Which one?
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
Which one?
My wife and I are trying to decide between a Road King and an ElectraGlide. Is there a significant difference in the handling? I am used to riding a large bike as I have a Triumph Rocket III right now. She is looking for the comfort and the bells and whistles. I don't mind that if you can still enjoy riding it on the back roads. Any feedback would be appreciated.
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 142
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Which one?
If your wife is looking for comfort and bells& whistles go for the Ultra Classic. They handle like a dream in the twisties and have everything you could ask for on a bike, including room for all her stuff !!
Stage III
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
RE: Which one?
i had an 87 electra and loved it, full fairing w/radio ,all gauges rite there. extra space in trunk was nice.now i have a roadking with just a windsheild and no tour pk.rides close to same but feel more air now hands feel it .don't feel closed in as much see more out of windsheild hope this helped
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 705
Likes: 8
From: Titusville, FL
RE: Which one?
I love my Ultra and the Road Zep ((built in Air Compressor) seat. It's a little wide for some gals. As for handling, the RK is better because of the lower weight point. The UC with the Tour Kit and Batwingis a little more demanding. The Bat Wing does create some issues at higher speeds that the RK does not encounter. Although I don't care for the look, you may want to consider the Road Glide.It handles better than the RK and UC at touring speed and has creature comforts close to the UC.
I would recommend finding a Demo day at the dealer or renting each so you can decide which is best for you.
I would recommend finding a Demo day at the dealer or renting each so you can decide which is best for you.
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 59
Likes: 0
From: S.F. Bay Area, CA
RE: Which one?
The seat on an Electra Glide is much more comfortable for both rider and passenger. The fairing provides much better hand protection from the cold. The handling is about the same except that the added weight of the tour pak is noticable on the classic and Ultra. I love the tour pak for touring but I made it detachable for lighter weight around town. I loved my Road King but I changed the seat and bars to Electra Glide style for comfort. Both great bikes.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,011
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From: Anchorage, AK
RE: Which one?
Ya gotta love the wind w/o the fairing/shield. you can add the bells and whistles depending on how ya define "bells n whistles".
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Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,449
Likes: 46
From: Roswell, GA
RE: Which one?
If your HD dealer believes you're a serious buyer, chances are good they'll let you take the bikes for a test ride, provided you have a motorcycle endorsement on your driver's license. I doubt that they would allow you to take your wife as a passenger, but you can ask.
Personally, I like the EG better than the RK for travel; it's nice to have the stereo and the gauges can give you a heads up if there is a problem with the charging system, oil pressure, etc. and the Classic and Ultra come with the Tour Pak which is a little easier to afford when buying the bike than writing the check later. You can add a fairing to an RK and many owners do; but, that gets expensive.
All of the touring bikes are surprisingly (to me at least) nimble at slower speeds and stable on the highway when cruising.
Good luck with your research. Figure out what kind of riding you and your wife want to do and what features of each model are important to you. Nice thing about all of the touring bikes is you can add and remove features to configure the bike the way you want it with very little effort--want a stripped down look--take the tour pak off and put a solo seat on it, etc.
Personally, I like the EG better than the RK for travel; it's nice to have the stereo and the gauges can give you a heads up if there is a problem with the charging system, oil pressure, etc. and the Classic and Ultra come with the Tour Pak which is a little easier to afford when buying the bike than writing the check later. You can add a fairing to an RK and many owners do; but, that gets expensive.
All of the touring bikes are surprisingly (to me at least) nimble at slower speeds and stable on the highway when cruising.
Good luck with your research. Figure out what kind of riding you and your wife want to do and what features of each model are important to you. Nice thing about all of the touring bikes is you can add and remove features to configure the bike the way you want it with very little effort--want a stripped down look--take the tour pak off and put a solo seat on it, etc.
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 660
Likes: 4
From: Ft. Smith Arkansas
RE: Which one?
AS I SAID THAT IS WHY THEY CALL IT THE "ULTRA" 
The Ultra handles like a dream (very balanced) can't even tell their is a tour pac back there except when you need the storage and if you ride with your wife you'll need all the storage you can get. Even if I always rode single gotta have the Ultra.
The cruize and stereo and intercom I can't do without. Take some demo rides and really think about what kind of riding your going to do and what serves you best, can't go wrong whether it's the King or Ultra
The Ultra handles like a dream (very balanced) can't even tell their is a tour pac back there except when you need the storage and if you ride with your wife you'll need all the storage you can get. Even if I always rode single gotta have the Ultra.
The cruize and stereo and intercom I can't do without. Take some demo rides and really think about what kind of riding your going to do and what serves you best, can't go wrong whether it's the King or Ultra