What Was I Thinking?
Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,982
Likes: 2,141
From: Ohio
What Was I Thinking?
Went and test rode a Low Rider, and a Street Bob. Gave the new Softails a try. Thought I might "downsize" since my Street Glide hasn't done a trip in awhile, and probably won't since my wife quit riding with me. Anyway, after taking them out for a few miles, I couldn't wait to get back on my bagger. Nothing beats the comfort of a bagger. Found out that no windshield, tunes, or storage really sucks. Glad I did it, really, because I now know my Street Glide is the bike for me!
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 382
Likes: 217
From: Wisconsin
Thats what strikes me as odd...people saying not to get a touring/bagger bike if you dont do long trips. I smile from ear to ear just riding to work 25 miles each way. When I do het the time to go for a ride I just go get lost for a couple hours putting on a hundred plus miles. The RGS I just bought is a dream to ride
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,830
Likes: 302
From: Lorain Ohio
I don't really tour on my touring bike but like the storage, music, cruise, ride....on the highway it doesn't get moved around as much. My SG handles better than my softail did but I've never tried the new ones which are supposed to handle better with the new rear suspension an added ground clearance. IF I decided to go to a smaller lighter bike I'd check out the sport glide with the smaller bags an mini fairing.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 4,607
Likes: 3,312
From: Virginia
I'm the exact opposite, I go to demo days and try the baggers, then I hop on my Sportster for the ride home enjoying the wind and say there is no way I am paying that much money for one of those over weight pigs that drags parts on every turn.
I've done a 10 day almost 4,000 mile trip on my Sportster carrying every thing I needed to camp along the way. Music comes from my phone through my Sena headset.
I hop on a Harley bagger and I am just underwhelmed. If I buy a rolling couch it will be a Goldwing.
If I get a bigger Harley it will be a Roadking.
I've done a 10 day almost 4,000 mile trip on my Sportster carrying every thing I needed to camp along the way. Music comes from my phone through my Sena headset.
I hop on a Harley bagger and I am just underwhelmed. If I buy a rolling couch it will be a Goldwing.
If I get a bigger Harley it will be a Roadking.
Last edited by VAFish; Aug 30, 2019 at 10:50 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 1,466
From: Charleston, SC
langwilliams:
"On the highway it doesn't get moved around as much"
This is a point that I hardly ever see mentioned when folks start asking about which bike to buy. It all depends on WHERE you are riding mostly. I live in the Charleston, SC area, and we have bridges all over the place because of the ocean and islands around us. WE are also a Major Port on the East Coast, so we have container transport trucks going over those bridges all day and night long, back and forth to the many transport terminals we have. And you need STABILITY when riding by them because the wind from them will push you all over your lane. A small 600 lb bike will be pushed around a LOT! So having an 800-950 lb Touring bike provides much more stability.
"On the highway it doesn't get moved around as much"
This is a point that I hardly ever see mentioned when folks start asking about which bike to buy. It all depends on WHERE you are riding mostly. I live in the Charleston, SC area, and we have bridges all over the place because of the ocean and islands around us. WE are also a Major Port on the East Coast, so we have container transport trucks going over those bridges all day and night long, back and forth to the many transport terminals we have. And you need STABILITY when riding by them because the wind from them will push you all over your lane. A small 600 lb bike will be pushed around a LOT! So having an 800-950 lb Touring bike provides much more stability.
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Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 504
Likes: 192
From: Atlanta
So, heres the deal: you are all right and you are all wrong.
The best answer is to have one of each in your garage. I am amazed at how much I love the SGS even for just around town riding. Its so smooth and so convenient that it doesnt have to be out on the open road to shine.
But, there are times when my FXDB is the perfect ride. Ive done trips all over including 400 and 500 mile days with ease on this bike and of course it hits its sweet spot at bike nights and group rides.
I love them both.....yes, I think about downsizing the SGS to a Heritage just because of my size, but when I demo the FLHCS, its impossible to compete against the SGS. Love them both!!
The best answer is to have one of each in your garage. I am amazed at how much I love the SGS even for just around town riding. Its so smooth and so convenient that it doesnt have to be out on the open road to shine.
But, there are times when my FXDB is the perfect ride. Ive done trips all over including 400 and 500 mile days with ease on this bike and of course it hits its sweet spot at bike nights and group rides.
I love them both.....yes, I think about downsizing the SGS to a Heritage just because of my size, but when I demo the FLHCS, its impossible to compete against the SGS. Love them both!!
Last edited by cmhdwg09; Aug 31, 2019 at 06:38 AM.
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Thread Starter
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3,982
Likes: 2,141
From: Ohio
Well, I've owned Sportsters, Dynas, and Softails in my almost 50 years of riding motorcycles. Sportsters were a blast to run around on when I was in my 20's. They feel SO SMALL to me now. I hated the Softail I owned because I do not like the counter balanced "B" engine. LOVED Dynas, and one of my favorite bikes to this day was the FXDC. Beautiful, and with some add ons, a "do-it-all" motorcycle. But, now, NOTHING , IMHO, is as nice to ride as a bagger. Guess it's my age, Baggers are just comfortable AND convenient. I recall countless times that I wanted to take my FXDC and run an errand, then having to take the car because I had no place to put anything. Even taking a rainsuit or jacket involved wadding it up and bungie cording it someplace on the bike. All my buddy's with a non-bagger tease me about my "Winnebago", but they're constantly asking me if they can put their jackets, packages, whatever they need carried, etc. in my bags! Yea.....I'm an old guy, but give me a bagger every time.
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 997
Likes: 489
From: Louisville, KY
Another vote for baggers! Sometimes, like when I'm moving my RGU around the garage or parking somewhere, I'm reminded of just what a beast my RGU is. But...., as soon as I start rolling I no longer think of my bike as a beast. I really love it and I just can't imagine me ever having anything other than a touring bike.