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With 87k miles on 2017 RGS, I have decided it's time for a new bike. I am torn between a Special, an ST or an Ultra.
Long day trips (200 to 500 miles and occasionally more) makes up the lion's share of my riding. I do take a week vacation each year. I almost never ride with a passenger.
Road Glide Special:
I don't like the short rear shocks and the stretched bags. I am fairly sure I would destroy the bags.
I also want a rear engine guard
Another must have addition for the Special would be a grill for the oil cooler which has been impossible to clean on my '17
Ultra
I love the shock, front wheel (non-low profile), higher ride. It comes with a rear engine guard and a taller windscreen. I like the performance boost of the oil-coolers but hate the look. I am also not crazy about having the tour pack on when 90% of my rides are day rides (many all day, but no luggage)
ST
The ST, with its full length shocks and standard bags, is also a consideration but with the high starting price and the number of mods I would need to make it a comfortable touring bike (seat, rear-guard, accommodate luggage, etc.) it is just too much money.
So I am torn:
A. Get the Ultra, add the quick tour-pack detach kit and live with the oil cooler.
B. Get the Special, add the rear guard, and full size shocks and oil cooler guard and live with the bags until I need to replace them.
C. Get the ST and fix it next year. (As I type this, this is sounding like the obvious choice).
At any given moment, mind made is made up on one of the 3, then 5 minutes later…
It is a nice problem to have though!
Last edited by hairymoth; Aug 16, 2023 at 08:39 PM.
I ended up with an Ultra after having many Specials/Standards etc. I don't regret it. The 13" shocks although not wonderful are better than the 12" version in my opinion. Especially for two up.
The RGS/ST look is usually better than that of an Ultra with it's weird pin stripes etc - it's kinda Grandpa mode. A Limited though... good looking bike.
The Ultra or Limited's Twin-cooling (Water) is absolutely terrific if you get caught in traffic a lot. Also great for touring.
I ride this bike to work everyday and don't hate having the extra storage (Tourpak).
Anyway, I ended up putting RGS bags and fenders on my Ultra. Now I have a bike somewhere in the middle.
I don't think you can go wrong picking any of those bikes. You're probably going to Mod them anyway. Nice problem to have right?
I was thinking about a special and my wife said to me that the Limited is all set up for travel, glad I took her advice. Also that tour pack I find is very handy even on day trips.
Last edited by MRFREEZE57; Aug 16, 2023 at 09:12 PM.
I lean pretty far over, I am afraid they will scrape. I also noticed that the motor company does not use them on the STs or (I am pretty sure) any of the more recent CVOs.
Also, unlike the floorboards. bags don't have much give when they hit, and the metal strips won't protect them for anything other than soft contact.
Personally, I would hold off till the 2024 models come out if you can see if the new CVO Road Glide fairing works its way down to Limited, RGS, or RG ST.
If it does or doesn't, I would get the Limited and get better rear shocks and detachable tourpak kit and Enjoy!
I lean pretty far over, I am afraid they will scrape. I also noticed that the motor company does not use them on the STs or (I am pretty sure) any of the more recent CVOs.
Also, unlike the floorboards. bags don't have much give when they hit, and the metal strips won't protect them for anything other than soft contact.
Your floorboard brackets will scrape before your saddlebags will. Also, they have skid plates on the bottom of the stretched saddlebags.
YB
Last edited by 09 YELLOWBIRD; Aug 16, 2023 at 10:19 PM.
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Troble decising which Road Glide to get.
