Thought I wanted a Street Glide til I rode a Road Glide...
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
I went from an 08 RoadGlide to an 08 Ultra - The Ultra is
much more comfortable and the Batwing/Windshield keep
the wind off the rider much better than the 08 RG even with the big stock RG windshield.Living near the Illinois/Wisconsin border that's a plus in extending my riding season.. *
The windshield on the RG is positioned farther away from the riders*body no matter what windshield you're using that's *handicap.
When I owned the RG I often mentioned the advantage of having the weight of the fairing not negatively impacting steering and the RG's outstanding handling.... Now having more experience with both I say the claimed advantages of the RG are way over rated unless you like to ride no handed for extended periods of time on windy days...
much more comfortable and the Batwing/Windshield keep
the wind off the rider much better than the 08 RG even with the big stock RG windshield.Living near the Illinois/Wisconsin border that's a plus in extending my riding season.. *
The windshield on the RG is positioned farther away from the riders*body no matter what windshield you're using that's *handicap.
When I owned the RG I often mentioned the advantage of having the weight of the fairing not negatively impacting steering and the RG's outstanding handling.... Now having more experience with both I say the claimed advantages of the RG are way over rated unless you like to ride no handed for extended periods of time on windy days...
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,864
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX & Santa Fe, NM when I can find the time....
My riding partner did the same thing...was all set to buy a SG...then starting looking at the RG after hearing how wonderful they are from everyone that has one. After a test ride...BOOM...new RG!
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,864
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX & Santa Fe, NM when I can find the time....
I'm still confused by all this chatter about the fairing not turning with the bars,
The only time I turn the bars is during slow parking lot speeds, and I'm not looking at the bars,or the fairing, I'm looking whare I'm going.
Once ya actually RIDE one of these, you realize that you never even see the fairing, just the road
The only time I turn the bars is during slow parking lot speeds, and I'm not looking at the bars,or the fairing, I'm looking whare I'm going.
Once ya actually RIDE one of these, you realize that you never even see the fairing, just the road
Club Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,864
Likes: 3
From: Dallas, TX & Santa Fe, NM when I can find the time....
[quote=Texas Fat Boy;5372841
It's kinda like the Non-fairing people say they coudn't stand a fairing because they couldn't see the front wheel going down the road. Who in the h&ll looks at his front wheel while going down the road?[/quote]
Right...I put a fairing on my bike and was "worried" about that for some reason. Sure, it was weird at first and did take some getting used to...for about 1/2 a mile! After that...the only thing I noticed was better handling in the wind and the sweet sound of tunes as I was riding down the road!
It's kinda like the Non-fairing people say they coudn't stand a fairing because they couldn't see the front wheel going down the road. Who in the h&ll looks at his front wheel while going down the road?[/quote]
Right...I put a fairing on my bike and was "worried" about that for some reason. Sure, it was weird at first and did take some getting used to...for about 1/2 a mile! After that...the only thing I noticed was better handling in the wind and the sweet sound of tunes as I was riding down the road!
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver, WA
It has taken me a while to acclimate to the RGC with fairing after five years and 30k with my 2004 Road King Custom 95" (almost never used the windshield I bought separately, as I preferred the feeling of the clean wind and open front). The adjustment period was to be expected, for sure.
The fairing, especially not moving when moving the bars, has taken a little getting used to... but as others have said.... just some road time and it becomes natural, normal feeling.
The biggest difference for me coming from the Road King is the spacious feeling for my legs and body... the bike feels bigger and more comfortable (I'm about 6'1") and the ride is nicer on the road. Thing handles like a dream. And my wife says she's definitely more comfortable on the '10 Road Glide Custom vs. our '04 Road King (which I loved).
