Why a touring bike?
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,277
Likes: 4
From: Austin, TX - Some call it heaven.
Most of the touring bikes out there spend 90% or more of their time in town, or on weekend rides. If you're a working stiff, you just don't have time to tour more than a couple of weeks a year.
But they ride so great that you hardly notice the difference. My Ultra handles just fine in traffic and getting in and out of parking. I like the tour pak for around town, makes it easy to carry a laptop, stow away the helmet, or stop for groceries on the way home.
Sure, I'd have another bike if I could afford it and had the room (probably an old school bobber). But if I have to pick just one, it'd be the Ultra.
But they ride so great that you hardly notice the difference. My Ultra handles just fine in traffic and getting in and out of parking. I like the tour pak for around town, makes it easy to carry a laptop, stow away the helmet, or stop for groceries on the way home.
Sure, I'd have another bike if I could afford it and had the room (probably an old school bobber). But if I have to pick just one, it'd be the Ultra.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 5,542
Likes: 6,222
From: In your head rent free
I ride every day.
I do 4-5 long hauls per year.
I did it for a couple of years on my Superglide. After the 5,000 mile round trip to Sturgis this year I decided it was time to get more comfortable.
I rented Ultra, Classic, Street Glide, Road Glide and Road King.
Loved them all, but the ability to pull the shield off the Road King and make it an open bike sold me. I loved my Superglide and wanted to keep some of the characteristics about it. The Road King is a great around town bike at the same time as being a highway dream.
I do 4-5 long hauls per year.
I did it for a couple of years on my Superglide. After the 5,000 mile round trip to Sturgis this year I decided it was time to get more comfortable.
I rented Ultra, Classic, Street Glide, Road Glide and Road King.
Loved them all, but the ability to pull the shield off the Road King and make it an open bike sold me. I loved my Superglide and wanted to keep some of the characteristics about it. The Road King is a great around town bike at the same time as being a highway dream.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 937
Likes: 5
From: Southwestern Illinois
A Wide Glide and any of the Touring bikes are so far apart you can't even compare them. The different Touring bikes all have slightly different characteristics so like others have said, try to rent some, do your homework, and then in the end make your decision. Going from your wide glide to a Touring bike will be the best thing you've ever done IMO. Good luck and let us know what you decide.
Road Captain
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 616
Likes: 70
My evolution went from sportster to softail to roadking. the 2 best things I love about my roadking are the comfort and the practicality. The comfort aspect has been covered pretty well in previous posts so I'll focus on the practicality/funtionality.
I spent many enjoyable years riding the sportster and softail but eventually grew tired of using throw-over leather saddle bags and bungy cords for trips. the bags are constantly being put on and off, and even when they're off, there's that ugly looking saddle bag bracket that keeps the bags off the fender and wheel. My roadking has hardbags which look great, are lockable and water tight. now, everything I need to go 5 miles or 500 miles is on the bike at all times and you wouldn't even know it. love it.
I dont' think you can go wrong with any tourer you decide on. will just take some getting used to at first.
I spent many enjoyable years riding the sportster and softail but eventually grew tired of using throw-over leather saddle bags and bungy cords for trips. the bags are constantly being put on and off, and even when they're off, there's that ugly looking saddle bag bracket that keeps the bags off the fender and wheel. My roadking has hardbags which look great, are lockable and water tight. now, everything I need to go 5 miles or 500 miles is on the bike at all times and you wouldn't even know it. love it.
I dont' think you can go wrong with any tourer you decide on. will just take some getting used to at first.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 4
From: Oklahoma
I went from a Dyna to an EG Classic so that my wife and I could do long two up tours, and I ride the EG daily around town with no problems or qualms whatever. Since you are looking at two up touring, I recommend you go with an EG or Ultra for the tourpak. You'e going to need that storage capacity.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
From: Lewisville, TX/ Eureka, AK (Alaska not Arkansas)
Go Big!!!
Im 26 y/o and i have had sport bikes and 2 harleys. My first harley was an 03 sporty 1200. the month before I got married I bought the 06 street glide. kept my sporty thinking i would ride it around town. I put less than 500 miles on it the following 2 years. Ended up selling it. Point being the touring family of bikes have great features, handle excellent, and when my wife asks me to pick something up from the store, no more bungying it to the back. The balance is superb on these motorcycles. go test ride one at your local dealer. you will not be disappointed. Im 26y/o and weigh 140 and can handle this bike in town great. Good luck in your search!!
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 242
Likes: 0
A Wide Glide and any of the Touring bikes are so far apart you can't even compare them. The different Touring bikes all have slightly different characteristics so like others have said, try to rent some, do your homework, and then in the end make your decision. Going from your wide glide to a Touring bike will be the best thing you've ever done IMO. Good luck and let us know what you decide.
Thanks so much for this info and the rest as well. Seems I have much homework to do. I'll check into the renting thing. Not sure whats availiable around here. It seems that I'll be able to get one sooner than later since I can probably trade the wideglide in , since veryone is pretty much convinced that the touring bike will be much better. I am a working individual who has other interests away from bikes so having 2 reallky doesn't seem like a smart move. And in the same breath, I don't want or feel I need all the horns and whistles on a bike either. However, I'll do my homework and get back. Thanks for the info.
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Club Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,582
Likes: 72
From: North East
At times I have considered trying a Rode King (same base bike as an Ultra) but for me, once you've had tunes and the protection of a fairing, there's just no going back. There are some perceived handling issues with the FLHs but as long as you are tall enough to flat foot one, it's never been anymore than a "perceived" issue.
If you are concerned about low speed handling check this out! These aguys are good and they are on Electraglides.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvyGkoMXU6c&NR=1
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 10,045
Likes: 36
From: ST. Louis
I went from a Fat Boy to a Street Glide. I never look back, I made a great move up and I ride solo all the time.
Like others have said, rent one for the day or the weekend. You will be ready to trade when you take it back. It only took me a short test ride to know I needed to change. (DAMN Demo Days anyways LOL)
A 160 mile trip won't be a weekend ride for you with a Touring bike. It will be a lunch break for Burger and back on the weekends.
Like others have said, rent one for the day or the weekend. You will be ready to trade when you take it back. It only took me a short test ride to know I needed to change. (DAMN Demo Days anyways LOL)
A 160 mile trip won't be a weekend ride for you with a Touring bike. It will be a lunch break for Burger and back on the weekends.