain on the EG.

 

I have batwing and frame mounted J word bike. So I really can't compare. But I will note that most other brands have frame mount. They are not doing it for tradition or cosmetics.

 

Why are they doing it?

Why can't you compare?

 

I had both and my bike of choice is the Road Glide. The wind management is not a big deal to remedy because in most cases the installation of fairing lowers is all you need to manage the air.
Of course HD puts the smallest useless windshield on the bike knowing that it looks cool but isn't practical and you will be buying a new windshield.
I like the fact that the Road Glide fairing isn't right on top of me like the batwing and the Road Glide feels much more roomy.
And don't buy that rain Bulls*** if it is raining in front of the fairing it will be raining behind the fairing there is no such thing as the proverbial air bubble on any bike.
Also don't buy into the headlight not turning excuse because it doesn't matter unless you are going under 5mph, if you're going 20mph and your headlight turns you're in trouble.

 

It's funny to me that people stress over the non-turning headlights on their bikes but think nothing of them on their cars.

joe

 

Haven't ridden the RG yet, but the Reckless Motors batwing on Fiona's front end definately lets me hunker down under the rain and dodge a fare (pun intended) number of drops.

 

I think I got here too late, is there any popcorn left?


Sent from handheld item of convenience.

 

Pass the popcorn, Gunny.