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Most guys move upward from smaller models untill they get to riding a fairing tourer.
You could be happy with going backwards for a while but sooner or later you will likely regret it!
A test ride is worth a thousand words, the type of riding I believe has a bearing on what one prefers. For me the FLHR is a sweet heart, low speeds back roads, windshield off on hot days. However all weather riding at highway speeds I would choose a different animal. Did rent a Road Glide in Tucson for a couple of days but could hardly wait to get off it and back to the King. We as individuals are all different so pick your poison carefully.
Mike
Get as new of a fairing bike as you can afford for the long rides and newer motor. But watch Craigs for a killer deal on an older RK. That is how I ended up with a 14 Limited and 07 RK. Perfect combo.
Okay to the impotent guy that can't hold onto a blowup doll.
Originally Posted by grbrown
I could never live with an RG - just too darned ugly!
A batwing, any day.....
Usually a guy with awesome advice Graham but have you ever ridden one? I always challenge people to compare a batwing to a sharknose going against a tractor trailer truck going opposite directions on a 2 lane road.
Originally Posted by lionsm13
Ever had one?
See above about blowup doll.
I get old school and have had them all. Hence the reason for keeping my old Road King. But even that I keep a shield for as well as a Memphis Shades fairing. Sure, I strip it down to nothing when I am in the mood but I don't live in the self composed Florida dump stool, nor former NY resident. Have ridden all over so kinda know what works best all over, unlike the older than dark fart with limited mind capacities. Oh, I could go on and on but y'all get it. He doesn't.
I can't help you know what you want, but I love my Road King.. I have heard from folks all over the place about head buffeting on the dressers, the Roadking has none/zero/Nada..I can light a cigarette while riding down the road..as far as leg protection, I just put on vampire fangs and my legs are wind free on the running boards...there is still enough air flow in the summer so I don't burn up, but not so much that I am holding on for dear life...The only thing I wish I had was a wider wind shield around the hand area, my hands are exposed to the cold/wet which won't happen with a full fairing bike..What else I love about the RK is the large bags and the ability to remove the windshield when tooling around town, with the windscreen off the bike handles like a whole different bike, almost like a sportster but better..
Usually a guy with awesome advice Graham but have you ever ridden one? I always challenge people to compare a batwing to a sharknose going against a tractor trailer truck going opposite directions on a 2 lane road.
Agree.
OP, also comes down to if you want a radio or not. If you dont want to listen to the radio through the speakers, then batwings and sharks are out. Yes you can use your headphones and connect to something, but I am speaking only without that in mind. Yes you can also put a fairing on a road king with a radio. I am stating a stock bike. I dont like to listen to music through headphones while riding; and some states it is illegal.
OP, also comes down to if you want a radio or not. If you dont want to listen to the radio through the speakers, then batwings and sharks are out. Yes you can use your headphones and connect to something, but I am speaking only without that in mind. Yes you can also put a fairing on a road king with a radio. I am stating a stock bike. I dont like to listen to music through headphones while riding; and some states it is illegal.
First time I had a radio and its the icing on the cake. Plug in my phone and play my classic rock collection louder than my stock bike.
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