Almost bought a Road Glide but.....
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,146
Likes: 471
From: along the Front Range in Colorado
..... not.
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 636
Likes: 0
From: Gillette wyoming
Well first of all who the hell said it was OK to let the big secret out ! I had the heritage bars on my 05 and they fit me pretty good but the cvo bars are perfect I am not sure what it is but they really feel great and the shield works great not much on the looks but function is good
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 4
From: South Jersey, AC area
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.
it took me about 2 miles to get use to the fairing not moving.....
when I was making my first turn, I was like "Ooooo, check THAT out.. the fairing doesn't move!" after that, I never noticed it again.
coming from a CVO Springer Softail, I test rode both a 2010 Road Glide and a 2010 Street Glide back to back.
The amount of wind with the stock windshields on both bikes felt about the same, the only difference was the Road Glide felt smoother and more stable at highway speeds than the Street Glide, it actually felt like it was "gliding"! lol!
plus I felt like the fairing on the Street Glide was right in my face and too close to me... the Road Glide gave me that "open" feeling that I was used to with the Springer, but the advantage of having a fairing.
that's my assessment of both bikes from my perspective.
I bought the 2010 Road Glide.
I never like the Rode Glide until I saw the 2009 CVO Road Glide, then when they came out with the 2010 FLTRX, I was sold.
one of the first things I did was to buy a Klock Werks 12" windshield. even if the 2010 FLTRX had the 2009 tall windshield on it , I would have been installing the 12" Klock Werks.. because that windshield is just plain ugly to me! LOL!
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 35,506
Likes: 27
From: Calgary eh
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.
For me, I like the openess of the roadglide. I like to reach out to the bars and I like that the guages are out there on the fairing. I don't like the bat wing bikes, because I feel the bars are too close and the gauges are in your face. Again, my opinion.
I replaced the stock RG windshield with an extra tall clearview. It's a perfect hight for me and blocks the wind and elements really well. My view is about an inch or two over the top edge, but when I want the protection I can easily scooch down behind it. Regarding the mirrors. I agree the stock RG mirrors suck. You get a perfect view of your forearm. I bought the extended version from harley. they're about an inch or two longer and puts the mirrors right where you want them. They're perfect, no vibration and can see everything. I actually forgot I did this and came back into this post to add these comments about the mirrors.
I bought a drivers back rest and put highway pegs on the crash bar. It's really a comfortable ride. I can sit there tank after tank all day long, only stopping for gas, blasting my tunes from my XM radio attachment.
Here's a picture of me fully loaded going to sturgis last year. I had all my gear in the hard bags, tent, sleeping bag, clothes, etc, etc....
Last edited by zeus33; Dec 11, 2010 at 10:44 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 878
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From: Farmington, MN
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,616
Likes: 4,440
From: anacoco, la
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Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Chicago 'Burbs & Tomahawk, WI
I hope you're beginning to see a trend of comments here among RG owners:
- Don't buy a SharkNose cause their Fugly,
- Their the dark side,
- Its a secret society, etc.
Most current RG owners feel they have found "the bike for them" with minor mods and don't mind being different...in fact they kind of revel in it!
I'm on the larger side also, and the batwinged models' dash just felt too cramped to me. I know its psychological but I want to "seem" comfortable.
Too each his own, but don't be too surprised when you see more and more of the Fuglies on the roads in the coming years since the RG Customs and Ultras are selling well. Dang it, could be the end of the "Secret Society of the SharkNoses".
If you want more specific info on RGs, check out this site: www.roadglide.org
- Don't buy a SharkNose cause their Fugly,
- Their the dark side,
- Its a secret society, etc.
Most current RG owners feel they have found "the bike for them" with minor mods and don't mind being different...in fact they kind of revel in it!
I'm on the larger side also, and the batwinged models' dash just felt too cramped to me. I know its psychological but I want to "seem" comfortable.
Too each his own, but don't be too surprised when you see more and more of the Fuglies on the roads in the coming years since the RG Customs and Ultras are selling well. Dang it, could be the end of the "Secret Society of the SharkNoses".
If you want more specific info on RGs, check out this site: www.roadglide.org
Last edited by djw479; Jan 8, 2011 at 10:17 PM.
Stage II
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
RG is the only way to go...It cuts through the wind like butter. I do not have any issues with the mirrors, although, the bars could be a little closer to the rider...but a very easy fix. I have riden the batwing bikes, and they feel just like my road king with my large windshield installed. My RG is far superior in handling, and comfort to any SG, or ultra classic, or even my road king. Also, in removing the fairing on a RG, just as simple as the batwing...6 minutes, max.... I hope you choose the RG. You will not regret it one bit. Good luck in choosing...RIDE SAFE, and RIDE OFTEN BROTHER. 2003 Road King Classic aniversary special.....2003 Road Glide in Gunmetal Pearl.