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CVO Social => Other Topics => Topic started by: BryantH on August 25, 2013, 08:07:29 PM
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Hello fellow Road Glide riders and general Harley Davidson Road Glide enthusiast,
With the recent release of the new 2014 Batwing fairing motorcycles now adorned with a new vent that was wind tunnel tested to reduce buffeting by some degree (TBD); would we want to see a similar vent on the upcoming Road Glide fairing - either in 2015 or beyond?
I welcome an updated version of the Shark Nose Road Glide fairing and feel the designers / engineers may conduct wind tunnel testing and realize if a vent is added to the Shark Nose fairing, it reduces buffeting by X% and thus add one.
In this case (you may have a different point of view), I would gladly give up the reduced buffeting X% to keep the sleek, functional and artistically flowing design in an updated fairing without a vent. I'm sure the updated fairing will yield reduced buffeting by itself or why design a new one?
Please share your thoughts and vote if you like. Maybe, the MoCo will study the results and act on this feedback (if it's not to late).
Respectfully,
BryantH
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I'm voting no. I changed my windshield (countless times) to find the sweet spot. Feels the same at 55 as it does 95. They can put the vent on the Bats to help out, don't think it will do much good on ours.
Now if they only made a damn windshield trim that actually fit like it is supposed to and be easy on/off, I'd buy that. :-[
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Adjustable windshield would be cool.
Cowboy
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I am waiting to see the new RG when it comes out. Hoping it could be a mid year deal at winter dealer meeting but time will tell.
I rode the new Limited on Friday. I liked it and one of the most noticeable changes was the reduced wind buffet from the vented fairing. I was just amazed at how the bike which comes stock with a pretty low windscreen had no wind buffeting at all running 70 and 80. I did not measure the height of the stock windscreen but I am 6 foot and I saw way over top of it.
So if the new RG uses a vent to achieve same effect I am cool with that.
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My first reaction after seeing the vent on the "Limited" was :o, but as I continued to look at the bike it grew on me...... :orange:
The overall look of the new fairing with the vent looks aggressive and sporty. I'm digging the new configuration and shape of the new fairing with vent.
I personally would like to see a vent on the 2015 Road Glide.
Trooper
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I agree with CowboyBagger.
I would like to see an electrically operated adjustable windscreen. It could open at the bottom and act as a vent.
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First choice an electric height adjustable recurve windshield on the Road Glide.
Second choice a nice vent, the Street glide one has grown on me.
However more than anything a CVO road glide for 2015 is what I want, custom please not an Ultra.
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I agree with CowboyBagger.
I would like to see an electrically operated adjustable windscreen. It could open at the bottom and act as a vent.
An electric Madstad ? :P
First choice an electric height adjustable recurve windshield on the Road Glide.
Second choice a nice vent, the Street glide one has grown on me.
However more than anything a CVO road glide for 2015 is what I want, custom please not an Ultra.
Insert any old Katana 1100 pix here. I remember them having one.
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Just checked this poll for the morning and have to say I'm a little shocked the poll is trending towards adding the vent.... really appreciate your input - keep it coming.
BryantH
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I always find it enlightening when people prefer to forgo functional improvements just because they think the change will affect "appearance". I suppose if people buy a Harley just to park it and admire it then that thought process might make sense, but I don't understand it from folks who actually ride. If the vent is done right, it should improve buffeting and wind noise issues that plague the previous Harley designs. Look through all the threads on this and other sites that deal with the buffeting issue, consider all the money thrown down a rat hole by many people trying different shields or deflectors to fix the problems, and then tell yourself you would rather deal with all the issues and wasted time and money versus finally having a properly designed stock solution (assuming they do it right of course). Now that they've finally put Willy G. out to pasture perhaps Harley can start to catch up with the rest of the industry when it comes to function and not just rely on style. Of course the truly gifted designers can accommodate both style and function; we will have to wait and see if the current management group will be willing and able to find that balance.
Jerry
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I think the new "Road-
Wing Glide" will have more than one vent. IMO
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Harley has been trending toward vented windshields; I'd almost expect it to be standard on the '15.
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How about "gills" on the sides - a whole new definition of shark nose...
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The fairing is going to have to be redesigned to accommodate that big touchscreen. It would make sense to put a vent in as well.
Sent from my iPad, probably while I'm pooping.
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Color matched Cowl Induction with Stingray Gills, I would like to ride with a Fedora. ;D
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How about "gills" on the sides - a whole new definition of shark nose...
:2vrolijk_21:
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I could see them adding the vent and adding the radiators to the nose instead of the lowers . I would expect the cooling to much more functional then the glides with the extra space in the fixed fairing.
:oops: :nixweiss:
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I could see them adding the vent and adding the radiators to the nose instead of the lowers . I would expect the cooling to much more functional then the glides with the extra space in the fixed fairing.
