Question for Road Glide Owners
Tourer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 307
Likes: 6
From: Brentwood CA
Own them both, but the RG is the only one I ride. It really does stir my soul. I recommend riding an 11 at the dealer. The 10/11 Custom set up feels a lot different then my 09 and and 08 is with the older frame will be even more different.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,979
Likes: 2
From: Northern Colorado
If you get a Street Glide you would have to give it a custom paint job so you can find it in the parking lot with all the other Street Glides. I like my Scarlet Red Road Glide because it usually sticks out like a sore thumb.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,698
Likes: 11
From: Longview, Washington
Thanks! I had 7 years of HD parts in my shop. Started selling them on Ebay and raised 4K to spend on upgrades. Didn't put a dime on my CC. LOL
Last edited by sifularson; Oct 29, 2010 at 09:32 PM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,146
Likes: 471
From: along the Front Range in Colorado
....... the more I ride and read, the more I gotta thank whatever spirit was responsible for my absolute dumb luck.
.... unlike your research, i did not test ride ANYTHING before buying, ..... i just had it in my head that a fixed fairing was superior, loved the fact that the RG didn't look at all like them 'other' baggers in the parking lots and ...... it came in yellow !
........ i was blissfully unaware of the much discussed 'buffeting issue', and put the lowers on right away just cuz winter was coming on ...... their 'wind mgmt' benefits i learned of via this forum ! ...... I put the slightly taller HD flamed widshield on cuz I liked the look & found one on ebay for $25 ..... i look just over the top and have zero issues w/wind banging my head around.
...... dumb, uninformed luck put me on Harley's finest touring ride, and i have been wholly satisfied since day 1.
.......... folks have said there's a night/day difference between the ride quality of the new vs old frames, so test a new one if you're going to be buying new in order to get a true comparison btwn the FLH & FLT.
............ if you DO end up on a Road Glide, don't tell anyone else about how much you like it,...... it's supposed to be a Secret Society !!
Last edited by groupw; Oct 29, 2010 at 09:45 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 185
From: Mountain West, Big Sky Country
I'm about 2 weeks away from being where I can get a new Harley. I have an 07 RK Police bike I'm selling or trading in for what I had decided to be a new Street Glide. I have test rode a Street Glide and a 2010 Ultra and an 09 Heritage. I liked the Street Glide real well but after talking to a couple Road Glide owners I think I better test ride a Road Glide. I hope to ride my friends 07 RG tomorrow. I've never been crazy about the Frame Mounted Fairing but after talking to RG owners who are crazy about them I think I better give them a good look over. The guys who ride the RG sure are happy with them and say how much lighter they feel than the handle mounted fairings. I was wondering what pros and cons you'all could give me. I know on this forum the RG is often referred to as the Fugly bike, but as you know beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It looks like as far as the fairing sets forward of the rider you would get a lot of wind buffeting.
Thanks for your wisdom!
Thanks for your wisdom!
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,146
Likes: 471
From: along the Front Range in Colorado
........ sorry, man .. forgot what i was doin' there for a moment
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,051
Likes: 161
From: Between Chicago & Milwaukee
I'm about 2 weeks away from being where I can get a new Harley. I have an 07 RK Police bike I'm selling or trading in for what I had decided to be a new Street Glide. I have test rode a Street Glide and a 2010 Ultra and an 09 Heritage. I liked the Street Glide real well but after talking to a couple Road Glide owners I think I better test ride a Road Glide. I hope to ride my friends 07 RG tomorrow. I've never been crazy about the Frame Mounted Fairing but after talking to RG owners who are crazy about them I think I better give them a good look over. The guys who ride the RG sure are happy with them and say how much lighter they feel than the handle mounted fairings. I was wondering what pros and cons you'all could give me. I know on this forum the RG is often referred to as the Fugly bike, but as you know beauty is in the eye of the beholder. It looks like as far as the fairing sets forward of the rider you would get a lot of wind buffeting.
Thanks for your wisdom!
Thanks for your wisdom!
I've owned both Sharknoses and Batwings and done a lot of long distance riding on them.Looking at it objectively it's all about the fairing/windshield,no matter how many gadgets are out there to lessen buffeting,the Batwing design is significantly more effective at protecting riders (and passengers)
Yes the proximity of the rider to the fairing/windshield makes a big difference.
A for the lighter handling / stability advantage of the sharknose fixed fairing? It seemed over rated to me.Now if I wanted to flip on the cruise control and ride no handed on a windy day the fixed fairing would feel a bit more stable but not nearly as much as I expected.
The only thing I liked better about my RoadGlide was the more streamline shape of the Sharknose resulted in better gas milage.
Account Retired
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,448
Likes: 8
From: On Parole - Grays Creek, North Carolina
This is a story youre not gonna believe. I went into my local dealership a while back looking to trade my 09 Road Glide on a 11 103" ultra. Had 3 different RG's throughout the years and just wanted something different. Sales guy says "talk to the sales manager, he just did the same thing you want to do." The sales manager couldnt believe I wanted to trade a RG for an ultra. He traded his Road Glide for an 11 Street Glide and already cant wait to get back on a Road Glide. He said he didnt even want to talk to me about trading because I will hate the batwing. He could've taken my money and trade and laughed all the way to the bank, but, he was straight up with me and let me take an ultra out for a long ride. On a short jaunt, I liked it but out on the highway there is no comparison. The RG is so much more stable in the wind and behind or beside big rigs. Saved me thousands of dollars and some possible grief. True story, no bullshit. Like they say, just my 2cents.
Gary D.
Gary D.