First things first. I am a newbie to the groups so I fully expect to take a beating. Feel free.
I recently bought a 2010 RG and I wanted to throw out my first impressions and get some feedback on some things I've noticed that I have concerns about.
The RG is a great bike. For now it's all stock with about 2K miles on it. I'll likely keep it that way another thousand or so to get a better feel for what I want to add and change.
I also have a 2006 FXDWGI and the RG is a completely different riding experience. Where the FXDWGI makes you work for your fun (twistys, low speed maneuvering, etc.) the RG seems to know what you're doing before you do it. Don't get me wrong. I absolutely enjoy all the demands the FXDWGI puts on you. I could not possibly be happier with it. Beyond that, even with the low miles I have on it, I wouldn't give up the RG at the point of a shotgun.
The RG is just a different animal. Everything from the riding position to the perceived weight of the bike (the Wide Glide feels considerably heavier) is different and it is all good. The wind buffeting everyone talks about I haven't experienced. I am approaching 6' 1" with a 34" inseam and the wind line coming across my helmet seems extremely smooth. At similar speeds it also seems much lighter than I am used to on the Wide Glide. It is a much, much more relaxed experience than the WG.
But I am new to the RG and some things seem odd to me… The transmission is noisy. I really did not expect this. Coming to a stop and downshifting into first the transmission whines. Noticeably. The six speed on the Wide Glide doesn't do this and it makes me wonder. At lows speeds in first working the clutch quickly also causes a loud metallic thump, something the WG also doesn't do.
The thumps concerned me enough that I took it into the dealer. I was told a compensator spring needed replacement and that the transmission fluid should be changed to "Red Line". The thump hasn't reoccured… yet, but the whine is still there.
Then there is engine noise. The level of engine noise seems considerably higher than I am used to. If I relate it back to cars I would call it tappet noise. In an older car that noise would be a sign that the oil was low, but the oil level in the bike seems fine. I am guessing that the noise level is being compounded by the fairing, but I am not sure and I'd like to be.
Does any of this sound familiar to you veteran RG owners out there? Any insight would be much appreciated.
Thanks
I recently bought a 2010 RG and I wanted to throw out my first impressions and get some feedback on some things I've noticed that I have concerns about.
The RG is a great bike. For now it's all stock with about 2K miles on it. I'll likely keep it that way another thousand or so to get a better feel for what I want to add and change.
I also have a 2006 FXDWGI and the RG is a completely different riding experience. Where the FXDWGI makes you work for your fun (twistys, low speed maneuvering, etc.) the RG seems to know what you're doing before you do it. Don't get me wrong. I absolutely enjoy all the demands the FXDWGI puts on you. I could not possibly be happier with it. Beyond that, even with the low miles I have on it, I wouldn't give up the RG at the point of a shotgun.
The RG is just a different animal. Everything from the riding position to the perceived weight of the bike (the Wide Glide feels considerably heavier) is different and it is all good. The wind buffeting everyone talks about I haven't experienced. I am approaching 6' 1" with a 34" inseam and the wind line coming across my helmet seems extremely smooth. At similar speeds it also seems much lighter than I am used to on the Wide Glide. It is a much, much more relaxed experience than the WG.
But I am new to the RG and some things seem odd to me… The transmission is noisy. I really did not expect this. Coming to a stop and downshifting into first the transmission whines. Noticeably. The six speed on the Wide Glide doesn't do this and it makes me wonder. At lows speeds in first working the clutch quickly also causes a loud metallic thump, something the WG also doesn't do.
The thumps concerned me enough that I took it into the dealer. I was told a compensator spring needed replacement and that the transmission fluid should be changed to "Red Line". The thump hasn't reoccured… yet, but the whine is still there.
Then there is engine noise. The level of engine noise seems considerably higher than I am used to. If I relate it back to cars I would call it tappet noise. In an older car that noise would be a sign that the oil was low, but the oil level in the bike seems fine. I am guessing that the noise level is being compounded by the fairing, but I am not sure and I'd like to be.
Does any of this sound familiar to you veteran RG owners out there? Any insight would be much appreciated.
Thanks
