Originally Posted by firelttim

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.

Originally Posted by JD HD

I have been looking at the same two for a while now myself, so maybe I can put what I've found in a nutshell for you. First, this is a loaded question your asking. Your going to find that people on both sides of the fence (fixed fairing vs batwing) have strong opinions on this and the subject has also been beat to death on the forums.

My opinion after renting both and extended test rides are as follows:

Ultra Classic has better wind and weather protection in stock trim. The windshield is much closer to you and does a pretty good job of diverting wind and rain around/over you. I also find the stereo is much easier to hear than on the Road Glide. The price you pay with the batwing though comes in handling. You can feel the extra weight of the faring and everything it houses in the bars when getting into turns. You also get some steering feedback behind large vehicles or windy days as the wind hits the fairing. I never found it to be unmanageable though. It is still a nimble bike and handles pretty well overall. Also my opinion, but the batwings are just beautiful classic looking bikes!

The Road Glide Ultra (or FUGLY, as it is sometimes called on here) definitely handles better, having lighter steering input since all the fairing weight is carried by the frame. The handle bar position is higher and farther forward with your wrists at straighter angles. Many hate the stock bars and change them out for Heritage bars, but I didn't seem to have any issues with them in the 1000 miles or so I was behind them. YMMV. It also seems to be more stable behind trucks or in cross winds. The bad: the windshield is much farther in front of you and the fairing itself seems to create a lot of turbulent air from underneath. This causes a very uncomfortable "buffeting" that is strong enough to shake your helmet and/or glasses beyond 50 mph or so. Most claim it is fixable with a different shield and some other relatively inexpensive modifications like Sancho's Wings.

Anyway, I like them both for different reasons. So much so, I haven't quite been able to pull the trigger yet on one or the other. I think I would lean toward the Road Glide if I could actually experience riding one where the buffeting has been fixed to a comfortable level. I just feel like its a big gamble (23K plus) to take on someone else's word. There are a few people who claim that they never could fix it and went back to the batwing. Some claim they would never go back to the batwing after having the Road Glide.

Your best bet is just to go ride them and see for yourself. If you rent, make sure the bikes are in good shape and that the shock's air pressure is set correctly (and tires of course). I had a UC rental that was an ill handling pig until I checked all the pressures and got them to the proper levels. I completely wrote the bike off as a potential purchase until I realized what the issue was.

Good luck.

Originally Posted by firelttim

I tried the Victory Vision with the wife on a 30 minute demo ride. 10 minutes into the ride, she's tapping me on the shoulder saying she's done looking, this is the one.

After 6 months and 6,000 miles, I couldn't be happier. I purchased an american made bike that gives an incredibly smooth ride, and we love it.

I just wish more HD riders we polite enough to wave back when we pass them on the open road.

So, if you are contemplating a comfortable bike for two up riding, try everything you can, test ride, rent, demo days, do it all. then pick the one you two are most comfortable on.

cheers all, and ride safely