Late 90's Evo Electra Glide. Just sayin'.

 

I really want to try out a Road Glide. I might be looking for another bike to take some of the pressure off the old gal once I retire next year. The RG appeals because it's NOT like what I have now.


I wish I felt I had the room, time and money to have both. I need to try one out.

 

First a slow race is a very bad standard to see if the bars you have are right for you.
It's over way too fast (a few minutes at best).

To find the best bars for you is to ride a long distance and see which leaves your arms the least fatigued.

It's kinda the same comparison of drag racing compared to a daily rider.
The motor for a drag race is great for a short time but it won't hold up over the long haul and by the same token the motor for a daily driver won't win many races on the track.

You are comparing apples to oranges.

As for am I willing to slow race you.. sure just come on down to Austin and let me know you're here.

I've ridden with drag bars, low bars, medium bars and now with ape hangers and by far the apes are the most comfortable and easiest to use.

As previously mentioned I didn't believe people for years that the apes were the most comfortable but once I tried them I found out they were right.

I grant you that drag and low bars look better but they just don't have the same response of the apes.
It's a leverage thing.. simple mechanical advantage that's all.

It all boils down to what is more important to you looks or comfort..simple as that.

 

The fault here was the OEM Dunlop. A softer rubber tire like an Avon (or even Shinko according to several other forum members, if you wanted to risk a budget tire) would cure that tar snake following vague feeling. There are a lot of reports from forum members that almost every tire, including newer model Dunlops, are better than OEM on all skinny tired Harley models. An Avon on my 1200C's skinny 21 changed from wiggles to solid muffler grinding. Not so good on the rear muffler...

 

If you want to keep the handling and the quick (and get a lot more quick), might consider another sportster with a 1200 motor. A custom would have a bigger tank, but depending on the year, a skinny 21" spoke front wheel. They went to a bigger 1" axle in 05 or 06, so putting a different wheel on a used sportster would require a little research.

Seats, rear shocks, mufflers... you know you have a huge aftermarket choice to make it your bike the way you like it. The customs also have forwards as stock, but a few others do, too. Still a lot of 10-20 year sportsters out there with low miles, and they're solid bikes. If you ever get another sportster, used, ask if it still has the stock clutch pack; I'd replace that riveted spring plate, weakest part of a sportster.

I've seen few sportsters without Dunlop 400 series tires, and those have got to be the worst handling tires you could put on one. But most of those low mileage sportsters still have the original tires from what I've seen, and they're getting too old anyway.

You could probably put some of the parts you've put on your 883 on a newer one, too. If you want fuel injection, that started on sportsters in '07. Getting a used low mileage sportster and making it a good fit for you would also cost way less than any big twin worth buying.

That said, for those long mile trips you seem to do a fair amount of, a big twin set up right would sure be more comfortable. If you could find one with an S&S motor in it, like I was lucky to do, you'd have a handful of quick, too! If only it could corner over half as well as the sportster...

 

After riding a Harley with a 16" tire up front, any skinny 21" tire will not feel right.
.....and I agree about Dumlop tires. Lowest bidder.

 

While it is a little different it really ain't that bad.
My Heritage has the 16" wheel and my FXSTC has the 21".
The ride isn't all that different between the two.

 

Cool write-up dude. Nice to see someone look 'em over and give some insight as to how they feel/ride/sound.

I have a 94 ultra in two tone red. Right after I got it ten years ago, we were up in Austin and a buddy had rented an 06 as he was thinking of buying a touring bike to get off the shovel he was also riding.

We parked at the hotel and walked off and about 40 feet away I turn back to get something off the scoot and notice there really is no difference between the front ends on these two scoots at all. Rental was in red also and they looked like twins.

Ten years later and the dresser and I are still going along just fine and could not figure out why I would ever get something newer.

ABS? Nope. Different paint schemes?" LMAO!!. No. All the other stuff is just crap about crappy handling and ways to make a 900lb bike ride like a 300 lb one.

Mine handles all the curves on all the freeways and highways I have put her thru so far, so why stop now?

Griz

I am looking at an RK that is newer by two years, so there's that..