Almost bought a Road Glide but.....
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 812
Likes: 0
From: Jaw-Jaw (Near The BIG Chicken!)
I would highly recommend that you rent a RG and take it out for around the same length of time as you did the SG. A few years ago, my son (a soft tail rider) talked me into buying a RG. Honestly, I could never get over the fact that the fairing was fixed and just couldn't get used to the fairing not moving in the same direction as the bars when I turned. After a very few thousand miles, I sold it and bought a SG. Been happy ever since! All I'm saying is rent one and see for yourself before you pull the trigger on the RG, just to make sure you can get used to the fixed fairing. The RG is a great ride, but not for everybody.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
Yeah, I'm drooling at the RG's these days. Like the RG Custom the best, but need Tour Pak which means I've got to upgrade RGU, but I like CVO RGU even more which the Selling Price doesn't justify.
Good news is that I've got about 1 or 2 more years before I can make up my mind and decide which RG to purchase.
Thorey
Good news is that I've got about 1 or 2 more years before I can make up my mind and decide which RG to purchase.
Thorey
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,077
Likes: 26
Best way is to do some test riding.
I was on the fence twice, test rode twice, bought another batwing twice.
I think they work really well for some people, and not so great for others. The real pisser is you cant test ride them with the various windshields that could make all the difference. I decided that I did not want to take the gamble on being able to find a shield that worked good for me, and did not look like crap. Lowers seem to make a big difference, but when I was looking, you could not mount the vented lowers to a
Road Glide, that pretty much sealed the deal for me. (you CAN now run the vented lowers) And of course now, they have some snap on lower deflectors that would probably help as well, that they didn't have when I was looking.
I was on the fence twice, test rode twice, bought another batwing twice.
I think they work really well for some people, and not so great for others. The real pisser is you cant test ride them with the various windshields that could make all the difference. I decided that I did not want to take the gamble on being able to find a shield that worked good for me, and did not look like crap. Lowers seem to make a big difference, but when I was looking, you could not mount the vented lowers to a
Road Glide, that pretty much sealed the deal for me. (you CAN now run the vented lowers) And of course now, they have some snap on lower deflectors that would probably help as well, that they didn't have when I was looking.
Last edited by flyingace; Oct 19, 2010 at 08:45 PM.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,555
Likes: 119
From: Brockport, NY
Thorey
Novice
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: central ma.
Hi Guys...
I'm new to the forum but have read tons of posts and replies regarding the Road Glide. I won't beat a dead horse and ask the age old question about which is better - Road G or Street G - I'll spare you that.
I've been on a mission to determine which of these two fine bikes is best for me. Recently, I rented a SG for a 4 day, 1300 mile trip through Southern Utah. I really enjoyed the bike yet felt the fairing offered little to no protection (stock windscreen) and I got wind blown all over the road when passing big rigs and on windy canyon roads. Slow speed maneuvering wasn't the easiest either. However, I did like my riding postion and was very comfortable on the bike - bars and saddle all seemed to be perfect for my height (6-2") and for my arm length (36")
Now onto the RG....I am looking at the RG now soley due to all the positive feedback on this forum. Many RG owners seem to think this bike is best suited for the taller rider. I have yet to rent one and do plan on it. However, after sitting on several RG's in my local HD showroom, I notice a few things that I don't like: Bars are too high and offer too much reach to feel comfortable for me. The fairing gauges and radio seem a mile away. The RG fairing also seems to offer additional blinds spots that the SG fairing does not. And lastly, the RG mirrors suck. I really dig the integrated mirrors on the SG's.
So, here goes the questions......
1.) Have any of you RG owners had to rotate the handlebars down to get a better arm position/reach? Or did you have to do additional mods (saddle replacement, new bars, etc...) to get the bike dialed in?
2.) Any issues with the RG fairing as far as gauge visibility or radio access?
3.) Is the RG a clear winner vs. the SG when it comes to highway stability in windy conditions and/or slow speed maneuvering?