:oops: :nixweiss:
I agree that it may be more efficient in the fairing, but commonality is the name of the game to reduce costs. Using the same lowers with cooling on all head cooled models will reduce their inventory requirements as well a lot less tooling.
If you have to add weight to a bike, adding more weight to the fairing may not be the best place. The lowers can handle the extra weight better as they're much closer to the center of gravity on the bike.
That being said, I’m expecting some major revisions on the new RG fairing, or bike in general.
Hopefully for the better...
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I think it will have a radiator and gills.
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I like the idea of a vent and if they keep the radio in the same spot the vent would be almost invisible from a rider's point of view. Maybe it would also stop my ashes from getting sucked into the inside base of the shield. :2vrolijk_21:
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I don't see the need for a vent. Don't really see how it would function to begin with. The fairing and windshield are so far forward a dash vent would probably just add turbulence.
Now a movable windshield or shield(s) might be a good thing. As long as it was as high as the tall shield is now. Even a more functional attachment system would be an improvement.
I'm thinking that it will be a very different fairing. Just putting the touch screen in safe reach will require some major changes. So all of this is probably moot.
What we do need to do, is stay on the MoCo's butt about have a Road Glide in 15. They are not completely popular with the dealers. Some go so far as to not floor plan them.
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If not already being worked on a stylish chrome grill will finish the fairing off nicely.
The way it is standard retracts from the smooth flowing look.
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I agree that it may be more efficient in the fairing, but commonality is the name of the game to reduce costs. Using the same lowers with cooling on all head cooled models will reduce their inventory requirements as well a lot less tooling.
If you have to add weight to a bike, adding more weight to the fairing may not be the best place. The lowers can handle the extra weight better as they're much closer to the center of gravity on the bike.
That being said, I’m expecting some major revisions on the new RG fairing, or bike in general.
Hopefully for the better...
Word is that MOCO can't get the new fairing designed correctly. Latest design was putting too much weight on the front end and the test track monkeys totaled every new designed Roadglide that they have brought to them. So now they are back to the design board to come up with a new plan. This might be old news, but I just heard about from a very in the know Harley Tech.
Cowboy
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We did the demo ride this past weekend and three of the bikes we rode were batties. I can just see a big bug getting sucked into that vent and coming out of it pissed off and attacking you if the speed conditions were just right. Needs some kind of removable mesh screen over it IMHO.
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Word is that MOCO can't get the new fairing designed correctly. Latest design was putting too much weight on the front end and the test track monkeys totaled every new designed Roadglide that they have brought to them. So now they are back to the design board to come up with a new plan. This might be old news, but I just heard about from a very in the know Harley Tech.
Cowboy
How could a different fairing shell weigh so much more as to make the bike so much heavier that experienced test riders actually wrecked them that badly; repetitively?
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How could a different fairing shell weigh so much more as to make the bike so much heavier that experienced test riders actually wrecked them that badly; repetitively?
Does Harley actually hire experienced people? As a cost cutting measure maybe they replaced them with lower skilled and lower paid riders.
:oops: :nixweiss:
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Does Harley actually hire experienced people? As a cost cutting measure maybe the replaced them with lower skilled and lower paid riders.
:oops: :nixweiss:
As high (personal and product) liability test riders?
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How could a different fairing shell weigh so much more as to make the bike so much heavier that experienced test riders actually wrecked them that badly; repetitively?
Leaning forward to reach the touch screen?
Seriously, I doubt that's more than a rumor. As for needing to do a redesign, there are a multitude of reasons they might see the need to do that. But imparting weight to the front end would be seen in the wind tunnel, and not make it to the proving phase.
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As high (personal and product) liability test riders?
Maybe there is a change in their attitude. Did they not allow the Harley death wobble to go on for years?
:oops: :nixweiss:
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How could a different fairing shell weigh so much more as to make the bike so much heavier that experienced test riders actually wrecked them that badly; repetitively?
Not sure Don, I was thinking the design probably had the balance of the weight too far forward. Not sure what new components they have in there and how they compare to the old.
Cowboy
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Not sure Don, I was thinking the design probably had the balance of the weight too far forward. Not sure what new components they have in there and how they compare to the old.
Cowboy
Agreed that we can envision a host of gawdy, heavy, forward or outboard leaning options that might be unstable. They're all at least a bit "out there" though.
From the new Electra Glides we already know what the guts will be. CAN bus (HDLAN) will actually lower a bit of harness weight. The Road Glide fairings were already a long way forward, so it's difficult to see them being even more so. And even a radical difference in shape is difficult to see being dramatically heavier. It's still just an outer shell with some empty space in the middle.
The speculation can't help but make a guy curious. I'm just tentative in letting this in-the-know tech's notions pass my personal sniff test without a bit more citation or reference. It is certainly enough to bait some curiosity though.
