Electra glide classic or road king
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 998
From: Southern Virginia
flhrbill GOV5 makes some good points. I'll throw in something that has affected me from time to time that I never thought of until reading through these posts.
I am not as old as you but I am on the back side of things. I have had various health problems over the years that have left me at times very weak and unstable. When things got really bad I remembered that I was the only able bodied adult spread between three households. I had just been widowed and my mother and mother in law were as well. So basically I had to be able to keep things repaired and working on my properly, my mother's, and my mother in law's. I decided that I needed to keep fit enough to do that. I started out with basic stretching exercises every morning. Then two or three days a week I added pushups and situps to the mix. I gradually increased the reps and sets as time went on. I added other exercises and some light weight lifting as time went on. This also made it easier to enjoy my favorite hobby - motorcycling.
I don't know your situation health wise but this has helped me. I've been remarried a while now and when my wife is on the back of my 2010 Ultra I don't even know she is there unless she wants my attention.
The wind situation is another advantage the Ultras have over Road kings. I have ridden many bikes with windshields such as come on the Road Kings but there is always buffeting of some kind it seems like. I've got a 12" recurve shield from Long Ride Shields on my Ultra and neither my wife nor I experience any head buffeting at all. That also makes it MUCH easier to hear the stereo.
Good luck.
I am not as old as you but I am on the back side of things. I have had various health problems over the years that have left me at times very weak and unstable. When things got really bad I remembered that I was the only able bodied adult spread between three households. I had just been widowed and my mother and mother in law were as well. So basically I had to be able to keep things repaired and working on my properly, my mother's, and my mother in law's. I decided that I needed to keep fit enough to do that. I started out with basic stretching exercises every morning. Then two or three days a week I added pushups and situps to the mix. I gradually increased the reps and sets as time went on. I added other exercises and some light weight lifting as time went on. This also made it easier to enjoy my favorite hobby - motorcycling.
I don't know your situation health wise but this has helped me. I've been remarried a while now and when my wife is on the back of my 2010 Ultra I don't even know she is there unless she wants my attention.
The wind situation is another advantage the Ultras have over Road kings. I have ridden many bikes with windshields such as come on the Road Kings but there is always buffeting of some kind it seems like. I've got a 12" recurve shield from Long Ride Shields on my Ultra and neither my wife nor I experience any head buffeting at all. That also makes it MUCH easier to hear the stereo.
Good luck.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 1,466
From: Charleston, SC
Yeah, I know you can buy aftermarket radios, but he has one built-in on his Glide. Buying a radio just adds to the list of things he has to purchase. Many have gone the RK route and then started adding on the things they wanted that didn't come stock. When they finished buying everything, they stated that they could have saved money by buying the Glide in the first place. Of course, they had the flexibility to detach many of those things and put the RK back to "stripped down" mode, which they couldn't do with a GLIDE.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 1,466
From: Charleston, SC
Yes GOV5 I feel the weight coming to stops signs and slow turns in parking lots and congested traffic and such. At speed and on twisty I have no problem with the weight of the front end. Now I'm coming in at 195 lbs and the wife about 170lbs (hope she doesn't see the post) so that combined with luggage for trips the bike it self is heavy. I've put 79000 mile on since 2009 and I have notice over the fairing weight over the last year. I am also planning for the future. When the wife retires, in four years, I'll be 67, not old but older. If I wait to get a Road King then I'm not sure I'll find the bike I want. I'm not thrilled with the new bikes, and prefer something less computerized than the new bikes. Not sure if that makes since but I prefer something from a few years ago. I know the new bikes have larger motors, built in GPS, all the bells and whistles and an exhaust system that is getting to sound like a Goldwing.
I have not pulled the trigger yet on the 2011 RK and not sure if I will but I'm leaning that way. Have to decide this Saturday. It is a decision that is very hard to make. I thank everyone for their advise. And to the Road Glide guys, I know you love your bike but I'm not in love with the look and more importantly the wife is not in love with the look. No Offense.
I have not pulled the trigger yet on the 2011 RK and not sure if I will but I'm leaning that way. Have to decide this Saturday. It is a decision that is very hard to make. I thank everyone for their advise. And to the Road Glide guys, I know you love your bike but I'm not in love with the look and more importantly the wife is not in love with the look. No Offense.
Like you, I'm not interested in all the new tech either. It appeals more to the younger riders I think. Not saying some old folks don't like it too, but many of us don't like all the distractions either. Sounds like you're in that category. One of the things about the Ultras that I liked was everything was "built-in", not a bunch of stuff hanging off handlebar mounts. That looks to cluttered to me.
Based upon what you want, I now see why you are looking ahead. I wish you luck with your search. I hope you find what you need.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 274
Likes: 60
From: Akron ohio
I rode a buddy's '12 RK x-country on a move for him while he was deployed. He has the fork fangs that helped with the wind. He also had a stereo unit clipped to the windshield, a RockHoodz, and a detachable king TP. The ride was very comfy, as he also has Ohlins in the rear.
I think the only difference on the King and your Glide would be if you have cruise and the King does not. I think the '11 King was an option.
I think the only difference on the King and your Glide would be if you have cruise and the King does not. I think the '11 King was an option.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 6,899
Likes: 3,412
From: OH
I have both a 2017 street glide and a 2010 RK and have owned an 09 standard. The road king is more enjoyable of a ride for me for most conditions solo or 2 up with the exception of cold and wet conditions. The bat wing wins in terms of wind protection for your arms and hands. Both bikes have GPS if I need it which I seldom use. The radio is nice around town but for what ever reason I don't use it while touring.
