Road glide special vs my current Electra Ultra Limited
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Joined: May 2019
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From: Menasha
Road glide special vs my current Electra Ultra Limited
So, I haven't been real impressed with my 14 Ultra Limited. Ride quality is sub pat, which I know can be fixed, and a few other things as well.
What I'm wondering is what can I expect differently from the Road Glide Special compared to my Ultra Limited when I take it for a test ride. I do ride 2 up about 30 percent of the time, so the shorter suspension does worry me. Other option I am looking into is possibly a Road King.
What I'm wondering is what can I expect differently from the Road Glide Special compared to my Ultra Limited when I take it for a test ride. I do ride 2 up about 30 percent of the time, so the shorter suspension does worry me. Other option I am looking into is possibly a Road King.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 18,121
Likes: 3,637
From: backwoods
If ride quality concerns, it is not going to help going to a bike without a fairing. Keeping your ultra and road king is nice combination. FLHR for nice days.
If you don't think your bike has good ride quality, maybe new shocks on a new bike will help, everything new too. Or like you know you can try shocks.
I say get all 4.
If you don't think your bike has good ride quality, maybe new shocks on a new bike will help, everything new too. Or like you know you can try shocks.
I say get all 4.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,522
Likes: 641
From: Saint Charles, Missouri
The Road Glide Special will likely need a Touring seat for the passenger, and a passenger backrest. The M8's suspension is better than the Twin Cam models, but can still be improved. if you do 200 + mile day rides or trips with passenger, then also add passenger floorboards.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,684
Likes: 4,294
From: Northeast, NJ
I'm a suspension fanatic.
I believe your Ultra comes with HD's 13" rear shocks. I'm not sure if they are air shocks or the normal spring type shocks. The current Ultra comes with HD"s "premium" 13" shocks. I've rented a 2020 Ultra with my wife on the back, and while the suspension wasn't "wow, that's awesome", it was very decent.
Last year, I bought a Road Glide 107 (same suspension as the RGS). It comes with 12" rear shocks, which outside of flat roads without road imperfections....sucks. I've gone through 2 sets of rear shocks (1st was RWD RS-1 13" shocks...didn't work for what I was looking for, and now have a set of Ohlins HD-044 13" shocks...top of the line), and then also did up the forks with a Traxxion AR-25 fork kit (very much improved). However, even with the great improvements in suspension, the ride quality was still a smidge hard.
My buddy recent picked up a used 2017 Road King and we swapped bikes. I was frankly shocked at the very nice ride quality of the stock 13" shocks and forks. The key difference is the wheel rim sizes. The RK comes with a 17" front and 16" rear wheel, while the RG/RGS comes with a 19" front and 18" rear. The smaller wheel size / greater tire side wall of the RK wheels absorbs so much more of the road, while the RG/S size wheels feel a bit more precise in motion.
While they don't quite look as cool, I have a set of Impeller wheels from a 2018 Ultra with the 17/16 sizing coming today in quest of ultimate ride quality / comfort. This, combine with the Ohlins and Traxxion suspension upgrades, should provide for a really nice riding experience.
I believe your Ultra comes with HD's 13" rear shocks. I'm not sure if they are air shocks or the normal spring type shocks. The current Ultra comes with HD"s "premium" 13" shocks. I've rented a 2020 Ultra with my wife on the back, and while the suspension wasn't "wow, that's awesome", it was very decent.
Last year, I bought a Road Glide 107 (same suspension as the RGS). It comes with 12" rear shocks, which outside of flat roads without road imperfections....sucks. I've gone through 2 sets of rear shocks (1st was RWD RS-1 13" shocks...didn't work for what I was looking for, and now have a set of Ohlins HD-044 13" shocks...top of the line), and then also did up the forks with a Traxxion AR-25 fork kit (very much improved). However, even with the great improvements in suspension, the ride quality was still a smidge hard.
My buddy recent picked up a used 2017 Road King and we swapped bikes. I was frankly shocked at the very nice ride quality of the stock 13" shocks and forks. The key difference is the wheel rim sizes. The RK comes with a 17" front and 16" rear wheel, while the RG/RGS comes with a 19" front and 18" rear. The smaller wheel size / greater tire side wall of the RK wheels absorbs so much more of the road, while the RG/S size wheels feel a bit more precise in motion.
While they don't quite look as cool, I have a set of Impeller wheels from a 2018 Ultra with the 17/16 sizing coming today in quest of ultimate ride quality / comfort. This, combine with the Ohlins and Traxxion suspension upgrades, should provide for a really nice riding experience.
Road Master
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 768
Likes: 430
From: CLT NC
The forks on my 2014 FLHXS RGS are pretty harsh. The shocks are not great but they are not awful either. As mentioned above short sidewalls tend to ruin ride quality.
HD has never been known for good suspension so it is no real surprise to me.
HD has never been known for good suspension so it is no real surprise to me.
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Joined: May 2019
Posts: 74
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From: Menasha
The Road Glide Special will likely need a Touring seat for the passenger, and a passenger backrest. The M8's suspension is better than the Twin Cam models, but can still be improved. if you do 200 + mile day rides or trips with passenger, then also add passenger floorboards.
I have heard the M8, 17 up, have a bit better ride.
But I'm not sure I'm sold on the 4 valve wonder yet.
Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 132
Likes: 16
From: Palm Beach Florida
I picked up a set of Bitubo shocks a couple years ago. The ride and handling are night and day compared to the stock air shocks. They may not be ohlins, but they are very close in the seat test, and much less expensive.
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Joined: May 2019
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From: Menasha
So, I took the RGS for a test ride today.
It's a much easier handling bike than my Ultra limited for me.Rode better than expected as well.
Windshield was a bit short, but that's an easy fix.
Now, it's a matter of the dealership making the numbers on the bike and trade.....
It's a much easier handling bike than my Ultra limited for me.Rode better than expected as well.
Windshield was a bit short, but that's an easy fix.
Now, it's a matter of the dealership making the numbers on the bike and trade.....
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From: Inland NW
That is too bad, you are missing out. There are several model years of that engine, now, to convince you.