True Love
Road glides
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 14
From: Atlanta
BigBender, the Road Glide slides through big truck turbulence just fine - much more stable than the other touring models because of the frame mounted fairing. Now it's true that on windy days you can feel the wind gusts a bit, but it's through the whole bike and not at the handlebars - a much more comfortable ride. I remember touring on my Road King on windy days and arriving at my destination exhausted because of the constant subconscious correcting of the handlebar movement. That problem doesn't exist on the Road Glide. I'm not disrespecting the other touring models, but my opinion is that the Road Glide is a more comfortable long distance mount than the Road Kings or Electra Glides.
And man, am I ever about to get in trouble for saying that!
And man, am I ever about to get in trouble for saying that!
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 370
Likes: 1
From:
Aerodynamics!
well said Pastor John. Right on the money.
Aerodynamics are what give the RG the ride we all love.Heavy wind resistance tires us out and makes for a choppy, uncomfortable ride. All motorcycles use brute force to push the air at speed, caring little for aerodynamics. Poor aerodynamics makes the motor work that much harder, increaces vibration and irregular handling.
I would love to see HD pay more attention to good aerodynamics with a line of products designed for better air movement ,ie. wheel covers and better fairings!
Aerodynamics are what give the RG the ride we all love.Heavy wind resistance tires us out and makes for a choppy, uncomfortable ride. All motorcycles use brute force to push the air at speed, caring little for aerodynamics. Poor aerodynamics makes the motor work that much harder, increaces vibration and irregular handling.
I would love to see HD pay more attention to good aerodynamics with a line of products designed for better air movement ,ie. wheel covers and better fairings!
Banned
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,943
Likes: 0
From: Chicago.
Didn't buy it for you to look at.
I own an 01. Mods? Let me put it this way, could have bought a second one with all the cash I dumped into her. But tell you what, it's now my dream bike and we will never part.
I own 6 bikes, probably owned a dozen or so others in my 52 years and this the best damn scoot I ever had the pleasure of riding.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 14
From: Atlanta
Blueride makes some good points. Although the RG fairing has some great attributes, chief among them the distribution of turbulence to the frame and good protection of the torso from wind and rain, HD could stand some wind tunnel time on the windshield and perhaps the lower edges of the fairing. It's a pain to go through several windshields to find the one that is tolerable, and the updraft from the sides of the fairing seems more than it needs to be.
On the other hand, if you read other bike forums, particularly BMW, you see that those folks struggle with the same things. If the alternative is the isolated cocoon of the Gold Wing, then perhaps a little turbulence is a reasonable tradeoff for the excellent riding experience.
On the other hand, if you read other bike forums, particularly BMW, you see that those folks struggle with the same things. If the alternative is the isolated cocoon of the Gold Wing, then perhaps a little turbulence is a reasonable tradeoff for the excellent riding experience.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 14
From: Atlanta
Scoot, no doubt about it - the Vivid Black shows every scratch. I end up using a cleaning wax once a month or so to get most of the small rub marks out of the finish that show up during the month. The black also shows dust a lot more than the lighter colors, so it's not just the alleged soft clearcoat.
But on the day I wash and wax it? Absolutely stunning! Lasts for about two days!
But on the day I wash and wax it? Absolutely stunning! Lasts for about two days!
They messed up the RG when they streamlined the Tour Glide fairing , I guess to give it a more updated look .. Had an 84 TG and 88 TG and put boocoodles of miles on 'em , the fairing was much better on those bikes ..
Last edited by JacktheBagger; Dec 13, 2008 at 07:49 AM.