Road Glide vs. Ultra Classic
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,437
Likes: 15
I put over 80,000 miles on my 2004 EGC and have put 16000 miles on my new 2011 Roadglide Ultra and i think if I had to do it over again I would get the EG ultra. I have over 100,000 miles on RK's so I have a pretty good feel for how baggers handle. I am only 5'10" and the batwing feels right compared to the rk or the rg. I have done track time and I don't notice a big difference in handling in windy conditions or otherwise. Bottom line get the one that looks the best to you. It is hard to beat the classic look of the batwing altho the reason I got the RG was I was liking how they looked too lol.
Road Captain
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 572
Likes: 110
From: under the bridge on the sunrise side
Well, I've read through the posts and thought I'd throw my 2 cents in. March 6, 2011, I traded my 2008 EGC on a 2011 RG and never quite fell in love with the bike. I agree with the posts before me concerning the wind and fairing placements, tho I never felt that the wind buffeting was the big issue. I guess the issue for me was the fairing was not designed to protect the rider the way a batwing does, I had one guy tell me "give it a chance"....after 24K miles and 11 mos and 2 weeks, I got back into my first love....2012 EGU Tequila Sunrise/HD Orange. I am back in love!!!! I ride daily, and this weekend I put 400 miles on the bike back and forth to Daytona. I live about 90 miles away, so a couple of hours and I'm there. But all in all, its a personal preference, ride 'em both and hope you choose the right one.....but if you do what I did and get one you aren't in love with.....ride it anyway, its still the greatest bike in World, no other manufacturer can brag about the owner loyalties like HD.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,380
Likes: 14
From: Atlanta
I put 58k miles on my '08 Road Glide, and when it was time to trade I chose a '11 Ultra Classic which now has 25k miles. I like them both about the same and would have a hard time deciding between them.
The wind protection on each is about equal, but different. On the Road Glide (which had the non-vented HD lower fairings), I got better protection for my legs and torso than the Ultra Classic, which gives me a bit of wind blast at the knees. The Ultra Classic in stock form provided better wind management on my head, shoulders, and arms. On each bike, I was able to fine-tune these characteristics by experimenting with windshields, except for that bit of a blast at the knees on the Ultra Classic.
Each of them is a superb touring platform. Some complaints that you will hear on the forum don't make sense to me and have proven to be not true:
- "You can't reach the radio on the Road Glide".
- "I feel cramped on the batwing"
- "You can't see as well on the Road Glide because the headlights don't move"
The Road Glide does feel more nimble on the highway than the Ultra Classic because the handlebars have less weight on them. But it took me about five minutes to get used to the batwing, and it feels very stable. I don't really notice wind turbulence from trucks on the freeway, which makes up about half of my riding.
Your choice may boil down to initial impressions and personal preference. Each is a great bike. BTW, all of the touring models for 2012 have the 103cuin motor, so engine choice is moot. But for what it's worth, I don't feel underpowered at all with my Stage 1 96cuin motor in the Ultra Classic compared to the 103cuin Big Bore kit that I had in my Road Glide.
The wind protection on each is about equal, but different. On the Road Glide (which had the non-vented HD lower fairings), I got better protection for my legs and torso than the Ultra Classic, which gives me a bit of wind blast at the knees. The Ultra Classic in stock form provided better wind management on my head, shoulders, and arms. On each bike, I was able to fine-tune these characteristics by experimenting with windshields, except for that bit of a blast at the knees on the Ultra Classic.
Each of them is a superb touring platform. Some complaints that you will hear on the forum don't make sense to me and have proven to be not true:
- "You can't reach the radio on the Road Glide".
- "I feel cramped on the batwing"
- "You can't see as well on the Road Glide because the headlights don't move"
The Road Glide does feel more nimble on the highway than the Ultra Classic because the handlebars have less weight on them. But it took me about five minutes to get used to the batwing, and it feels very stable. I don't really notice wind turbulence from trucks on the freeway, which makes up about half of my riding.
Your choice may boil down to initial impressions and personal preference. Each is a great bike. BTW, all of the touring models for 2012 have the 103cuin motor, so engine choice is moot. But for what it's worth, I don't feel underpowered at all with my Stage 1 96cuin motor in the Ultra Classic compared to the 103cuin Big Bore kit that I had in my Road Glide.
Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
From: Rhode Island
I put 58k miles on my '08 Road Glide, and when it was time to trade I chose a '11 Ultra Classic which now has 25k miles. I like them both about the same and would have a hard time deciding between them.
