Daily commuting
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 804
Likes: 1,510
From: Bloomington, IN
My Road Glide has been my main source of transportation for just under 5 years and it's worked out great. I only use my car when roads are salty/icy or I need to haul something that won't fit in the bike. I've only put 11,000 miles on the car in that 5-ish years that I've owned the bike.
The look of a Road King with no windshield is awesome. Especially with a solo seat. But I wouldn't bother removing the saddlebags. Those won't be a hinderance of any kind even if you don't need to haul anything. And Road Kings look extremely goofy without the bags.
The look of a Road King with no windshield is awesome. Especially with a solo seat. But I wouldn't bother removing the saddlebags. Those won't be a hinderance of any kind even if you don't need to haul anything. And Road Kings look extremely goofy without the bags.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 1,519
Likes: 640
From: Saint Charles, Missouri
I rode a super bike for decades, had a backpack for lunch, jacket, ect. Got a Streetglide in 2015, ditched the backpack and gained more storage. In 21 I got a Roadglide Ultra, and the addition of the trunk just makes it easier for papers and laptop to travel with me to work. If I didn't have any storage on the bike, it would be back to using the backpack.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 17,894
Likes: 3,551
From: backwoods
Financially and for the bike its a bad idea. Oil never gets hot and costs more to maintain a harley than a car. Just based on tires a car is cheaper. If you want to do it cause you enjoy riding and will take longer rides to maintain the bike go fo it. But I am not even sure you enjoy riding,
I drive for a living, its a part of my income. I do use my bike and a pick up. But some of that is because I don't want to use anything else. If you want to maximize profit, just drive what you have now, or get a cheap car.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 17,894
Likes: 3,551
From: backwoods
Do you have a bike now? Do you have experience with a bike? If this is just for the sake of needing a vehicle to go to work, run the numbers. Get a cheap old use bike, if you want a bike.
I got 60k+ out of my truck tires, $1k. Rear tires every 10k and front 20k on bike. Around 400-500 in tires. An auto will do 100k miles with little work,
I got 60k+ out of my truck tires, $1k. Rear tires every 10k and front 20k on bike. Around 400-500 in tires. An auto will do 100k miles with little work,
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 7,964
Likes: 6,860
From: NC
I am on my third ElectraGlide now. I was trying not to put a trunk on my 2019 FLHTP. But after merely a month I realized that with the trunk, I can leave the house on Thursday evening and return on Sunday afternoon. That's just my overnight bag and gear for the weather. Yes, I have space left over with the trunk. But with just saddle bags, I would have to pack differently. And I like to put my helmet out of sight some places I go.
A softail with a seat built to raise you up and back might work for you. My 36 inch inseam doesn't like softail frames. I am 6'7".
A softail with a seat built to raise you up and back might work for you. My 36 inch inseam doesn't like softail frames. I am 6'7".
Last edited by Goose_NC; Dec 6, 2024 at 09:21 AM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 17,136
Likes: 6,161
From: SE Michigan
If you're just daily commuting, I would consider a softail. You're going to need to upgrade the seat and suspension no matter which way you go, and taking bags off of a Road King is going to look pretty awful. I suppose you may not care, but just fyi.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 411
Likes: 599
From: Florida
Do any of you use your tourer as a daily driver?
I'm a big guy, 6'4"ish 330lbs. I'm told a guy my size should be looking at the touring chassis. I'm considering getting a road king, & removing the windshield & bags for daily riding. I was wondering if any of you are already doing it.
I'm a big guy, 6'4"ish 330lbs. I'm told a guy my size should be looking at the touring chassis. I'm considering getting a road king, & removing the windshield & bags for daily riding. I was wondering if any of you are already doing it.
Before you plunk down your $$, take the bags off of it and look at what they're hiding. The rear shocks look like someone forgot leg days at the gym. Plus, the rear fender has wings(?) that fill in the gap between it and the bags. Have a look and decide.
A word of warning about commuting on your Harley. On the days I "commute" on the Road King, my 30'sh mile (one way) commute turns into a 60'sh mile ride into the office and I have been known to ride along the coast on the way home. That coast ride home usually turns into 160'sh, or more, mile ride home.
Good luck.
P.S. The new bikes have an adjustment for the suspension behind the left bag. Mine (and everyone else's that I've checked) was/is set to zero from the factory. At your size, it may pay you to adjust it to 15-20 or higher before your test ride. I'm 6'2" 265 and mine is set to 14'sh for solo riding.
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,096
Likes: 51,358
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
That was my original question. Thinking about it today... probably a dumb question. The car I drive now is overkill for going back & forth to work. The thing is I wasn't really looking for this "kind of bike."
I'm not. Most bikes I see a windshield could be added, bags could be added. If I feel like I need them, I could add them. The question concerning the road king is could I take them off if I didn't want them. I was wondering if many people do it. It seems not. I've seen plenty of pictures of Heritage bikes without bags. Practically no Road Kings without bags.
I'm not. Most bikes I see a windshield could be added, bags could be added. If I feel like I need them, I could add them. The question concerning the road king is could I take them off if I didn't want them. I was wondering if many people do it. It seems not. I've seen plenty of pictures of Heritage bikes without bags. Practically no Road Kings without bags.
Last edited by TwiZted Biker; Dec 6, 2024 at 09:25 AM.
With or without the windshield and bags, if you are commuting you'll be spending a lot of time riding.
Getting your Comfort Triangle dialed in will be a priority.
No one can tell what is most comfortable for you better than you can.
If it's not an enjoyable set up you'll likely find yourself riding less and less.
In the grand scheme of things, Doing it Right the First Time makes all the difference.
Ride Safe, Ride Free.
Shelly
Getting your Comfort Triangle dialed in will be a priority.
No one can tell what is most comfortable for you better than you can.
If it's not an enjoyable set up you'll likely find yourself riding less and less.
In the grand scheme of things, Doing it Right the First Time makes all the difference.
Ride Safe, Ride Free.
Shelly
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