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I had a hard time adjusting to the fixed fairing.... then I noticed the front end of my truck didn't move either by just turning the steering wheel. Go figure.
Seriously.. I love my 09 RG. Finding the "perfect windshield" is an on-going task, but that's personal preference thing with RG owners.
We all have our opinions. I am a relatively new owner (4,000 miles in the first 60 days) of a Road Glide having moved up from a Honda VTX. My observations ,(good and bad) are as follows.
1. Not fuggly at all. The looks of the bike are awsome and it has great attention to detail
2. The shaking at idle is not good. Have had one part shake off so far but I am sure that Mr. Locktite will solve this.
3. Smooth at speed.
4. Great slow speed handling and I do not even notice the fixed fairing. Took all of 30 minutes to not have any issue with it.
5. Fixed fairing does make sharp cornering at night a bit difficult. Turn lights on bright helps
6. Unimpressive power but of course mine is stock. I got beat by my old 1300 VTX with a rider that was 100 lbs heavier than I am.
7. Some buffeting but the fairing is a lot better than my old wind screen. Much less air on the hands which will help in the winter riding season.
8. Great sound with the slip ons
9. Well laid out and the bags are wonderful.
All in all I would make this purchase again. As in all things it has areas of great strength and some weaknesses as well. I think you will like it though and suggest you give it a try finances permitting.
I love my road glide. Handles great, especially in cross winds. Looks great. Very unique and not the usual street glide, road king, electras, ultras, etc. you always see on the road.
But two design flaws in my opinion.
1) Headlights suck and adjusting the headlights sucks even more. Need two stupid 4.5 mm deep sockets, I had to take my fairing off to adjust them. Plus, that plastic cover over the headlights limits how far you can adjust your head lights. (do a search, you will see what i mean.)
2) Takes a while to find the right windshield to work. I'm on my fourth.
Thanks for all the quick responses. I need to wait for my A?C cover to come in before I go to the dealer and talk about a trade in. The bike I am looking at is a 2002 with 16,900 miles some very nice upgrades, including the light kit that removes the cover. Price I think is a little high at $11,800 but I think they might move a little. I have just over $5000 in my Street Bob. So I think I will get a decent trade in price. So if the bike is still there next week, I will see what takes place. I like the Bob but with three bulging disks it is starting to take its toll.
senior experienced all-knowing leader of the unwise
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,957
Likes: 351
From: USA
Love my 07. They're not perfect stock but like every other harley, they can be fixed. Added Dunlop Elite 3's, chassis stabilizer, and some engine work. Best HD i've ever owned. Power and handling together. Add fairing lowers in the winter and you won't hardly feel the wind. I had rode FXRT with fixed fairing back in the 80's so when i went to pick up mine i fired it up and started doing figure eights in the parking lot. Once you get used to the fairing you won't even notice it.
roadglide will be my next harley. i've got an 08 vivid black streetglide now, and when i park outside of a harley shop, i almost need to tie a balloon to the seat so i can find the black streetglide that's mine. the roadies on the other hand, just look stealth, sleek, and if you study them a little, man they just become that much more desirable. i don't care for the way the 2010's came out though. removing the real taillight from the 09 and putting on the streetglide short shocks and the streetglide seat, just sorta ruined them for me even considering the 2010. the seat and shocks can be replaced easy enough, to where it's a real roadglide again, and adding the 09 light bar would not pose a big issue at all, but if i end up finding a new 09 vivid black without abs, i'll be jumpin on it in a heartbeat. i have a few leads, just who ever wants my money is now the issue.
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