SGS to RKS?
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Joined: Nov 2019
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From: North of most
SGS to RKS?
I'm looking for opinions and 1st hand experience with this question. I have a 2019 Street Glide Special that I love. Beautiful bike, with no issues in the 1 year I've owned it. It is my first Harley and first bike with a fairing. I'll be honest, I bought it because I loved the looks of it (and still do!), but I did not test ride a Road Glide or Road King before my purchase.
I am considering going to a Road King Special and am wondering if anyone has gone from a SG or RG to a RK? If so, any regrets?
Here are some of the reasons that I am even giving this any thought:
1. After one year of riding this bike, I still feel like the front end is ridiculously heaving during slow riding. Almost feels top heavy rolling into a slow turn..... The weight (overall) of the bike doesn't bother me, just the front end.
2. I find the batwing fairing is brutal for wind buffeting. I think I have most of it dealt with coming over the top of the fairing with a larger windscreen, but I still get some at the top of my helmet and still get a lot that comes up from underneath the fairing and around the tank. The buffeting actually drives me a bit nuts. I feel like I'd just rather have all the wind coming at me with no fairing/windscreen then having to deal with little "pockets" of buffeting wind. My previous bike had no wind protection up front and it never really bothered me......
3. I find myself playing with the touch screen too much. I know this is not a fault of the bike, and it's just me, but if it wasn't there I couldn't mess with it. lol.
Anyway, I'm just looking for some feedback especially from anyone that has gone the same route I am thinking. What has your experience been like and do you/did you regret the decision?
Thanks all.
Ryan.
I am considering going to a Road King Special and am wondering if anyone has gone from a SG or RG to a RK? If so, any regrets?
Here are some of the reasons that I am even giving this any thought:
1. After one year of riding this bike, I still feel like the front end is ridiculously heaving during slow riding. Almost feels top heavy rolling into a slow turn..... The weight (overall) of the bike doesn't bother me, just the front end.
2. I find the batwing fairing is brutal for wind buffeting. I think I have most of it dealt with coming over the top of the fairing with a larger windscreen, but I still get some at the top of my helmet and still get a lot that comes up from underneath the fairing and around the tank. The buffeting actually drives me a bit nuts. I feel like I'd just rather have all the wind coming at me with no fairing/windscreen then having to deal with little "pockets" of buffeting wind. My previous bike had no wind protection up front and it never really bothered me......
3. I find myself playing with the touch screen too much. I know this is not a fault of the bike, and it's just me, but if it wasn't there I couldn't mess with it. lol.
Anyway, I'm just looking for some feedback especially from anyone that has gone the same route I am thinking. What has your experience been like and do you/did you regret the decision?
Thanks all.
Ryan.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,029
Likes: 449
From: Michigan
Your going to find fault with almost any stock bike. What you are experiencing is not unlike what hundreds before you have gone through. I personally never cared for the bat wing fairings as I always felt that they were to close to me and that's why I have a Road Glide. But, that being said I had to make a few changes to set it up like I wanted it. There are a ton of threads on dealing with buffeting, windshields, guards, vents etc... Do some reading and talk to other bat wing owners and see what they did. Having ridden a Road King for a while, I can tell you you will still be dealing with a fork mounted wind screen and a lot of wind and buffeting. My only suggestion is to ride the other two bikes you are interested in and see what you can live with.
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,895
Likes: 121
From: Southern WV
Ride a RoadGlide before you go for an RKS. A simple windshield swap and the RGS will cure all your issues with the SGS. I love my RKS for shorter rides but when it's time to put some serious miles on, my RGL is the bike I chose.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,088
Likes: 1,962
From: Somewhere on the Bourbon trail
I would suggest renting both the RKS and RGS and putting them through their paces. Rent for a weekend, as many dealers will let you rent one on day 1 and rent the other on day 2. Put them through their paces. I did this when I was deciding a few years ago and my dealer deducted the rental when I purchased. All H-D touring bikes will have that wind coming up from underneath, including the RKS, but that can be greatly reduced.
I can agree the SG/SGS feels a bit more "heavy" up front than the RK due to the batwing, and being mounted on the forks. I've ridden an RG and it also feels a little "heavy" up front to me as well, although the wind protection seems to be better on the highway.
I chose the RK more for it's versatility. I can take the shield off for around town cruising. I also have a plain-Jane batwing, lowers, and tourpak for full on touring. I can configure with any of those for my needs. The plane-Jane batwing is very light, so I don't feel it up front.
Good luck in your choice.
I can agree the SG/SGS feels a bit more "heavy" up front than the RK due to the batwing, and being mounted on the forks. I've ridden an RG and it also feels a little "heavy" up front to me as well, although the wind protection seems to be better on the highway.
I chose the RK more for it's versatility. I can take the shield off for around town cruising. I also have a plain-Jane batwing, lowers, and tourpak for full on touring. I can configure with any of those for my needs. The plane-Jane batwing is very light, so I don't feel it up front.
Good luck in your choice.
Last edited by RKZen; Nov 17, 2020 at 08:42 AM. Reason: typo
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 612
Likes: 329
From: Athens, Alabama
Love my RKS. I've ridden the SG as well and find the balance and maneuverability manageable but more cumbersome.
I haven't ridden a RG yet. I'm told if I do I'll want it.
As far as tunes and navigation on my King I use my phone connected via Bluetooth.
Wind buffeting is managed with fork deflectors and windshield.
I have a windshield bag for glasses, garage door opener, insurance & registration doc's, etc.
I too will occasionally remove the windshield and enjoy the breeze especially when I'm in a helmet optional state.
I haven't ridden a RG yet. I'm told if I do I'll want it.
As far as tunes and navigation on my King I use my phone connected via Bluetooth.
Wind buffeting is managed with fork deflectors and windshield.
I have a windshield bag for glasses, garage door opener, insurance & registration doc's, etc.
I too will occasionally remove the windshield and enjoy the breeze especially when I'm in a helmet optional state.
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Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 55
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From: North of most
I appreciate all the replies and opinions! Like a few people have mentioned, I like the idea of the Road King for it's versatility. Strip it naked for around town, or throw the windshield on for a longer ride, etc. Unfortunately, nothing is going to happen right now, as my bike is hibernating for winter, so it will be a spring decision.
Ride safe.
Ride safe.
