I am a returning HD rider having not had a bike outside of vintage collectables for 30 years. I will be buying a Touring Class HD this December. I have rented the Electra Guide, Street Glide and Road King. I have not been able to ride a Road Glide although, I prefer the styling of the RG model.

In my locale, a 450 mile ride is easy and very comfortable for a "single day ride". I love the open roads in the Great Basin!

My questions:

Handling

- What are the actual experiences with the Road Glide that are different from the others? How does the frame mounted fairing compare to the bar mounted fairings when it comes to handling, comfort in the wind and weather etc.?

- I see vendors selling systems that tie the motor to the frame for the later models (pre-09). I though that this was unnecessary with the new frame?

Ergo's

- I am 6'2" and like to stretch out. What factory seat provides the most lateral room (front to back, distance from handlebars) for the rider? It'll mostly be me, alone on 90% of the rides but, i would like comfortable provisions for the wife when she goes along. That would include the tourpack. I would just like to make that an easy "on and off" of that big box.

Electronics

- How do I integrate an IPOD that allows use of the bar mounted controls?

HD Warranty

- How is HD dealing with warranty issues if the bike has aftermarket (non-CAT) exhaust, intake and a tuner?


That's it for now. Any help is much appreciated.

 

You can troll around on this forum for hours and pick up many different opinions. I'm 6'1" on a Road Glide and love the open feel of it. There are Ipod options, just do a search on here. Warranty really depends on your dealer. Legally they have to prove a defect was caused by the tuner, etc. A good relationship with the dealer service manger usually trumps any concerns. Good luck with the decision.

 

Just buy a goldwing, you sound like a RUB anyway.

 

 

You'll have to excuse some of the people around here.. as for what bike, I am 6ft2 and at times I feel as though the Batwing is a lot closer to me than the RG which I have rented a few times.

The RG is the distance bike for many, but when the weather goes to crap I tend to like the batwing for coverage. Plus it was easier for me to sort out any buffeting issues with the batwing.

Now As to the RK, it wasn't till the new CVO that I really thought about one given there was now a way to have my tunes & everything my Ultra gives me.

It is your money, if you are that unsure though .. rent for a weekend... see if the dealer can have your top two choices on hand so you can really get a chance to ride them both. BTW a test ride should be a full tank of gas when you are talking touring bikes.

My choice, Batwing, RK with add on's, then RG.

 

First, welcome to the forum, and back to HD. I’m like you, where a 450 mile day is easily done in Colorado. Western states are pretty damn big!

Handling:

My current ride is a 2010 CVO Street Glide. I’ve just begun my project to convert my SG into a RG. In my experience, the RG is that much better, and in all honesty, I think it’s the best looking bike that HD makes.

The Batwing has a heavy feel to the steering. The weight of the fairing does add a more labored effort to moving the forks, but it’s not anything that is difficult. The RG in comparison has a much lighter feel. This is of course, at slow speeds.

On the highway, the SG isn’t bad. I do notice that the wind affects me more on the SG/Batwing that it did on my RG demo rides (both of which were on some nice Colorado windy days). I feel the crosswind more on the Batwing. The wind hits that fairing, and it can translate into a dip, though slight, to one side or the other.

With the RG, the energy from the wind moves from the fairing, directly into the frame. There is no dip that I noticed from being pushed by the wind.

I also like the feel behind a RG fairing. The Batwing is very much “in-your-face” and I like the space of the RG.

Buffeting is an issue on either model. The Batwing is worse, for me anyway. I don’t mind wind in the face, but turbulent air is a pain. On the SG, it can be costly to manage, like with lowers, various shields, etc. On the RG, buffeting can be managed with the right shield, the tank deflectors, and Sancho’s Wings (google), if you choose, and even the fork baffle that HD sells. Another popular choice is that Madstad Windshield. It’s a look you either love or hate, though, but the results are proven, and the testimonials are concrete. It supposedly has a great improvement for the back-seat-rider too.

Ergos:
In my experience, HD makes good bikes. Seats are a requirement, but not their specialty. I use C&C seats, and they are fantastic. Cost-wise, they compare well and are often cheaper. I have a leather solo seat that was about $300. I can ride all day. C&C will also work with you to modify the seat and put you back further on the bike. Either way, I would look to the aftermarket.

Electronics:
Look to Iron Cross for an iPod interface that uses factory controls and integration. It’s cheaper than HD’s unit, and works very well. Install is a snap.

Warranty:
Any company, HD or otherwise, needs to be able to prove that the aftermarket parts caused the warranty issue. For example, your exhaust/intake won’t affect your claim on a failed HD radio. But, and aftermarket amp can affect how they proceed with your blown speakers.

 

Welcome to the forum and although I do not have a RG I too am back to HD's after a good long while on Metrics.........Post an intro in the New Member section and tell us about yourself, it might keep the rudeness comments down......see you out in the forum.

 

I don't think so..

 

Thanks for your intelligent answer.

In my locale, we have only Eagle Riders as an outlet and with no RG.. The dealers do not rent. I rented for 2-3 days 4 times this last season. I liked the EGU the best.

 

I love SW Colorado. We base a few weeks every summer in Silverton with trips out as far as Taos and Santa Fe for variety. Riding those roads is 100% in my future!

You just made up for the two knuckleheads that psoted earlier X10! Well done. Your well though, technical info is much appreciated.

Thanks again! I owe you a cold beer or two some day.