[Mengy]

So I'm thinking about trading my 2011 RGU in on a new 2016 RGU, but I've got a few questions that I'd like some dealer independent answers to:

- Twin cooled engine: it's new on the RGU but water cooling has been on Harley's now for two years. I know initially there were some issues with filler caps popping and such, but is the system tweaked out now and dependable? How often do you need to change the coolant? Anyone who owns a twin cooled bike have any opinions or advice to offer?

- 1.25" handlebars: If I understand it right the bars on the new RGU are thicker than the old bars. I have heated grips on mine now, can you even get heated grips for the new larger bars?

- The Infotainment Radio w/GPS: this comes stock on the 2016 RGU. Is this higher end radio still a Harmon Kardan unit? Have they improved their quality today over the older radios? Can I expect to have any trouble with it down the road?

- Linked brakes: I've never ridden a bike with linked brakes. Is the HD setup dependable and reliable, does it work well?

Thanks!

 

[Shadow1]

I am riding a '15 CVO RGU, bars have heated grips so that should not be an issue for you.

We only have 7000 miles since April so cannot state much on the cooling system but so far no issues with it. Mine is a 110...

Linked brakes have not seemed a lot of difference from my 05 without but I have only run a couple of panic stops in a parking lot so I would know what to expect.

Do your own research on the infotainment system it has its quirks and you have to get used to it. Not sure which if any amp will be on your system but with V&H Monster Squares and xpipe headers we can hear the stereo cleanly at 80 MPH.

The GPS is a child of its own...

 

[Mengy]

Thanks Shadow. A salesman showed me around the GPS on the dealer floor, it seems to be a decent unit, but I've zero experience with it out on the road.

What brand heated grips do you have? HD or some other brand?

 

[Shadow1]

CVO came with Harley Grips. They worked fine in Colorado Hail Storm.

 

[puckoach]

For input on the cooling, I think you need to go to a forum that has Ultra Classic rider/members.

The Boom Box is in it's infancy. It's a display unit, so in theory, software updates can go on, and on, and well on.....

IMHO, it's at 5 year old technology. It was probably developed under the direction of someone that struggles with smart phones....

Hopefully, at some point, in about 5 more updates, it will be much better. 19 was better than 18, maybe 23 will do it !

An alphabetical entry keyboard, rather than qwerty ? Just plain dumb, and very 2001 gps style.

Can't easily change pre-set /search stations. Again, dumb for a touring model. Somebody never traveled further than the Dells...

At some point, let's hope HD smartenz up and says, "hey google, fix this thing will ya"

That said, I loved it for my trip to Sturgis.

 

[killintime]

I now ride a 2015 Ultra Limited and can tell you I am very pleased with the twin cooling, linked brakes and infotainment/gps. The abs I can do without, but that's personal preference.

The motor is a beast with a ton of potential, the linked brakes are not nearly as intrusive as I initially feared and will stop you on a dime. The infotainment has a bit of a learning curve but becomes pretty intuitive after a few days. The bigger forks are the first thing you will notice when you ride one of the Rushmore bikes, the bike feels very planted and precise as opposed to previous models.

 

[tdkkart]

2015 CVO RGU:

Twin Cooled.. LOVE IT, anything that makes the engine run 50-60* cooler under my butt has my vote. There were some growing pains with it, and an occasional porous head casting has popped up, but overall I think it' doing OK for most.

Bars...as far as I know the bars are standard size out on the ends so the old heated grips still work.

Infotainment... has it's quirks, radio wise it seems most that have trouble with it are doing something wrong which can be easily fixed. The GPS is NOT a Garmin so it has it's own little issues. I keep playing with mine and it's getting easier to deal with. Long term?? Hard to say, but that's with anything new.

Linked brakes.... Unless you think about it, and continue braking like you always have you'll never really even notice the system is there. it does seem to work very well in normal riding. I suppose if you're into doing stoppies or something on your bagger you might find an issue with it.

All the new stuff is no different than when radial car tires, front wheel drive, electronic ignition, or EFI came out. There will be the nay-sayers and the whiners, but in 10 years it'll just be something we live with every day.

 

[Jayray]

Linked brakes are great. I did a bunch of parking lot work when I first picked it up. Either hand or foot work the same during panic braking. Under 10 mph during slow speed maneuvers the rear brake is independent. Helpful when going down hill in gravel.

 

[BobRG15]

Ride a 15 CVO RGU and have no issues with the Twin Cooled presently have 8000 miles
Easy to check the fluid level by popping of the lower fairing cover
Heated grips are standard and they work great. They will shut off automatically so as not to drain the battery
GPS is basic but functional Routes can be sorted by Longest-Shortest-Twisty-Scenic
Love the ABS and linked brakes Riding two up in the rain when car in front decided to stop The bike stopped on a dime with no sliding or swerving. IMO linked and ABS are the way to go.
Upgraded to 1.19.1 Boom Box not bad??

 

[Ohiobellboy]

For input on the cooling, I think you need to go to a forum that has Ultra Classic rider/members.

The Boom Box is in it's infancy. It's a display unit, so in theory, software updates can go on, and on, and well on.....

IMHO, it's at 5 year old technology. It was probably developed under the direction of someone that struggles with smart phones....

