[james0401]

I am new to the Harley scene. I have a 2010 RGC. Everyone told me at the dealership that there is an improved ride because of the frame. I have never rode the older RG. Is there really a big difference? And in what way if you guys can describe to me.

thanks!

 

[Pixman]

I just test rode a 2011 FLRTU yesterday and was shocked at several things.
First off the bike felt like the center of gravity was much lower than my 04' EGC. It felt more into the road at any speed. This ended up proving itself when on jumped on a 4 lane highway and notice that I was doing about 75 on the on ramp and it felt like maybe 50. Bike seemed to corner with less effort. The other big difference is in the new Brembo brakes. No more dragging to a stop. They do grab much more intensely. I found myself stopping about 10-20 feet short the first few times. I had a great time and was amazed at the difference.

 

[1BigGuy]

There is definitely a difference between the pre 08 touring models and post. Depending on how you have it setup the engine will not shake as much and the ride IMO is much smoother. As I have said before on this forum, it rides more like my old softail, instead of the baggers I've had in the past. This is not to say that my previous baggers were not great rides, just slightly different.

 

[Neano62]

I think the new frame has 70% fewer welds. Thats Improving the "Ride" BIG TIME! The freakn Swingarm is twice the freakn size it used to be. My first BIG impression was in the turns, and the ABS brakes! "WOW"! Also the bigger rear wheel (tire). The list can go on and on.

 

[BDMastiff]

I went from an 07 to a 10. There is a difference but it's not huge. Of course, I had a stabilizer on my 07 to eliminate the gyrations going through fast turns so I can only compare to my experience. The bike is definitely smoother riding down the highway but it doesn't handle as well going over dips in the road. They claim the wider rear tire makes the bike handle better at slower speeds but I can't tell the difference. My friends and I ofter do our own slow roll contests so it may be that I'm just used to slow maneuvers. A wider rear tire usually implies a decline in handling through turns at higher speeds but I don't see a difference there either. Again, my chopper has a 300 rear so I may just be used to it. An earlier poster compared it to riding a Softail but I don't see it. Softails ride so smooth that I often find them a bit boring. My Glide is hardly boring. If I had to choose, I'd pick the 2010 simply because of the new frame, larger gas tank and ABS but I have no problem riding a pre 2008 either.

 

[FUGLY]

09 and later are better handling in the twisties but do give a lil rougher ride its give and take

 

[Teachu2]

I put 34k on a '07 FLTR, most of it with a Bagger Brace (huge improvement), a tourpac, and about half with Elite 3 tires. Ride several roads often that contain twisties, steep grades, and long straights. Road surfaces vary from smooth asphalt to interstate grooved concrete to wavy-ground-waiting-for-new-asphalt to dirt, and from CA to CO to MT to WA to Canada. The first week of August, traded in and rode home a 2011 FLTRU.

This is my 4th HD, about my 25th street bike, and the first one that I'm more excited about after putting 5k on it than the day I bought it. It does everything I've asked of it better than the '07. It handles far better in the twisties, the added weight smooths the ride on the interstate, and the Brembo brakes are far superior. The taller, wider stance actually fits me better, and the vented lowers + the $30 deflectors really smooth the airflow.

The MoCo hit this one out of the park as far as I'm concerned. Wish I had more time to ride!

 

[james0401]

Thanks for the input guys.. It helps a lot.

Have a great day!

 

[dklanecky]

Probably Late (as usual)

But I test rode an 08 RG for about 50 miles one afternoon at the dealers, and really liked it a lot. Then I test rode an 09 over the exact same 50 mile route. I bought the 09 and never looked back. The difference (for me) was night and day.

Now it's 31,000 miles later and I love my bike! It'll go anywhere in the country, at anytime. Long miles are just not an issue, although falling asleep at the handlebars can become an issue, it's just so damn comfortable.

 

[BDMastiff]

But I test rode an 08 RG for about 50 miles one afternoon at the dealers, and really liked it a lot. Then I test rode an 09 over the exact same 50 mile route. I bought the 09 and never looked back. The difference (for me) was night and day.

Just wondering if both of the bikes you rode had the correct psi in the tires and if the rear shocks were properly filled. Also the condition and type of tire can make a difference. I'm not doubting you but I put over 45K miles on my 07 and there's not that huge of a difference between my 07 and 2010. That said, we all have different experiences, standards and expectations.

 

[dklanecky]

Just wondering if both of the bikes you rode had the correct psi in the tires and if the rear shocks were properly filled. Also the condition and type of tire can make a difference. I'm not doubting you but I put over 45K miles on my 07 and there's not that huge of a difference between my 07 and 2010. That said, we all have different experiences, standards and expectations.

Absolutely, I checked both bikes (08 and 09) tire pressures (38f 40r) and the shocks were set at 30lbs.

IMO the 2009 and the 2010 RG's were completely different rides. The 2010 has the 1" shorter rear shocks, and the street glide seat (which was far less comforable than the 2009). It was way too rough for me when I rode one.

 

[BDMastiff]

Absolutely, I checked both bikes (08 and 09) tire pressures (38f 40r) and the shocks were set at 30lbs.

IMO the 2009 and the 2010 RG's were completely different rides. The 2010 has the 1" shorter rear shocks, and the street glide seat (which was far less comforable than the 2009). It was way too rough for me when I rode one.

Until I dialed in my 2010, it road like a truck. Every bump sent shocks up my spine and my wife was not a happy passenger. Once I tightened the neck bolt, adjusted the shocks, and put the proper psi in the tires, it road as good as my 07. That said, I'm not a very picky person. I the type guy who can't tell the difference between an scratchy old record and a new digital recording.... that should tell you something about my overall level of awareness.