I currently have a 2011 Fatboy that I really love.

But I am considering switcing to a touring bike. I have done the online research and know the mechanical/options differences and I am scheduling test rides for the Road Glide Ultra and Electra Glide Classic (and the Street Glide as a more streamlined model).

What I cannot get is what I am hoping those here can provide, Personal experiences and feedback. Can someone who has transitioned from a softtail to a touring bike give me some feedback on the changes I can expect?

Thanks in advanced.

 

I am 5' 10" and have had a few Ultras. The first thing is 2" pullback bars and a back rest, then you are good to go.

Bwana

 

Best advice would be for you to go and ride each of them.
Then factor in price, and then your likes and dis-likes and go from there.

 

I went from a Heritage to a Road King to a Road Glide.

I changed the bars on each of these bikes, the stock bars for me (5'10") are too low and too far forward. I like 12-14" apes

First thing you will notice on a bat-wing bike (at least for me) is the weight of the front end.

You will also not have such a low center of gravity.

I wound up with a Road Glide and I find that bike with a frame-mounted fairing handles amazingly well.

I like all the creature comforts and safety that a touring bike gives me - cruise, larger tank, ABS, tunes, storage.

If I could have 2 I'd have kept the Heritage.

 

I went from a RoadKing Classic to my 2012 StreetGlide. I love the more wind protection and radio. They are heavy in the front, but you will get used to this. Another difference with the batwing is you cannot see anything low on the road anymore from the blocking. Just something to get used to. I went with the SG because of the sleek style with all the touring comforts. One thing I will tell you its a money pit and the bars need to be higher.

 

I traded my 09 fatboy in this summer for a 12 streetglide. The biggest difference I had to get used to was the weight difference. The day after I bought it I started two-up riding w/ my wife so her added weight, loaded bags...took some time to get used to. It's been great. You won't regret it, it'll just come down to personal preferences between bikes. Touring bikes are much easier, IMO, to handle, I was also surprised at how nimble they were. Thought they might be a pain to handle and turn around due to size, not at all. Cruise control a'int bad either. Go for it.

 

I had a fxst and went to a flhrc and the major differences are the flhrc has a much higher center of gravity so it feel heavier in slow turns (especially u-turns),, it rides much plusher/smoother...no high speed hand massage...much more comfortable on long rides...worse gas mileage (but not a lot worse)...more room/comfort for passenger..much more stowage space....more extras are available for the touring line as far as comfort stuff such as heated seats/ real plush seats and all that other stuff the old farts like to add....better brakes on the front.....anti lock brakes is a big plus....all around the touring line is just more comfortable...Oh, and the different steering geometry makes them handle a little differently

 

Not exactly the answer to your question but I went from a Road King to an Electra Glide and it's a fairly big difference to me. I never owned a bike with a fairing and I'm still getting used to not being able to see directly in front of me. After 30 plus years of riding and having an unobstructed view I find it a little weird. Also the additional weight is located high on the bike and I can feel the difference at lower speeds. Not really an answer to your question but the Road King is closer in dimensions to your current bike

 

all touring models have the same wheel base: 63.5"

all touring bikes of the same model year share the same chassis, drivetrain, front end, and suspension, the "custom" models have 12" rear shocks, most have 13"- so more travel.

the differences in models is the radio and the plastic hanging on them- under the skin they are all the same.


your question compares frame mounted fairing to fork mounted fairing to fork mounted with no tourpak and shorter shocks.

the entire drivetrain is rubber mounted, you will notice that at idle speeds the motor may bounce around. at speed it smooths out.

a tour pak will put about 35 pounds up high this affects handling some, a road king is the lightest at about 820 pounds, the RGU and Ultra are at about 920 pounds.

as for handling low speed or high speed, this chassis is proven and just watch a couple of videos of motor officers and you can see the bike is usually far more capable than the rider.


fairing type:
The batwing fairing allows the rider to tuck in when weather is crap.
however wind gusts are translated into "steering input", in addition the fairing unloads the front end at speeds above 85. so the front end can dance around at very high speeds...traction is reduced and the gusts can push you around- this can also be an issue riding close to the edge in mountain canyons, updrafts can affect the fairing and steering.


the RG fairing is frame mounted, wind gusts do not affect steering, but can push the whole bike within the lane(s). a steady crosswind will put you into an all- day lean into the wind just to go straight.
The cockpit is more exposed, when it rains, it pours.


my choice is the batwing fairing. traditional appearance, good weather protection, I can wear my ball cap at 75 MPH, and I am ok with the handling characteristics. I'm used to it.

my current main ride is the ElectraGlide Classic with ABS, security and cruise options. I didn't need the CB radio or rear speaker that the Ultra adds. I did buy a set of fairing lowers
With detachable kit the tour pak is off, and I usually use a streetglide or solo seat in town, streetglide shocks and passenger pegs.

when touring the tourpak, 13" shocks and the big seat go back on

mike

 

I traded an 08 FLSTSB (crossbones) for a '13 SG. No regrets, way more comfortable. It took me few rides to get used to the different feel of a rubber mounted engine--now I prefer it.