So i rented a Road Glide...

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υεlυεt • ωσмαη

New member
I had same concerns as you did. I had owned a 2008 Street Glide, which I thought was a great bike. I liked the looks of the Road Glide and the idea that they were not as popular as the Street Glide. I am also 5'7" and had problems with the wind when I first road one. I the went back for another demo ride with a 10" windvest windshield and bought the bike. Windvest makes a nice windshield that doesnt look like a bubble. I was happy with the Street Glide, but glade I made the switch. Love how far the fairing is away from me and the handling of the bike. What ever decision you make you will have a great bike.
Good Luck
 
I've been on the same fence several times.

To make a long story short, after numerous test rides on various Road Glides with various windshields, and after owning 2 StreetGlides with several different shields (stock 4", strait 8, 8.5, & 9 inch, clear view 8" recurve, another 8" recurve, and the current 7" HD wind- splitter).


For ME, The batwing provides better protection, and less buffeting than the RG, with all but the stock SG 4" shield.

The RG is much better in headwinds, but much worse in strong cross winds. (more body surface for the wind to push against)

For me to be comfortable on a RG, I would have to have a shield on it that is taller than I want, for reasons of looks, and because I refuse to have to look THROUGH a shield. On any of the RGs I rode, (5 different bikes) if I could see over the shield, I was getting beat to death with buffeting. That includes various flip-up, strait, and even one Klockwerks shield on the various RGs I rode.

I know that lowers help a lot, but because of the temps in my area during riding season, I will not ride a bike with lowers. So that is not a viable solution for me.

For these reasons, I stick with the batwing.

Its also my personal feeling at this point, and I know Ill get flamed for this, but IMHO, the supposed superior handling of the RG comes more from the shape/angle of the handlebars, than it does from the lack of weight on the forks. The lack of weight DOES give the steering a lighter feeling at slow speed, but at normal riding speeds, I think its the shape, angle, and position of the handlebars that make the RG feel more nimble. I recently raised my SG bars up about an inch, and was AMAZED at the difference in handling. All It took was to get the bars in the right place, and it was like a different bike. I think with a straiter, flatter bent bar like the RG has, the handling feel (at speed) would be almost identical.

Just one mans opinion.

FYI, Im six feet tall.
 
I went to purchase the 09 Roadie and took it for a demo ride. I had been listening to all the raves here too. What I found out after riding one made me come home with the streetglide. The wind coming off of the fairing just plain sucks, mind you this was on an 09 with a windshield considerably larger than the 10. Not only does it come from over the shield but is like a gale force from under also. To make it the great tourer that everyone claims it is you need a giant windshield and hard lowers and even then it is windy, not to mention how FUGLY it is with the huge windshield.
 
my 09 Road Glide with stock windshield sucked. I went from 16" straight stock windshield to the Klock Werks 12" curved windshield. Like night and day difference. After 1 year and 15,000 miles, I've ridden in wind, rain, cross winds, etc.... and I've not had any issues. I can ride this thing all day. I do wear a modular full face helmet, up on the streets, down when I get up over 60 MPH. To each his own.... but I wouldn't have any other bike. I'm waiting for the 2011 Road Glide Ultra CVO to come in next week. Love it !!!!!
 
It always ends up a personal choice. I have a batwing and a Fugly. I personally think the
Fugly is MUCH better in the wind and I've been riding 30 years. So, Its a personal thing and
each has to make up their own mind. If you are meeting 18 wheelers on a 2 lane highway, It doesnt take too many Rigs passing to know the Fulgy shines in that catagory.
Again, its a personal thing... and yeah, I agree The grass is always greener..............hdman
 
Ditto here too. I have 25k on it been thru rain, snow, hail, fog, and 115* sun. I wear a flip up helmet and can ride with the helmet up up to 70 mph, and almost always have the visor up unless it rains or is 115*.
 
I have owned a street glide,an ultra and most recently the Roadglide.The stock windshield on the RG is useless,but having replaced it with a klock it looks and feels like a completely different bike.I ride through the canyons and the high plains in colorado where the winds(crosswinds]can make riding real interesting.On the ultra the compromise was less wind in the face but nowhere the stability of the RG.Riding through Colorado one cannot help but notice how many RG's are out here.If I was riding in Wisconsin or Kansas I would have no problem with any of the touring bikes.Nothing Harley builds performs better then the RG on the twisties or in the mountains.
 
I have a 07 FLTR with a 12" klockwerks windshield. The shield looks good and works fine up to 60mph. Then Wind noise and serious buffeting occur at all speeds above that. This is my second windshield I have bought and I need a windshield that is going to work at 70mph plus speed. I am 5'10" tall. Any recommendations would be great.
 
I've said it before and I'll say it again. When it comes to getting a motorcycle, get what makes YOU happy, don't let others affect your decision, you may regret it in the future.

Life is a ride, enjoy it while it lasts.

Tommy
 
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