I have my eye on a 2011 RG in Denim Black with the 103 package. Man, it's a sweet looking bike but if it's going to prove to be way too uncomfortable out of the box, I may just buy the SG.
Thanks and I look forward to your replies.
I'm new to the forum but have read tons of posts and replies regarding the Road Glide. I won't beat a dead horse and ask the age old question about which is better - Road G or Street G - I'll spare you that.
I've been on a mission to determine which of these two fine bikes is best for me. Recently, I rented a SG for a 4 day, 1300 mile trip through Southern Utah. I really enjoyed the bike yet felt the fairing offered little to no protection (stock windscreen) and I got wind blown all over the road when passing big rigs and on windy canyon roads. Slow speed maneuvering wasn't the easiest either. However, I did like my riding postion and was very comfortable on the bike - bars and saddle all seemed to be perfect for my height (6-2") and for my arm length (36")
Now onto the RG....I am looking at the RG now soley due to all the positive feedback on this forum. Many RG owners seem to think this bike is best suited for the taller rider. I have yet to rent one and do plan on it. However, after sitting on several RG's in my local HD showroom, I notice a few things that I don't like: Bars are too high and offer too much reach to feel comfortable for me. The fairing gauges and radio seem a mile away. The RG fairing also seems to offer additional blinds spots that the SG fairing does not. And lastly, the RG mirrors suck. I really dig the integrated mirrors on the SG's.
So, here goes the questions......
1.) Have any of you RG owners had to rotate the handlebars down to get a better arm position/reach? Or did you have to do additional mods (saddle replacement, new bars, etc...) to get the bike dialed in?
2.) Any issues with the RG fairing as far as gauge visibility or radio access?
3.) Is the RG a clear winner vs. the SG when it comes to highway stability in windy conditions and/or slow speed maneuvering?
I have my eye on a 2011 RG in Denim Black with the 103 package. Man, it's a sweet looking bike but if it's going to prove to be way too uncomfortable out of the box, I may just buy the SG.
Thanks and I look forward to your replies.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,356
Likes: 8
From: Roswell, NM
Never rode a RG, but they are having demo rides this weekend at the dealer and I just want to see what the big difference is. I still think it's fugly, and my Ultra fit me perfect from day one. the only thing I did was get a 10 inch light tint FastAire windshield and it's perfect in any conditions.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 34,661
Likes: 36,270
From: outskirts of ba habba
Road Glides aren't for everyone....one size does not fit all.
I took off the huge picture window windshield and added a
10" dark smoked shield.....no problems with buffeting.
( hated the looks of stock )
I installed a set of used Heritage 'style' bars......
( changed for my comfort )
I also bought a used U/C seat and had it modified by MCC.......
( changed for wife's comfort )
Not sure what changes would have been done on a batwing.....
no matter what, everything up front would have still been too close.
Test ride both and buy whats most comfortable
I took off the huge picture window windshield and added a
10" dark smoked shield.....no problems with buffeting.
( hated the looks of stock )
I installed a set of used Heritage 'style' bars......
( changed for my comfort )
I also bought a used U/C seat and had it modified by MCC.......
( changed for wife's comfort )
Not sure what changes would have been done on a batwing.....
no matter what, everything up front would have still been too close.
Test ride both and buy whats most comfortable
Stage I
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
I bought the 2011 Road Glide Ultra -- Awesome Bike, no issues with vision on gauges, no issues with stock handle bars with the exception I short. Replacing stok with Chubby's to get a better fit.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,752
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
1.) Have any of you RG owners had to rotate the handlebars down to get a better arm position/reach? Or did you have to do additional mods (saddle replacement, new bars, etc...) to get the bike dialed in?
2.) Any issues with the RG fairing as far as gauge visibility or radio access?
3.) Is the RG a clear winner vs. the SG when it comes to highway stability in windy conditions and/or slow speed maneuvering?
2. No issues. Radio controls are on the handlebars.
3. I had a 2006 Ultra Classic before my RG Ultra so I can't answer the question.