The wind protection on each is about equal, but different. On the Road Glide (which had the non-vented HD lower fairings), I got better protection for my legs and torso than the Ultra Classic, which gives me a bit of wind blast at the knees. The Ultra Classic in stock form provided better wind management on my head, shoulders, and arms. On each bike, I was able to fine-tune these characteristics by experimenting with windshields, except for that bit of a blast at the knees on the Ultra Classic.
Each of them is a superb touring platform. Some complaints that you will hear on the forum don't make sense to me and have proven to be not true:
- "You can't reach the radio on the Road Glide".
- "I feel cramped on the batwing"
- "You can't see as well on the Road Glide because the headlights don't move"
The Road Glide does feel more nimble on the highway than the Ultra Classic because the handlebars have less weight on them. But it took me about five minutes to get used to the batwing, and it feels very stable. I don't really notice wind turbulence from trucks on the freeway, which makes up about half of my riding.
Your choice may boil down to initial impressions and personal preference. Each is a great bike. BTW, all of the touring models for 2012 have the 103cuin motor, so engine choice is moot. But for what it's worth, I don't feel underpowered at all with my Stage 1 96cuin motor in the Ultra Classic compared to the 103cuin Big Bore kit that I had in my Road Glide.
The wind protection on each is about equal, but different. On the Road Glide (which had the non-vented HD lower fairings), I got better protection for my legs and torso than the Ultra Classic, which gives me a bit of wind blast at the knees. The Ultra Classic in stock form provided better wind management on my head, shoulders, and arms. On each bike, I was able to fine-tune these characteristics by experimenting with windshields, except for that bit of a blast at the knees on the Ultra Classic.
Each of them is a superb touring platform. Some complaints that you will hear on the forum don't make sense to me and have proven to be not true:
- "You can't reach the radio on the Road Glide".
- "I feel cramped on the batwing"
- "You can't see as well on the Road Glide because the headlights don't move"
The Road Glide does feel more nimble on the highway than the Ultra Classic because the handlebars have less weight on them. But it took me about five minutes to get used to the batwing, and it feels very stable. I don't really notice wind turbulence from trucks on the freeway, which makes up about half of my riding.
Your choice may boil down to initial impressions and personal preference. Each is a great bike. BTW, all of the touring models for 2012 have the 103cuin motor, so engine choice is moot. But for what it's worth, I don't feel underpowered at all with my Stage 1 96cuin motor in the Ultra Classic compared to the 103cuin Big Bore kit that I had in my Road Glide.
I really like the look of the Firefighter Edition in Black. very sharp!!! As a retired firefighter, I am learning towards this one, but as a very tall man (6'7" with size 14 feet) I like how much room the RG offers too.
I'll test ride and rent and see what works best, but thanks again for the insight and opinions from everyone here.
Tim
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,928
Likes: 69
From: Near Myrtle Beach, SC
Several tall riders...in excess of say 6 foot 1....have said that they prefer the fugly since it does provide for a little more reach room.
Personally, I've never liked the faring, especially the inner faring, and it's angling of the radio just right to catch a lot of rain or wash water. I think its a poorly thought-out design in some other areas as well. But of course that's just my take which means nothing.
Go rent and ride. That's the best way to determine your needs. But do notice the layout of the inner farings and the angles of the components.
Personally, I've never liked the faring, especially the inner faring, and it's angling of the radio just right to catch a lot of rain or wash water. I think its a poorly thought-out design in some other areas as well. But of course that's just my take which means nothing.
Go rent and ride. That's the best way to determine your needs. But do notice the layout of the inner farings and the angles of the components.
Checked out both before selecting the Road Glide. IMO the better of the two, better handling and a little roomier. The RG is definately more agile in the twisties. As far as reaching for the controls/radio, the switches on the handle bars take care of that. Some inexpensive $30 HD wind deflectors take care of the wind coming up from between the tank and fairing. Was a sweet 5000+ mile ride last summer.
Stage III
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Road Glide Ultra for Me
I have the Ember Red 2012 Road Glide Ultra and couldn't be happier. I love the frame mounted fairing. In my opinion it handles a little better than the fork mounted variety. Love the looks of both and I don't think you can go wrong with either. It's just a matter of which one turns your crank.
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Thread Starter
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Stage IV
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 4
Likes: 1
From: Rhode Island
Road Glide Ultra is AWESOME!!!
I just returned home from South Hampton HD in Mass. Ron and everyone else there was awesome. They set me up first with an RGU, then the EGUC Firefighter Edition, and finally the RGC. I liked the RGC best of all three: Lots of power, and with the detachable tour pack trunk option, I'll have a great solo touring for commuting with flexibility for when the Wife goes with me.
Thanks for everyone's helpful insights, I truly appreciate your wisdom.
Thanks for everyone's helpful insights, I truly appreciate your wisdom.
