Road Glide - Impressions
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 138
Likes: 2
Road Glide - Impressions
Well all, I now have 400 miles on my 08 Road Glide and I wanted to share my initial impressions. I know a lot of this ground has been covered, but if it helps one person, I am glad to write it up.
Recently I sold my 06 RK CL. Had done some minor items to it. Stage 1, V&H True Duals w/ ovals, Corbin Solo seat w/ pillion. I also changed out the bars for Wild 1’s 508’s and some braided cables. Really liked the looks of the retro.
Anyway, I decided to upgrade to an 08 because I was sold on the 96 and the Brembo/ABS. Tank and the 6 speed were good to have as well, but not the real reason. As much as I liked the Street Glide I decided I wanted more versatility (tour pak) and I really liked the look of the Glide and the fact that the fairing is frame mounted. I had also read that this was HD’s best kept secret and handles great. So for it I went. It was hard to fine. I settled on Dark Blue Pearl. No the color doesn’t pop, but I likes blues and I really do like the way that it looks. I live in central NJ and there was only one to be found on the entire East Coast which was in Richmond. My dealer Bill at Trenton Harley, drove down on his day off and picked it up.
So what have I done? Rinehart TD’s, SERT. I also put in Hog Tunes w amp. I did that work myself and while I had the fairing off I added; Tune Trapper, PIAA Super White bulbs and headlight5 modulator. I have to really say thanks to all of you. I never would have known about the products or how to do it if not for you. I didn’t have my service manual yet, so I did it blind. All worked out fine. I like the Hog Tunes a lot. Pez was very helpful and patient with me. Bulbs and modulator are doing exactly what I needed them to do. Several folks have pulled over for me. Though I haven’t written any tickets for them yet. Lol. I have a Corbin solo on order and have purchased the detachable tour pak. I am still trying to decide on the bars. I have read every thread that I can find and am very confused still. I am 5’ 9”, not too short, not too tall. I want Wild 1’s, but cant fine one that fits me. As much as I want them, I may have to go with the Heritgae bar. They seem close to stock with a bit more height and pull back.
My riding impressions are as follows. I have tried to break this bad boy in, but I may have gone a bit over. It has been a little cold here so I have worn a full face for the most part.
Pipes – Rineharts. They sound awesome. Louder and deeper than the V&H TD’s that I had. Love em. They are probably a bit too loud, but not by much. off the line is a bit sluggish, but I hope that when I get her dyno’ed that will be fixed. Quality of chrome is A+. I thought about the Bub 7’s, but I couldn’t find anyone to actually hear them.
[font=arial][size=2]Bars – I like the stock hand position eons over the 508’s that I had. I realize now that I like the knuckles in the wind. I also realize that this bike is the closest that HD has come to a sport tourer, IMHO. The bars allow me to really lean into it, and has real good response to driver input. This bike makes me a better rider, kinda like a good sports car makes the driver better. Anyway, I reach a little, but not much.&nbs
Recently I sold my 06 RK CL. Had done some minor items to it. Stage 1, V&H True Duals w/ ovals, Corbin Solo seat w/ pillion. I also changed out the bars for Wild 1’s 508’s and some braided cables. Really liked the looks of the retro.
Anyway, I decided to upgrade to an 08 because I was sold on the 96 and the Brembo/ABS. Tank and the 6 speed were good to have as well, but not the real reason. As much as I liked the Street Glide I decided I wanted more versatility (tour pak) and I really liked the look of the Glide and the fact that the fairing is frame mounted. I had also read that this was HD’s best kept secret and handles great. So for it I went. It was hard to fine. I settled on Dark Blue Pearl. No the color doesn’t pop, but I likes blues and I really do like the way that it looks. I live in central NJ and there was only one to be found on the entire East Coast which was in Richmond. My dealer Bill at Trenton Harley, drove down on his day off and picked it up.
So what have I done? Rinehart TD’s, SERT. I also put in Hog Tunes w amp. I did that work myself and while I had the fairing off I added; Tune Trapper, PIAA Super White bulbs and headlight5 modulator. I have to really say thanks to all of you. I never would have known about the products or how to do it if not for you. I didn’t have my service manual yet, so I did it blind. All worked out fine. I like the Hog Tunes a lot. Pez was very helpful and patient with me. Bulbs and modulator are doing exactly what I needed them to do. Several folks have pulled over for me. Though I haven’t written any tickets for them yet. Lol. I have a Corbin solo on order and have purchased the detachable tour pak. I am still trying to decide on the bars. I have read every thread that I can find and am very confused still. I am 5’ 9”, not too short, not too tall. I want Wild 1’s, but cant fine one that fits me. As much as I want them, I may have to go with the Heritgae bar. They seem close to stock with a bit more height and pull back.
My riding impressions are as follows. I have tried to break this bad boy in, but I may have gone a bit over. It has been a little cold here so I have worn a full face for the most part.
Pipes – Rineharts. They sound awesome. Louder and deeper than the V&H TD’s that I had. Love em. They are probably a bit too loud, but not by much. off the line is a bit sluggish, but I hope that when I get her dyno’ed that will be fixed. Quality of chrome is A+. I thought about the Bub 7’s, but I couldn’t find anyone to actually hear them.
[font=arial][size=2]Bars – I like the stock hand position eons over the 508’s that I had. I realize now that I like the knuckles in the wind. I also realize that this bike is the closest that HD has come to a sport tourer, IMHO. The bars allow me to really lean into it, and has real good response to driver input. This bike makes me a better rider, kinda like a good sports car makes the driver better. Anyway, I reach a little, but not much.&nbs
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 9,486
Likes: 4
From: Hico, TX (once home to Billy the Kid)
RE: Road Glide - Impressions
I'm not flamming, just FYI.
Sport Touring:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_touring
H-D Touring Class Frames:
Engine:
Same in Touring Class.
Steering Head Geometry:
Same in Touring Class
Glad you like your new Road-Glide.
Great bike
Sport Touring:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sport_touring
H-D Touring Class Frames:
Engine:
Same in Touring Class.
Steering Head Geometry:
Same in Touring Class
Glad you like your new Road-Glide.
Great bike
Road Captain
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 675
Likes: 0
From: Willis, Texas
RE: Road Glide - Impressions
If you want a truely awesome sport touring bike get a Yamaha FJR1300. The best touring bike Harley makes is the Road Glide. I have an 08' RG and a 05' FJR1300. Bought the Yamaha a week after the Harley. They are not even close in comparison. I have the best of both worlds. Glad you like your RG. I anticipate keeping mine for a long time. T.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,523
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
RE: Road Glide - Impressions
congrats on you new bike....I have several friends with roadglides and they swear by them...who know there might be one in the stable in the future..
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From: NW Chicago Burbs!!!
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 421
Likes: 218
From: Lowcountry
RE: Road Glide - Impressions
enjoy the fltr. i used to have a 95 daytona 1200 triumph as a sport tourer. now that was a ride.
noticed i said used to......i found mylikingwith the fl harley.....my bar hopper is an fl.
i'm gonna shut up and ride now!
TN
noticed i said used to......i found mylikingwith the fl harley.....my bar hopper is an fl.
i'm gonna shut up and ride now!
TN
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 138
Likes: 2
RE: Road Glide - Impressions
Thanks all for the good wishes. That Yamaha does look sweet. There is a guy that I ride with sometimes and he has one. He leads the pack for sure through the twisties and it is incredibly fast. For now, I just love my RG. Stay safe everyone.