Does Everybody End Up With An RG?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,458
Likes: 0
Some OLD Guys ride Harleys 
Some WISE Guys also ride Harleys
Most Road Glide owners are both OLD and WISE, which explains why there are fewer of them on the road.
(Too many "cookie cutter" Batwings on the road for my taste. )
Some WISE Guys also ride Harleys
Most Road Glide owners are both OLD and WISE, which explains why there are fewer of them on the road.
(Too many "cookie cutter" Batwings on the road for my taste. )
Last edited by RODEO; Nov 14, 2008 at 07:13 AM.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 554
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
I spent a couple of days riding an '09 RG with the editors at Motorcycle Consumer News along with an '09 SG and an '07 RK. Here's what I came away with (just my opinion for what its worth):
I prefer the look of the RG hands down. I think its the best looking touring bike in the range.
The SG is more responsive than the RG. The extra weight of the RG fairing sitting further forward over the front wheel makes it very stable on the hiway but considerably slows down its flickability in the twisties compared to the SG.
The RG has a smoother more compliant ride up front, again from the additional weight counter levered out over the front wheel.
Both bikes had wind buffeting at speed. The RG to me had considerably more based on the distance from the screen top to the rider. It turns out the SG buffeting can be eliminated with the proper combination of accessories. I don't know about the RG yet but I'm working on it.
The fairing is much further from the rider on the RG which is either a blessing or a curse depending on your preference. For me I preferred the proximity of the bat wing. I couldn't easily reach the radio on the RG.
The RG was warmer behind the fairing the days we rode which were in the 80s and 90s. An advantage in the winter and disadvantage in the summer.
The RG handlebar/seat relationship leans more towards the tall rider. It was a stretch for me at 5'10" and would require a handlebar change.
Going into this test I was really interested in the RG. Like I said, I love the look of the RG. By the end of the test I was torn between the two different fairing styles and ultimately end up with a new SG. The two issues that finally put me over the edge were the possibility of not being able to get rid of the buffeting on the RG and the faster turn in of the SG since the majority of our riding is in the local mountains. YMMV
Marc
I prefer the look of the RG hands down. I think its the best looking touring bike in the range.
The SG is more responsive than the RG. The extra weight of the RG fairing sitting further forward over the front wheel makes it very stable on the hiway but considerably slows down its flickability in the twisties compared to the SG.
The RG has a smoother more compliant ride up front, again from the additional weight counter levered out over the front wheel.
Both bikes had wind buffeting at speed. The RG to me had considerably more based on the distance from the screen top to the rider. It turns out the SG buffeting can be eliminated with the proper combination of accessories. I don't know about the RG yet but I'm working on it.
The fairing is much further from the rider on the RG which is either a blessing or a curse depending on your preference. For me I preferred the proximity of the bat wing. I couldn't easily reach the radio on the RG.
The RG was warmer behind the fairing the days we rode which were in the 80s and 90s. An advantage in the winter and disadvantage in the summer.
The RG handlebar/seat relationship leans more towards the tall rider. It was a stretch for me at 5'10" and would require a handlebar change.
Going into this test I was really interested in the RG. Like I said, I love the look of the RG. By the end of the test I was torn between the two different fairing styles and ultimately end up with a new SG. The two issues that finally put me over the edge were the possibility of not being able to get rid of the buffeting on the RG and the faster turn in of the SG since the majority of our riding is in the local mountains. YMMV
Marc
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 574
Likes: 1
From: Tennessee
I've had many bikes over the last 30 years that I've been riding. I have to admit a few years ago I didn't like the shark nose RG so in 2001 I bought a EG, in 2003 I bought another EG. Then, last year I bought a RG and wish I'd done it sooner. Now, I think the RG fairing looks better that the EG but that's a matter of personal choice. I've said it once once on this forum and I'll say it again. No one who has ever ridden both can argue that the RG handles better than the EG. Period!
Advanced
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: maryland
A friend of mine and myself were looking at purchasing either street glides or road glides.After test riding both I bought a SG and he bought the RG.The deciding factor for both of us was the fact that I am 5'11" and he is 6'6" and for me the RG felt stretched out and that I was reaching for the bars as well as looking at the guages and controls.For him just the opposite,the street glide fairing was right in his face and he felt cramped.In riding both of them in a variety of conditions I think both were equally as stable.
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 428
Likes: 0
From: south of Kansas City Kansas
i'm with ya here
that front shark thing is ugly (other then AMF it's the worst thing harley has done)
******(((((((( IMO )))))))******
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
I ride a Ultra and won't be going to a Road Glide, nothing wrong with a Road Glide, I just prefer the Ultra.
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Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 574
Likes: 1
From: Tennessee
The wind buffeting on the RG can be eliminated with a windshield from these guys.
www.customflhtwindshields.net
BTW they will also help the batwing issues with wind too.
The reason they work better on the RG is because they sit more vertical than the stock of aftermarket windshields out there.
www.customflhtwindshields.net
BTW they will also help the batwing issues with wind too.
The reason they work better on the RG is because they sit more vertical than the stock of aftermarket windshields out there.
