Opinions Please
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5,119
Likes: 2
From: USA
RE: Opinions Please
ORIGINAL: 05Fatty
I would like to get some of your opinions on which touring bike would fit my needs best. I currently own a 05 Fatboy and may be looking for a touring bike for my wife and I. Below I have listed some of our intensions with the bike:
-Mostly shorter rides (couple of hours)
-Very limited cross-country
-Weekend trips to the Dakotas (I’m in MN)
-Some recreational bar hoping
Do I need a full dressed bike or a something in the area of a RK?
Price does not matter.
Thanks
I would like to get some of your opinions on which touring bike would fit my needs best. I currently own a 05 Fatboy and may be looking for a touring bike for my wife and I. Below I have listed some of our intensions with the bike:
-Mostly shorter rides (couple of hours)
-Very limited cross-country
-Weekend trips to the Dakotas (I’m in MN)
-Some recreational bar hoping
Do I need a full dressed bike or a something in the area of a RK?
Price does not matter.
Thanks
Banned
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 6,100
Likes: 5
From: Boerne, Texas (Gods Country)
RE: Opinions Please
I gotta say that I love the Bat Wing!That said,the rest of the folks said it all.I'd go rent a few or if your shop wants to make a sale they'll let you test ride any and all of the bikes you're interested in.Any of the baggers are great IMHO but I chose the Classic due to the tour pack and the Bat Wing (with stereo).I see the bike as 2 bikes actually because I made the tour pack detachable and can put the slim seat on for bar hopping and back to tour bike in 3 minutes.I thought about the Road King but not for long because I wanted a stereo.Like Snarly said,if price doesn't matter buy one of each LOL.
Good Luck!!
Craig
Good Luck!!
Craig
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
RE: Opinions Please
I also had a Fat Boy and wanted more of a touring bike. I was torn between the RG and the new Street Glide. I went with the Street Glide and am not disappointed. It feels sporty and yet you have the bags, fairing and radio. I do like the tunes when ride!!
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 406
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Opinions Please
Another vote for a FLHXI Street Glide. Add the cruise control and saddlebag guards. If money were no object, I would sit down with the dealer and accessories your bike to the max. The dealer will be very glad to spend your money. Some dealers do a very good job of customizing. Get the accessory catalog and circle all the stuff you want. Don’t forget to add the SE 103 big bore stroker kit and a color theme from HD Color shop. Add all the chrome your eyes can handle.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Opinions Please
Every bike is different -- like said above, try them all out.......Here's an idea that helped me make my decision - --Ride a pre-rubber mounted Sportster for a couple hundred miles or so ( I did 16,275) with the wife behind you; with no wind screen- - you'll soon be better able to appreciate all features on the tour bikes - - I've earned a definate deep respect for the touring model Electra Glide with the fairing.....just my .02!
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 15
From: Minneapolis, MN
RE: Opinions Please
Thanks to everyone for your input. I'm leaning towards something with a fairing but I plan to test ride as many types as possible.
Needless to say I can't WAIT for the spring to come!!
Needless to say I can't WAIT for the spring to come!!
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach, VA
RE: Opinions Please
Your wife will be much happier on an Ultra. It has the big seat, big backrest and a set of rear speakers too. She will be happy and you won't have to worry about what to add...the Ultra has it all. Look at the Chrome Front end and a rider backrest and you will be good to go. You can add the detachable tourpak kit and remove everything in the back and stow the wiring under the seat and then you will basically have the solo look you might want for around town stuff. You won't be dissappointed with the Ultra and neither will she. My wife loves mine.
Good luck.
[IMG]local://upfiles/494/3E160E294E904714AE1950B3F4B81C00.jpg[/IMG]
Good luck.
[IMG]local://upfiles/494/3E160E294E904714AE1950B3F4B81C00.jpg[/IMG]
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 491
Likes: 0
From: New York City Area
RE: Opinions Please
As a rider who has since 1988 owned FLH Dresser Series bikes, I just picked up an 05 Road King after selling my 05 FLHTI I would say for your needs the best thing sounds like a FLHTI and put detachables on for the passanger back rest for the Mrs. When you are staying local pop off the Tour Pack put on her backrest. Then when you go long distance pop off the backrest and put on the tour pack, also change the seat to a Sundowner, more comfortable. Im thinking of getting rid of my Road King as I miss the batwing fairing, Im still thinking about that. The Road Glide for me was nice when I test rode it it just seems like its too much fairing, and the tour pack was extra It felt like I was riding a long heavy bike, thats my opinon. Either way a dresser or as guys that don"t know better and call em "Geezer Glides" at 51 yo I'd rather be comfortable then look "Bad to the Bone" !! Hey to each his own! As long as you ride American Iron, Ride safe Bill NYC[IMG].
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post