Potential new bike.... help me out! Road Glide VS Ultra Limited
#31
Oh, I didn't realize the RG already had a tour pak on it and quick disconnect. If that's the case, I can totally see buying it if its in better condition as you say. Really gonna be up to you ........as for the shocks, even riding solo, I notice the difference between 12 and 13 inch shocks. There is a big difference to me......My wife is only 4'11" ......and I personally can tell a diff when she is on. Especially those older shocks like both choice you are looking at -----pumping air into them. But if you really like the RG and it's in better shape, go for it man .....you can always change the shocks to 13 inch shocks for cheap---you can get stock take offs from an ultra and slap them on
That's a great point.
I am not 100% yet, but I honestly feel as though the RG may be the better option for me, eventually adding the better shocks for two up riding if necessary (and heated grips!), but that would basically be it.
I do have a question for you however (or anyone else who may know the answer actually).... The original RG I found was a black one, 2012, and had the 103. Just today.. we looked at a 2011 RG, the EXACT same bike, almost the same exact amount of miles, unbelievablely clean, and it was the 'Sedona Orange', and I won't lie, my wife and I both almost instantly fell in love with it. It's at a great price point, still has the tour Pak on the back, everything else is the same - except for one thing. It says right on the sticker on the frame, it is a 1584cc motor. This means it is the 96 cubic inch, not the 103. HOWEVER, the guy has done a 'stage 2 kit', with full receipts from Harley (not cheap either), which I am assuming makes it the equivalent of the 103....? Here is my question - we have also looked at MULTIPLE other 2011 RG's, all of which have had the 103? Is there a reason why this 2011 RG does not, and instead has the factory 96 cubic inch motor?
The only difference I can see is that this bike is the 'Screamin' Eagle' version of the Sedona Orange RG as it has the decals all over the bike, but what's weird is I would assume that model would have an UPGRADED motor if anything... not the 96..? Any ideas?
I can send pictures if it helps I took a couple today, but believe me the bike is about as nice as they come. Full Vance and Hines system, power commander/dyno tuned, brand new tires and a lot more. Let me know if I can answer any other questions to possibly get a good answer to this as I would love to know what the hell a 'stage 2 kit' actually does specifically, and if it is effectively the same bike at this point as all the other 103's I am looking at.
Thanks again guys!!!
#32
I didn't know that the 2011 even came with a 96". Thought that the whole touring line was 103" by then, but if it's indeed a 96" with a stage II, it's likely going to pull stronger than any stock 103" you'll find (provided all the work was done right and it's been tune really well). The 96" was a very good motor.
I've been following your thread, and it's apparent you've taken your time and you're being prudent. As I mentioned earlier, I ride a Road Glide, and if you're leaning that way, I think you'll never look back. I've had both...bat wing and my Road Glide now, and I definitely prefer the later for too many reasons to note. It all comes down to preference though.
Good luck in your final, and obviously well thought out decision on the right bike for YOU.
I've been following your thread, and it's apparent you've taken your time and you're being prudent. As I mentioned earlier, I ride a Road Glide, and if you're leaning that way, I think you'll never look back. I've had both...bat wing and my Road Glide now, and I definitely prefer the later for too many reasons to note. It all comes down to preference though.
Good luck in your final, and obviously well thought out decision on the right bike for YOU.
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BRIT206 (09-23-2017)
#33
In 2011 the 103 motor was an option on some bikes and came std in others. Harley called it the PowerPak option and came with security and ABS. The Road Glide custom came with a 96" and the PowerPak option was $1195. While the Road Glide Ultra came with the 103"STD. I agree a stage 2 96" should be better than a stock 103".
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BRIT206 (09-23-2017)
#35
RG vs Ultra
Riding a 2012 Limited and have test rode the RG many times because I would love to have one as wife & I travel coast to coast with lots of highway miles in all conditions. We also ride alongside a couple RG's and the problem I always find is the reviews from my passenger is basically "get me off this thing" ! Hopefully you've included your wife in the test rides and decision making as we all know what a happy wife means. And after my wife had a chat with the other RG wives there was no way I am allowed to get my "shark" !! LOL ! My wife experienced much harder wind shear and I'm sure she will be getting more rain also, one remark from the other RG wives was, "why do you think I need these heavy goggles", well that sealed the deal for the wife ! LOL. We also ride in cold weather and the wife finds tucking in behind me she can ride in freezing temps without too much trouble but getting blasted with more wind would be a deal breaker , and is ! I think your wife will make the decision for you ! Good luck and enjoy whatever you decide !
Last edited by rlh7677; 09-20-2017 at 08:02 PM.
