Today is the day.......
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Today is the day.......
Today is the day I say goodbye to my beloved Sportster(my first motorcycle and first harley) and ride home on a Road Glide. It is a bitter sweet day with a lot of great memories on the Sporty, but I look forward to many more great days on long road trips with the RG between my legs.
Can anyone give me some expectations on what the main riding differences will be? I am going to be nervous as ***** in church pulling out of the parking lot on a bike that is double the size of my sporty.
Can anyone give me some expectations on what the main riding differences will be? I am going to be nervous as ***** in church pulling out of the parking lot on a bike that is double the size of my sporty.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 1
From: Allen, Texas
Once your rolling it isn't a nimble. I have a Superglide and a Street Glide and it's a world of difference. The ride will a good bit better. My one word of caution would be to look where you put your foot down. Something as little as stepping on a dry leaf in the garage can put it on the ground. Congrats and enjoy.
I had a 1981 Sportster for years that I bought new. It was fun but after a couple years I wanted a bigger bike, but not a bigger payment. I finally sold it in 2006 since I wasn't riding it much anymore. In Oct 2009 I bought my Ultra Classic. Best purchase I ever made. You'll love the step up after just a few miles. Even though it's a bigger bike, you'll adjust in no time.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,095
Likes: 25
From: dutchess county,ny
1st thing your gonna notice is its a lot more stable,even at slow speeds.as soon as your wheels start turning,you can plant your feet on those floorboards.give yourself a little extra room and time to stop(a lot heavier).and dont get caught up looking at the switches and radio--keep your eyes pointed where your going.your gonna get over your nerves and love it..congratulations and enjoy
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,575
Likes: 180
From: N.E. OHIO
It will feel fat and cushy. Whey I hop on a Sportster now, it feels hard to handle taking off with the front end kind of flopping around. It takes awhile to get used to it and I rode a Sportster for years. They really are two different bikes but the big bikes do handle very nice. Get your radio set before you take off and enjoy the ride home.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 968
Likes: 11
From: Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
Went from a Sporty to EGC and the one thing I had to get used to was the width.. I would hit my feet on the boards when I brought my feet up..lol..( was used to the narrow Sporty and pegs )..but it only took a cpl days and I was used to it.
You'll wonder why it took so long for you to switch...!!
You'll wonder why it took so long for you to switch...!!
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 6
From: Kingman, AZ
Congrats! Don't worry......it balances on two wheels, has a clutch and a throttle. You won't be able to butt steer it but who needs that anyway. Just practice backing up the heavy beast in private. 
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,530
Likes: 607
From: Raleigh NC
Today is the day I say goodbye to my beloved Sportster(my first motorcycle and first harley) and ride home on a Road Glide. It is a bitter sweet day with a lot of great memories on the Sporty, but I look forward to many more great days on long road trips with the RG between my legs.
Can anyone give me some expectations on what the main riding differences will be? I am going to be nervous as ***** in church pulling out of the parking lot on a bike that is double the size of my sporty.
Can anyone give me some expectations on what the main riding differences will be? I am going to be nervous as ***** in church pulling out of the parking lot on a bike that is double the size of my sporty.
I think the 2 weirdest things will be going from foot pegs, to floorboards. You just pick your feet up on a peg, but you find yourself (at first) doing exaggerated movement to clear them... but you'll soon stop
Then you have the RG's fairing. now... I came from no windshield, so the fixed fairing, never bothered me... but a lot of guys freak out, when they turn the bars, and the shield remains.
Truthfully, once rolling, I think the RG will feel as light as the sporty, and maybe even better.
No more getting blown all over the place, when you pass an 18 wheeler.
Hardest part.. as with ANY bike, is getting the seat/handlebars/windshield combo right for YOU. Get the seat right first, then the rest. I'm partial to Clearview... but that'll be your next thread
good luck, with your new scoot.... I hated to trade my old bike in, but am quite pleased
Tourer
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 491
Likes: 1
From: Northern VT
Couldn't agree more with what's being said here. I went from a softtail Fatboy to the EGC. My wife and I tour a lot so it was a natural decision. I was worried also going from a Fatboy to the EGC...but it actually handles better. The Fatboy seemed to push thru the corners and this bike just goes right thru. The biggest thing is don't think your going to hold the bike up now if you start to tip..so don't put yourself in that situation. I'm very mindful of where I'm stopping and turning around. Someone else mentioned giving yourself a bit more room for stopping (1+ for that).
ps..
Your going to like backing up this bad boy....I'd get your legs in shape now!!!!!
ps..
Your going to like backing up this bad boy....I'd get your legs in shape now!!!!!