I picked up my new '08 Road Glide today. It was 33 deg. when the paperwork was done and I got my first ride in. Brrrr..... I was dressed well enough, but without heated gloves. I hit Route 66 in mid-Kingman and went a few miles East; then back into town and around town for a few miles. I came back to the Dealership via the freeway holding the speed and the rpms down. When I crested the hill and headed down, I shifted from what I thought was fifth to sixth. Very smooth and no lugging. I checked to make sure I was in sixth and found that I was in fifth! Went on up to sixth and still very smooth and no lugging. I am very impressed. No unusual vibs or sounds from anything!

The 'fly-by-wire' throttle was a seamless transition by the time I had two city miles ridden. The ABS brakes caused no problems and the new Brembo brakes sure are powerful. They are better new than my Road King Classic is with floating rotors and Lyndell brake pads.

The engine is smoother than my RKC at idle. The transmission shifts wonderfully and the clutch pull require much less effort. I do have a little more wind turbulence over the windshield, but I was certain that I would need to upgrade the windshield to a higher Clearview. I now know that I will do that soon.

I am use to and love Rinehart True Duals for exhaust sound. While the Road Glide's stock exhaust is not loud; it is also not wimpy. I will give it a try for a while.

I was mildly amused to see the 'miles available before fuel required' feature on the odometer. I think I will just wait and see about that feature.

I put on order a 'Oil Temp Gauge' to replace the Air Temp gauge. It was discouraging enough riding in the 33 to 36 deg. range today without looking over at the air gauge and being reminded of it.

I had absolutely no vision problems or abnormal sensations from the fixed fairing. When parking the Road Glide in a tight spot of my garage, I discovered that I can see what I need of the front wheel by looking between the fairing and the steering head.

My color is 'Crimson Red Sunglow'. I liked it inside under the fluorescents, but was blown away by how good it looks in direct sunlight. I had the blackwall tires replaced by the Dealer with the narrow white walls. In a line of three Road Glides, one Black Pearl, one Yellow Pearl and mine, the dark candy-apple red with the narrow white walls was the clear 'looker' of the three. In fact the new owner of the Black Pearlbike had his rolled back inside for the installation of narrow white walls before riding it for the first time after seeing how mine look with them.

IMHO, the '08's standard issue black engine is an outstanding visual feature. I really like the look.

I didn't even notice the change in tank size from 5 gal. to 6 gal.

Today sure made the pain of having to sell my Sportster Roadster muchless.

If anyone is on the fence in making the decision to buy a new Road Glide, my advise is DO IT! ........... Big Cholla

 

Good luck with your new ride.

 

Congratulations!

 

Sounds great!

Ride well,

Jim

 

sounds cool, post some pics when you get a chance

 

Congratulations ! ! !
I picked up my 08 RG the at the end of October. I haven't had much chance to ride since winter came early in New Hampshire this year.
So far I love the RG and am looking forward to an early spring.
I have the same color as your bike.
So far I've added a detachable passenger backrest and a detachable Tour Pack so I am ready for anything.
I agree the stock exhaust sounds healthy.
I'll wait until she's broken inand see how things loosen up before I go making any changes to the engine or exhaust.
I've always done that with new bikes and it works for me.

 

You'll love your RG even more after you ride it for a while. That color is incredible especially in the sun like you said.

Enjoy your new ride and welcome to the RG family.
Steve L.

PS, I kept my XL!

 

congrats and enjoy.....just something about red....

 

Welcome to the RG family. You chose a great looking and sweet riding bike. Ialso have an 08 and luv it. As with all Harleys the options of mods are many; have fun choosing yours!

 

Congrats. I had my Candy red sunglow 08 RG delivered week and half ago and can't stay off it. Even in Phoenix it is a little cool to ride. I amalso thinking of Clearview windshield.