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Bike of choice?

2K views 17 replies 16 participants last post by  '05Train 
#1 ·
I am trying to decide if I want a Street Glide or a Road Glide or a Road King or a Electra Glide... I test rode a 2015 Road King and Electra Glide back in July and favored the Road King because it was more like the FXDS I own now and it had more air flow to help with the heat of summer riding. I have yet to ride a RG or SG but like the looks of both, but wonder about the rear shocks and comfort for my wife to ride with me.
...I currently a 2012 Dyna Super Glide Custom that I love to ride but it does not work well for me and the wife riding 2up.
....What led all of you to the Road Glide and does it work well for 2up riding?
.....Did you consider the Street Glide?
......Does the Road Glide Ultra handle differently than the basic RG or RGS? I believe the front wheel is different size, windscreen taller, and maybe more stuff other than top box on back?
 
#2 ·
Most of us come over from the Batwing. The RG will be more comparable to the RK than the Batwing.
The ultra's will handle better than the Specials because they have a higher stance.
Ride a RG before you buy a Batwing.
 
#3 ·
You're on the right track, test riding. I'd rent one of each for a day, and get a real feel for each bike. A 15 minute test ride is not enough to really experience the bike, both good and bad. That's what I did 15 years ago, and made up my mind the RG was the best of the bunch.

For me. You may have a different opinion...
 
#4 ·
I got the RGU because I ride long distances. The wife loves the rear seat on it. To her, it's the most comfortable bike I've ever owned. That's saying a lot. Before the Road Glide, I had trouble getting her to ride with me. Now she loves it and doesn't mind doing 300+ miles in a day. That's about her limit, but she didn't enjoy riding before.

My daughter was always my back-seater until she got her own bike. She's been riding on the back of my bike since she was 4 1/2 years old. Now she rides her own Sportster.

She had no trouble with 400-500 miles at a go, the back seat is that comfortable. The bike doesn't really notice a passenger on the back. Plenty of power and very stable.

The bike has no problem running with gear on the trunk rack.
I had the bags full of camp gear and so was the trunk. Only room I had for the sleeping bag and folding chair was on the rack. This was during one of my 1300 mile 4 day interstate camping trips.

 
#5 ·
I got the RGU because I ride long distances. The wife loves the rear seat on it. To her, it's the most comfortable bike I've ever owned. That's saying a lot. Before the Road Glide, I had trouble getting her to ride with me. Now she loves it and doesn't mind doing 300+ miles in a day. That's about her limit, but she didn't enjoy riding before.

Did you consider getting the Road Glide and add a trunk or were the benefits of buying the ULTRA worth it? I believe the Ultra comes with trunk, taller windscreen, lower deflectors, smaller front wheel, touring seat maybe??? What else?
 
#6 ·
Water cooled motor, that was the biggie for me. Also has the intercom system, which I use.
 
#7 ·
I have a 15 RGS & its just my opinion, but I think both RGs and SGs are not set up as well for two up riding as a Road Glide Ultra, Electra Glide, or even the Road King. RGU handles well at slow speeds and highway speeds and I like the more open space between the rider and the fairing. Electra Glides (Bat Wings) have the "traditional" full dresser look & I think offer better protection in the rain. Other than that, they can't hold a candle to RGs. Road Kings have that late 50s or early 60s look, ride well & are probably more versatile as far as being used as a touring bike or cruiser......not quite as good at either, but very doable. All are nice bikes and will do the job, but you're on a Road Glide forum, so you already know which bikes I prefer, lol.
 
#8 ·
Bought my first RG in 2001 because i liked the look.Having the same frame as the FLH i knew the ride would be good.After the first ride i was hooked on RG's. My son bought his first new HD this year.I knew he liked the Street Glide,so i told him and his wife to take my bike for a weekend.When he brought it back his first words were,you were right ride one and you will own one.He couldn't believe how well this 800 plus pound bike handled.His mom had a Street Glide that he had ridden.but after that weekend he bought a 2015 RG. And i know that threatening him that i would disown him and leave everything to the dogs didnt influence one bit.
 
