Thinking of getting a tourer
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 67
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From: North Jersey
Thinking of getting a tourer
So I’m thinking of getting a touring type of bike. Not to be a fad, but just the natural progression of someone that’s been riding for 16 years.
A little background on me. I started riding in 96 on a small jap cruiser, then a jap ujm, then I customized the jap cruiser and sold the ujm for a jap sportbike, then I sold the jap cruiser and bought a XL1200C, and then a couple of years ago I bought a custom chopper and sold the sportbike. On the sporty I quickly changed the drag bars for Wide Glide style bars and put on a Memphis Shades windshield. Being a skinny 6 footer I tend to stick up in the wind like a sail when I ride. So taking inventory now I have the sporty and the chopper. Neither of these bikes are really long haulers. The sporty is a solid mount, 5 speed, so the vibes get a bit much at highway speeds for a period of time; and the smallish/medium size Memphis Shades doesn’t help me all that much with the wind. So the sporty will likely go to make room for a bigger bike. The chopper is the bomb, and I ride that now more than the sporty so its not going anywhere.
So what am I looking for? To be able to do longer distance rides in comfort, and maybe be able to carry some stuff for a weekend or so. One up and two up. So something with a windshield for a 6 footer, and bags. No tourpack or maybe something detachable. And being that I’m a skinny guy, I’m a little concerned that a big *** bike will be too heavy for me to paddle around a parking lot or backing up.
So I’m thinking Heritage, Road King, Road Glide or Street Glide; something in a 2007-2009, between $10-13K. I’m thinking 07+ to get the 96” and the 6 speed. It looks like the TC motors have much greater reliability than the old Evo’s, so I’m not as scared of getting a 20k mile bike. I’ve been reading around here on the forum and it seems like different people have different opinions on different bikes, windshields, aftermarket shields, deflectors, etc. A common recommendation is ‘ride it and buy what you like’, but a couple of the used bike dealers I’m looking at do not offer test rides.
I’m hoping to hear some advice from other riders in my situation; tall guys, looking for wind protection and comfort at highway speeds. If there are other threads you can point me to that maybe haven't found yet, I would appreciate that too. Thanks.
A little background on me. I started riding in 96 on a small jap cruiser, then a jap ujm, then I customized the jap cruiser and sold the ujm for a jap sportbike, then I sold the jap cruiser and bought a XL1200C, and then a couple of years ago I bought a custom chopper and sold the sportbike. On the sporty I quickly changed the drag bars for Wide Glide style bars and put on a Memphis Shades windshield. Being a skinny 6 footer I tend to stick up in the wind like a sail when I ride. So taking inventory now I have the sporty and the chopper. Neither of these bikes are really long haulers. The sporty is a solid mount, 5 speed, so the vibes get a bit much at highway speeds for a period of time; and the smallish/medium size Memphis Shades doesn’t help me all that much with the wind. So the sporty will likely go to make room for a bigger bike. The chopper is the bomb, and I ride that now more than the sporty so its not going anywhere.
So what am I looking for? To be able to do longer distance rides in comfort, and maybe be able to carry some stuff for a weekend or so. One up and two up. So something with a windshield for a 6 footer, and bags. No tourpack or maybe something detachable. And being that I’m a skinny guy, I’m a little concerned that a big *** bike will be too heavy for me to paddle around a parking lot or backing up.
So I’m thinking Heritage, Road King, Road Glide or Street Glide; something in a 2007-2009, between $10-13K. I’m thinking 07+ to get the 96” and the 6 speed. It looks like the TC motors have much greater reliability than the old Evo’s, so I’m not as scared of getting a 20k mile bike. I’ve been reading around here on the forum and it seems like different people have different opinions on different bikes, windshields, aftermarket shields, deflectors, etc. A common recommendation is ‘ride it and buy what you like’, but a couple of the used bike dealers I’m looking at do not offer test rides.