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BRIT206 (09-23-2017)
#37
First off. Either bike is a great choice. But your first post pointed out the big difference in the two. Highway riding on the RG. No feedback due to the batwing. And slow speed handling. Also the roomy compartment. I've owned both. I hat a SG for 7 years. Traded it on an 11 RGU. Had that a year and bought the 16 RGS I have now. I do not miss the tourpack at all. I do long trips. This year I did 2250 miles 4 days 9 states. Tent camping. I have a kuryakyn grand tour bag and it holds more than my tourpack did. It was 125 bucks. I'm at 16,300 miles in the 10 months riding season I've had it. You can get a tourpack cheap now days with Matuza and the other guys that make them aftermarket. As far as wind and noise. Nothing was worse than my batwing. The right windshield will fix that on either bike. One size does not fit all. My wife feels wind with my 14" KW but her cousin doesn't with the 14" Memphis shades. I ride solo 75% of the time so I'm not changing my windshield. My wife is the one who told me to sell the RGU and get the RGS. She hated the tourpack.
I will say the lowers are a big plus on the limited. I won't ride a bike without them since I had them on the 11. I ordered the color matched lowers the same day I bought the bike. Heat has never been in issue. Looks better imo and really helps in the rain.
I'd get the RGS. But either one will do what you need.
I will say the lowers are a big plus on the limited. I won't ride a bike without them since I had them on the 11. I ordered the color matched lowers the same day I bought the bike. Heat has never been in issue. Looks better imo and really helps in the rain.
I'd get the RGS. But either one will do what you need.
Last edited by RFG7680; 09-22-2017 at 05:31 PM.
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BRIT206 (09-23-2017)
#38
I don't see this as a hard choice at all....
Since the test rides didn't sway you one way or the other.... let your wife decide..
Whatever bike she feels the most comfortable on.... get it...!
Since I have very little seat time on a RG, I'll share my Ultra Limited experience.
When I bought my Ultra Limited, the first mod I had planned was to get the detachable kit to be able to remove the tour pak around town and switch it for a sissy bar (so the wife could still ride comfortably).
I bought my Limited in 2012, it's now 2017 and I still haven't bought the detach kit... just don't need it.. I don't feel the weight like everybody says I should, and a Harley Bagger is a good looking bike to me...
The main thing I changed was the suspension. The air shocks suck..... Don't chase the best ride... Many people try to get a great ride on the cheap, then four shocks later, they finally spend the money for a quality shock. I suggest you pay top dollar up front, get the best shocks you can't afford, it will be cheaper in the long run.... Opinions vary on shocks, but I chased a few bargain brand and I am now saving up for Ohlins from Motorcycle Metal... The shocks I want form Howard are less than teh money I've spent on two other pair so far....
To recap, get the bike the wife feels most comfortable on, ride it for awhile before planning any mods, then when you want shocks, pay once/cry once...Just my 2 cents
Since the test rides didn't sway you one way or the other.... let your wife decide..
Whatever bike she feels the most comfortable on.... get it...!
Since I have very little seat time on a RG, I'll share my Ultra Limited experience.
When I bought my Ultra Limited, the first mod I had planned was to get the detachable kit to be able to remove the tour pak around town and switch it for a sissy bar (so the wife could still ride comfortably).
I bought my Limited in 2012, it's now 2017 and I still haven't bought the detach kit... just don't need it.. I don't feel the weight like everybody says I should, and a Harley Bagger is a good looking bike to me...
The main thing I changed was the suspension. The air shocks suck..... Don't chase the best ride... Many people try to get a great ride on the cheap, then four shocks later, they finally spend the money for a quality shock. I suggest you pay top dollar up front, get the best shocks you can't afford, it will be cheaper in the long run.... Opinions vary on shocks, but I chased a few bargain brand and I am now saving up for Ohlins from Motorcycle Metal... The shocks I want form Howard are less than teh money I've spent on two other pair so far....
To recap, get the bike the wife feels most comfortable on, ride it for awhile before planning any mods, then when you want shocks, pay once/cry once...Just my 2 cents
Last edited by hattitude; 09-22-2017 at 07:10 PM.
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BRIT206 (09-23-2017)
#39
If the test rides did not sway you either way decisively then you may be looking at the wrong bikes. Check out other stuff, there are so many touring bikes out there. I knew from the first time I rode my bike it was for me ('15 Limited). No need for me to look at anything else, and I could not be happier.
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BRIT206 (09-23-2017)
#40
I had a batwing for three years, converted it to a shark, ran that for 2 years, and bought another new shark 2 years ago.
For me the fixed fairing has far less buffeting, handles better on the highway and in parking lots. I converted ( swapped the batwing for a shark) its all just bolt on stuff, so they are the same bike minus the faring (and options like lowers shocks, seats bars etc)
Either bike will be a good choice, but I would o with the lower mileage and nicer condition.
For me the fixed fairing has far less buffeting, handles better on the highway and in parking lots. I converted ( swapped the batwing for a shark) its all just bolt on stuff, so they are the same bike minus the faring (and options like lowers shocks, seats bars etc)
Either bike will be a good choice, but I would o with the lower mileage and nicer condition.
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BRIT206 (09-23-2017)