Hopefully, at some point, in about 5 more updates, it will be much better. 19 was better than 18, maybe 23 will do it !

An alphabetical entry keyboard, rather than qwerty ? Just plain dumb, and very 2001 gps style.

Can't easily change pre-set /search stations. Again, dumb for a touring model. Somebody never traveled further than the Dells...

At some point, let's hope HD smartenz up and says, "hey google, fix this thing will ya"

That said, I loved it for my trip to Sturgis.

Sorry, I disagree with a few things. Time to go back to the Boom owners manual and read all 230 pages of it so you can set your preferences better to your liking.

 

[puckoach]

Sorry, I disagree with a few things. Time to go back to the Boom owners manual and read all 230 pages of it so you can set your preferences better to your liking.

Now, there's a thought.

If they made people read and understand 230 pages of instructions for smart phones, we wouldn't have to worry about cagers texting....
>

 

[AzBagger]

I have the 2014 Ultra Limited which has the same components the 2016 RGU will have.
Twin Cooled :
I love it and have no problems. I traded from a 2008 Ultra Classic, it was a heat monster. The twin cooled works very well even in 110+ temps.
Days that I could not spread my legs far enough, are a lot better with the twin cooled. 15,000 miles so far and have not changed the coolant, it does appear to be a little low right now. So, I will add some or just change it. It don't take much and I don't think I can just buy 1 oz of the stuff.

Linked Brakes:
They work as advertised, I know they keep the bike straight in fast stops on a dirt covered road.

Infotainment:
I like it a lot, there are some quirks with it. But, no deal breakers. I have used the GPS on two 4000+ mile trips, it always got me where I wanted to go.
I really like the voice commands and easy to read display. I've loaded up a jump drive with 20GB of music and can tell the system to play any song, artist or album.

Also with the twin cooled you get higher compression pistons, lots of torque form a 103. Pulls better than my 96 with SE-255 cams.

I would say just do it, you won't be sorry

 

[tdkkart]

Sorry, I disagree with a few things. Time to go back to the Boom owners manual and read all 230 pages of it so you can set your preferences better to your liking.

My thoughts exactly.
Like I said in my post, most of the problems people are posting on the system are user error.

 

[Ohiobellboy]

Now, there's a thought.

If they made people read and understand 230 pages of instructions for smart phones, we wouldn't have to worry about cagers texting....
>

Now that's some funny chit there :grin:

 

[miltonhog]

Hi

I had a 2011 RGU that I loved and wish I had not sold. I replaced it with a 14 FLHTK . The liquid cooled engine is a better running and much cooler bike to ride and the Rushmore bikes have been a good progressive change.

I had the recall inspections done and no issues found but needed inspections only. I love the linked ABS and it saved my ass on a rainy night with deer on the road. I have had the previous gen abs on my 08 FLHTC and my 11 RGU. The linked abs is an improvement by any measure.

Today I placed a deposit and traded in my 14 FLHTK on a new 16 RGU. I do wish the MOCO had finished the job and made it a Limited but I am so glad they did the new RGU. Nicer wheels and heated grips would have made it any easy choice.

I will add the grips and probably CB XM as well. I am so excited about the new ride. Hopefully I can get the bike Friday and ride it to the Museum and Milwaukee Rally. If its not ready I will ride my 08 FLTR Copper top.

I don't think you have any thing to fear. I had a very short demo ride about 6 miles and instantly fell in love. I am pretty tech challenged and have some issues with the newer radio but reading the manual in the garage with bike usually solves that.

Go ride one and I am sure you will love it. I was never satisfied with the 14 batwing in spite of all the good changes. I hope you ride and enjoy all the good things the new bike offers.

 

[Mengy]

Thanks everyone. Yeah Milton I plan on test riding one soon, unfortunately no dealers within a 50 mile radius of me have any on the floor, what they got in are sold already. I know because I called all of them, lol. I'll get to ride one soon enough. I've already seen the silver/black paint in person and I liked it a lot, but I also want to see a superior blue and a red one before I choose which color I am buying.

I'm not in any great rush, my 2011 is a fantastic bike, but yeah, I'm upgrading to a 2016. I keep thinking of reasons not to but they keep getting buried under the reasons why I should, heh.

 

[festus]

I just looked at one today. one thing I noticed the bars are taller than the regular road glide.

 

[groupw]

....If they made people read and understand 230 pages of instructions for smart phones, we wouldn't have to worry about cagers texting....

....... +1

 

[groupw]

I just looked at one today. one thing I noticed the bars are taller than the regular road glide.

........ and i just read this in a review this AM, talked about the 'RGU specific' bars being almost mini-apes
......... it'll be interesting hearing how they feel as folks start riding the new ones

 

[Smarty]

On the linked brakes: I've ridden motocross most of my life and street bikes too. I had learned many techniques on braking and getting out of trouble. I had my doubts on the linked brakes but, the second day I had my new 15 RG I went out to one of the less traveled old highways where I live and ran it up to 65mph and held on tight and grabbed the front brake as hard as I could pull it. It came to a stop so straight and so quick without a bobble at all. It was scary it stopped so quick and good. I would suggest all of you with the linked system to do the same. It will prepare you for an emergency stop in the future. It changes everything you ever thought or were taught about braking, especially with your front brakes. I LOVE THEM>