I’m hoping to hear some advice from other riders in my situation; tall guys, looking for wind protection and comfort at highway speeds. If there are other threads you can point me to that maybe haven't found yet, I would appreciate that too. Thanks.
Big Kahuna HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 32,562
Likes: 2,577
From: Shit Weather USA
I don't know about the twin cams being more reliable than an EVO. Evos were and still are the best bulletproof motor Harley ever made. If you looking for a tc touring rig,my only advice would be to spring for a 09 or up if you can swing the $$$.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 5,282
Likes: 2
From: Northwestern Nevada
I went from an XL1200C to a bagger. I'd say stop thinking and do it. My sporty went on 3 trips over 3000 miles in 3 years and I decided that was enough crap fr me. Don't get me wrong, I loved my sporty, but I wanted something less torturous on long rides, so I went to baggers. Its been years and I could not be happier. Make the move, just do it.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,476
Likes: 193
From: Las Vegas, NV
Okay, I'm not 6' tall and thin but here is my .02 anyway: All of the bikes you mentioned will work but they will all fit and feel different so my advice would be to rent a couple and spend a few hundred miles with each one. Yes, you'll spend a few bucks on the rentals but it will be money well spent. For example: I Rented an Ultra for a day and put over three hundred miles on it before I pulled the trigger on purchasing one. I also spent similar time riding a Heritage and that ride made sure i didn't go with that bike, completely different ride. The foot position on the Heritage is a lot more forward, I didn't like the "b" motor as much as I like the "a" motor, and the convenience of the hard bags and Tour Pak was/is incredible (personally, I can't imagine life without my Tour Pak). Additionally, while the touring bikes are all the same frame and the Softails share their DNA across that line I've found that they did ride differently even in the same family. My buddy has a Road King Classic, same underlying bike as my Ultra but a totally different feel. To sum up my rambling, set aside some money and go rent some bikes. Between Harley and Eagle Rider you should be able to ride pretty much anything on your list...you may have to rent them a couple times
Last edited by vistavette; Oct 18, 2012 at 11:37 AM.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 8,039
Likes: 1,305
From: Jayhawk Country
I may be biased but I have owned both an Ultra Limited and a Road King Classic both 2011 models. After plunking down $25k for an Ultra Limited I found out I wasn't a fairing guy and the overall weight of the bike for in town riding is not fun. I was fortunate enough to make a deal a year later on a new left over 2011 Road King Classic, the bike I should have bought the first time around. So there you go. Test ride the fairing bikes and make sure that is what you want. For me, a windshield is much better.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 1,872
From: Minnesota
And being that I’m a skinny guy, I’m a little concerned that a big *** bike will be too heavy for me to paddle around a parking lot or backing up
I’m hoping to hear some advice from other riders in my situation; tall guys, looking for wind protection and comfort at highway speeds.
Not sure if you wear a helmet, but the tour pack offers a nice place to put that when parked.
You'll be happy with anything that has "Glide" in the name
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 2,053
Likes: 39
From: San Diego
Street glide is really popular around here. You can easily change out different height fairing windshields. The recurved windshields give more wind protection, but do not block your road view.
Hard lockable bags are pretty handy, and you can always add a detachable tour pack later.
Having a tach, full instruments, and a radio are also plusses.
This is a lowered, stripped down, version of the touring bikes.
Road King ride an inch higher, and has a windshield that can be totally removed for riding around town and looking cool...
Hard lockable bags are pretty handy, and you can always add a detachable tour pack later.
Having a tach, full instruments, and a radio are also plusses.
This is a lowered, stripped down, version of the touring bikes.
Road King ride an inch higher, and has a windshield that can be totally removed for riding around town and looking cool...
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Joined: Jul 2009
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From: North Jersey
What is the distinction of an 09 over a 07/08? I think I remember reading that the FLs got a new, more rigid, frame that year?
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Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Jayhawk Country
Correct, new frame in 09. 180 rear tire too
