13 Road Glide
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 13,402
Likes: 941
From: Illinois
I test rode a 09 RG in 08 during Sturgis at the demo rides in Rapid City. I did not ride any bat wing touring to compare it with. Took a long ride and liked the tracking and handling. The bike was smooth.
Fast forward to the fall of 09 and I bought a 10 Ultra Classic. I put 21K touring on it and had issues with handling when I was caught in severe winds in the Dakotas and a severe thunderstorm in Minnesota on I-94. The hand grips were almost ripped from my hands. Holed up under an over pass until the storm passed.
Fall of 11 I bought a 12 RGC in black denim. Have 6K on it touring so far. I much prefer the frame mounted fairing over the bat wing by a factor of 10 to 1. With the wind spliter shield it is a perfect set up. I am in a calm envelope of air in front and both sides. I encountered high winds in S. Dakota ( a normal condition there) and cut right through it with ease.
I found the RGC to be so much better than the Ultra that I acquired a RGC CVO to take it to the next level.
God bless HD, God bless Road Glides.
Fast forward to the fall of 09 and I bought a 10 Ultra Classic. I put 21K touring on it and had issues with handling when I was caught in severe winds in the Dakotas and a severe thunderstorm in Minnesota on I-94. The hand grips were almost ripped from my hands. Holed up under an over pass until the storm passed.
Fall of 11 I bought a 12 RGC in black denim. Have 6K on it touring so far. I much prefer the frame mounted fairing over the bat wing by a factor of 10 to 1. With the wind spliter shield it is a perfect set up. I am in a calm envelope of air in front and both sides. I encountered high winds in S. Dakota ( a normal condition there) and cut right through it with ease.
I found the RGC to be so much better than the Ultra that I acquired a RGC CVO to take it to the next level.
God bless HD, God bless Road Glides.
Last edited by lh4x4; Aug 28, 2012 at 12:46 AM.
6th Gear
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Durham, NC
Great post. I am in the same situation right now. Leaving sport bike world and had almost decided on a SG, until, I rode a RG. RG for me is better for trips, much more comfortable and most have SGs.
No, no, no, nobody wants a FUGLY, they're ugly, the fairing and lights don't turn with the handlebars, and until a couple of years ago you didn't see many. Besides that the fairing is frame mounted, you think Mr. C. Vetter knew anything back in the day when he was mounting fairings on the frame? Seriously, I've had both and the only way I would go back is if they stopped making RGs and all the used ones were destroyed
I am willing to bet numerous of the guys saying you won't like the RG haven't ridden one. I am 6' and I have the 12" windsplitter. I like the way it looks better than the stocker and it suits me fine. I do have a set of lowers going on, but mostly because I want to add speakers. I have not had any issues with wind being harsh. It is a bike afterall.
Tourer
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 496
Likes: 6
From: League City, TX
Line up 10 dailey ridden Harley Davidson touring bikes and the ratio will usually be about 7 or 8 Batwings to 1 or 2 Road Glides and maybe a Road King thrown in there. Say what you want, you've all been to rallys and have all seen it and know it's true. Bats are out riding and not having to defend there purchases. Says it all...
Road Captain
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 532
Likes: 9
Volk,
Coming off of a Dyna you will be fine. If you haven't bought it yet you should. If I had gone from my Dyna straight to the RG I would probably still be on one.
Instead I went '01 Dyna, '03 RKC, '03 Ultra, then '08 RG, then back to '10 Ultra, etc...etc... But after riding an Ultra the RG just wasn't cuttin' it. Three Windshields and three seats later, I went back to my happy place.
And for the record I am not baggin' on RG's. I don't think I would be happy on a Street Glide either both are cool bikes and I will compliment you on yours when I see it. Then I will happily stroll away and get back on mine. They call them Ultra's for a reason.
Maybe if I could find a RG Ultra that someone would let me Demo for about 500 miles, I might be convinced to switch but until then I'm not taking the $$$ risk.
Coming off of a Dyna you will be fine. If you haven't bought it yet you should. If I had gone from my Dyna straight to the RG I would probably still be on one.
Instead I went '01 Dyna, '03 RKC, '03 Ultra, then '08 RG, then back to '10 Ultra, etc...etc... But after riding an Ultra the RG just wasn't cuttin' it. Three Windshields and three seats later, I went back to my happy place.
And for the record I am not baggin' on RG's. I don't think I would be happy on a Street Glide either both are cool bikes and I will compliment you on yours when I see it. Then I will happily stroll away and get back on mine. They call them Ultra's for a reason.
Maybe if I could find a RG Ultra that someone would let me Demo for about 500 miles, I might be convinced to switch but until then I'm not taking the $$$ risk.
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Road Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 915
Likes: 29
From: SE FL & Black Hills SD
My Wide Glide (my first Harley) is now my bar hopper, love it to death. Got into some distance rides and added a RK to the toy box. FF a few years... Three RK's later, and in summer 11 rented 3 Street Glides for 3 and 4 day stints riding out west... Loved them, but didn't see me spending the $ to trade my RK Custom on one. Then I swapped bikes with a friend with a RGU for about 150 miles on a trip... At the end of May I bought my 12 Road Glide Custom, just finished a trip and put 7000 miles on it. Nicest Harley I have had yet. Dunno what they'll come up with to get me off it. Personally I don't get the wind comments, I run a 10" Windvest and it's perfect.
Line up 10 dailey ridden Harley Davidson touring bikes and the ratio will usually be about 7 or 8 Batwings to 1 or 2 Road Glides and maybe a Road King thrown in there. Say what you want, you've all been to rallys and have all seen it and know it's true. Bats are out riding and not having to defend there purchases. Says it all...