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A tall, electrically adjustable windscreen creates a calm cockpit experience with help from ducts above the instrument panel, which balances pressure areas outside and inside the screen.
http://www.topspeed.com/motorcycles/motorcycle-reviews/kawasaki/2013-kawasaki-concours-14-abs-ar154988.html
Come on MoCo - Kawa Concours has had it for many years - best standard equipment piece on any bike I've owned bar none (related to cockpit comfort)- if I built a custom tourer I would steal the electric wind shield & retrofit it somehow (but thats not going to happen ...)
ps - a vent could be a good thing - no sure yet till tested
Aggressive fairing with specially designed venting facilitates heat dissipation, greatly reducing the amount of hot air transmitted to the rider
A tall windscreen with a wide upper portion reduces upper-body turbulence. The screen is electrically adjustable, with four programmable preset positions
When the power is turned off, the windscreen goes to its lowest position. When the power is turned back on, the windscreen’s memory function returns it to the selected preset position
Passages from windscreen slits direct air through the inner fairing to vents next to the instrument panel; alleviating the lower pressure helps prevent turbulence around the rider’s head
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I had a C14 and the stock windshield sucked. Lots of buffeting and at highway speeds the low pressure created behind the shield would push you forward on the seat. I replaced it with a slightly larger Cal Sci windshield that had a NACA vent and the forward "push" disappeared. All HD has to do is put a vent in the windshield..... :drink:
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I am ok with it if they can make it look good. Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beholder...
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I am ok with it if they can make it look good. Remember, beauty is in the eye of the beERholder...
Fixed that for ya :2vrolijk_21:
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There is a lot of truth in that.... Haha
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I am looking for the first company to come out with a paintable plug for the vent on the Ultra's. In my opinion whatever benifit it provides is never going to overirde how bad it looks. I just do not want a Gold Wing looking vent on my HD.
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On another site one guy referred to the new Fairing Vent as "The Mail Slot"
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On another site one guy referred to the new Fairing Vent as "The Mail Slot"
Same thing I thought when I saw it,,,also on the latest body style Camaro and the Silverado bumper that has the tranny cooler in it. Must be the trend.
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One thing is a sure bet, good idea....bad idea, Mother Harley doesn't give a squat what we think :confused5: :confused5:
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One thing is a sure bet, good idea....bad idea, Mother Harley doesn't give a squat what we think :confused5: :confused5:
I disagree, they're active on this forum but will not publicly participate. Where else would you find these demographics, and for free too. :drink:
Now where they choose to ignore us is after the sale, they got yer monies. I could go on but will refrain. :coolblue:
Moco use to spend lots of money and time on focus groups, now they only have to google and read on the inner-web.
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Love the function if the vent on my Limited. It does work great. I leave it open while riding in Rain as well.
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regarding the 2015 RG vent add... first of all it would be great to introduce an electrically adjustable windshield. That way you can control how much venting you really get. Also, you could add deflectors on the sides , to get additional air flow into the mid section of one's body.
Check out the new BMW GTL. it is a great example to follow.
For the "hard core" HD owners that do not want the power, make it a 2-3 position manually adjustable windshield. Check out hte 2004 BMW K1200RS. It has the 2 position adjustaable winsheild.
I have a 2006 RG and I love it, because of the fixed fairing. But i also own a 2004 BMW K1200gt along with BMW 2012 K1600GTL with very nice fearures I wish my RG would have. ..
;D
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regarding the 2015 RG vent add... first of all it would be great to introduce an electrically adjustable windshield. That way you can control how much venting you really get. Also, you could add deflectors on the sides , to get additional air flow into the mid section of one's body.
Check out the new BMW GTL. it is a great example to follow.
For the "hard core" HD owners that do not want the power, make it a 2-3 position manually adjustable windshield. Check out hte 2004 BMW K1200RS. It has the 2 position adjustaable winsheild.
I have a 2006 RG and I love it, because of the fixed fairing. But i also own a 2004 BMW K1200gt along with BMW 2012 K1600GTL with very nice fearures I wish my RG would have. ..
;D
I believe the Gagstad, oops Madstad covers that issue for those that can get past the looks of them :rolleyes4:
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I've been running with a ClearView vented windshield for the past couple of years and have to say it works. Just like the MoCo says on the FLH, just keep it open. No more wind noise, buffeting, or wearing ear plugs anymore.
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If this photo is real, it looks like the new RG inner fairing will have vents.
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I've been running with a ClearView vented windshield for the past couple of years and have to say it works. Just like the MoCo says on the FLH, just keep it open. No more wind noise, buffeting, or wearing ear plugs anymore.
That's the windshield I was looking for. A somewhat local riding buddy has one and I always forget the brand. Give me some info. How tall is that shield and how tall are you?
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That's the windshield I was looking for. A somewhat local riding buddy has one and I always forget the brand. Give me some info. How tall is that shield and how tall are you?
I got the "standard" height and I'm 5'10". ClearView is a vendor here on the site, but I would encourage you to go to one of their events and they will let you try (install) a few until your happy. Nice folks to work with.
http://www.clearviewshields.com/blog/clearview-shields-windshield-venting/