Road Glide Limited or Ultra Limited???
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Stage IV
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 2
From: Denver
Road Glide Limited or Ultra Limited???
I have been riding a Vulcan 900 for 8 years. I have zero experience on a bike with a fairing. Looking to upgrade as my wife really enjoys riding with me and we want to do more. Ultimately I understand it comes down to opinion but Im looking for advice as a newbie in the Harley world.
What are the pros and cons of each bike? Is there any difference other than the fairing?
Thanks all!!!
What are the pros and cons of each bike? Is there any difference other than the fairing?
Thanks all!!!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,322
Likes: 1,145
From: Oklahoma
The Road Glide is the obvious choice, frame mounted fairing instead fork mounted... plus the Road Glide just simply looks better. 
The shark nose has the better storage option than the batwing too, but... neither one has much lol
Seriuosly, Its really is a personal preference... I prefer a frame mounted fairing.
The shark nose has the better storage option than the batwing too, but... neither one has much lol
Seriuosly, Its really is a personal preference... I prefer a frame mounted fairing.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 94
Likes: 153
From: Wisconsin
Test ride both back to back! Last year I was looking for something suitable for touring. When I road the RG it felt better than most of what I had test road. I switched to the Ultra and felt comfortable. The Ultra road as good as the RG but was more comfortable when riding. I can't tell you why it felt better but I know it did. You will have to ride both and see what works best for you.
Mark
Mark
As other have said the best way to answer this question for yourself is to ride both. Those of us who own Road Glides will say go with the Shark Nose, those that ride Bat wing bikes will say go that route.
When I was looking at buying my first touring bike I had spent time on an Ultra limited that I rented on a trip to CA, I enjoyed the bike and had really no complaints. When I got ready to purchase the salesman who I have known for years suggested I take the Road Glide Ultra out just so I could compare the two. I ended up with the RGU although the batwing bikes are great bikes. I am 6'7 so the cockpit being further away on the RGU gave me the sense on the bike of being less cramped as compared to the batwing bikes where the dash is closer. After about 20 years on bikes with no faring Wideglides etc... the RGU seemed to handle better in slow speed maneuvers due to the faring being frame mounted instead of fork mounted. The front end seemed lighter and easier to control at slow speed. Most likely after more time on the batwing it would have probably been fine. When I am on the highway it seems that strong cross winds and the turbulence from passing semis is handled better with the RGU, but then I have only put about 350 miles on a batwing vs 3 years of riding on the RGU. Lastly I prefer the look of the shark vs bat wing but then that is nothing more than personal preference.
Bottom line each has their fans who believe their choice is best and all are correct, you wont go wrong with either but really it just comes down to personal preference
When I was looking at buying my first touring bike I had spent time on an Ultra limited that I rented on a trip to CA, I enjoyed the bike and had really no complaints. When I got ready to purchase the salesman who I have known for years suggested I take the Road Glide Ultra out just so I could compare the two. I ended up with the RGU although the batwing bikes are great bikes. I am 6'7 so the cockpit being further away on the RGU gave me the sense on the bike of being less cramped as compared to the batwing bikes where the dash is closer. After about 20 years on bikes with no faring Wideglides etc... the RGU seemed to handle better in slow speed maneuvers due to the faring being frame mounted instead of fork mounted. The front end seemed lighter and easier to control at slow speed. Most likely after more time on the batwing it would have probably been fine. When I am on the highway it seems that strong cross winds and the turbulence from passing semis is handled better with the RGU, but then I have only put about 350 miles on a batwing vs 3 years of riding on the RGU. Lastly I prefer the look of the shark vs bat wing but then that is nothing more than personal preference.
Bottom line each has their fans who believe their choice is best and all are correct, you wont go wrong with either but really it just comes down to personal preference
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5,460
Likes: 2,509
From: Lititz Pa
Go for a test ride. I ride a Ultra Limited 2019 I like it. Never road a road glide. I have noticed road glide people go one way or the other love them or don't like them.I have a friend who bought a RG new after a month and 2500 miles he went back and traded it in on a Ultra Limited I have another friend says that's all he would ride is a RG.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 415
From: Southern Maryland
How long are your arms?
I own an Ultra Limited and have ridden the Road Glide. Both are great bikes, but for me at 5'11", the GPS and other controls were just tooooo far away on the Road Glide. If you have long arms, then the Road Glide might work for you.
If you ride a lot at night, make sure you drive the Road Glide and Limited. The Limited headlight turns as the handle bars turn, the Road Glide light shines straight along the frame, even though the handle bars are turning.
Ride both, decide for yourself. Good luck..
If you ride a lot at night, make sure you drive the Road Glide and Limited. The Limited headlight turns as the handle bars turn, the Road Glide light shines straight along the frame, even though the handle bars are turning.
Ride both, decide for yourself. Good luck..
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,856
Likes: 2,503
From: Lake Orion, MI
Your will love each bike. I use to ride Wings (like the RG - fixed fairing). Really enjoyed the bike - but, in my opinion, the Wings became too "plasticized" so, I move to the Harley.
I test road the RG back in 2004, then tried the Ultra Limited Bat Wing. For me, it just fit right. I have moved up twice sine then and stayed with the Bat Wing. As others have suggested, test ride them both - with your wife. Then, whatever one SHE likes, that's the one to buy (LOL).
Curious, what year are you looking at?
I test road the RG back in 2004, then tried the Ultra Limited Bat Wing. For me, it just fit right. I have moved up twice sine then and stayed with the Bat Wing. As others have suggested, test ride them both - with your wife. Then, whatever one SHE likes, that's the one to buy (LOL).
Curious, what year are you looking at?
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,214
Likes: 661
From: Prior Lake, MN
The year I bought my Ultra Limited, there was no RG that year. So I didn't have a basis to compare. I have no regrets on the Ultra Limited.
I'm not wild about the look of the RG fairing, that's just my opinion.
Try ride both if you can. Or just buy whichever one you like for whatever reason and be done with it.
It's a lot like trying to decide if one $100 bill is better than two $50 bills......IMHO
I'm not wild about the look of the RG fairing, that's just my opinion.
Try ride both if you can. Or just buy whichever one you like for whatever reason and be done with it.
It's a lot like trying to decide if one $100 bill is better than two $50 bills......IMHO