J&P Community

I've been considering buying a dresser and I am curious to hear feedback from someone who has owned and ridden both bikes with regards to the fork mounted fairing vs. the frame mounted fairing.  I'm not concerned with looks or ergonomics.  I just want to know about the ride, particulary stability in the wind at highway speeds.  Thanks in advance. 

 I have not ridden or owned either; I enjoy the non-fairing look of my Road King. That being said, there was a very good article/review regarding this question in an issue of Hot Baggers magazine; I think back in September. The rider in that case preferred the the frame mounted fairing on the Road Glide over the fork mounted as far as handling and stability. I will try to remember to look when I get home and see which issue it was. He explains in some detail the reasons why.

 One of my riding buddies owned a 2006 Road Glide.  He traded it on a 2009 Ultra Classic.  He says he cant tell any real difference in the handling related to the fairing differences.  He says that the Ultra's fairing blocks a lot more air and he likes that in cooler weather but he also was sort of kicking that advantage when we were on a ride on a hot day.  I like my plain king size windshield on my Heritage Classic.  It is just right for me in the amount of wind it blocks  which is not really a lot but it sure does make 65 to 70 mph cruising into just a comfortable breezy ride.  I like to remove it sometimes when Im just riding around town.

Speed

like others responding, I know people with both but have never ridden either.  there are a couple of mechanical things to consider:

1 - the frame mounted faring does not add any additional forces on neck bearings - won't exagerate (sp) a loose or worn neck bearing problem (i.e. speed wobles )

2 - the frame mounted faring has the headlight mounted to it - like your cage, the headlight will not turn with the wheel for tight corners at night

a pro and a con - hope these help

Very good point on Item 2 Iron! 

Of all the things to think about on this issue I never, nor did the reviewer in the article I mentioned above, thought about the fixed headlight issue. I end up riding in the dark through the country on the way home from job 2 a couple nights a week and when the corn is high as well as during the harvest season the critters are on the run. I catch a glimpse of quite a few as I round blind corners. Now that we are talking lights, I would miss the road lights that the Glide lacks as well.

Thanks for the feedback, guys.  Xea says he's gonna buy me a 751-852 for Christmas, so it looks like I'm keeping the FLHP.     

This is one of those issues I love to discuss. I’ve had some experience with all of the types we love. The bat wing is my favorite because it provides more protection than the fixed fairing of the Road Glide. The Road Glide fairing is so far away from the rider, the wind will come around the wind shield and in front of the rider and you will feel the turbulence from it. The bat wing being closer at speed has the wind come around it’s windshield at about the riders shoulder area, depending on where you position yourself on the seat. The Road Glide fairing is more of a stable ride on the interstate. This due to not being connected directly to the bars and fork assembly. A cross wind hitting the bat wing will get your attention and you’ll more than likely need to make a correction to your track. To the gentleman who prefer the openness of the road King. I’ve had strong cross winds on some trips and could still ride safely with no hands at times with the windshield attached. This was the most relaxing ride I’ve had on any of the models. In fact, the road King at legal hiway speeds will correct it’s self. The Road glide will have to be helped a little. But entering the buffeting zone at the corners of the back side of a tractor trailer, the Road glide requires way less attention than the bat wing. Bottom line is, the bat wing requires more attention than the others across the board of pro and cons. But the bat wing provides the most protection from rain and cold weather. You can ride the bat wing in the rain with no gloves. My two cents worth.