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I went from a Softail Slim S to a Road King Special. But honestly I just could not get used to the heavier touring frame, and the higher center of gravity. Riding on the Road King made me feel like I was "balancing" on top of the bike. The Road King was great when going on highways, and was definitely a smoother ride. Also, the hard bags were definitely useful. But I did not like the ride overall - it was like riding on top of car, instead of in a car.
So, just after 3000 miles on the King, I traded back to a Softail frame (a 30th Anniversary Fatboy).
I just love the ride of the Softail frame. It has a lower center of gravity, and for me, I feel like I am "in" the bike, not "on" the bike.
Just looking now to mount some hard saddlebags on the Fatboy to get kind of a "Sport Tourer". So, if anyone has a lead on a good set of hard saddlebags for a 2020 Fatboy, let me know. Hogworkz is supposed to be coming out with the mounts for these, but not yet.
R,
Sanjuro
Milwaukee bagger has been offering mount for hard bag on a softail for years. they may have what you want
I have a 2020 Road Glide Special snd a 2020 Softail Slim. 2 different bikes. If I had to pick only 1 it would be the Road Glide. Me and the wife have been riding 1200 miles or more on the weekend and it’s a breeze.
I could never do that on the Slim but I love that bike for short rides and goofing around.
I had a street glide and absolutely hated it! The Road Glide is it!
After 5 touring models, '03 to '16, I have a '20 Heritage 114. I have loved each of my Harleys, and the Heritage is no exception. I ride with more confidence, and the power and comfort are great - the rear suspension is amazing. It was a tough choice between a '20 Road Glide and the Heritage, but I'm happy with my decision. I don't miss the weight and heft of my '16 Road Glide, but surprisingly, I do miss having the linked brakes, as I have to retrain myself to apply both front and rear.
Spot on analysis. I own a 2019 Softail and would not want a heavier less nimble/stable bike. I ride mostly local and on day trips; so the new Softail frame provide me witha low center of gravity and thus riding dynamics I appreciate for safe, mostly urban use. I even replace the AGM battery with a HD LiFe battery and shaved another 11 lbs off the bike. Depends on your primary use, but unless you will primarily use your bike for long road trips, the Softail will most likely serve your needs the best.
I've done a few long road trips (1800-2500 miles each) on my Sport Glide and have had no real complaints. I've got a tour pak on it, and that might be the only real grump (or grumps) about the platform. First, there are no locks for the detachables mount for it. They just plain don't fit. Tried them all, and you can either permanently lock it on or never be able to mount it. And second, it's a little small. I'm itching to get my paws on a King Tour Pak and see if it'll mount up to the bracket and how it looks. That'd be a hell of a lot more storage than the Softail ones.
I had a Rushmore Road Glide, which I absolutely loved on the highway, but hated for commuting and around town. Since I'm not yet in the Every Day Is Saturday club, that's kind of a big deal. The Sport Glide wins hands down.
Rode softails for years. Been riding touring bikes now for about 6 years. I would not trade my Road Glide Limited for anything else. Commute to work, run errands and take 4,000 mile trips. One bike does it all.
Mostly only rode Softails but picked up a 2007 Street Glide a couple years ago and rode it for about 6 months. The radio and storage were cool but it stopped there for me, I’m a pretty relaxed rider but I just wasn’t a fan of how the Street Glide handled and the weight. Moved on to a 18 Street Bob and now my Low Rider and I think I found my forever bike. Love this thing. May supplement it with a Heritage someday for a lighter touring option.
When my 18 fatbob was being serviced, I test rode an 18 RK and Street Glide. Both for an hour on a mix of roads. I thought both were great. I didnt notice anywhere near the difference in handling I expected. Both gave me head vibration from buffeting above 60mph.
Both the softail and touring are Harleys cut from similar cloth. Adequate performance and handling. Nowhere near the power or agility of other makes and types of bikes. But, who else makes a bike with the character and looks and the fun of messing around with them. Just go for the one you want most. The difference between them is small really, when you compare to the range of other bikes out there and once you get it, you'll adapt it to what you want.
