Touring bike options.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 321
Likes: 1
From: Carol Stream, IL
Touring bike options.
I have been riding my 2008 fatboy for a while now. This past year I have been looking at the touring models and now they are starting to grow on me. Especially Street Glide and Road Glide. I am keeping my options open and even looking beyond Harley to make sure I have everything covered.
I looked/test drove BMW R1200RT ...not as impressed as others on the bmw forum.. Wifey did not like the lawn mover sound out of the boxer engine. A bit too much wind. The seating was too high off the ground for her ..she thought that it was uncomfortable being that high off the ground. She did not like the fact that she had to pay just as much attention as if she is riding the thing herself. My thoughts were the bike is ok, sure I can make it fit me with few after market accessories, but were do I get the harley sound that my wife likes. :-)
I have been doing a bunch of research and ran into Victory cross country/touring. looked Nice, Color options are great, Price is great, dealer is close by so I decided to go check it out. Took it out for a spin and the stock pipes sound as if u are riding a moped and if you get on the throttle it sounds like a lawn mower. The saddle bags look big but once you open it ..half the volume is on the top lid ..so either you can fit few things or you need a saddlebag liners if you want to fit the full volume.
Seems like there is no other better choice when it comes in comparison to Street Glide and Road Glide. Waiting for 2014 info to come out before I go dealing with the dealer.
Thanks for listening.
I looked/test drove BMW R1200RT ...not as impressed as others on the bmw forum.. Wifey did not like the lawn mover sound out of the boxer engine. A bit too much wind. The seating was too high off the ground for her ..she thought that it was uncomfortable being that high off the ground. She did not like the fact that she had to pay just as much attention as if she is riding the thing herself. My thoughts were the bike is ok, sure I can make it fit me with few after market accessories, but were do I get the harley sound that my wife likes. :-)
I have been doing a bunch of research and ran into Victory cross country/touring. looked Nice, Color options are great, Price is great, dealer is close by so I decided to go check it out. Took it out for a spin and the stock pipes sound as if u are riding a moped and if you get on the throttle it sounds like a lawn mower. The saddle bags look big but once you open it ..half the volume is on the top lid ..so either you can fit few things or you need a saddlebag liners if you want to fit the full volume.
Seems like there is no other better choice when it comes in comparison to Street Glide and Road Glide. Waiting for 2014 info to come out before I go dealing with the dealer.
Thanks for listening.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 3,156
Likes: 41
From: So Cal
I went from a Fatboy to my Road Glide and wish Id done it earlier.
If your interested in a new bike the Road Glide are not being made for 2014 so look now for a 2013 there wont be any available new soon Ill bet. Both SG and RG are great bikes , rent them for a day and put some miles on to make your choice, there is a big difference in the way they ride because of the fixed fairing vs the batwing
If your interested in a new bike the Road Glide are not being made for 2014 so look now for a 2013 there wont be any available new soon Ill bet. Both SG and RG are great bikes , rent them for a day and put some miles on to make your choice, there is a big difference in the way they ride because of the fixed fairing vs the batwing
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 14,744
Likes: 402
From: Phoenix '53, '88, '09 Big Twins
be aware that any showroom new bike is going to be emissions compliant...that applies to noise emissions.
2.) loud pipes are less awesome 3 hours into an 8 hour day
or if you like the radio
ALL the touring models are the same except for the plastic, speakers and badges- some of the "custom" models have 12" rear shocks as opposed to 13"
get out and test ride, see what floats your boat.
My OL has fallen asleep more than a few times leaned back into the tourpak...
mike
2.) loud pipes are less awesome 3 hours into an 8 hour day
or if you like the radio
ALL the touring models are the same except for the plastic, speakers and badges- some of the "custom" models have 12" rear shocks as opposed to 13"
get out and test ride, see what floats your boat.
