Road Glide Questions
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 254
Likes: 1
From: The Republic of Texas!
RE: Road Glide Questions
Lust after a RG but got the Ultra for all the goodies that comes stock (I can finance them..lol). But I do not think the front end feels "heavy" with the batwing fairing. To my surprise it handles much better than my Heritage ever did.
Next bike will be the RG Ultra when HD comes out with it....
Next bike will be the RG Ultra when HD comes out with it....
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 6
From: Huntersville, NC
RE: Road Glide Questions
After riding a Tour Glide for 15 years I was all set to buy a new bike in '05.
I test rode the Road Glide many times and the ride just wasn't quite the same as the Tour Glide.
Took a ride on the Ultra and the bells went off....this would be the next commuter mule.
I found the Ultra to be smoother through the wind with less buffeting. The RG just felt awkward.
Go out and ride them both many times, the decision should be any easy one.
Good luck.
I test rode the Road Glide many times and the ride just wasn't quite the same as the Tour Glide.
Took a ride on the Ultra and the bells went off....this would be the next commuter mule.
I found the Ultra to be smoother through the wind with less buffeting. The RG just felt awkward.
Go out and ride them both many times, the decision should be any easy one.
Good luck.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,051
Likes: 161
From: Between Chicago & Milwaukee
RE: Road Glide Questions
ORIGINAL: Chicago Spike
I didn't know that the '08 RG's had that difference. I was speaking mearly from a 2007 owners view, I'll have to take a closer look at the '08 front end now
I didn't know that the '08 RG's had that difference. I was speaking mearly from a 2007 owners view, I'll have to take a closer look at the '08 front end now
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,698
Likes: 11
From: Longview, Washington
RE: Road Glide Questions
I bought my RG for the same reason and now I have both bikes. The wife didn't like rinding over 100 miles on the XL. We just did 350 last weekend on the RG. We're leaving for a 10 day, 3000 mile ride the week after Thanksgiving. Heading South from Portland, OR to Yuma, AZ.
I can't help you with your questions concerning the different models. I do know that the windshield doesn't create a truly "quiet" area for my head. I'm 5'11' which put my head into the wind. If I duck a bit, things get much quieter but then I end up looking through the windshield rather than over it. I'm considering a Clearview which should help direct the wind over my head better than the stock one.
I can tell you that the front end feels light in my hands. Yes, even lighter than my XL. Hard to believe considering the difference is size.
I also like the fairing being farther away. Puts the dash out there giving a feeling of the bike being larger.
Once you ride one, you'll see what I mean. I would make some calls and find one to rent. You may also find a dealership with an employee that has one and is willing to let you ride it. Both the dealers in my area have RG riders working for them.
Steve L.
I can't help you with your questions concerning the different models. I do know that the windshield doesn't create a truly "quiet" area for my head. I'm 5'11' which put my head into the wind. If I duck a bit, things get much quieter but then I end up looking through the windshield rather than over it. I'm considering a Clearview which should help direct the wind over my head better than the stock one.
I can tell you that the front end feels light in my hands. Yes, even lighter than my XL. Hard to believe considering the difference is size.
I also like the fairing being farther away. Puts the dash out there giving a feeling of the bike being larger.
Once you ride one, you'll see what I mean. I would make some calls and find one to rent. You may also find a dealership with an employee that has one and is willing to let you ride it. Both the dealers in my area have RG riders working for them.
Steve L.
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
From:
RE: Road Glide Questions
From what I read the RG and Ultra have the TDC (triple dampining circut) in thefork tube. The rest of the FL line do not. I have been told that TDC is basicly a cartridge emulator? in one of the forks. I would like to know more about it from some of our resident experts.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 765
Likes: 0
From: Alleghany Co., NC and SW Florida
RE: Road Glide Questions
Besides the not so obvious steering geometry, the bars (stock anyway) place you in a bit of a more forward leaning position, vis a vie the EGs. I can't say its like a sport bike (had FJ 1100 and GS1100Es back when) BUTthere IS something strangely familiar about the riding position for an old sportbike rider. I can ride my RG through the twisties with much more confidence than I could my WG. I love the thing!
For those who think its "fugly" all I can say........yo mama! LOL [sm=grinangel.gif]
EZ
[IMG]local://upfiles/3789/E384359C33834D218E05D269C3BD4516.jpg[/IMG]
For those who think its "fugly" all I can say........yo mama! LOL [sm=grinangel.gif]
EZ
[IMG]local://upfiles/3789/E384359C33834D218E05D269C3BD4516.jpg[/IMG]
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Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Road Glide Questions
ORIGINAL: Slash
True but is there more to it than that ?
Never really bothered to take a look at an Electra Glides front end but here's what the December 2007 issue of American Iron Magazine says in a review of the '08 Road Glide:
"The Glide is the only H-D that places it's fork tubes behind the steering head and offset from it.In effect,this crafty geometry reduces low speed steering effort without impinging on high-speed stability."
"As glorious as this setup may be,it's covered by the bike's fairing,an integral love-it-or-hate-it design that potential buyers are stuck with because the Glide would look quite strange with it removed"
ORIGINAL: Chicago Spike
The difference is the weight ON the forks. The Ultra has the fairing ON the forks, which makes the steering have a heavy feel, not bad heavy, just different. The Road Glide's fairing weight is on the frame, so thats maybe 40 pounds that is NOT on the forks making the steering light and more nimble especially in the slow speed manuevering. It has little to do with the springs/damping more to do with the weight
The difference is the weight ON the forks. The Ultra has the fairing ON the forks, which makes the steering have a heavy feel, not bad heavy, just different. The Road Glide's fairing weight is on the frame, so thats maybe 40 pounds that is NOT on the forks making the steering light and more nimble especially in the slow speed manuevering. It has little to do with the springs/damping more to do with the weight
Never really bothered to take a look at an Electra Glides front end but here's what the December 2007 issue of American Iron Magazine says in a review of the '08 Road Glide:
"The Glide is the only H-D that places it's fork tubes behind the steering head and offset from it.In effect,this crafty geometry reduces low speed steering effort without impinging on high-speed stability."
"As glorious as this setup may be,it's covered by the bike's fairing,an integral love-it-or-hate-it design that potential buyers are stuck with because the Glide would look quite strange with it removed"
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 9,486
Likes: 4
From: Hico, TX (once home to Billy the Kid)
RE: Road Glide Questions
ORIGINAL: Slash
...The front forks are positioned behind the pivot point of the steering head and offset from it.
...The front forks are positioned behind the pivot point of the steering head and offset from it.
It (RG) also has the same frame as a SG.