As for the 2010 Street Glide, I felt more buffeting from it than with the 2010 Road Glide and it also felt more "closed in". Also, I could feel the wind having a little influence on the forks with the SG whereas the steering on the Road Glide feels lighter and less influenced by prevailing winds. Definitely prefer the Road Glide myself. And the two beefy headlamps make a big diference to me... I ride with high beams on during the day and (when possible) at night. Good visibility in daylight hours and they light up the dark country roads magnificently at night. I even like the dual brake lights vs. a single brake light. They seem brighter than the single brake light and if one burns out, there's another to limp along with until bulb can be replaced. The FLTRX is the best Harley model there is, in my opinion, as one who likes to ride a lot.
Now... the 103 Big Bore kit and D&D 2into1 complete exhaust are my next move. Mini Beast air horn going on today if I get a few minutes for it.
The fairing, especially not moving when moving the bars, has taken a little getting used to... but as others have said.... just some road time and it becomes natural, normal feeling.
The biggest difference for me coming from the Road King is the spacious feeling for my legs and body... the bike feels bigger and more comfortable (I'm about 6'1") and the ride is nicer on the road. Thing handles like a dream. And my wife says she's definitely more comfortable on the '10 Road Glide Custom vs. our '04 Road King (which I loved).
As for the 2010 Street Glide, I felt more buffeting from it than with the 2010 Road Glide and it also felt more "closed in". Also, I could feel the wind having a little influence on the forks with the SG whereas the steering on the Road Glide feels lighter and less influenced by prevailing winds. Definitely prefer the Road Glide myself. And the two beefy headlamps make a big diference to me... I ride with high beams on during the day and (when possible) at night. Good visibility in daylight hours and they light up the dark country roads magnificently at night. I even like the dual brake lights vs. a single brake light. They seem brighter than the single brake light and if one burns out, there's another to limp along with until bulb can be replaced. The FLTRX is the best Harley model there is, in my opinion, as one who likes to ride a lot.
Now... the 103 Big Bore kit and D&D 2into1 complete exhaust are my next move. Mini Beast air horn going on today if I get a few minutes for it.
Last edited by DHart; Oct 15, 2009 at 03:03 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,051
Likes: 161
From: Between Chicago & Milwaukee
United States the past couple of years with the full size
stock windshield and also the 12" Klockwerks Flare
(which I preferred) I found the Ultra to be the superior
touring bike between the two in almost every way
and that's why my old RoadGlide's gone.I'd wouldn't
consider going back.I understand that you disagree but
you didn't provide any specifics.....
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
I ride the '08 RG and I've noticed that as long as I keep my feet on the boards and not on the crash bar mounted HWY pegs at 80 the air is pretty much still around me. But, move your feet to the cruise pegs or let your knees get too far out side the fairing edges and the buffeting goes WAY up. Thinking that maybe lowers will help in that aspect......JMHO. Oh, and by the way, Roadies rock!!!
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,012
Likes: 298
From: Central Fl
I have the "Tall" windshield on my RG. It really helped with the wind. I'm just under 6' and the bike is comfortable. My wife loves the ride and we do 500 mi a day easily. Made several days in the 800 mi range. I use the soft lowers in cold weather or heavy rain. The lowers really help the wind thing but way too hot above 75 deg. I also have a fork baffle and noticed a 2010 RG that didn't have one. It could help to install one. I have no temp issues with the lowers or fork baffle.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 4,999
Likes: 55
From: Bay Area
I rode the heck out of the 08 RoadGlide all over the
United States the past couple of years with the full size
stock windshield and also the 12" Klockwerks Flare
(which I preferred) I found the Ultra to be the superior
touring bike between the two in almost every way
and that's why my old RoadGlide's gone.I'd wouldn't
consider going back.I understand that you disagree but
you didn't provide any specifics.....
United States the past couple of years with the full size
stock windshield and also the 12" Klockwerks Flare
(which I preferred) I found the Ultra to be the superior
touring bike between the two in almost every way
and that's why my old RoadGlide's gone.I'd wouldn't
consider going back.I understand that you disagree but
you didn't provide any specifics.....
I didnt like the stock w/s especially with lowers on because it was too much dead air space and was cooked by heat from the motor, even with the Hoppe vents. I think Im going to sell the lowers and go with soft lowers for rain/cold because they store well on board. My $.02