Goodbye Softail, Hello Touring??
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 994
Likes: 28
From: NC
Goodbye Softail, Hello Touring??
I posted this in the Softail section but thought I'd run it here to get the perspective of the "other side". To summarize...traded in an '04 Heritage for the new Breakout because my second half wasn't riding as a passenger as much but also because it was new and had everything I (thought) wanted (103, 6 spd, fat tire). Well now that I have a new bike, she wants to ride more and the Breakout isn't really made for that. I can't afford 2 bike's so I am drawn back to the Heritage but took a RG Custom out for a spin and holy cow! But the unbalanced motor and wind buffeting could be a deal killer. I don't even think the wind is as bad when I ride without a windshield, which has been 99.9% of the time. I also don't want to buy and mod an RG into looking like a goldwing in order to eliminate this effect. I'm going to start searching/reading up in this forum for ideas to help me come to a decision, but any suggestions here would be appreciated.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...-breakout.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/softa...-breakout.html
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 12
From: DOWN SOUTH
Wait until you ride a batwing, almost no buffeting out of the box. The RG stock windshield offers almost no wind protection, cant hear the radio at 65 there is so much wind. I love the way the bike rides though, so I suggest a new windshield included with the deal, your dealer should have ones you can demo. Anyway, back to the batwing, go try one out an ultra, you and your wife wont give your current bike a second thought if you decide to purchase. Now as far as the mods, lol. You know the deal, you get to start with a blank slate with each new bike you purchase, good luck with your decision, stay safe.
Thread Starter
|
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 994
Likes: 28
From: NC
Wait until you ride a batwing, almost no buffeting out of the box. The RG stock windshield offers almost no wind protection, cant hear the radio at 65 there is so much wind. I love the way the bike rides though, so I suggest a new windshield included with the deal, your dealer should have ones you can demo. Anyway, back to the batwing, go try one out an ultra, you and your wife wont give your current bike a second thought if you decide to purchase. Now as far as the mods, lol. You know the deal, you get to start with a blank slate with each new bike you purchase, good luck with your decision, stay safe.
Another obstacle is my height - 6'6" makes floorboards feel weird. I'd have to also research forwards on a tourer. Man, this won't be easy. Thx for the feedback.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 3,504
Likes: 12
From: DOWN SOUTH
Nope, not as much wind buffeting as a RG out of the box. The windshield height makes ALL the differance. Like I was saying, a new RG with another windshield is a nice ride. I suggest renting one for a day. If you are serious about buying, the money you spend on renting bikes to try, they usually deduct that from the price of whatever you get new. Just go talk to your stealer man, they will take care of you. If you plan on alot of 2 up riding with your ole lady, I suggest riding the ultra limited, it has all the bells and whistles STOCK. The only thing you will need to do is maybe make the tourpack detachable for solo runs. I would also ask for the stage 1 or 2 with the parts of your choosing as part of the deal, a removeable backrest, ESP, centerstand and a fancy navigation unit. Damn its nice to help you spend your money, lmao... Seriously, go rent one of each, you will be hooked and like I stated, your dealer should deduct that from the price of the bike. I wish you luck and let me be the first to say, welcome to the touring faimly, you are going to LOVE it.
Last edited by my67pnycar; Jul 11, 2013 at 08:10 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 12,359
Likes: 74
From: WI
So, the touring models with the batwing don't buffet the wind as much? Or is it really dependent upon the height of the windshield? Now I'll have to take out a SG or Ultra to find out. Sometimes I think that instead of a short test ride I probably should rent one of each for the day over the course of a week or so, but then again that's hundreds of $$ out the window.
Another obstacle is my height - 6'6" makes floorboards feel weird. I'd have to also research forwards on a tourer. Man, this won't be easy. Thx for the feedback.
Another obstacle is my height - 6'6" makes floorboards feel weird. I'd have to also research forwards on a tourer. Man, this won't be easy. Thx for the feedback.
As for the floor boards, didn't you have those on the Heritage?
Don't be afraid to try a Road King. Similar front end to the Heritage (taller windshield), but a better overall ride.
And one more thing, make sure the OL makes up her mind, or this is gonna cost you big bucks every year and changes.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,289
Likes: 23
From: Phoenix, AZ/Canton, OH
Try and work a deal with the dealer to refund the rental charges. Then go for a day or half day ride on the RG and what ever else you are interested in.
Myself I love my RG. Good Luck.
Myself I love my RG. Good Luck.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 102
Likes: 3
From: Cape Cod
I had an '08 Softail Heritage Classic. I loved it, by the wife wasn't comfortable on it. I traded it for a '12 Ultra Limited. Such a nice handling machine. I can ride all day with no comfort problems. And wifey is a happy woman so now I'm a happy guy. (And we lived happily ever after!)
Trending Topics
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,878
Likes: 17
From: The Desert SouthWest
Buffeting is hard to predict with fairings. Some here complain of severe buffeting, especially with the shorty windshields. There's always going to be at least minor buffeting, as the wind will come around the fairing/windshield and there's an air pocket there where it collides. How bad it is depends on a number of factors it seems and even individual perception of it.
How tall you sit in the seat, how tall or short the W/S is, type of helmet you wear, direction of the wind you're riding into, etc.
You'll find lots of threads here ref buffeting, but the answer is elusive and varies from one person to another.
How tall you sit in the seat, how tall or short the W/S is, type of helmet you wear, direction of the wind you're riding into, etc.
You'll find lots of threads here ref buffeting, but the answer is elusive and varies from one person to another.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider
Verdad Gallardo
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 742
Likes: 4
From: Twin Cities, MN
If you 'need' a faring, go with the Street Glide (that's only my personal taste... but the Ultra Ltd is a very nice bike).
But, myself... I'd recommend a Road King!! (See sig pic. LOL)
If you wanted to use a different height windshield, it's a cheap swap... or remove it completely for that feeling of freedom!
You would still have the Bagger, and the wind (to some extent) with a Road King... just like a wider, smoother, more solid Heritage!
Best recommendation... test ride it before you buy!
But, myself... I'd recommend a Road King!! (See sig pic. LOL)
If you wanted to use a different height windshield, it's a cheap swap... or remove it completely for that feeling of freedom!
You would still have the Bagger, and the wind (to some extent) with a Road King... just like a wider, smoother, more solid Heritage!
Best recommendation... test ride it before you buy!