My OL has fallen asleep more than a few times leaned back into the tourpak...
mike
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 321
Likes: 1
From: Carol Stream, IL
I am not looking for essentially a loud pipe but a v twin engine has the rumble which I think victory stock was missing ...there was none period... I have V&H 2-1 big radius and its not as loud as straight-shots but I guess I am spoiled by the Harley rumble.
Secondly I might be in minority but who buys cds these days...I am hoping the new tourers do away with CDs and expand on connectivity with phones/ipods and or more connectivity options. I listen to tunes but CDs are thing of past & Harley needs to move on.
I test drove street glide and road glide (going in road glide was the fav...looks stellar) however the street glide was comfy, easy to reach handle bar, seat, reach to the radio and stuff... Road Glide was a bit stretch for me (I am 5'4") might just be the stock setup that was a bit different on both. I have to say that street glide is the best looking stock bike from the bunch. I do not like the 2013 colors and don't know 2014 options and colors to jump in yet.
Thinking of it I do not know if I should even wait for 2015 if they are bringing better technology with "Return of the Road Glide".... Yikes there is no end to this is there ?? always something you want around the corner !!!
Secondly I might be in minority but who buys cds these days...I am hoping the new tourers do away with CDs and expand on connectivity with phones/ipods and or more connectivity options. I listen to tunes but CDs are thing of past & Harley needs to move on.
I test drove street glide and road glide (going in road glide was the fav...looks stellar) however the street glide was comfy, easy to reach handle bar, seat, reach to the radio and stuff... Road Glide was a bit stretch for me (I am 5'4") might just be the stock setup that was a bit different on both. I have to say that street glide is the best looking stock bike from the bunch. I do not like the 2013 colors and don't know 2014 options and colors to jump in yet.
Thinking of it I do not know if I should even wait for 2015 if they are bringing better technology with "Return of the Road Glide".... Yikes there is no end to this is there ?? always something you want around the corner !!!
Stage I
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Rapid City,SD
I went from a Fatboy to my Road Glide and wish Id done it earlier.
If your interested in a new bike the Road Glide are not being made for 2014 so look now for a 2013 there wont be any available new soon Ill bet. Both SG and RG are great bikes , rent them for a day and put some miles on to make your choice, there is a big difference in the way they ride because of the fixed fairing vs the batwing
If your interested in a new bike the Road Glide are not being made for 2014 so look now for a 2013 there wont be any available new soon Ill bet. Both SG and RG are great bikes , rent them for a day and put some miles on to make your choice, there is a big difference in the way they ride because of the fixed fairing vs the batwing
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 5
From: Templeton California
If you're still looking at other brands the new Indians are nice, so are the Goldwing F6Bs and I think they would sound awesome with a six pipe exhaust but I tried to talk my wife into one of those and even though the seat is way comfy on the Goldwing she fell in love with the tour pack on the "Limited". Also the stock exhaust on the Harleys sounds decent once you get rid of the cat. And I still buy CDs actually I collect them but on the bike I listen to my Ipod or an MP3 CD.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 321
Likes: 1
From: Carol Stream, IL
I was thinking about goldwing F6B but if for 20K they are not even giving option for ABS and Cruise that in my list is a NO GO.. I am still looking for the best tourer out there because my wife don't mind keeping 2 bikes so either way there would always be a Harley in house.
The new 2014 water cooled boxster bmw r1200rt/gt (they might call it GT) is also an option. I dont mind paying but Indian resurrected by polaris is just too early to jump on ...
The new 2014 water cooled boxster bmw r1200rt/gt (they might call it GT) is also an option. I dont mind paying but Indian resurrected by polaris is just too early to jump on ...
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,637
Likes: 1,246
From: Lake, Ms
Not a great fan of the Indian or Polaris but its not like Polaris doesn't know what they're doing. They make the Victorys as well.
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Elite HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,177
Likes: 62
From: Michigan
The street glide gets my vote. The road glide is gone in 2014 and there is no guarantee they'll be bringing it back anytime soon. When they do bringing it back out the aftermarket parts will be very limited. With the street glide you get a great bike with an unlimited aftermarket parts.