I have decided to take the plunge and buy my first touring bike -- I am pretty set on the new Electra Glide Standard. I like the idea of a stripped-down, bare-bones bike that I can play around with, if I decide that I need to add "nice-to-haves"...which we all know I will....

Interested in folks' thoughts about things I should think about as I transition from riding a Sporty and a Fat Bob to the EG (keeping the Sporty but offloading the Fat Bob). I am on the shorter side, at 5'8" but had no issues with handling the bike on several test-rides of the EG (or SG).

What I am not thinking of? Am I missing something that should make me rethink my plan?

thanks in advance!

 

You’ll be thrilled with your choice. Once you ride a bagger you’ll never go back. More comfortable, more storage, and just nicer on those longer rides. Get yourself some highway pegs, a taller windshield if get too much wind buffeting. Good luck, and have fun making it your own personalized bike.

Joe

 

Also,get yourself a large bottle of aluminum polish,because those bare aluminum rocker boxes and primary will quickly turn to ****.

 

Just powder coat the bare aluminum and keep it clean with a water hose from there on out. I like polished aluminum better than chrome but it’s a complete pain in the *** to keep up with.

also, unless it’s the EGS you want, pick up a used rig and save a few grand for goodies. You can score a few yr old touring bike with a handful of miles pretty cheap if you dig.

 

I strongly considered buying an EGS as a blank canvas. But after reading about all the sumping problems, I bought a 2015 Road Glide Special. I’m thrilled with it and wish I had bought a Shark years ago. I’m tall and the bat wing bikes have given me buffeting issues. Not so with the Shark. If the MoCo has addressed the sumping issues, I’d say go for it. Then make it yours.

 

If you are buying the bagger for the batwing fairing & touring frame, you have a good plan....

If you are getting a bagger and you think you may also want the radio, intercom, lowers, or the tour-pak.... I think you should get another model, and get a bike with them OEM...

You'll pay a little more up front, but it seems to be cheaper to remove things like a radio, intercom, lowers, tour-pak, if you don't want/need/use them... than it is to add them after purchase..

If you decide you don't want/need/use them and remove them.... You would then have them for the next potential buyer when/if you sell, or could sell them to recoup some of your initial purchase price

Just something to think about...

 

I went from Fat Bob to touring bike and never regretted it. Doubt you will either.

 

If you have the chance, look at a FLHTP (cop bike). You’ll get chrome instead of brushed, 114”, cruise, security, LED headlight, ABS, and heated grips. All for the same or less money than a Standard. Dealers have to hold them for 90 days (I think) before selling to the public.

 

thanks!

one of the main reasons i am upgrading (? if that's the right term ?) is to be able to comfortably do those longer rides. and I def see picking up some highway pegs early on... i think i'll also need a somewhat higher windscreen, too, the top of EGS windscreen runs right across my field of vision, almost acts like a glasses-lens. buffeting wasn't an issue on test-rides but the visual interference def was.

 

i was wondering about that...i have a feeling i'll be investing a lot more time in keeping up the chrome than ever before....