Another vote here for a Road King. I have a Road King and a Limited. Getting off the Limited then riding the Road King makes the Road King feel like a sporty. It handles so much lighter without the fairing and the center of gravity is so much lower. You get a little bigger saddlebag and the great touring ride over a heritage. I started on a softail before going to the touring line. I couldn't imagine ever going back.

Of course I can't really knock a Heritage. I know nothing of the newest version other than walking past them in the show room. But they don't call it a Road King for nothing,

 

Trikes are not for me. Not besmirching the many riders out there going from motorcycles to trikes, but when I am at the point two wheels are not for me then I will just hang up the leathers. Wife sure likes them.

 

Do not go smaller than a Road King if you want your passenger to enjoy long rides.

 

I agree with kickstartfan. I own a streeglide and a night train. Done some serious miles on the NT solo. Ive ridden the new M8 softails, and imo the new softails ride way better than my streetglide, way better. Keep the bigger bike, for 2 up riding mama will be way more comfy than a softail. Again, just my opinion.

 

I have thought of the road king, but weight savings are marginal. However I am going to revisit that option.

 

I just went the other way. Rode my '18 Heritage for the last 15 months and decided to get a Street Glide Special. I'm going on 77 and I originally bought the Heritage because I was afraid a touring bike was too big and too heavy. To my big surprise my new SGS (about 125lbs heavier) actually feels lighter and more nimble than my Heritage. Yes, when doing slow manuvers I have to be a little bit more careful because of the heavier weight of the Batwing on the handlebars, but I feel this will get easier with practice. The SGS is definately more comfortable for longer rides as I think should be since it is a touring bike. The ride on my Heritage is good, but doesn't quite measure up to the Glide. Of course the SGS 114 runs rings around my Heritage 107.

You might want to get a Softail for your commute and short couple hour jaunts, but I don't think you would be very happy on those long trips.

 

On my way to work this morning it was 40 or so degrees. I was sitting behind my fairings - lower and upper - and letting the windshield divert the cold air at 55-60 mph. Then I recalled my most recent roundabout and getting caught in some torrential downpours on my return leg around Austin. Made me kind of realize there are other benefits to the rolling couch than just my wife's comfort. Maybe a second, lighter bike would be a better approach. However, if I went that way it probably would not be a Harley (maybe, maybe not). I have had my eye on the Triumph Bonneville scrambler since they came out. Reminds me a lot of my first bike bike I had in junior high - a Honda 305 Hawk.
Of course, the comment from my wife this weekend saying, "didn't you tell me we probably ought to be a little conscious of our cash flow" probably kind of sealed the deal anyway.. Still an RK - gotta try one on for size. I know you can get lower fairings for them or at least the shields that stretch on the engine guard.

 

I had a 2013 Softail Deluxe before my 2017 FLTRU. I rode it on many long trips, but the lack of cruise control when touring was problematic for me. All the other limitations (storage, wind management, tunes, etc) are easy to remedy, but nothing could solve the lack of a true cruise control. Since the new bikes are cruise control capable, I'd say a new softail would make a great touring bike.

 

maybe lower the bike u have, I see that it is a low, but better footing makes a lot of difference.

 

This is just me, but I've ridden rubber mounted "A" motored Harleys for quite awhile. About three years ago, I bought a Heritage Softail because I just liked the way they look. It had a counter balanced "B" motor in it. Thought I'd get used to that.I HATED it! Way too "smooth" for me. Did not even "feel" like a Harley Davidson. I traded it in for a Street Glide in less than 3 months. Shortest time I ever owned a motorcycle. No more Softails for me......never! IMHO, you might as well buy a Honda, they feel the same. Some people love them, however. That's why they make different motorcycles.

As far as the OP, if I were going to go smaller than my Street Glide, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a Super Glide. I've owned three of those, and a Low Rider. Probably the best all around motorcycle Harley ever made....run around town, hot rod them, tour on them, or just cruise....they do it all very well. I always put forward controls on mine, and they were the most comfortable bikes I ever owned.