I think the bars that HD puts on the Police RKs are the best for handling. I rode a traded-in Police RK once and I couldn't believe how much better they felt AND how much better control of the bike I had doing slow speed stuff. You might ask the local HD shop if they have any lying around that they took off when converting the bike back to a standard. They always seem to take off the police seat( which many say is the most comfortable) and the handlebars.

 

According to Harley's website, it's not optional on EGS.

 

I find myself in a similar situation as you.

I'm currently on a Dyna Switchback, but the allure of a touring bike speaks to me. Cost is definitely a factor.

I love the "idea" of a Road King. Elemental bike that is a super sized version of what I currently ride. I've test ridden a 2014 and various M8's. I LOVE the Road King.
However, on a practical basis, the idea of the fairing appeals greatly to me. Was on tour last summer with my buddy in VT, and rode an entire day in the rain. I was very very envious of the fairing on his BMW R1200RT , which basically cocooned him from wind and rain, while I found my hands getting really cold and finding the windshield (LRS 18" recurve windshield) is only so good for protection from the elements.

As much as I'd prefer the 114, I just can't afford an almost $28k Street/Road Glide Special. So, for me, it would come down to an Electra Glide or Street/Road Glide Standard. 2 summers ago, my wife and I (she has her own Switchback too), went to visit family in MT, and rented an Ultra for a week. That rental was enlightening. We found ourselves in rain a few times, and the batwing fairing performed very well at blocking the elements. Aside from the mammoth weight and top heaviness, thought it was a great bike for 2 up. Should note, the Ultra we rented had a 107, and felt it was a little lacking with that heavy of a bike.

When the M8's came out, I test rode a Street Glide and Road Glide back to back. My brain was telling me I should like the RG better due to the frame mounted fairing, but I liked the SG better. On these stock bikes, the batwing was noticeably better at blocking wind / elements. I like the how the batwing fairing also acts as a hand guard on the stock bars. However, if you put on higher bars, you lose that benefit. The upside for me, of any of the touring bikes, the handlebars that come with the batwinged bikes are the only ones that are doable in stock form...for me. I found the RG's bars tuck in my wrists too much, and the RK standard bars force the tuck too far out, while the RK Special bars just have a weird all around angle to them.

Regarding the Electra Glide - I like the idea of a bare bones bike to be transformed into the owner's vision. Like the Switchback, the EGS comes with polished aluminum rockers covers, cam cover, primary cover, etc. I found on the Switchback, I wound up replacing all these parts with chrome. For that reason alone, the EGS is off my list, as it would add an additional $1k or so in cost to covert to chrome (what can I say....I like chrome). Having said that, when test sitting at a dealer, I found picking up the bike off the stand felt lighter than a standard RK. I can easily live without the stereo since I use a modular helmet with a Sena 30k headset which bluetooths music to the helmet speakers. Also, Sony makes an arguably nicer than stock stereo that sounds better, is lighter and cheaper than stock.

Good luck and let us know which way you go

 

Yes, it's a option for the '21 models and standard on police versions.

 

I thought it was available as an option on all touring 2021 models?

 

When comparing EGS and RK, RDRS is n/a for EGS and RK is optional. The info could be wrong on the website.

 

I had an '02 Road King I put 70,000 miles on year round. I liked the look of the RK with just the windshield but I managed to scrounge an old fairing, painted it and installed it. What a difference the batwing made. I think the EGS would be a great place to start.

 

I'm definitely going to have to look into this at the dealership. Might be going with the Street Glide standard. If true Harley wet the bed on this one.

 

It is available on the EGS. You have to expand the Pricing Info from the Detailed Specs to see it's a $995 option. The only bike in the "Touring" section that does not have the RDRS is the Heritage, but then we really don't consider that a touring bike....do we?

 

Nice!! definitely would still double check with the dealer on this. Odd they don't make it obvious like the other touring models.