I had same questions about 6 weeks ago, bought the Ultra, lowers still on, detach kit soon. Took a bit of getting used to but no regrets here except now she don't drive hers anymore!

 

I can't say enough good things about the detachable tour pack kit. 30 seconds and it's off or on, although I find myself leaving it on most of the time. The only time you'll notice the weight is when your trying to manhandle it, or God forbid picking it up. Once rolling the weight is neutral. I have several friends whose wives have sat on my bike and are trying to talk their husbands into getting a tour pack, they all absolutely love the comfort of the seat. The better half and I did 2 hours last Saturday without any discomfort, everyone who didn't have the tour pak was complaining about it getting uncomfortable.

 

By the road glide and then order the detachable tour pack and lowers from Zanottis and you will still be under the cost of the rg ultra, and then you don.t have to purchase the detachable kit on top of the cost of the ultra. That's what I did and you can also purchase the ultra seat, as I did, and again I still haven't spent the money I would have fro just the ultra. The little lady loves the tour pack, and when she doesn't ride with me I love the road glide without the luggage look. Good luck on your purchase.

 

Weight is not much of an issue on the RG unless you have to pick it up of course. Handles great. The lowers make it warmer but they are easy to remove on those hot days. I prefer to look just over my windshield but it's a personal choice. Good luck whatever you choose to do.

 

I have to agree with these guys. I jsut traded in my 2007 Night Train with all the usualls, loud pipes, lowered, Badlander seat, etc. We switched up to a brand new Street Glide loaded. I'll never look back. 103 in motor, cruise, music, storage, bigger seat, ABS, the list goes on and on. My girl is way more comfortable and so am I. I haven't noticed any harsh suspension or heat issues like some may say. I guess it is because I was always used to riding a lowered softail. This bike is a huge difference in comfort. As far as weight goes, it took me about an hour to get used to moving a bigger bike around, but that was only when parking it. Dual discs on the front make it easier to stop so you can put both feet down when coming to a light and you are only doing three miles per hour. The Glide also seems like it handles better in the turns and I can lean it farther than what i could on the lowered softail. No pipes or kickstand dragging.

I can't say anything about the lowers or the tour pack other than the extra comfort and storage will come in handy at some point. If your scenario was mine, i would opt for the quick detach and get all the extras then decide on how you want to run it during the specific time that comes up.

Just my two cents but I loved the transition from Softail to Glide. I test rode both the SG and the RG back to back and I thought they were identicle bikes besides the front fairing asthetics, which they are the same frame, motor, and suspension. You should have no problems and Mom will give you a kiss.

 

I'd get the custom and tell her to suck it up.