Softail to Bagger
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 415
Likes: 0
From: DC
Well, the air protection from the fairing is definitely nice. That makes the biggest difference to me as far as ride comfort. The Softails are easier to walk around, esp if you're short like me, and being lighter they're easier to throw around in the curves.
If you really want the rolling easy chair, get a Wing or a Victory Vision. The Vision isn't easy on the eyes, but it's super comfy. No vibrations, low CG, the works.
If you really want the rolling easy chair, get a Wing or a Victory Vision. The Vision isn't easy on the eyes, but it's super comfy. No vibrations, low CG, the works.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 356
Likes: 2
From: Midland, TX
I rode a Heritage Softail Classic and a Softail Deluxe before I got my first touring bike. Even though I am vertically challenged I prefer my Street Glide over them, however, I ride a lot of highway miles, not much in town.
The softails are smooth in town and lower to the ground so easier for me to back up. Also a little easier to get to fit my 5'4" frame. What I did not like was the more fork rake and lower you are to the ground, the slower I had to take corners and I always dragged my floorboards.
My Street Glide, well the pros are almost too numerous to list. Smoother at 70+ MPH, Cruise Control, stereo, ABS Brakes, can turn around on a dime (I'm short and have about 25,000 miles experience only so that's a big deal to me) a blast to ride for hours in twisty mountains, holds the road much better during high cross winds we get out here... Only negative is it is harder for me to back up or deal with in certain parking situations but I just carefully choose where I park. I've gone 5,500 miles on my 2009 so far with no regrets. Oh, and I don't have big bugs or rocks hitting my fingers any more! I like my fairing.
The softails are smooth in town and lower to the ground so easier for me to back up. Also a little easier to get to fit my 5'4" frame. What I did not like was the more fork rake and lower you are to the ground, the slower I had to take corners and I always dragged my floorboards.
My Street Glide, well the pros are almost too numerous to list. Smoother at 70+ MPH, Cruise Control, stereo, ABS Brakes, can turn around on a dime (I'm short and have about 25,000 miles experience only so that's a big deal to me) a blast to ride for hours in twisty mountains, holds the road much better during high cross winds we get out here... Only negative is it is harder for me to back up or deal with in certain parking situations but I just carefully choose where I park. I've gone 5,500 miles on my 2009 so far with no regrets. Oh, and I don't have big bugs or rocks hitting my fingers any more! I like my fairing.
Last edited by crfranklin65; Jul 13, 2009 at 01:27 PM. Reason: used wrong word
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 778
Likes: 10
From: Windsor Ontario
I just traded in my 2006 Heritage Classic for a 2009 Street Glide. The Heritage was a good fit, seat height and bars just very comfortable. The Street Glide I'm a little straighter up and the seat height is taller. 32 inch inseam and I barely flat foot at stoplights. I find the suspension on the Glide way superior to the Heritage. I loved my Heritage and I'll miss it but the Street Glide is the best bike I've ridden.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,523
Likes: 1
From: South Florida
I went from an 03 Fatboy to an 06 SG three years ago and I can definetly tell you the SG is alot different ride. I can ride the SG for days and my FatBoy was set up like a hot ROd bar hopper not good for road trips even thou I still went on 600-700 miles road trips while on the SG I could do twice that with no problems...
Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 250
Likes: 0
From: Sebewaing Michigan
A week ago I was wondering the same thing. I traded my '08 crossbones in on a Road Glide and will never go back. I love it and love how confortable it is. Not a cadilac but very diffrent. I havent driven my truck once since I got the new bike I love it.
The Schlong Man
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,772
Likes: 4
From: Nantucket
Touring models are much more comfortable but let's keeps things in perspective. They are still motorcycles afterall. Even a Jeep Wrangler with a 6" lift kit is still more comfortable on the highway.
Cruiser
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 137
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, CO
I went from an 03 Night Train to my 09 RG. Long trips used to **** me off on my Night Train because of the wind, bugs, rocks, and whatever else. On my RG I can go from tank to tank without stopping in between. At the end of the day I don't feel like I just went 10 rounds with Tyson. I don't miss my Night Train at all.
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Tourer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: Mississippi
If all of your ridding is highway go for the comfort of a touring Bike. But in the city they hate traffic high engine temps will cook you. 100 lbs + extra weight. Tough to park and if it falls over $$$$$$ fairing and saddle bags will need to be fixed. Have scraped my bags twice fairing once and higher insurance on a touring bike.