Did you move up from a smaller HD? What did you gain?
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 3,684
Likes: 4,294
From: Northeast, NJ
Did you move up from a smaller HD? What did you gain?
Greetings,
Currently on a 2013 Switchback with suspension mods and Stage II. I toy with going for a touring bike at times, but battle with the idea of an increase of at least 100lbs over the Switchback, which does a fair impression of a Road King light. My wife has her own Switchback, so 2 up is not a priority.
If you moved up from a Sportster/Dyna/Softail, any regrets? What did you gain by going to a touring bike? Any regrets?
Currently on a 2013 Switchback with suspension mods and Stage II. I toy with going for a touring bike at times, but battle with the idea of an increase of at least 100lbs over the Switchback, which does a fair impression of a Road King light. My wife has her own Switchback, so 2 up is not a priority.
If you moved up from a Sportster/Dyna/Softail, any regrets? What did you gain by going to a touring bike? Any regrets?
Moved up from my old H-D LowRider to a 07 Road King Custom, I got more power, a 6 speed tranny, and the Wife got her Saddlebags.
That way my Wife didn't have to carry the things she bough between us on the way home, and I used her seat for a T-bag on road trips.
John
That way my Wife didn't have to carry the things she bough between us on the way home, and I used her seat for a T-bag on road trips.
John
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 19,978
Likes: 6,074
From: Florida
I went from a Dyna & Softail, to a RoadKing. The Dyna was the most fun to ride, as it felt the most like a 4-speed shovel. The Softail was OK, but I didn't care for the balanced motor; smooth at idle & vibrated at speed, just the opposite of what I like. Fun to ride, though, & looked the best.
Only thing I ain't crazy about with the King is the ride height, but if I lower it, the ride suffers. That's why I like the stripper seat in my sig pic;gets me lower than anything else & looks great. And, it is much more comfortable than it looks.
Only thing I ain't crazy about with the King is the ride height, but if I lower it, the ride suffers. That's why I like the stripper seat in my sig pic;gets me lower than anything else & looks great. And, it is much more comfortable than it looks.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 7,826
Likes: 4,387
From: Texas
Unless you have a Street Glide with the stock 12" shocks...
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HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 7,826
Likes: 4,387
From: Texas
I learned to ride on a 400-lb Buell (I know, not the kind of HD you're talking about), had it for two years (10,000 miles), then went to a 900-lb '17 Street Glide so my wife and I could ride 2-up. The ride was vastly superior on my mono-shock Buell. The stock 12" shocks on the Street Glide, Road Glide, and Road King Special suck (and it is worse for the passenger). Other than that, I love the hard bags and I use them a lot more than I thought I would (especially since I ride every chance I get - as long as it isn't raining and the temp is over 40F). I keep rain gear, a light jackets, a couple tools, gloves, oil, etc. in them all the time, and on workdays I put my gym bag and lunch box in there too. I also love having a radio, 220+ mile range (6-gal tank), wind protection, and the bike always feels planted (even on the gusty 75 mph highways here in Texas). The riding position is more relaxed, with the mid-controls and floorboards, but only slightly more comfortable.
Last edited by BrandonSmith; Apr 29, 2019 at 12:04 PM.
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Tourer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 340
Likes: 21
From: NashVegas
I moved up to 16 Street Glide Special from 16 Low Rider (06 Low Rider before that).
I gave up up a little bit of performance, going from a bolt on and tuned 103HO to a stock 103 and a heavier bike. Low Rider was a superior bike in the twisties.
I gained tons of storage, music without need for helmet unit, Bluetooth music from my phone, touchscreen GPS, better gauges, smoother ride, greater range, cruise control, ability to make longer trips more comfortably and more comfortable ride for the spousal unit.
After only 30 days I can safely say Ill never go back.
I gave up up a little bit of performance, going from a bolt on and tuned 103HO to a stock 103 and a heavier bike. Low Rider was a superior bike in the twisties.
I gained tons of storage, music without need for helmet unit, Bluetooth music from my phone, touchscreen GPS, better gauges, smoother ride, greater range, cruise control, ability to make longer trips more comfortably and more comfortable ride for the spousal unit.
After only 30 days I can safely say Ill never go back.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 209
Likes: 68
From: Space
Had a Softail standard, street bob, and a Sportster. The Road King Special is just a beast with its 6 gallon tank, 114ci motor, and 820lbs weight. its very comfortable, and looks amazing. It has custom looking extended bags, which i use for tools and everything else. Don't need to take the cage out as much, having the saddlebags. It's powerful, planted, and comfortable. Best choice i ever made.