Road Glide

Drew

I'm currently riding a sportster (well, currently I am sitting at my computer... but you know what I mean), but am thinking of buying a Dyna or touring bike in the next year or so. If I go the touring route, it will be a RK Classic, as I like it's sleeker look. I just don't do enough long distance riding to get one of the bigger touring bikes.

But, the look of the Road Glide is really growing on me. I'm not much for farings, in all honesty, but I like the look of that one... in the orange and black color scheme, that's a mean looking bike.

Seems to me like the Street Glide is the most popular touring bike. But if I had to choose a faring equipped touring bike right now, on looks alone, it would be the RG.

regards,
Drew

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"if you ride, an explanation won't be necessary... if you don't, an explanation won't be sufficient."

LPFRAY

I am currently waiting for my orange Road Glide to arrive at the dealer. I will have to say there are a lot of folks out there who feel a bagger is only good for long distance. I will agree it is one of the most comfortable rides in that reguard, but a bagger is just as good around town and for short trips to the store as any of them, not to mention you have a "bag" to put your stuff in. It all come down to personnal choice. Baggers tend to be more expensive because you get lots of bells and whistles, but they are worth it.

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Ride!

smitty901

I do not think the SG is the most popular touring bike.
It maybe the most popular sport touring bike. By that I mean a lot of SG riders are looking to split both worlds with a cool looking sport bike that can tour.
And the SG sure fills the bill on that. But if two touring is what you want there are better ways to go and the RoadGlide is one good one.
Frame mounted faring is a big plus IMO. Down side is the Ultra comes with all the goodies in the package. I did ok on the extras to get my RG were I wanted it some may needs to spend a bit more.
RG are great bikes And they can be switched back to a little sleeker bike in minutes.

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The Infantry leads the way

sneyers

I'll have to second what LPFRAY has to say. I had a Road King and liked it a lot, but I must say My Ultra Classic is great. All the goodies you could want, extremely easy to ride, plenty of storage and super comfy. It all depends where you are with your riding attitude. You could always have a second bike for the cool factor but my guess is you'll spent more time on the bagger than you think.I don't think I'll ever not have a touring bike again. May try a Road Glide next time.

martysnarf

Funny, I was just at the dealer yesterday discussing this very topic with my Sales dude- who is also my friend. We were discussing options and such for the SG that I intend to buy, and I was complaining that because I am tall, I have some issues with some of the seat and handlebar positions, etc... He told me that he had the same issues because of his height and long legs, and that he ended up with a Road Glide because the seat is positioned further back than the other dressers. He had it with him that day, and let me take it for a quick spin. That scoot has a COMPLETELY different feel than my RK, or the SG that I am looking at. You are seated a bit further back, and more down INTO the seat- as opposed to sitting more up ON the tank like the RK and SG. It was REALLY comfortable for me. The bad part for me though is- I just don't personally dig the look of that fairing and the dual headlights. No offense to anyone that owns one- to each their own- and ya dig what ya dig, ya know? I like lots about it, but I am not a fan of that fairing look. I LOVED the ergonomics of it though!! REALLY nice ride!!

cjcavitt

After having my first bagger I’ll always have one. Fairings are worth every penny and a case of “soda” fits perfectly into a saddlebag. Plus the stereo never gets turned off.

Every time I pass a naked bike on the interstate while running about 80-85 I’m reminded exactly why fairings are worth it. The wind is pounding the snot out of them while were riding comfortable. Sure the naked bikers look cool, but they remind me of a bull dog with its head out the window flapping in the breeze.

Just food for thought.

Drew

I've never even ridden with a windshield. How much more wind do the fairings block compared to a windshield on a Road King?

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"if you ride, an explanation won't be necessary... if you don't, an explanation won't be sufficient."

staush

Drew, there is no comparison between the two. I had a 97 road king that I road for 50k miles and I loved it. When I got the chance to buy my 2005 road glide i snatched it up. the road glide front end is lighter and easier to steer at parking lot speeds because the fairing is frame mounted so you are not moving it around when you turn your wheel, no weight for the handlebars to move. on the open road, cross winds or semi's have very little effect on the front end, again because of the fairing being frame mounted. all i can say is that it is a great bike. hope this helps.

STAUSH

ProF

I've been riding an FXRS for the past 22 years without a windshield, and never felt the need for one. Have over 200k miles on the bike and always thought of it as a comfortable ride.

This past Spring, I bought an '03 Road Glide, and man, what a change!!!

First of all, you're going to notice a tremendous difference in handling. The RG is much heavier, and you can't just manhandle it around like a Sporty, or an FXRS, for that matter. It takes some getting used to, for sure.

That said, it is much smoother, more comfortable, and very relaxing to ride, especially at highway speed. I have come to love the fairing - after no fairing at all, the small amount of wind that comes through is downright pleasant.

I agree with the guys who say they'll never go back to a sports bike. I hardly ever take my trusty FXRS out anymore. I'm a bagger convert.

Biggest negatives? The bike is an absolute dog at speeds below 5 or 10mph. It's heavy, awkward to back up, and very easy to tip if you lean too much at low or no speed. And to compound that problem, you likely won't be able to pick it up yourself. Ask me how I know about that one! Second negative, which really is relevant to all newer bikes: all the electronics. My old one could be tweaked and often fixed on the side of the road. The bagger has to be brought to an electronic engineer with a fortune in computer gear, all of which you pay for by the hour. But I guess that's progress.

All in all? I love it. The looks are strictly personal - can't comment on that - but the bike itself is great.

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Dr. Doolittle

Don't have much to add to what everyone's been saying except this -

BETTER NOT DEMO A STREET GLIDE!!!!!

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2008 Street Glide