Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Need some input - Buying a Bagger

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 24, 2011 | 02:59 PM
  #1  
DSnoopy's Avatar
DSnoopy
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,606
Likes: 2
From: Denver, Colorado
Default Need some input - Buying a Bagger

Okay, so I am trading in my Street Bob here soon for a bagger. My wife rides with me all the time now, and we keep doing bigger and bigger trips. The Bob just does not cut it in the storage dept or in the wind/rain, etc.

So, I have two bikes I am looking at and have what I think is a pretty solid deal options:

1. 2008 Road King (the one with the hard bags, sorry, I don't know the specific model). Black. 10k miles. Upgraded seat, back rest, and luggage rack. Just has some slip ons. $14,800

2. 2010 Road Glide, new. Black. Has most everything except for ABS. Stock seat, no backrest for the wife. Stock intake and exhaust. $18,000.

That is a very good deal on the Road Glide, but I know I will have to instantly upgrade the seat and get a sissy bar, luggage rack, etc.

I plan for this to be a VERY long term bike, putting about 10k miles on it per year. I am not a big stereo guy, but could probably get used to having one. Lastly, the Road glide is about $2k more than I want to spend right now.

So, all of that said, do you guys have any input/feedback? Anything I am not thinking of or considering?

Thanks in advance!
 
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2011 | 03:06 PM
  #2  
ChristoHD's Avatar
ChristoHD
Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,812
Likes: 26
From: South Bend, IN
Default

Road king gives you what you need now, and has all the future options of being able to add to it. Fairing if you want, better this and better that over time.

ONLY issue with the RK is, it is an '08, and not the newer frame - so you will soon see why I brought this up... wait for it....the posts will soon ensue... ;-)

If you could find a good deal on an '09RK in your budget, that would be my 2˘ of advice.

HTH
 
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2011 | 03:08 PM
  #3  
sonoffatboy's Avatar
sonoffatboy
Tourer
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
From: toronto canaduh
Default

gotta be a few eglide classics around...still think they are the best bang for the buck..specially for two up travelling...(and resale)..

and i have owned a few different hd's .
 
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2011 | 03:12 PM
  #4  
RevMatt's Avatar
RevMatt
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
Default

I am not a master mechanic and love the added security of buying a new ride. If it is a long termer, you can upgrade customization as you go. I'd buy the Glide! Gone, for me, are the days of being willing to wrench on the bike every couple-hundred miles! (yes, I have had two 1970s era HDs.) Go with the Glide!! And then go, go, go!
 
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2011 | 03:13 PM
  #5  
DSnoopy's Avatar
DSnoopy
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,606
Likes: 2
From: Denver, Colorado
Default

I've heard about the frame difference between the 08 and 09, but do not understand it. What is the big difference and how does it afect the bike/rider?

Thanks again!
 
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2011 | 03:23 PM
  #6  
vet767's Avatar
vet767
Stellar HDF Member
15 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 6
From: Racine, WI
Default

I have an 08 RKC leather bags All I ever want in a bike. Have added a qd TP and rack for extra storage. They say the new wider longer frame makes a difference in the ride only difference for me was that at a stop I was uncomfortable because of the wider stance.
 
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2011 | 03:23 PM
  #7  
glide2meetu's Avatar
glide2meetu
Road Warrior
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 9
From: Colorado Springs CO
Default

Go with the Glide. The frame has a new swingarm, stiffer frame, resulting in a better handling bike at low speeds (along with the new lower profile wheels) as well as better overall ride. More capacity in the bags I believe between the two bikes. Fairing (with lowers) is going to give you better protection on those long rides. Believe me stereo will be something you will enjoy having... all those things can be added to the RK but hey the Glide already has them. Spend the money and enjoy the long term benefits of the Glide.

My .02
 
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2011 | 03:25 PM
  #8  
DSnoopy's Avatar
DSnoopy
Thread Starter
|
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 4,606
Likes: 2
From: Denver, Colorado
Default

Thanks VET!

Now I get it. I road a 2010 RK last year for a demo, and did not like my stance on it at all. But I have felt mor comfortable on the 08 I sat on as well as an 06 I sat on before. I think I would prefer the "old" frame.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 24, 2011 | 03:27 PM
  #9  
vet767's Avatar
vet767
Stellar HDF Member
15 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,123
Likes: 6
From: Racine, WI
Default

Originally Posted by glide2meetu
Go with the Glide. The frame has a new swingarm, stiffer frame, resulting in a better handling bike at low speeds (along with the new lower profile wheels) as well as better overall ride. More capacity in the bags I believe between the two bikes. Fairing (with lowers) is going to give you better protection on those long rides. Believe me stereo will be something you will enjoy having... all those things can be added to the RK but hey the Glide already has them. Spend the money and enjoy the long term benefits of the Glide.

My .02
The hard bags are all the same in size
 
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2011 | 03:43 PM
  #10  
KING'S RIDE's Avatar
KING'S RIDE
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 447
Likes: 5
From: Orange County, CA
Default King

I love my road king and wouldn't trade if for anything. and as said before you can add a removable fairing and tour pack if you want for the long rides. they are so versatile.

going from a bob to a fixed fairing you will miss the open front end on those short rides around town. the RK is such a classic looking bike. it is the true representation of HD.

Just my opinion, but I am biased. just check my sig pic.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:28 AM.

story-0
Jason Momoa Is Turning Classic Harleys Into PHEVs

Slideshow: Jason Momoa's latest restoration project blends 1920s Harley-Davidsons with modern electric technology, creating some of the most unusual hybrid motorcycles ever built.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-10 17:18:58


VIEW MORE
story-1
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-2
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-4
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-5
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-7
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-8
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE