2011 Road Glide Custom -General Reviews
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,156
Likes: 41
From: So Cal
2011 Road Glide Custom -General Reviews
Ive been kicking around the idea of selling my 05 fatboy for a 11 RG Custom. Ive used the search and found nothing but good reviews here on the RG, but its a lot of money and Im looking for a little more incentive to make the jump.
I test road a 11 RG Custom with the Power pak option yesterday and really liked it . Not as much power as I though it would have but like most of our bikes I guess it needs a Stage 1 or 2 to wake it up.
What Im looking for is
1. feedback as far as problems for this year model.
2. feed back or suggestions for pipes and cams
3. being lowered does it greatly efffect the comfort compared to the regular height touring bikes
Thanks in advance.
I test road a 11 RG Custom with the Power pak option yesterday and really liked it . Not as much power as I though it would have but like most of our bikes I guess it needs a Stage 1 or 2 to wake it up.
What Im looking for is
1. feedback as far as problems for this year model.
2. feed back or suggestions for pipes and cams
3. being lowered does it greatly efffect the comfort compared to the regular height touring bikes
Thanks in advance.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 77
From: Orlando, FL
Ive been kicking around the idea of selling my 05 fatboy for a 11 RG Custom. Ive used the search and found nothing but good reviews here on the RG, but its a lot of money and Im looking for a little more incentive to make the jump.
I test road a 11 RG Custom with the Power pak option yesterday and really liked it . Not as much power as I though it would have but like most of our bikes I guess it needs a Stage 1 or 2 to wake it up.
What Im looking for is
1. feedback as far as problems for this year model.
2. feed back or suggestions for pipes and cams
3. being lowered does it greatly efffect the comfort compared to the regular height touring bikes
Thanks in advance.
I test road a 11 RG Custom with the Power pak option yesterday and really liked it . Not as much power as I though it would have but like most of our bikes I guess it needs a Stage 1 or 2 to wake it up.
What Im looking for is
1. feedback as far as problems for this year model.
2. feed back or suggestions for pipes and cams
3. being lowered does it greatly efffect the comfort compared to the regular height touring bikes
Thanks in advance.
1. Common problems - (a) front end shake/wobble - There is a shake/wobble/whatever at 38-43mph. And it does not go away with proper tire air pressure...some have been able to cure it with a new tire, tightening the steering head nut to achieve proper bearing loading, balance of the wheel, or all of the above. For some the problem is still present after doing all that...In my case the only thing the dealer did was to adjust the steering head nut and adjust the swing pattern to 1 1/2 from 3 swings. Shake fixed. (b) on bikes with the 103 and oil cooler - oil leak from the gasket or o-ring in the oil cooler adapter housing at the oil filter base. Quickly fixed by dealer by replacing gasket and o-ring. (c) heat from the cat headpipes - see 2. (d) stupid grin in my face - have not found the cure for this one... trying to wore it off by riding the bike as much as possible, will report back.
2. Pipes... good luck, this one has many options available. What you should really do right away is to replace the stock headpipes with catless headpipes to get rid of the heat and this will also give you a better sound of your stock pipes... after that then you can decide on what slip ons to go with.
3. Comfort will depend on how tall you are... me, at 5' 7" and shrinking
, will be sending my stock seat to Mean Cycles to get me a inch or two closer to the floor... What you will want is to get the heritage styled bars for a little bit more pull back, better riding position for very little money...I hope that helps.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,121
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From: sunny florida
I have a 2011 with the 103, I love it , I live in Tampa and just rode it to Wake Forest , NC about 650 miles one way spent the week and rode back , handled great on the road , I've had no handling , wobble or oil leak issues , the only problem I have had is I added lower vented fairing and now feel the heat from the motor more than I like , I put in Cycle Rama CR575 cams , hi flow air cleaner , Bassani Road Rage II B-1 pipes and a race tuner and the bike runs great ,I'm over 100 torque at 2500 rpms ,the stock shield sucks , I put on a 10" wind vest and love it
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 749
Likes: 6
From:
For what it's worth:
- Before this had a heritage (01), 05 ultra and 08 rk classic- hands down best bike I've owned as far as comfort and riding. Loved my RK and it was easily forgotten after a few miles on RGC
- I've only had one problem- some oil leakage from SE conical air filter..easily fixed by dealer by tightening screws and gasket. Other than that...runs great.
- Above post is right (with all kinds of opinions)- I put Vance and hines power duals and SE slipons (with SE air filter). Runs smooth, nice rumble, but the 103 still puts off some heat but nothing worse than my 96. These changes opened up the 103 quite abit. Cams may be next but perfectly happy with current setup
- I'm 6'2' and stock seat works good for me. I did put on footboard extenders and HD floor pans that move then forward- gave me a little more room for my feet and legs. My wife who is also tall has enjoyed even riding on the stock seat as a passenger.
- Windshield- stock one is cool looking for around town- Road touring I went with Cee Glide by Cee Bailey but all kinds of windshields out there to try and most have different opinions on them.
- As above post- put on heritage bars and nice addition for comfort.
I was concerned since I had not ridden one for much distance but that went away quickly.
For me, the RGC is an extremely great riding bike and don't think you'll be disappointed...I wasn't. Hope this helps.
- Before this had a heritage (01), 05 ultra and 08 rk classic- hands down best bike I've owned as far as comfort and riding. Loved my RK and it was easily forgotten after a few miles on RGC
- I've only had one problem- some oil leakage from SE conical air filter..easily fixed by dealer by tightening screws and gasket. Other than that...runs great.
- Above post is right (with all kinds of opinions)- I put Vance and hines power duals and SE slipons (with SE air filter). Runs smooth, nice rumble, but the 103 still puts off some heat but nothing worse than my 96. These changes opened up the 103 quite abit. Cams may be next but perfectly happy with current setup
- I'm 6'2' and stock seat works good for me. I did put on footboard extenders and HD floor pans that move then forward- gave me a little more room for my feet and legs. My wife who is also tall has enjoyed even riding on the stock seat as a passenger.
- Windshield- stock one is cool looking for around town- Road touring I went with Cee Glide by Cee Bailey but all kinds of windshields out there to try and most have different opinions on them.
- As above post- put on heritage bars and nice addition for comfort.
I was concerned since I had not ridden one for much distance but that went away quickly.
For me, the RGC is an extremely great riding bike and don't think you'll be disappointed...I wasn't. Hope this helps.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Western Illinois, land of bad roads, and corrupt politicians
Agree with everything Wachuko said.... except for the head shake part. It's not that common. It does happen..... but it's not isolated to Road Glides. And I don't think it's just one thing that makes it happen. I think it's a combination of factors.
My local dealer sells a lot of Road Glides, and has heard of the wobble issue. But they have not had a single bike in the shop for that problem. And when they do the dealer pre-delivery test ride, they check for the wobble.
So like I said, it does happen.... but it is NOT that common. You hear about it on the web.... well because if you DON'T have wobble, you're not going to complain
And I totally agree with item 1-d ...... I sometimes wear a bandanna on my face to hide the grin.
My local dealer sells a lot of Road Glides, and has heard of the wobble issue. But they have not had a single bike in the shop for that problem. And when they do the dealer pre-delivery test ride, they check for the wobble.
So like I said, it does happen.... but it is NOT that common. You hear about it on the web.... well because if you DON'T have wobble, you're not going to complain
And I totally agree with item 1-d ...... I sometimes wear a bandanna on my face to hide the grin.
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,156
Likes: 41
From: So Cal
Thanks guys, Im going to the dealer again this weekend for another ride and see what deal I can get on a 2011 with power pak option , since the 2012 are starting to arrive and my dealer still has 4 of the 2011 on the floor
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 308
Likes: 1
From: Alabama
I bought my 103 RGC in March and immediatly did cams, pipe, air cleaner and PC5. I love it, it doesn't run as hard as my 95" Deuce but its close. I went with Andrews 54 cams, VH Pro Pipe, Ness big sucker AC and then had them dyno tune it before I picked it up. The sheet said 95hp and 100tq. I also bought Yaffe monkey bars( a complete bitch to internally wire ), Klock werks 8" flip winsheild and sent my seat off to MCC and had them move me back 2". Pull the trigger you wont regret it.
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Novice
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 15
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From: florida
I have the 2010 rg and have never been more impressed with any other bike i have ridden. Last week i rode fom jacksonville fl to pittsburgh pa and back in 4 days,2075 miles, no problems and very comfortable
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,979
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From: Northern Colorado
I had problems with buffeting on my 10 RGC. It started at around 50 mph and got worse the faster I went, it was UNBEARABLE at 80 mph! I installed a Klock Werks 16" flare windshield, front fork air baffle and vented lowers, now I can ride on the interstate all day long. Not exactly the look I was originally going for but sometimes comfort has to come before style.
Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 511
Likes: 2
From: Russiaville, In
your saying your dealer has the 12"s on the floor already? i didnt think they were even announcing the line till later this month?