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Jul 20, 2016 | 04:45 PM

#11

caberto

Road Master

Joined: Sep 2010

Posts: 752

Likes: 23

From: Acton, CA

I came from a 2010 Road King (now my wife's). My 2015 RGS being my first fairing bike took some adjusting to... not the actual riding, that was a quick transition within my first ride on it. What I mean is, it took some adjusting to appreciate the fairing and not miss the open view of the Road King. To overcome what I loved about the Road King took a lot of miles and some great rides. I still ride the Road King from time to time to see how it's running, and when I do, it is a different, but still great feeling.

I really enjoy and love the new RGS - it rides fantastic, eats up the miles like syrup - and probably would not go back to a Road King, but the Road King certainly still has a lot going for it, in ride and looks.

I don't think you can go wrong with either bike. I never thought I would ever be on a fairing bike, but when the new Rushmore Road Glide came out, it drew me in, and I sampled, and I liked! The RGS offers more smooth wind protection, but the Road King is also a great touring bike and and feels more like a raw motorcycle... but with a lot of sophistication.

Last edited by caberto; Jul 20, 2016 at 04:49 PM.

Jul 21, 2016 | 06:48 AM

#12

rusty289

Tourer

Joined: Jan 2014

Posts: 353

Likes: 32

From: New Brunswick Canada

Both are great bikes but in my opinion very different,

Ask yourself, do you want tunes? Some guys are not into music when they ride others like myself don't want to be without.

The road glide is a different animal from a road king, if you were talking streetglide I'd say it's not as big of a jump but the RG with the fixed fairing does take a bit of getting used to.

I got mine last fall, came from a SG that I rode for 6 years. Definitely took some time but I absolutely love this bike!

Take one for a ride, might be worth the money to rent one for a day or see if your dealer has a demo you could try out.

Jul 21, 2016 | 06:55 AM

#13

RKZen

Seasoned HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2013

Posts: 6,065

Likes: 1,945

From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail

+1 on the rental. Rent a King for a day and then the Glide to get a good feel. The dealer can apply the rental $$ to the purchase.

Jul 21, 2016 | 07:26 AM

#14

Magnut1

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Aug 2014

Posts: 4,725

Likes: 1,787

From: Toledo ohio

My first Harley was a 2000 heritage. Liked the fact I could remove the windshield. Added a toupak and took some long trips. I am short so I liked the lower seat. Bought an 06 ultra and had seat done, lowered it. Was great for trips but a lot to handle 2 up and loaded. Almost dumped it a few times. Bought 2 more ultras, then finally got tired of batwings and the music (couldn't hear it with my hearing loss and the loud pipes) and bought a 2014 RK. I have no regrets. I can strip it down, or max it out. I hear a lot of good things about the RG handling and ride but for me, can't go with a fairing no more.

Jul 21, 2016 | 08:11 AM

#15

leftyjm

Road Warrior

Joined: Nov 2014

Posts: 1,438

Likes: 448

From: Midwest

I had a 2009 Heritage not a Road King but I will tell you of all the Harley's I've owned, 8 in all, I have never had a bike I liked more than my RGS for all the obvious reason.
Even though it's a big bike it handles like a dream whether you are on the road or in a tight spot.
Hope this helps.
Lefty
2015 RGS

Jul 21, 2016 | 08:29 AM

#16

7roper7

Cruiser

Joined: Mar 2016

Posts: 204

Likes: 36

From: ft worth, tx

I ride horses, make a living on the back of them. There is not a horse on this Earth that will do everything I do horseback well enough to satisfy me. I have rope horses, I have bomb proof sure footed trail horses, I have gentle kid horses, on and on and on.

I've had both Batwing and RK Harleys. and now have an Ultra. There are days I think a RK would be a better fit for the ride of the day,or the trip I'm taking given the weather, distance etc.

There are days I want to be on a Ducati sport bike, there are days I want to be on my BMW GS, there are days I want to be on a KLR250 duel sport.

Only you know the answer to what is the best compromise if one motorcycle is in the corral. Every motorcycle is a compromise to me.

Last edited by 7roper7; Jul 21, 2016 at 08:34 AM.

Jul 21, 2016 | 09:09 AM

#17

beary

Grand HDF Member

Joined: Mar 2007

Posts: 4,928

Likes: 285

From: Edmond Oklahoma

I was trying to choose between a RG and SG some years back. The turbulence coming around the RG fairing was worse than the SG. The SG had some bad air as well, but it was a cheap fix compared to the RG. So I stayed away from the RGs.

But Harley put a lot of wind tunnel research effort into fixing the turbulent air problem on the new Rushmore fairings and so far they have felt great on my test rides. In fact baring a great deal on anything else, a RG will likely be my next touring bike. I will be watching the prices when the 2017s come out.

If you stick with 2015 or newer, you will be happy with the RG.

Beary