#9 ·
Buy the Road Glide Ultra, better value than building a Special into an Ultra over time. Trust me, I know, I did it when the Ultras weren't available back in 2008.

My new bike is a 2016 Road Glide Ultra. Won't go back to anything else.

Calgaryglide,
 
#10 ·
I bought my FLTRX after many years on various BMWs. My flawed thinking at the time was that I was going to be rolling on a road sofa. Not so much, the 12 inch shocks on the RG and SG..... How can I put this? They suck, they're useless, they're kinda like riding a bike with no rear suspension. Recently traded my RG in on an Ultra Limited and although a far cry from perfect the extra inch of travel makes all the difference in the world. Whatever you do you'll end up upgrading the shocks, however with the 12 inchers you'll end up doing it sooner.
 
#11 ·
Like so many others I to come from the batwing side. The RoadGlide with it's frame mounted fairing rides much better, holds the road better, especially in the wind and is just all around more fun to ride. It's the only way I'll ever get to ride a shark!!! haha
 
#13 ·
I've now had three bikes. The first was a Fatbob, then a Fatboy Lo, and now the RGS. I started lusting for a touring bike about two years into owning the Fatboy. I had my mind made up about the SG until I sat on a RGS. After that and a test ride of the RGS there was no question which one I was taking home. The SG just seems really cramped to me. I honestly never test road a SG but just sitting on the RGS felt so much better to me. The looks of the RGS took a while to win me over to be honest but I have no regrets. I'm still young enough (32) that the 12 inch shocks haven't gotten to me just yet.
 
#14 ·
I came off a Wide Glide that I loved for the sake of riding two up with my wife. She loves it and I enjoy riding it more too. Absolutely a great motorcycle for trips. Very stable and enjoyable on the road. Not bothered by trucks etc nearly as my SG buds.

No comparison to the WG. Vastly better for 2 up riding. Let us know what you do!
 
#15 ·
After owning and riding the rest I settled on what I though was the best A RG. And it was until 2011 when they came out with the RGU.
Then I knew I had the best, Then another RGU a 2013 and it was great.
Now on a 2016 RGU and it is even better. SG is a bar stool. Good bike but just step back and look at a RG or RGU look at it from the front the side. Ride one. Put the wife on the back of a RGU.
I can tell you this most that settle for a SG do so because they can't step out of the herd.
The RGU handles better at low and high speed. It is a far better touring bike, It lights up the road better. I doubt I would ever go back to Bat wing.
 
#16 ·
My wife doesn't ride with me. I ride 1 up. So I can only comment on one of your questions...Did you consider a Street Glide? I was hell bent to get a Street Glide. My sales guy insisted that I test drive both and I did. He was stoked over the Rushmore and the fact that I wanted to do a lot more highway miles than I had been doing. Well, one decent ride at highway speeds and you can see why I picked he Road Glide. The frame mounted fairing just locks you in like your on a rail. I can set my cruise control at 75 at let go of the handlebars and ride for miles on smooth road. I don't make a practice of it but coming from my Sportster 1200 Custom I was shocked that it was possible. Passing tractor trailers is no longer a white knuckle experience. With a larger windshield you can limit the air movement to just what you are comfortable with. I drove 175 miles on the RGS and I felt better than 25 on my Sportster. BTW, the looks have grown on me and now I see the beauty, and I am glad I went the way of the shark. Good luck on your decision.
 
#17 ·
Prior to owning a touring bike my wife and I would take a 2008 softail fxstc out for weekend trips. Then those trips got longer and we started pounding the pavement. That softail was nice riding one-up, but two-up it had its limitations. Same as many of the metric bikes we owned and a really nice 2006 sportster. Then we rented a 2009 batwing ultra for a weekend camping trip. My wife loved the throne. I didn't like the way that bike handled, even though it had the updated suspension. It had a cramped feel to me and I'm only 5'10". Then I test rode a number of 2010 RGs. When the 2011 RGU came out we took one out for a very long test ride. Bought a 2011 RGU new in 2010 and never looked back.

I highly recommend a weekend rental trial. Enjoy your search.
 
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