Get a bagger and you'll ride more, not less. Whenever I can, I'll run errands on my bike instead of my car. You can put a couple of bags of groceries in your saddlebags, easy. I can't get my dry cleaning, or some things at Home Depot, but most errands can be done on a bike, if you have some dry, lockable storage.

And, as others have mentioned, the bikes look big, but feel nimble.

 

For me it has always been about performance,back in the day that had to be a 74" bagger.Then the SuperGlides appeared in 71,bought 3 of those.Now with big inch motors easily available it is back to the baggers and loving every minute of it.

 

We bought the Ultra in August and I've ridden it solo no more than 50 out of the 2,500 miles we put on it so far.

 

I would love to have another bike, something more nimble than my FLHTC but i can only own 1 for now so i ride the crap out of it anywhere anytime, solo or 2 up...When i am able to afford it i will probly buy a XB9 or something like that to toy around and in the mountains...

 

whats an XB9?

 

An XB9 is a motorcycle Buell used to manufacture when they were still in business.

 

Because I feel so fortunate to have a wife who loves to ride with me, what she likes is very important to me. She likes the Ultras radio with spkrs in the helmut and her own controls for changing volume and stations, likes the CB for road reports and communication with other Ultras when riding with others, likes the adjustable air shocks. Mostly, she likes the intercom, often telling me about the nature that she notices, especially if she thinks I did'nt notice it. Yes, I'm guilty of spoiling her with other emenities such as the Mustang seat, XM ratio etc. Yet, when riding alone, I enjoy my extra features, more chrome, the 107" engine, the fully programmable ECM that I enjoy tinkering with, extra guages. After more then 40 years of riding with her, wish we would have moved up to the Ultra much sooner. Get it over with, spoil her to, go Ultra.

 

My buddy just bought a 08 ultra and his wife started to ride a lot more now...My wife has her own bike 03 Suzuki VL800 but she climbs on My 07 FLHTC every chance she gets. CB and music in helmets helps a lot... She does like to hear what the others are saying on the CB too...Like Geargrinder said..go ahead and get the Ultra..at least a classic...I would've got the ultra i could've but i have it almost like one now...

 

There are a lot of new ones left and they will be sold at bargain prices soon... parts will be available for a while too...

 

Tough to fine place that rent bikes where I am as well. That and demo days are the best way to find out what you might prefer.

I've always had bikes, but recently I went from a 02 Heritage (which is = to the RK IMHO) to the RG. I also added the 09 SB to the stable so I kind of have a good idea of the differences between the 2.

The touring models are a whole different world. Don't get me wrong, I love the sportiness of the Dyna around the city, but if it came down to only 1 bike, it would be my RG. Smoother suspension than the Dyna. More comfortable on the long haul. Tunes, cruise, better seat, cig lighter for accessories, and seating position.

As for handling, the Dyna handles like a sports car, but I think it's hampered a bit by the mini apes. It's also lower. The touring models are higher and have a higher center of gravity. I guess that's why I feel getter diving into a corner on the RG more than the SB. It seems more willing.

I did get a chance to demo a 09 EGS for an hour on my own. The sales manager wanted me to put it through it's paces to compare it to my 08 RG. See the differences in the frame. It wasn't for me. Handled OK, but what was made up to stiffen the frame for the handling, also transmitted to feeling every bump in the road.

If your going to jump up, and your torn between the EGS or the Ultra.... better going with the Ultra. Better to not use the options you don't want rather than adding the ones you do. Resale is better as well.

If it's a SG, you can always add a king tour pack to it with detachable hardware. Then again, it will not ride the same due to it having shorter shocks.

I'm bias to the RG so take it with a grain of salt. All I really had to do was change the windshield for me.

Love the Dyna for different reasons. Fast, handles great, back to basics bike for me. Brings a smile to my face everytime I throw a leg over it. It can do anything the touring bikes can do if it's set up right. All depends how and where you ride.

The main factor might be your wife. If she's not happy... no one is.

Good luck on what ever you choose. They're all great at what they do.

Heywood