ORIGINAL: Moosemeat

I have been lurking on this forum for a year now and finally decided to register so I could save Ol' Buckweet another bump. This is my first post. I have a new '06 Pearl Yellow Road Glide. It is my first Harley in a long time, but the last one I had was a 1981 Tour Glide- so I have been in love with the shark nose for a long time. I put 70,000 trouble-free miles on the old shovelhead before I sold it (one of the worst days of my life- first wife, etc. etc.- you don't want all the details). Anyway, things led to other things and I have been bike less for a long time. When I decided to buy another Harley for my 20th anniversary (second wife- big improvement) there was simply no other bike to consider. I remember when I left my ratty old early 70's FLH at the dealer and rode off on my FLT- it was like being on another planet. That bike was so smooth. I remember blasting from Boise to San Francisco and actually being ale to see in my mirrors at 85 mph- on the old FLH, you could hardly see the mirrors themselves, much less anything in them.

How does the new bike compare? I don't have many miles on it yet but so far I have nothing but superlatives to say about it. It is so refined in fit and finish compared to my FLT, yet it is still the same in all the real essentials. The best thing is the new saddlebag lids that stay on when you ride- what a concept!! The engine is smooth and has plenty of power for me- yes, I will be leaving it bone stock. I have done the stroker thing on other bikes and I don't think this one needs it. I have been blinging it up a little, though. The stereo is awesome- much better than anything I have at home. And cruise control. Oh yesssss, cruise control.

The bike cost a bit more than the $6500 I paid for the FLT but I saw a 1982 FLT for sale a few months ago for, you guessed it, $6500. So I think I'll come out OK when I sell the new bike in 25 years or so.

Anyway guys, you seem like a great crew and I have learned a ton from you just by hanging around. Long live the Road Glide!

ORIGINAL: terryt1955

This thread is being started for the purpose of discussing the pros and cons of the Roadglide, Shark Nosed, Red Headed Stepchild of the Harley Touring Family.

I have been riding Harleys for 30 years now. I've owned 1 sporty, a 59 pan, 76 bagger, 86 heritage softail, 87 classic, 90 Ultra with a sidecar, 91 Ultra, 93 ultra, 95 ultra, 2000 ultra and my favorite bike of all time-My 2000 Screamin' Eagle Roadglide.

I was like a lot of you here on the forum. The Roadglide just wasn't the traditional Harley. The big shark nose fairing with the dual headlights just didn't look right to me. And then there was the fact that the fairing was bolted to the frame. How the hell are you suppose to handle a bike that has a fairing that doesn't move. Might as well buy a goldwing[:@]. I only knew two people that had a Roadglide. Funny thing was that these two people absolutely loved their bikes. One of these guys was Ron Stratman who owns the only licensed Harley T-shirt Company in the United States. You may have seen it's incarnation-"The Buffalo Bike."

In 2000 I bought a brand spanking new Ultra. I had ordered it and was at the dealership the day the Harley truck pulled up. I helped unload it and uncrate it. Man, I thought that bike would be it for me. Then a few months later I got a Hog tails or Enthusiast in the mail and when I opened it there was a picture of the Orange, Black and White Screamin' Eagle Roadglide. Oh my God, it had that 95 ci motor already installed and came with all kinds of chrome and Screamin' Eagle stuff. It was almost better than sex. I couldn't get a for sale sign on my ultra fast enough. By the time I sold my ultra the dealers had sold all their SE Roadglides[:@][:@][:@]. My next move was to find a good used one. The following summer I found a better than new one about a hundred miles away. Hot Damn, I was off and running.

I've never owned a motorcycle that I have enjoyed as much as this bike. I don't even seriously look at new bikes anymore. I've spent a ton of money on upgrades but haven't had to spend a dime to fix anything. It runs like a top, handles like a dream and I get more looks and comments on this bike than I ever did with any of my others. Do you guys realize that the first ROTM was won by "The Red Headed Stepchild" of the MoCo.

I will never trash another Harley. You can't beat an Ultra for long hauls and the Streetglide is probably one of the most popular new introductions to the Harley family in years. A few years back you could get a Roadglide Ultra but they discontinued it. I'm not sure why but it had to be poor sales. You are starting to see more and more Roadglides on the road now but not near as many as the batwing fairing bikes.

In my opinion the Roadglide is the best handling big Harley that the MoCo makes and as far as styling goes, I love the shark nose fairing. I get no wind buffeting with the fixed fairing and the front end has a much lighter touch. Everyone should ride a Roadglide at least once before you make your final decision. You might be pleasantly surprised!