SG, RG, or Ultra?
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 13
From: Asscrackistan
I have to admit, after getting back in the game and doing the kind of riding I now do, I wish I had got the SG, I just think it has a smoother flow to the bike. I just like the lines of the bike better.
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 3
From: California
Do you like a frame-mounte Road Glide fairing or the Bat-Wing Electra / Street Glide? Tour Pak or no Tour Pak? Lowers or no lowers? If you want a sporty look, I'd say the SG fits the bill the best and then the RG. If you're looking for all out comfort and convenience of almost everything that is standard equipment, it's the Ultra. The Ultra probably has the smoothest ride due to a longer rear shock but also has the 'heaviest' look to it due to the standard Tour-Pak and saddle-bag guards.
Twice now, I almost bought a SG, as I really like the look, but ended up with the Ultra, which is the Harley model for me. Can't lose with either of the three, since you can strip down a Ultra or add to the SG / RG.
Twice now, I almost bought a SG, as I really like the look, but ended up with the Ultra, which is the Harley model for me. Can't lose with either of the three, since you can strip down a Ultra or add to the SG / RG.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,244
Likes: 3
From: castalia oh
Fixed frame fairings are much better for me at least than bar mounted.Less shake,buffeting and more stable ride .Most of my bikes have been fixed,I went to Harley and looked at Road Glide first but that fairing seemed so deep and the windscreen did not protect me very well.I have had a couple of Ultras since and they seem to work well with a (9" Clearview screen.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 26
Was in the same boat in 07. Was trying to choose between SG, RG and EG Classic. Ultra was never in the mix because I didn't want to pay for stuff I would never use.
All I can tell you is two things, evaluate the features of each, decide whats important to you.
Second, go with your gut/heart. If your like most of us, your gonna be making payments for quite a while. Get what you really want and what will make you happy every time you look at in sitting in the garage or get on it to ride. I promise you gettting the one you really want will mean more to you a year from now than getting the best value.
If you really want the SG, don't buy the Ultra because people tell you its a better value. Conversely, if you WANT all the Ultra toys, don't get the SG cause its the "cooler" looking bike. Buy the RG because YOU like it, not because everyone swears its the best handing bike of the baggers.
In the end, they are all the same bike at the core. Don't try to rationalize the decision too much, because if you want to be rational, you'd pay half as much for a Honda.
I've never bought an Ultra because most of the extras are things I don't want or wont use. I've never bought a Roadglide for various reasons (the current incarnation would have made the decision tougher) but chief among them are the fact that in my experience, the batwing is better at keeping air/rain off the rider, and seems to have fewer buffeting issues that need to be resolved. And I like the looks of the batwing better.
For me it would come down to the EG Classic or SG. For the price, the Classic is by far the better VALUE. But it just does not "grab" me like the SG does. I just really like the clean look of the bike. And I KNOW, that had I bought another Classic, every time I looked at it, I would be wishing it was an SG instead, even though it was a better "deal"
All I can tell you is two things, evaluate the features of each, decide whats important to you.
Second, go with your gut/heart. If your like most of us, your gonna be making payments for quite a while. Get what you really want and what will make you happy every time you look at in sitting in the garage or get on it to ride. I promise you gettting the one you really want will mean more to you a year from now than getting the best value.
If you really want the SG, don't buy the Ultra because people tell you its a better value. Conversely, if you WANT all the Ultra toys, don't get the SG cause its the "cooler" looking bike. Buy the RG because YOU like it, not because everyone swears its the best handing bike of the baggers.
In the end, they are all the same bike at the core. Don't try to rationalize the decision too much, because if you want to be rational, you'd pay half as much for a Honda.
I've never bought an Ultra because most of the extras are things I don't want or wont use. I've never bought a Roadglide for various reasons (the current incarnation would have made the decision tougher) but chief among them are the fact that in my experience, the batwing is better at keeping air/rain off the rider, and seems to have fewer buffeting issues that need to be resolved. And I like the looks of the batwing better.
For me it would come down to the EG Classic or SG. For the price, the Classic is by far the better VALUE. But it just does not "grab" me like the SG does. I just really like the clean look of the bike. And I KNOW, that had I bought another Classic, every time I looked at it, I would be wishing it was an SG instead, even though it was a better "deal"
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,146
Likes: 471
From: along the Front Range in Colorado
... in making your decision, really think about how & where you're going to ride. The ultras (i'm assuming a 2011 RGU's coming) will make those inter state tours a breeze, the SG & RGC will travel, but seem better suited for 'close to town' in their stock configuration.
.......... you'll make adjustments to any model you chose, so get the one that speaks to you.
...... when my RG speaks to me, it sez 'Let's go!'
Last edited by groupw; Jul 11, 2010 at 09:31 PM.
My next bike is going to be an ultra with a detach kit for the tour pak. Then I'll start stripping off and selling some of the extraneous bits that I don't need, like the saddlebag guards. I love the batwing, lowers, solo seat look.
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 134
Likes: 1
From: Montreal, Qc
For me there was really only one choice SG! But actually I had to choose what color I wanted ;-) It's a very personal thing, Go visit your local Harley Dealer when they have demo days and take all 3 out for runs and see which one tickles your fancy the most. Stick with 08 and up for the 96 & 6 my .02 cents.