roadglide vs ultra limited
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,146
Likes: 471
From: along the Front Range in Colorado
........ no, i can't see what bike yer riding cuz it's dark in here & this phkng headlight's stuck pointing straight ahead. .. 
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
I have a 10 Ultra that I have toured for 18K. I added a 12 RG last fall and have 2K before winter.
The first thing that I noted was the smoother ride. Much of that I think is the 103 is a much smoother motor than the 96 and quieter which I prefer for long distance riding.
The handling on any wind is not just better but far superior than the bat wing bikes. I took my son out on a ride in 30 to 40 mph winds when he was visiting last fall on a rectangular route that experienced the wind from all direction at some point. His ride is a 12 Ultra.
When we returned, I asked him what he thought about the RG handling. He said that he had bought the "wrong bike" referring to his Ultra.
The only change I would have made if I had to do it over would be to trade the Ultra in and get the RG Ultra. I did not think that I needed two touring bikes with full luggage so I went with the RG Custom to fit touring shorter rides.
As far as the headlight not following the road on a curve is only said by totally ignorant riders that have no knowledge of how a bike tracks through a curve. Both bikes headlights will be pointed exactly the same direction on a curve. That would be just slightly out of straight ahead because of the slight counter steering to go around the curve. Of course if the rider thinks that his bat wing will turn into the corner and he turns the bars to do this one would experience a high side immediately. Now at a 90 degree low speed turn yes. But just like a car there is no spot in the turn that the spread of the light does not cover. You know the way engineers designed the spread of light to do that.
The other myth is that one can't reach the controls and gauges on the RG. Has any one ever measured. It is a non existent problem. What I found out is that I can see the RG gauges easier as they slope forward slightly. On the Ultra, I can't see the top of the gauges when are almost vertical . The radio controls are no farther away on the RG than the Ultra. I am 6'3" so I look more down to the gauges.
The first thing that I noted was the smoother ride. Much of that I think is the 103 is a much smoother motor than the 96 and quieter which I prefer for long distance riding.
The handling on any wind is not just better but far superior than the bat wing bikes. I took my son out on a ride in 30 to 40 mph winds when he was visiting last fall on a rectangular route that experienced the wind from all direction at some point. His ride is a 12 Ultra.
When we returned, I asked him what he thought about the RG handling. He said that he had bought the "wrong bike" referring to his Ultra.
The only change I would have made if I had to do it over would be to trade the Ultra in and get the RG Ultra. I did not think that I needed two touring bikes with full luggage so I went with the RG Custom to fit touring shorter rides.
As far as the headlight not following the road on a curve is only said by totally ignorant riders that have no knowledge of how a bike tracks through a curve. Both bikes headlights will be pointed exactly the same direction on a curve. That would be just slightly out of straight ahead because of the slight counter steering to go around the curve. Of course if the rider thinks that his bat wing will turn into the corner and he turns the bars to do this one would experience a high side immediately. Now at a 90 degree low speed turn yes. But just like a car there is no spot in the turn that the spread of the light does not cover. You know the way engineers designed the spread of light to do that.
The other myth is that one can't reach the controls and gauges on the RG. Has any one ever measured. It is a non existent problem. What I found out is that I can see the RG gauges easier as they slope forward slightly. On the Ultra, I can't see the top of the gauges when are almost vertical . The radio controls are no farther away on the RG than the Ultra. I am 6'3" so I look more down to the gauges.
Last edited by lh4x4; Apr 15, 2012 at 04:02 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: outskirts of ba habba
Beers on me when you travel to Bar Harbor
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 3,435
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From: Living in open carry state :D
Road Warrior
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 33
From: Upstate NY
Rent them both and ride them both. Then flip a coin......seriously, I rode them both and the RoadGlide Ultra fit my riding style and just felt better to me. But......you are not me so get out there and ride them both.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,462
Likes: 121
From: Northern Illinois
I never considered a Road Glide. I like the Road King, and figured if I moved on to a rolling couch someday it would be an Electra Glide.
I rode a friends brand new CVO Road Glide Custom yesterday. All I can say is, I didn't have enough skin left to close my eyes when I got back!
I rode a friends brand new CVO Road Glide Custom yesterday. All I can say is, I didn't have enough skin left to close my eyes when I got back!
Last edited by dswansbiker; Apr 15, 2012 at 06:23 PM.