I hated the stock bars and switched them out along with the seat and upgraded suspension (I did the same mods to the SG). You already have that covered so really there really isn't a wrong choice. For me there isn't enough of a difference to make me switch. Same 96" motor unless it was ordered with the power pack option. I would try for a Rushmore road king. The extra grunt of the HO103 is very noticeable 2 up in the mountains. The bars are heritage style and not as bad. Better saddle bag lids and a more rigid front end.
Cruise was an option back in 11 as my 10 has it but for me it is really not an option not to have on a touring bike that you are taking trips on. I use cruise to keep me out of trouble as I tend to drive faster the longer I am in the saddle.
I hated the stock bars and switched them out along with the seat and upgraded suspension (I did the same mods to the SG). You already have that covered so really there really isn't a wrong choice. For me there isn't enough of a difference to make me switch. Same 96" motor unless it was ordered with the power pack option. I would try for a Rushmore road king. The extra grunt of the HO103 is very noticeable 2 up in the mountains. The bars are heritage style and not as bad. Better saddle bag lids and a more rigid front end.
Cruise was an option back in 11 as my 10 has it but for me it is really not an option not to have on a touring bike that you are taking trips on. I use cruise to keep me out of trouble as I tend to drive faster the longer I am in the saddle.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 607
Likes: 107
From: Dark Side of the Moon
Originally Posted by GOV5
Yeah, I know you can buy aftermarket radios, but he has one built-in on his Glide. Buying a radio just adds to the list of things he has to purchase.
Originally Posted by flhrbill
I must admit I would really miss my radio.
Just giving the OP, and his better half, an option if he decides on the King.
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 460
Likes: 18
From: Rhode Island/Pensacola Florida
An update I am not going to go with the Road King I did not like how it handled and the wind influence compared to my electra glide classic. Now I must eat crow because I took a road glide ultra out for a test ride and I bow down to all the Road glide gods out there, this bike handles great. The more I looked at it the more I liked it. It may take a bit longer to get over the looks of the lowers. The weight that I experienced on the forks with the electra glide classic obviously is not an issue with the Road glide. It’s certainly solves my problem with having my music it solves my problem of wind resistance and it solves my problems of storage for when we travel.
so as long as my dealership can give me a good trade-in I think I will end up with a 2018 road glide ultra that has less than 11000 miles on it. Right now they want 22999 for the bike which I think is rather on the high side. Still not a big fan of all the bells and whistle‘s that are on the new bikes but the road glide ultra is nice.
I want to thank everybody who gave me their opinion I really appreciate it.
so as long as my dealership can give me a good trade-in I think I will end up with a 2018 road glide ultra that has less than 11000 miles on it. Right now they want 22999 for the bike which I think is rather on the high side. Still not a big fan of all the bells and whistle‘s that are on the new bikes but the road glide ultra is nice.
I want to thank everybody who gave me their opinion I really appreciate it.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 3,846
Likes: 998
From: Southern Virginia
Was that 22,999 straight purchase price or including your bike in trade? If it is straight purchase I think that is a great deal.
Anyhow I must admit the longer I rode the Road Glides the more I liked them. I tried an Ultra with a 114 motor and it handled and accelerated like a stripped down Dyna to me. I did notice a little more wind noise than my batwing but it wasn't that the wind was hitting me so to speak, I just seemed to notice the noise. I guess because the fairing is farther in front.
One thing that I thought was really cool was it almost gives you the feeling of not having a fairing at all because it is so far out front. I don't know if it is more visibility or what, but it definitely is a different experience.
If I could ever afford another bike it would be very hard for me to choose between the batwing bikes and the RGs.
Good luck.
Anyhow I must admit the longer I rode the Road Glides the more I liked them. I tried an Ultra with a 114 motor and it handled and accelerated like a stripped down Dyna to me. I did notice a little more wind noise than my batwing but it wasn't that the wind was hitting me so to speak, I just seemed to notice the noise. I guess because the fairing is farther in front.
One thing that I thought was really cool was it almost gives you the feeling of not having a fairing at all because it is so far out front. I don't know if it is more visibility or what, but it definitely is a different experience.
If I could ever afford another bike it would be very hard for me to choose between the batwing bikes and the RGs.
Good luck.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 274
Likes: 60
From: Akron ohio
Yes GOV5 I feel the weight coming to stops signs and slow turns in parking lots and congested traffic and such. At speed and on twisty I have no problem with the weight of the front end. Now I'm coming in at 195 lbs and the wife about 170lbs (hope she doesn't see the post) so that combined with luggage for trips the bike it self is heavy. I've put 79000 mile on since 2009 and I have notice over the fairing weight over the last year. I am also planning for the future. When the wife retires, in four years, I'll be 67, not old but older. If I wait to get a Road King then I'm not sure I'll find the bike I want. I'm not thrilled with the new bikes, and prefer something less computerized than the new bikes. Not sure if that makes since but I prefer something from a few years ago. I know the new bikes have larger motors, built in GPS, all the bells and whistles and an exhaust system that is getting to sound like a Goldwing.
I have not pulled the trigger yet on the 2011 RK and not sure if I will but I'm leaning that way. Have to decide this Saturday. It is a decision that is very hard to make. I thank everyone for their advise. And to the Road Glide guys, I know you love your bike but I'm not in love with the look and more importantly the wife is not in love with the look. No Offense.
I have not pulled the trigger yet on the 2011 RK and not sure if I will but I'm leaning that way. Have to decide this Saturday. It is a decision that is very hard to make. I thank everyone for their advise. And to the Road Glide guys, I know you love your bike but I'm not in love with the look and more importantly the wife is not in love with the look. No Offense.